Do I HAVE to use a digidesign control surface if I want a mixing board?

  • Thread starter Thread starter kleraudio
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kleraudio

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Hello, so Im getting back into recording from complete scratch.. About 6 years of not doing anything with music...

back in the day I remember if you wanted a mixing board to mix with you had to use a Digi control surface... Im talking "home" recording here..

Have things changed? If I want a mixing board to make my mixes, do I either need a digi control surface or just use the virtual mixing board included with pro tools..??

My setup is really small right now, just an mbox mini and Im using my computer to mix....

I end up with lots of tracks because this stuff gets sent around the country for drums, vocals, rhythm guitars, etc... by the time I get it back I might have like 10-15 tracks, its getting to be a HUGE PITA to mix with the virtual mixing board....

Thanks in advance or all your advice! This site ROCKS and is getting me slowly back into the game!!

Jim
 
No

u can use a slew of other digital mixers with pro tools. I for one use 2 behringer BCF2000's and am happy with it.:D
 
Thanks for the reply!

So I just need a digi interface then? The mixer could be anything?

Also, say I get that behringer, How do I get the mbox/pro tools to send all the audio to individual channels? I only have 2 outs on my mbox mini, L/R for monitors, will I need a different interface?

Sorry, Im very new to this again

Jim
 
I've been using a tascam fw1082 for mixing, it just runs FireWire into my computer, along with my 003 and in pts you go to controlers or somehthing and just select it. I'm using it as a hui controller. It works ok. Works alot better with cubase. But that's what it was designed for.
 
AMCB- Does Pt automatically route each individual channel into the mixer?? That would be sweet!

One firewire cable and being able to mix individual tracks!

Can you use the software plug ins and then mix with the board?

Thanks!

Jim
 
yes, and yes. It's 8 channels, so if I have a 16 channel project, it will only control the first 8, or I can switch it on the tascam to do then 2nd 8.
 
Thanks man, looking at it now, it looks a lot like the digi 002......

That seems like a good route, you said it works "ok", is there any issues with it and PT?

Also, will an analog board work or will I need individual track outputs on my interface to mix with an analog board?

Thanks!

Jim
 
virtual mixing

You sound like you are thinking in terms of outputting to a mixer to do a mix-down, as you would have done with a multi-track tape based system. I would personally recommend using midi-mixers (like the Behringer - one of the 3 good products that they make). You can then assign each slider/pot to a midi channel, and assign that to your onboard mixer. This is much better than doing an old fashioned mix-down where you output sound to individual channels, and then record the output.

I noticed Tim Exile using three behringer B-control units the other day, so they are more than just an entry level toy.
 
If you want to use an analog board, you will need to get enough interfaces to give you enough outputs to handle all the individual tracks.

IMO, it is a waste of time. The interfaces will run you big money and the mixer that you will probably get will be substandard compared to just leaving it in the box. IF you have a big time mixer, like an SSL, Neve or something liek that, then it would be worth it. But if you had that kind of money, you would be running HD...

A control surface is the way to go because it gives you the faders but it leaves the audio in the computer.
 
Thanks a lot everyone for clearing that up!

I think I may just save up and get the 002 with the controller...

I was talking about mixing analog, thats what Im used to, thanks a lot for clearing all that up guys, because like I have said, its been a while since Ive been in the game!

What would you guys recommend? I am just on the Mbox 2 Mini right now just to get my feet wet, but I plan on upgrading in the coming months... I do plan on staying with Pro Tools though...

Should I go with a used 002? Or upgrade to a bigger Mbox and get something like that behringer controller?

What would you do?

Thanks!

Jim

On a side note, these days it seems like you get more gear for your dollar than you did in 2002, when I was heavily into recording....
 
kleraudio said:
Thanks for the reply!

So I just need a digi interface then? The mixer could be anything?

Also, say I get that behringer, How do I get the mbox/pro tools to send all the audio to individual channels? I only have 2 outs on my mbox mini, L/R for monitors, will I need a different interface?

Sorry, Im very new to this again

Jim
Click to expand...

Jim this is True but you would want a mixer with good to better than good preamps.



:cool:
 
I wouldn't really recomend the fw1082 for a control surface with pro tools. The only reason I have it is because it was free.

The only real problem is that it is not as responsive as it is using cubase. And all the buttons don't work, like the little spinny wheel scrubber to fastforward. But the fader are ok, just slow.
 
Moresound- Any recommendations??

Amcb- thanks for the info, I think Im gonna do like moresound said and get something with some nice pres that also works well with PT...

Does the 002 have nice pre's?

Jim
 
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