Mastering with a mixer

  • Thread starter Thread starter downtuned31
  • Start date Start date
D

downtuned31

New member
Hello everybody here is my question. I have a behringer 16 channel mixer that I am running into a zoom r16. I like the behringer preamps better that is why I am using that. My question is how do I use the behringer for the mastering process into my zoom? I use the direct outs for recording into the zoom but what I cant figure out is how to take that recording from the zoom mix and master it through the behringer instead of having to master through the zoom. Is this possible? Any help would be appreciated.
 
I don't know the r16, but what you would need to do is send all the tracks out of the zoom individually into the channels of the mixer. If the zoom doesn't have as many outputs as you have tracks, you can't do it.

But, in reality, any digital mixing process will be cleaner and better sounding than mixing on that mixer. There are almost no advantages, other than workflow, to mixing on a budget board instead of the r16.

Hell, I've got a really expensive board (compared to yours) that I had modified to make it even better and I still don't mix through it.
 
For this kind of setup you'd want your recorded medium to have a discreet line output for every track, or a pair for every stem.
The mixer would need a line input for each of the above.

You'd also want your main output (stereo pair) to be recording back to two fresh inputs on your medium.

I don't know if your mixer has effects or if you have outboard stuff but really this is just the difference between analog summing and digital summing, if I understand you correctly.

I agree with farview. It may be a good experience to have and a good thing to understand, but digital mixdown's probably the better route.
 
He wants to MASTER through the mixer. In which case, he only needs to channels.
 
RAMI said:
He wants to MASTER through the mixer. In which case, he only needs to channels.
Click to expand...
Hehe...I meant "two". I hate it when people mix up "to" "too" and "two", and I just did it myself. :eek:

There just so careless with they're grammar over their. :(
 
What woudl you use the Behr mixer for in Mastering? I'm guessing the OP doesn't understand the difference between mixing and mastering.
 
Oops, I read it wrong as well. Umm, there is nothing about that mixer that would be useful for mastering.
 
Thanks for all the replies guys. I know a decent amount about mastering I actually use cubase. I am by no means an expert but as far as this behringer mixer goes I dont know much about its capabilities as I have been using the zoom r16 for a couple of years. The sound quality as far as the recording process just sounds much cleaner and brighter than with the zoom. I run everything from the direct out of the mixer to the inputs of the zoom for drums as well as guitar and bass. They are both 16 channels. When I was monitoring my recordings through the behringer I liked how I could add effects from the mixer post record, and thats why I thought it might be possible to actually mix it all down to one track from the mixer to the zoom. Honestly as far as this mixer goes I am confused on what all it can do. Their are so many aux sends and aux returns sub outputs and what not it is kind of overwhelming. The zoom r16 is much simpler just doesen't provide as good of recordings.:p
 
I'm even more confused now than I was before.

Are we talking about MIXING or MASTERING here?

Heck, it almost sounds like we're talking about TRACKING issues more than anything else...
 
I think, the only way to do this is to go from the Zoom into the Behringer, back out and into the Zoom into two unused, unaltered channels with the faders on the Zoom target tracks down DOWN. Play back the music from the source tracks and MASTER and monitor it on the Behringer.

Do not raise the faders on the MASTER track of the Zoom target tracks or you will get a horrendous feedback. This is basically a bounce thru an external device.

Be very careful doing this.

Consider this "any help".
 
I'm confused too. Unless a mixing desk includes a suitable compressor and limiter, the only possible use it could be put to in the mastering process is as EQ, however basic mixer EQ isn't up to mastering.

Lets have some clarification here. Mastering is the process of taking a completed mix that has been rendered to stereo (or surround) and going through the process of adjusting the frequency curve and the loudness in preparation for publication as a single or within an album to mp3, AAC, CD, DVD, vinyl, compact cassette, 8-track, or whatever.

Edit: of course mastering is more complex and nuanced than what I wrote but you know what I mean.
 
downtuned31 said:
Thanks for all the replies guys. I know a decent amount about mastering I actually use cubase. I am by no means an expert but as far as this behringer mixer goes I dont know much about its capabilities as I have been using the zoom r16 for a couple of years. The sound quality as far as the recording process just sounds much cleaner and brighter than with the zoom. I run everything from the direct out of the mixer to the inputs of the zoom for drums as well as guitar and bass. They are both 16 channels. When I was monitoring my recordings through the behringer I liked how I could add effects from the mixer post record, and thats why I thought it might be possible to actually mix it all down to one track from the mixer to the zoom. Honestly as far as this mixer goes I am confused on what all it can do. Their are so many aux sends and aux returns sub outputs and what not it is kind of overwhelming. The zoom r16 is much simpler just doesen't provide as good of recordings.:p
Click to expand...

Which actual Behringer mixer are you using?
 
Again...there is absolutely nothing about a mixer, especially that mixer, that will be of any use for mastering.

The eq isn't precise enough, there is no compression or limiting, there is nothing you can do with it. Besides, its a very different thing running a Mic into a mixer then into the zoom than taking a mix from the zoom and running it to the mixer. The sound of the zoom is in the mix and the mixer won't change that. The reason it sounds better when you record through it is because the mixer doesn't change the sound of the mic and make it worse, like the zoom does. If you take something from the zoom, the damage is already done and the mixer won't fix it.
 
Time to move up to a DAW, use your Zoom to track, then export all the separate tracks to your computer. Leave the mixer for live use.
 
Thanks for all the replies! Sorry if I am being confusing. I was wondering if the behringer could be used as far as mixing down to one track on the zoom. Basically being able to use the features of the behringer to get the sound I want and then recording that to the zoom. From everybody's replies it sounds like that is not a good idea. I currently am using the behringer xenyx x2442 with usb. The reason I havent used it through my software is because from what I understand you can only record two tracks at a time via usb. I bought it actually to replace the zoom for recording drums mainly. I was under the impression you could use it through cubase the same way as the zoom, but come to find out you only can record 2 tracks at a time. It is kind of misleading information as far as behringer goes in my opinion. But if you guys have any suggestions on how this behringer could be beneficial by itself through cubase that would be helpful to. I have been doing home recording for a couple of years but only through the zoom. So this mixer seems like a whole different thing in comparison. Also as far as cubase goes I have only been working with that for a few months. I guess I have been doing it kind of the old school way.
 
RAMI said:
Hehe...I meant "two". I hate it when people mix up "to" "too" and "two", and I just did it myself. :eek:

There just so careless with they're grammar over their. :(
Click to expand...
lol I know I do it two
 
Ohhh so you want the analog sound of a finished master? as if it were done with analog equipment. (I think every mastering engineer is bout to go back a 8-16 track analog mix desk now jus to master in the analog domain when print time comes lol) hey down, to be honest man its not worth it. Its kinda redundant and useless try this mix with your behringer and do the final mix down in your behringer & print that back into your DAW. Now your mix has that analog sound & feel and master that inside your daw and done! Whole lot easier...whewww! kid you was bout to change the world of modern mastering with this question!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top