Here I go again

[Terry Wetzel]

Need an easy to understand explanation on this. First, I hope I'm in the right forum,(?).
I own an Alesis HD24 and a Mackie 24/8 mixer. According to the manuals that came with both they are each capable of INPUT NORMALING. I've been using both for a while but not this feature. I usually record analog in and I have the direct outs from each mixer channel patched to the HD24 inputs, 1 -24. The HD24 outputs are sent back to the Mackie tape returns,1-24.
Heres the part I'm confused about. First off, I record each track individually since I don't have a band. so the discription above works fine for that. When I rewire my setup for NORMALING, does this mean that I only need to run the first 8 channels from the Mackie to the HD? Will this enable any signal going to channel 1 to be recorded on chs.1-7 & 9, providing these channels are in record? Or will I still need cables from and to each channel?
Next, how about playback? Yesterday I recorded a test track on channel 1 using the NORMALING mode. No matter what I did, and I followed Mackie's very complicated and confusing instructions, I could not hear playback of the recorded track!
I know this seems confusing. At least it has been for me.
Just advice on (1). Should I even bother with this considering my usual set up that works for me, or (2). Go for the Normaling feature? How would it benefit my process ,(once I understand it's functions. Any help will be appreciated.

 

[M1Fanatic]

Well, I'm not familiar with Mackie products, but I think that's an in-line mixer. You should only have to flip a switch or push a button to hear the tape returns from a recorded track through the channel it was recorded from.

Not sure about that 'normaling' business.

You should also be able to buss a channel to any track you choose, though as I said I'm not familiar with the Mackie boards to know how to tell you to do it.

On a split console you would have one half of the board for recording and the other half for monitoring. I like an in-line better.

 

[Terry Wetzel]

Thanks for responding. I failed to mention that the Mackie 24/8 has a MIX B feature which is supposed to enable tracking on the MIX B bus. In this mode, if iI understand correctly, you can record tracks and play back without having to engage the channel flip switch for playback,(?). That's what is confusing me. The use of the MIX B feature and the various positiobns of the mic/line or flip switch.

 

[RRuskin]

Thanks for responding. I failed to mention that the Mackie 24/8 has a MIX B feature which is supposed to enable tracking on the MIX B bus. In this mode, if iI understand correctly, you can record tracks and play back without having to engage the channel flip switch for playback,(?). That's what is confusing me. The use of the MIX B feature and the various positiobns of the mic/line or flip switch.

The normaling function on the Alesis allows you to reach all 24 tracks with input connection only at the 1st 8. The reasoning being that when using the buss-outs from an an 8-buss mixer, you won't have to re-patch to send any signal or group of signals to any input on the Alsesis.

Having direct outs on the Mackie allows you the option of sending directly to the Alesis from each input. Being a shorter signal path, the direct out should be cleaner than the buss out.

The Mix B on the Mackie is typically used for monitoring the returns from your multi-track machine independently of how the rest of the channel strip is set. You use the flip function when you want the machine return to be available on the slide fader for remix.

Best thing you can so for yourself is to get the manuals for your gear and read it until it makes sense to you. It will save you lots of grief in the long run.

 

[Terry Wetzel]

Thanks Rick,

that clears a lot of the fog for me. (I think the stroke left me with a certain amount of reading disability). Also the guy who wrote the Mackie manual must be a part time stand up comic as he thought being funny was more important than instructing purchasers on the use of the board.
One last thing. My main problem is how to monitor mix B during tracking. I can't seem to get playback of the recorded tracks. If you would please offer advice about this. Thanks!

 

[RRuskin]

that clears a lot of the fog for me. (I think the stroke left me with a certain amount of reading disability). Also the guy who wrote the Mackie manual must be a part time stand up comic as he thought being funny was more important than instructing purchasers on the use of the board.
One last thing. My main problem is how to monitor mix B during tracking. I can't seem to get playback of the recorded tracks. If you would please offer advice about this. Thanks!

You need to bring the outputs from your HD-24 to the tape returns of the Mackie. Depending on how you have your system hooked up, you may need to assign the Mix B output to the L/R buss. There's a switch for that inthe master section of the board. Like I said, read the manual.