Current setup / possible upgrade

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pointfive

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I currently have a basic setup of equipment that's partly geared around working in limited space. I'll attach a picture of my current setup, then post a reply with my possible new setup, and the questions I have.

Here's my current:
 

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And here's my possible new setup, which would give us 16 tracks instead of our current 8. My questions are:

1. Is it worth it going the chained DA-88/DA-38 route? I like the 38, I know how to use it and I'm happy with the results. I'm sold on the technology. I just don't know if it's worth the maintenance costs.

2. As 16 channel mixers go, is the 1602 a good, inexpensive bet? I like the Mackie 1402 I currently have, so I figure I can't go too wrong here.

3. Is there any other general advice you can give? This setup is in our rehearsal space, and will just be used to record our band. I want to avoid spending a lot of money (of course), and needing to take a lot of time to learn how to use new gear. I figure since I'm already familiar with the 1402 and the DA-38, knowing how to use the 1602 and the DA-88 will be a no-brainer.

Thanks!
 

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I don't know anything at all about your listed devices, but I love your nifty little diagram.

How'd you do that?

6
 
Why the 2 mixers? How are u sending 8 tracks to the recorder from a stereo out mixer?
 
I used to just use the 1402 for both recording and mixdown, but I got sick of all the wire switching, so I got the Alesis 12R. (If there was a better way for around the same price, I didn't know it.)

I'd continue to use the 1402 for recording because it has enough tracks to handle anything I'd need to record for the moment. It wouldn't have enough tracks to mixdown if were to add the DA-88 though, so I figure I'd need a 16 track mixer for this.

There's a chance I'm doing something needless or stupid here; please point out if I am. :)
 
used to just use the 1402 for both recording and mixdown, but I got sick of all the wire switching, so I got the Alesis 12R. (If there was a better way for around the same price, I didn't know it.)

I'd continue to use the 1402 for recording because it has enough tracks to handle anything I'd need to record for the moment. It wouldn't have enough tracks to mixdown if were to add the DA-88 though, so I figure I'd need a 16 track mixer for this.

There's a chance I'm doing something needless or stupid here; please point out if I am.
Click to expand...

I understand all that. When recording, how are you recording 8 tracks into the recorder? That mixer does not have direct outs so are u using what?
 
Oh, sorry... misunderstood the question. We only record 1 or 2 tracks at a time against a click track. We're limited by our room at this point, really.

In another thread, it was suggested that we could use the aux outs, as well as the inserts, to get more outputs as needed (for, say, drums). But I haven't tried this yet since, with only 8 tracks, we can't spare more than 2 tracks for drums.
 
I'd ditch the 2 mixer idea and go for a 16 or 24 channel inline mixer. I use a Soundtracs Topaz Project 8, it's a 24/8/2 inline console. Your tape returns form the DA38s would come back to the tape returns on the board. They have a seperate monitor section on each channel to let you monitor back as you record new tracks...then at mixdown you just flip a switch to bring all your tape returns through the full channel path with fader, eq, AUX send ect. My board also has direct outs so you could be recording 16 channels at a time with two DA38s...especialy if space is an issue you want 1 mixer, not 2

The mackie 8 buss consoles are inline but the pres aren't so good and I hate the mackie EQ
 
You're absolutely right. I'd rather have the one mixer than two. I just didn't know this kind of setup was possible. The Soundtracs sounds like exactly what I need. I'm in the US, though, and a casual search doesn't seem to yield any real results (mostly dead links). I wonder if it's available here.

If not, what would a low-cost, comparable mixer be? I'm not sure how to tell if a mixer allows for the kind of setup you're describing. Is the term to search for "inline"?

Thanks!
 
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Soundtracs WAS a UK company, alas no more

most boards will do the job if it has tape returns. Idealy you want something with direct outputs to connect to your recorders inputs and tape returns to monitor back what you've recorded as you do overdubs.
 
LemonTree said:
you want something with direct outputs to connect to your recorders inputs
Click to expand...

Yup, thats the way to go. A 16 channel mixer will work if it has direct outs and then you could you could route the recorder outputs to channels 9-16
 
Could still use the two recorders and use all 16 channels on the board too.
 
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