Just PUrchased Layla and 32*8! Help.

[moelar2]

Greetings,

Well, I’m happy to inform you that I just purchased an echo Layla (hopefully that’s a good thing ). I’d like to tell you guys what my setup is so that I can get some suggestions …

Here’s what I’m using:

· AMD Athlon w/ VIA chipset (don’t remember which one, but it is compatible)
· 512 RAM
· 1700 mghz
· Cubase VST32/5.1
· Mackie 32*8

Along with my layla, I purchased an eight channel TRS ¼ inch snake. Some of my questions are:

1. Where should I take my signal from in the mackie? Direct outs? Sub outs? Inserts? Please, if possible, offer that pros and cons to each.
a. Since I purchased an 8 channel TRS, I’m currently setup to take the signal from the Direct outs or Sub outs…
2. Monitoring – how should I monitor? Should I monitor the incoming signal form MixB on the console or should I monitor it as it comes back from the Layale (presuming I’m feeding it back to the console?
3. I noticed that if I set my general WINDOWS sound to be outputted from layla outs1-2, I can’t use those same 1-2 to output sound from CUBASE.

My main concern is with respect to maximizing the 32*8/Layla combination.

THANKS!

 

[TexRoadkill]

Insert outs- Pre EQ/Fader.Cleanest possible signal but unbalanced. Default way to use compressors and outboard EQ during tracking or mixing.

Direct Outs- Post EQ/Fader, not quite as clean but balanced out. This is the default way to send out tracks.

Busses- Post EQ/Fader/Buss Fader, least clean but best way to send out submixed tracks. Usually more usefull during mixdown than tracking. One advantage here is that you can keep the layla hooked up to the outputs and you can assign any track to the buss you want without having to repatch. Handy if you don't have a patchbay.

For monitoring just return the tracks into their own channels on the board. Just don't send those tracks back into the layla unless you are using the board for mixdown.

 

[moelar2]

Tex...

Thanks for the info...

I do have a question with reference to your monitoring comment..

What you're saying is that I should return back to the tracks? Tape returns? If, for example, I'm tracking eight channels of drums, using direct outs, how am I going to hear whats already recorded on my computer?

 

[TexRoadkill]

Since you have 32 channels I doubt you will be hurting for inputs. Just return the outputs from the Layla into their own tracks on the Mackie. You only need to use one if you want to keep it simple. In your recording software just assign all your playback tracks to that output on the Layla.

If you want to have hardware control over the levels and EQ or create different headphone mixes then send different tracks to different outputs on the layla and run them into the mackie. You can then use the Aux sends or Busses to create different cue (monitor) mixes.

It would make sense to submix (within the software) related instruments to a specific output so you can easily control the level of drums, guitars, backing vocals, etc on their own channel.

 

[moelar2]

Got it.

I fiddled around with it a bit yesterday. The layla is replacing an audiophile 2496. OH, BTW, when i got to my audio panel within cubase, it wont let me set the sampling rate to 96k (not that I'm particurly interested in doing so anyway)... any info on that?

Aside from the obvious increase in ins/outs, will there be a *significant* sonic improvement between my layla and the audiphile?