Mixer hookup question

[Giganova]

Hey guys --

so I just got an Allen & Heath Mixwizard 16:2, an Alesis AI3 ADAT converter and an RME 9636 Lightpipe card. Since I never had an analog mixer before, how do I hookup the gear? Is this a good way:

outboard sound sources -> mixer in
mixer direct outs TRS -> ADAT interface TRS IN
ADAT interface lightpipe -> RME lightpipe IN
RME lightpipe OUT -> ADAT interface lightpipe IN
2-ch ADAT interface TRS OUT -> 2-ch mixer channels IN

Is this the right way to do it? Shall I route 8-ch from the mixer's direct OUT into the DAW via the converter, and route a stereo signal back to the mixer for monitoring -- or shall I just route the stereo OUT of the mixer into the DAW and one stereo signal back into the mixer (ch 15+16) for monitoring? Or shall I use the buses?? If I use the direct OUT on the mixer, I can only use 8-channels; however, if I'd use the stereo OUT, I could use like 14 channels from the mixer, which seems to make more sense.

Sorry for this basic question, and thanks for your help!

[tubesrawsom]

with tht mixer u can do anything try it all out and see what fits your purposes best.
with all the i/o capabilities with tht mixer u can do the craziest shit
familiarize yourself with it.

[tubesrawsom]

expierement thts what recording is

[Giganova]

all right, good idea. Thanks!

[tubesrawsom]

n/p dude i once worked with a 16:2 for live sound the eq is wonderfull and the verb is nice so take advantage of it

[Paj]

G:

From the factory*, The Direct Outs on the 16:2 should be TS jacks, unbalanced. They are post EFX, EQ, insert, and fader. Send these via TS 1/4-in cable to your AI3 if you want to record EQ, EFX, Insert (outboard) processing, and fader changes while you track.

From the factory*, The insert I/O is unbalanced Send/Return on a TRS jack (Ring=Send, Tip=Return). You should use an Insert/Efx cable (TRS plug at one end, two TS plugs at the other end) to send this signal to the AI3 and/or send the AI3 signal back to the MWiz via the inset jack. The utility of using the Insert Return to receive the AI3 signal would be that you would bypass the input/trim(gain) stage of the channel-strip preamp on the MWiz. If you want the ability to trim the AI3 output, use the line input of the MWiz (they are 1/4-in balanced, like the AI3 outputs). If You are just going to use the Insert I/O to SEND a "dry" signal to an AI3 input, you can use standard TS 1/4-inch cable---don't push the plug all the way into the Inset jack---just push the plug in about halfway, until the "first click." Use the insert send to tap a dry, pure signal from a source plugged into a MWiz channel strip input. The only thing on the mixer that will affect the signal is the trim knob. This is realy useful in a live situation because the FOH adjustments that are necessary for an audience will not affect recording levels tapped from the Insert Sends (assuming that PFL levels were done and not messed with).

You also have a Stereo 1-2 buss on the Mwiz that you can tap as a mixed master signal and 4 aux mixes (5 or 6, if you sacrifice single or dual effects) that you can tap. You can also tap the master Insert I/O.

Good Luck,
Paj
8^)


*. . .and of course, in AH style, all kinds of options can be set via internal DIP switches---check out the manual.

[mshilarious]

That's all very helpful (except v2 doesn't have internal DIP switches), but unfortunately Giga sold his A&H several months ago . . .

[Paj]

Opps---my bad! I didn't notice the original posting date.

Paj
8^}