Calling all you 16-trackers with 8 buss mixers...

  • Thread starter Thread starter sweetbeats
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sweetbeats

sweetbeats

Reel deep thoughts...
So this has been bugging me...In the ideal world you would have the same number of busses as tracks right? But I see lots of 8-buss boards mated to 16-track recorders...Is this just a cost thing or is ir really not a big deal to have less busses than tracks?

I realize that functionally its not a big deal as long as you don't mind only recording 8 tracks max simultaneously (unless you use direct outs if your mixer has them)...I'm looking for philosophical comments you know? Like the concession one makes when admitting their Mustang has the straight six vs. the V8...is it like that?
 
24 X 8 buss board

Hi,I have always used the board direct outs to the tape machine, shortest path from point A to B. I have a Tascam M3500 24 X 8 and the buss/sub group outs are wired to the patch bays, but I only use them when I need to buss/group tracks for maybe drums ( 2 buss to a comp/lim) or multi tracks with the same effect( 3 or 4 tracks to a mono effect). I could do the same with the aux sends but after looking at the boards schematics, the buss outs have less pots, switches, acn's faders, etc than the aux sends, again shortest path. I use open channel's (line in) for effect returns. My tape machine is a Tascam MSR-16 and all the inputs and direct outs are tied to the mixing board's input channels via the patchbay. Hope this helps!

Jerry
 
I survived using a 4 buss mixer set up with my MS-16 for many years as I mostly only used one track at a time when overdubbing or when starting off a track, using 3 busses to get the drum machine bed track down along with a rhythm guitar or keyboard track.

If you're tracking acoustic drums and/or working with several other people at once, then the need for an 8 or 16 buss mixer might be a necessity but beyond that, it is just "curbside appeal" and nothing more. And especially so if your mixer has direct outs to accommodate the extra demand when needed.

Cheers! :)
 
10-4....

On what Ghost said. Right now I just track myself but I tracked 2 full bands in my old studio and didn't touch the sub groups. Qtari MX 70 16 track into a Tascam M3500 32 X 8. All wired per my other post.

Jerry
 
I use the direct outs way more often than the busses on my m520. One less gain stage. The improvement is audible.
Of course some gain stages can be desirable (the brightening effect of an 1176 comp with GR off for example) but that's another topic.
 
sweetbeats said:
I realize that functionally its not a big deal as long as you don't mind only recording 8 tracks max simultaneously (unless you use direct outs if your mixer has them
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gerard said:
Hi,I have always used the board direct outs to the tape machine, shortest path from point A to B.
Jerry
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gerard said:
I tracked 2 full bands in my old studio and didn't touch the sub groups.
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ethyrvalve said:
I use the direct outs way more often than the busses on my m520.
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I guess this just goes to show how inexperienced I am. While I don't have a 16 track yet, I do a lot of thinking about these things, and I only ever considered using busses in order to group things if I was short on channels. I always thought that using direct outs was how everyone did it. Interesting.
 
Thanks guys.

Nate, I've done both, but I like the power of using the busses and not having to repatch my sources. That's how they typically were used in a larger format studio...the inputs were patched to panels in the recording room so at each session sources would be plugged into the panel or panels as directed, but each session would be somewhat different based on the artist...using the groups allows the wall panel to me permanently connected to the mixer and the snake between the mixer and the tape machine to be permanent too...no repatching, and the busses allow any input or inputs to go to any output or outputs.
 
Well, when I bought my 520 the guy said don't be afraid to use the busses. And the book that became the reference manual (Home Recording for Musicians -- I recommend BTW) also was geared toward using the buss outs, and generally recommended a 4 buss board for 8 track and an 8 buss board for 16 track.

Conceptually, I would agree that it'd be better to go direct out, w/ less gain stages, but I always prefered to use the meters on the board, rather than the deck because of the way I had things laid out.

My first mixer was a JVC 6x2 which didn't have direct outs, so I suppose also I got in teh habit of using the buss outs (if they could be called that) because I had no choice.

(BTW: I haven't actually got my MSR-16 hooked up, --the counter roller just got fixed by Terry but I own one, so I guess that still qualifies me to answer the thread?)
 
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It was never a problem when I use to have the deck connected directly to my 8-buss mixer because most times 8 simultaneous tracks was enough (or very workable).

But awhile back when I redid my studio...I just put the deck on my patchbay along with everything else. So, I CAN go all 16 tracks at once.
My cable runs are not that long...it's not much of an issue.
 
Blue Jinn said:
Conceptually, I would agree that it'd be better to go direct out, w/ less gain stages, but I always prefered to use the meters on the board, rather than the deck because of the way I had things laid out.
Click to expand...

oh yeah, i should clarify that ergonomics still trump the minor sonic advantages of skipping the busses!

Particularly if it means the difference between capturing a 'strike while the iron is hot' take or a 'take 5 while i futz around with the patchbay' take.
 
I think for a home, 16 track studio your best all around bet is a 24 channel mixer with 8 busses and direct-outs.

-MD
 
Just so I can 'splane my setup a bit. All the tape machine in/out's are normaled at the patchbays to the boards tape in and direct outs ( 1 thru 16), don't need patch cords. I have two panels with XLR's in them at each end of the room for balanced inputs (1 thru 8 and 9 thru 16) that are wired to the boards mic inputs. The panels also have 4 cue sends each, also wired to the patch bays.
 
Sweet,
How goes it ? I know I haven't been around on the forum for quite a while but I still drop in occasionally. In regard to your question I use a Tascam 2600 MKII with my MS16. It has 8 busses but mostly I'm using direct outs. I have some external mic pre's that I use on occasion also. The outputs of those are on a patch bay that I can route to any in of the MS16. Best Regards, Dave
 
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