Digital Mixer - automating???

[larold]

I am looking to pick up a Yamaha digital
mixer. One of the benefits I am looking forward to is the ability to 'automate'
the mixdown. IE, I can control levels, FX,
EQ, etc, for just a few tracks on the
first pass. Then, I can go back and mix
a few more tracks. All the data is getting
saved and reproduced by my PC (running a MIDI
sequencer.)

What I don't understand is this:

Let's say at 2:05 in the mix, I have
a very detailed mix adjustments. I will
need to have all of my sources synched up
so that on each pass, everything starts
at 2:05 and plays to 2:23. How do you
synchronize up multiple sources? Not
everything comes with SMPTE (which I
don't know how to use). For example,
the PC will have to play back MIDI information
to the mixer, the ADAT will have to begin
playing the recorded material, and other
devices will need to be feeding other
recorded inputs to the mix.

Is there a fundamental flaw with how I'm
considering using the digital mixer?
Help - I'm confused.

- Larold

 

[Ears]

You can get a rack box like a MOTU unit (or others) that will link everything you spoke of. SMPTE, MTC. MMC and MIDI are all variations of time contol or sync methods.
Go to the music store and tell the salesperson what you have. Even a cheap FSK smart time box will work for all, but you will have to give up a track on the Alesis/