Correct setup for mixer to 4 track open reel

[Mike1974]

Hi guys,

I'm new to the home studio thing, but have vintage audio equipment and I am familiar with setting that kind of stuff up. My problem is figuring out the correct way (if possible) to hook up an Allen and Heath SR-16 mixer to my 4 track open reel. The mixer does not have a 4 group section nor does it have direct outs. If anyone has any experience hooking a mixer up to a 4 track open reel I would appreciate any advice.

Mike

 

[bouldersoundguy]

Well, SR means sound reinforcement so it's not really designed for multitrack. But there are enough features that you could do it. Dedicate four channels as returns from tape. If you want to record discretely, one channel to one track, use an insert tap to connect from the board to the input of the deck. If you want to submix multiple channels to fewer tracks use the aux sends.

You can build or buy insert tap cables. They are normal instrument cables with a TRS at the mixer end with the tip and ring tied together. I used to cheat and use standard instrument cables with spacers to keep them at the "half click" position. The spacers were made with 1/4" inside diameter fuel hose, cut to 1/4" lengths.

 

[Mike1974]

Well, SR means sound reinforcement so it's not really designed for multitrack. But there are enough features that you could do it. Dedicate four channels as returns from tape. If you want to record discretely, one channel to one track, use an insert tap to connect from the board to the input of the deck. If you want to submix multiple channels to fewer tracks use the aux sends.

You can build or buy insert tap cables. They are normal instrument cables with a TRS at the mixer end with the tip and ring tied together. I used to cheat and use standard instrument cables with spacers to keep them at the "half click" position. The spacers were made with 1/4" inside diameter fuel hose, cut to 1/4" lengths.

Thank you for the response. I kind of understand. lol. So would I go from the 4 outs on the r2r to 4 line-ins on the mixer and then from insert on 4 channels on mixer to line ins on the r2r? How do I then get mics/instruments to the r2r from the board? I know, i'm a real noob!!

Maybe I am making this more difficult then it has to be. Let's say I want to record guitar and vocals on the first track. how would my connections look from the mixer to/from the r2r?

 

[bouldersoundguy]

Thank you for the response. I kind of understand. lol. So would I go from the 4 outs on the r2r to 4 line-ins on the mixer and then from insert on 4 channels on mixer to line ins on the r2r? How do I then get mics/instruments to the r2r from the board? I know, i'm a real noob!!

Maybe I am making this more difficult then it has to be. Let's say I want to record guitar and vocals on the first track. how would my connections look from the mixer to/from the r2r?

If you want to record two channels onto one track you need to submix. For that connect an aux send (say, Aux d) from the board to the input of the deck. Connect your guitar mic to one channel and your vocal mic to another, not using any of the four playback channels from the deck of course. Set gains appropriately, turn up channel sends for Aux D, use Aux D master to control record level.

Then you have to decide how to listen to yourself while you track. For live tracking to a 2-head deck you could monitor off tape, but if you want to punch in and hear yourself in headphones before the punch you'll have to monitor the main mix, using the faders to balance playback and live inputs, or monitor off the aux sends A and B.

One problem with all this is that, depending on how you have things routed, you may not hear the balance of the two instruments as they are recorded. So not only do you have to get both parts right you have to blend them perfectly.

It might be better to record to separate tracks then bounce them down to one as a separate step.

 

[Mike1974]

If you want to record two channels onto one track you need to submix. For that connect an aux send (say, Aux d) from the board to the input of the deck. Connect your guitar mic to one channel and your vocal mic to another, not using any of the four playback channels from the deck of course. Set gains appropriately, turn up channel sends for Aux D, use Aux D master to control record level.

Then you have to decide how to listen to yourself while you track. For live tracking to a 2-head deck you could monitor off tape, but if you want to punch in and hear yourself in headphones before the punch you'll have to monitor the main mix, using the faders to balance playback and live inputs, or monitor off the aux sends A and B.

One problem with all this is that, depending on how you have things routed, you may not hear the balance of the two instruments as they are recorded. So not only do you have to get both parts right you have to blend them perfectly.

It might be better to record to separate tracks then bounce them down to one as a separate step.

Thanks! I'm starting to get it. Just tried hooking it up the way you said and it worked! It appeared I could adjust both channels and hear them through the headphones plugged into the board. I will do some test recording tonight.

My next question would be this: once I have the first track laid down, how would I connect things so that you can hear the first track in the headphones as well as the current second track you are recording. And then track 1 & 2 + track 3 that you are recording through the headphones?

I really appreciate the help!

 

[bouldersoundguy]

The four playback channels from the deck let you listen to whatever you've already recorded.

 

[Mike1974]

The four playback channels from the deck let you listen to whatever you've already recorded.

Ok, that makes sense. Now that I understand the functions better I will play around with it and see what I can do. Thanks so much for taking the time to help me understand how this all works!