I
intune
New member
I should be able to bring any aux outputs from a non powered mixer, to inputs of a digital recorder wihout damage right?
drstawl
Banned
Sure. But you should know whether the aux out is at +4 or -10 level and what signal level is expected at the digital recorder. Both are called line level signals but +4 is a lot stronger.
(for carrying a signal over a long cable)
This info should be in the manual or on the spec sheet for the mixer and the recorder.
My mixer manual suggests that the match-up should be accomplished at the digital recorder.
(turn down the input if it's expecting a -10 signal and getting a +4 signal)
You could also turn down the output level of the mixer, but this is not recommended. You get a better signal to noise ratio near to the "0" mark on the faders.
Best method of recording individual channels to a multitrack digital recorder is via direct outs on the mixer.
(for carrying a signal over a long cable)
This info should be in the manual or on the spec sheet for the mixer and the recorder.
My mixer manual suggests that the match-up should be accomplished at the digital recorder.
(turn down the input if it's expecting a -10 signal and getting a +4 signal)
You could also turn down the output level of the mixer, but this is not recommended. You get a better signal to noise ratio near to the "0" mark on the faders.
Best method of recording individual channels to a multitrack digital recorder is via direct outs on the mixer.
sonusman
Banned
6 of one, half dozen of another....
"Best method of recording individual channels to a multitrack digital recorder is via direct outs on the mixer."
Not entirely true. Really, unless the mixers main outputs are transformer balanced, and you want the sound of the transformer to go to tape, there is going to be little difference between routing to the main buss and an aux send to feed the input of a multi-track machine. One or the other may provide you with more functionality in sending signal to tape and monitoring at the same time depending upon the capabilities of your mixer and how you like to do things. But both are going to sound the same in the end more or less.
The aux output is more then likely on an OP amp, and some don't like the sound of them compared to a transformer. They both I suppose have slight differences in sound, but you will be hard pressed to hear most of the time.
If the aux send is pre fader, you have the advantage of listening to the channel while recording, and you can mess with the channels fader all you want to do a monitor mix without effecting the aux output. This Pre Fader Aux send may or may not be post EQ, something you should check out if you intend to use the channels EQ while recording. If it is a Post fader aux send, then the fader WILL effect the aux output, and will be Post EQ. Most consoles have at least one Pre and one Post aux send on each channel. The more expensive consoles have more aux sends, and the even better ones will let you select whether these sends are Pre or Post fader. Whether ANY aux send if Pre or Post EQ is something you should obviously check.
Anyway, in this case, there is little difference.
If I was going to say what would be the BEST output from a console to use for feeding a multi-track recorders input, I would say either a channels Direct Out if it has one, or, the Send of the channles insert. These would both provide the shortest signal route and cleanest signal and are free from an extra gain stage.
Good luck.
Ed
"Best method of recording individual channels to a multitrack digital recorder is via direct outs on the mixer."
Not entirely true. Really, unless the mixers main outputs are transformer balanced, and you want the sound of the transformer to go to tape, there is going to be little difference between routing to the main buss and an aux send to feed the input of a multi-track machine. One or the other may provide you with more functionality in sending signal to tape and monitoring at the same time depending upon the capabilities of your mixer and how you like to do things. But both are going to sound the same in the end more or less.
The aux output is more then likely on an OP amp, and some don't like the sound of them compared to a transformer. They both I suppose have slight differences in sound, but you will be hard pressed to hear most of the time.
If the aux send is pre fader, you have the advantage of listening to the channel while recording, and you can mess with the channels fader all you want to do a monitor mix without effecting the aux output. This Pre Fader Aux send may or may not be post EQ, something you should check out if you intend to use the channels EQ while recording. If it is a Post fader aux send, then the fader WILL effect the aux output, and will be Post EQ. Most consoles have at least one Pre and one Post aux send on each channel. The more expensive consoles have more aux sends, and the even better ones will let you select whether these sends are Pre or Post fader. Whether ANY aux send if Pre or Post EQ is something you should obviously check.
Anyway, in this case, there is little difference.
If I was going to say what would be the BEST output from a console to use for feeding a multi-track recorders input, I would say either a channels Direct Out if it has one, or, the Send of the channles insert. These would both provide the shortest signal route and cleanest signal and are free from an extra gain stage.
Good luck.
Ed
sonusman
Banned
OOPS!!!
Gotta give credit where credit is due. AND, I need to read quotes that I post a little closer!
drstawls quote is absolutely correct and doesn't need the comments in the first part of my last post to clarify, so disregard them in reference to his quote! (sorry doc, for some reason my mind was thinking you meant the Stereo Out's, even though you say specifically Direct Out's! Silly me....bad Ed....heal boy, heal!)
But, I suppose if one was to think that the Master Out's would be better then the Aux send for feeding a multi-track, my comments would be valid! Oh well, more wasted server space!
Ed
Gotta give credit where credit is due. AND, I need to read quotes that I post a little closer!
drstawls quote is absolutely correct and doesn't need the comments in the first part of my last post to clarify, so disregard them in reference to his quote! (sorry doc, for some reason my mind was thinking you meant the Stereo Out's, even though you say specifically Direct Out's! Silly me....bad Ed....heal boy, heal!)
But, I suppose if one was to think that the Master Out's would be better then the Aux send for feeding a multi-track, my comments would be valid! Oh well, more wasted server space!
Ed