Hybrid Digital/Analog Mixing

  • Thread starter Thread starter Deface7String
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Deface7String

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I've been reading that useing an analog mixer to sum the tracks from a DAW at mixdown produces a better finished product than mixing within the DAW because software summing algorithms start sounding "muddy, harsh, etc..." as you mix more tracs. Since I'm putting together a system that only has 12 A/d & 12 D/A converters I was thinking about buying a 12 channel mixer (Spirit M12) to sum the mix. Problem is I will be tracking over 12 tracks in a project - let's use a 24 track song as an example. Can I combine the tracks in a way that yields 12 tracks via the software (Digital Performer probobly) and route them out to the analog board and then send the main outs back into the DAW to finish the mix? Would this sound better do you think? Or should I just put the money towards better preamps?
 
In the old days when I used to run a Gina which had 8 analog outputs, I used to use them as four stereo busses back to an analog board. I'd send groups of tracks to each of the four busses. By grouping, you can minimize the summing issues of software plus you get the added bonus of being able to use software plugins and hardware devices at the same time. Very powerful setup.
 
Deface7String said:
I've been reading that useing an analog mixer to sum the tracks from a DAW at mixdown produces a better finished product than mixing within the DAW because software summing algorithms start sounding "muddy, harsh, etc..." as you mix more tracs.
Click to expand...

That doesn`t apply to a Spirit M12!!!!!!!!
You`re better of summing internally.......



Amund
 
Ah, yes it does apply to a Spirit mixer.
 
Track Rat and Plexi. Thanks for the input. Plexi, why would it be better to mix internally rather than with the Spirit?
 
The problem with all "cheap" analog mixers are headroom in the summing circuit, they just don`t have it,and the mix will "collapse" pretty soon, with a lot of tracks hitting it(summing amps)
This goes for Mackie 8-bus, Behr. 8000/9000 and similar consoles too, the mix will "shrink" and end up mushy, with pretty bad stereo separation.......


Amund
 
Mushy? I know no Mushy!

So I have more Headroom in the summing circuit of my 1010 than my mixer?
 
maestro_dmc said:
Mushy? I know no Mushy!

So I have more Headroom in the summing circuit of my 1010 than my mixer?
Click to expand...

There is no summing circuit in your 1010!
The summing happens internally in your DAW of choice......

Amund
 
Tell ya what. Try some mixes both ways and yo decide which sounds better to you. Just my opinion but i feel mixes I make through my StudioMaster sound WAY better than software. YMMV.
 
I have a Gadget Labs Wave824 card, 8 in / 8 out, 24 bit 44.1/48, using Cakewalk 9. I used to do exactly what track rat does, use the 8 outputs as 4 stereo submasters and mix through my Studio32 mixer. But about a year ago I abandoned that and now do 100% of all mixing internaly, and route everything to a single stereo mix for monitoring playback. Much less hassle and no notable difference to me in the finished product. The only thing I miss is that since Cakewalk 9 has output meters but doesn't have individual channel playbacks meters, when I was mixing down using all 8 outputs I had a better picture of what was going on. I use the "solo" button a lot more now!
 
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