Delta 1010 and Mixer using inserts as outputs.

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Funky_

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I was doing some searching on the forums and can't seem to nail the info I am looking for.

I was just reading about how the inserts on a mixer can be used as outs, I am currently doing this with my delta 1010. I have a stereo 1/4" fully in my insert and at the end I have a stereo splitter (splits left and right) which one end is plugged into the ins on my delta 1010. All 8 ins are being used.

Outs 1 and 2 are connected to a stereo channel on my mixer to hear stuff.

This works just fine for tracking but I can't monitor any sound while it's being played.

I'm pretty sure but unsure if it's a good idea to plug from a channel insert from the board to the delta 1010 and not only plug one split from the insert only to the IN but plug BOTH the left and right from the insert to the IN and OUT on the delta 1010. This would create a loop back to the board and allow for monitoring, I think.

So if that works, how do I set it up in the software. Lets say I have 8 mics recording 8 different tracks for a drum kit. Then I record a bass track and a few guitar tracks. If all the 8 outs are being used how do I listen to lets say all 15 of my tracks?

I assume I can select what outputs to use in the software for each specific track so basicly choose tracks 1 - 8 to output to channels 1 - 8 respectively but this sounds very tedious and... not right I suppose.

Anyway I guess what I really want to know is what is the best setup to use with this type of mixer and my delta 1010 and to better understand the advantages and disadvantages of the setups.

Thanks in advance.

Funky
 
I don't fully understand your problem(s) but I'll try to help.

First of all, it doesn't matter how many tracks you have in your computer. I can have a 40 track project play perfectly fine through only 2 outputs on my soundcard, because you can run any track to any output. This means you can run every track to the same stereo output and hear everything.

Secondly, about the inserts. And insert is a point where a device is put into the signal path WITHIN the channel. Example of a signal path:
Mic > preamp > mixer eq > insert send to deviceX > insert return from deviceX to the channel > fader > main output.
The insert does not have to do anything with left or right. It is a single connection that carries both the signal that is send from the mixer and the signal that is returned to the mixer (enabling you to connect any insert device with 1 cable). If you want to use the insert as an output, then you need to use only half of the insert socket, namely the send part, which goes through the tip of the plug). If you use a TS plug (tip-sleeve), then the return signal is connected to the ground of the cable (but since there is nothing returning that doesn't really matter). If you connect a TRS plug (tip-ring-sleeve), the mixer expects a signal back through the ring part of the cable, but since nothing is coming back (you are only using the cable as an output) nothing goes through that line, so that shouldn't cause a problem.

Long story short: connect any mono 1/4" cable to an insert and you got an output at the other end.

Another option would be using an aux send. This is basicly just an output. When used in combination with a return you can use it like an insert only the wet signal does not go back to the original channel, but to a different channel or the main output.
 
My impression was an insert was for routing sound to an external device like an FX processor. What I meant by left and right was that the insert sends a signal thought one channel, the fx box sends it back through the other channel.

Therefor if instead of plugging the insert into the IN and OUT of an FX processor, I would plug it into the IN and OUT of my Delta 1010 to get a monitor of that specific track.
 
Yeah that would work aswell. I'm still not totally sure what you want though. Do you want 8 independant monitor channels (8 different headphone mixes)?
 
Well i guess that was my question to begin with! Is this something that people do? Does it make sense to do it?

I'm trying to find a use to all these outputs that I am not using and I've always had a feeling that I could be doing something more with the equipment I have.

I'm probably just not understanding the basics of it all.
 
Oh ok. Well, no, that doesn't really happen much, unless you have 8 musicians that are VERY picky about what they hear on their headphones and you have to make an individual mix for everyone. But I'd kick them out before they have the chance to moan about the headphone mix.

You could use the extra outputs of the delta to connect some outboard processors. If you have a hardware compressor or something, then try hooking up one output of the delta to the in of the compressor, and the out of the compressor back to an input of the delta, completely bypassing the mixer.

You see the biggest reason for using a mixer is (for me) the fact that computer inputs are limited and that by using a mixer I can combine signals before they hit the computer. However, since you have 8 inputs, that should be enough for most situations where you are not recording a full band together at one time. I'd probably toss the mixer away all together if I didn't really need it (read: if I had stand alone preamps). The EQ's are mostly crap on cheap mixers, and the preamps are ok at best. Then again, you do get to actually put your finger on a fader, whereas in a computer you would have to use your mouse to drag the fade, but the outcome is virtually the same.
 
funky...

get yourself some mono jack cables, you'll need 16 or 2x8 looms.

on the inserts insert the mono jack into the chanel 1 inseret until you hear the first click, not pushed all the way in. This is you taping the signal from the mixer but not breaking it so you can still hear through the dessk. connect the other end to the input 1 on the delta.

That's you got your sound going to the computer from chanel 1. Repeat the steps with the next 7 chanels.

on the delta outs, connect a mono jack to output 1 and the other end to the tape return (if you have one) or the line in of chanel one on your mixer...

That's you got sound coming out of the computer back to the board, repeat with the next 7 outputs

So, if you play something through chanel one of the desk it will be recorded on chanel one of the delta. And, if you play back anything from the computer it will come back through the dedicated chanel you have chosen the delta to play it through

Funky_ said:
I'm trying to find a use to all these outputs that I am not using and I've always had a feeling that I could be doing something more with the equipment I have.

QUOTE]

I used to buss stuff into stereo groups and pipe them out through my 1010 before I added 2 delta 410s and had the 24 outputs

good luck
Click to expand...
 
I see... hmm...

I think I will research this more. Thanks for the info.
 
If you want to tap off from the insert jacks and still have the signal running to the mixer channel fader as normal (for monitoring). You can make a simple cable.

Get a mono 1/4" jack cable twice as long as you need and cut it in two.
At the cut end, attach a "stereo" TRS 1/4" jack, wired thus...

Signal core, solder to both the Tip AND Ring contact of the plug, should be possible without adding a short link wire.

Screen or drain wire, solder to the sleeve/body contact as normal.
Repeat for the other half of the cable and you've got two cables, repeat for more.

I find using a ready made cable with correct plug at one end can actually be cheaper then making it all yourself!

Plug the TRS plug into the insert. The channel preamp output is now leaving along the mono cable and, since Tip and Ring are shorted, also carrying on down the mixer channel strip.
 
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