PROs and CONs of Digital and Analog mix boards ?

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jumpingflash

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I would like to switch from my analog Makie 24-8 to a digital console but i am not sure as if i will be able to work like i am used to, and i guess i won't...

I am used to using inserts a lot, direct outs for phone feeds and for tracking, and the 8 bus makes you work in a certain way...

I was thinking about a Yamaha 02 and connect it with an ADAT connection to a digital PCI audio card in my PC ( i have a in/8out card now, that would need replacement... if i decide to go digital)...

I would like to do all this to work in the digital domain as much as possible, to be able to mix and record mixes and settings for every session...


What is your opinion, who did this step and would like to give me some advice ?

Thanx a lot for any help.
 
I'd say get a digital. It's so much more convenient mixing into a computer. You can do single tracks and mix them easier.
 
ridl said:
It's so much more convenient mixing into a computer. You can do single tracks and mix them easier.
Click to expand...
I disagree 100% -- mouse mixing is for the birds.........


I do, however, like the Mackie D8B digital console (which is NOT mouse mixing!).........

Downside is - and ths would be true of any digital console - unless all your outboard has digital I/O, you're not going to be able to stay completely digital....
 
I would stay with the mackie in this case. I work on a O2R all the time now and usually can't wait to mix on an analog console after a day of digital mixing....:(. The O2R is also based on some old digital technology. Just about ANY newer digital console will sound better than it.

I will say that if you are going to primarily mix mellow music, with 16 tracks or less, then the O2R will probably do a pretty decent job for you. But if you are going to be mixing "edgier" music, where you need a lot of compression, the O2R is going to sound very harsh and small. That has been my experience with it, and I have talked to others who have mixed on analog and the O2R a lot who more or less agree with that assesment.

I would just keep the Mackie and save your pennies for a Soundcraft Ghost.

|Ed
 
So you would recommend staying analog... ?


I was considering a Ghost before thinking about the digital possibility...


Interesting answers, thanx everybody...
 
I record digital and mix analog. I like it just fine that way. The Ghost would be nice, that's for sure.
 
If you can afford the Ghost then go for it. I just fired up my new (used) one over the weekend and it rocks. I can't imagine trying to use some dinky little digital mixer anymore. It's so nice to just reach out and tweak.
 
Exactly...


But what would you recommend as I am actually making heavy use of HD recording and I have just 8 outs from the audio card, so what i use the mixer for is normally to get my various inputs into the 8 inputs of the PC, but i do the real mixing on the pc...

I would love to pass it back on the Mackie, or Ghost, as to make greater use of onboard EQ and tweakable knobs :D, but i can happen to have 16 to 20 tracks and 8 outs...

How could i use my mixer to its best ?
 
I would combine it with more channels of I/O or better yet a HD recorder that would allow you to transfer the tracks to a DAW for editing. Then you use the HDR for the actual mixdown or in combination with the DAW.

MOTU and RME make some decent I/O cards. I'm using a Radar24 myself but the Mackie or Alesis HDR's may do the trick for you if you want to go the HDR route. Just make sure you can get the files in/out of the DAW if you still want to use that.

I've pretty much eliminated the DAW from my core setup but I've got it if I need it.
 
SO how do you edit your mixes ? I am not quite sure i could do without editing my tracks on the screen, and manipulating samples...

So the best way would be to buy some more I/O for the PC....
 
Many of the HDR's have a video monitor output and can do cut, paste, looping, gain etc.

You do lose sequencing, plugins, fancy velocity curves and all the fun of configuring and maintaining your PC.

I was going through the same issues a few months back and when you start to price 24ch of analog i/o and you want top quality it gets extremely expensive. $500-1000 per channel is pretty average for a good ADC. That's why I went with a HDR system because once you add it all up they become pretty good values. Especially with something like the Radar that Pro Tools guys are starting to buy just for the 24CH of analog i/o.
 
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