Question about sound set up

  • Thread starter Thread starter Wilde
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Wilde

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:thumbs up: Greetings - a question if I may - I have been doing this for years and learnt mainly thru reading and trial and error. I do believe that simple is better, so my question is: I have a Saffire Pro14 with preamps and an LAX6D mixing console which also has preamps - the way I have that set up is - I have the 2 main outputs of the console connected to the 2 main instrument inputs of the Saffire and then from the outputs of the saffire the cables to the speakers - be it performance speakers or studio monitors. So, when I record voice or instruments I do not plug it directly into the Saffire but I use the LAX6D instead mainly because thru the mixing console I can use EQ and DSP effects if I want to. So basically - sound 1st into the LAX6D then thru Saffire to my DAW(s) - I am happy with the results of my recordings but I was just wondering if I am overdoing things by using this combo - after all I am using a console with preamps and a sound card which also has preamps - :confused: is this silly? I am always looking to improve my sound and given that I am no sound engineer, any input is most welcome - Thank you :thumbs up::)
 
I would ditch the mixer...

There isn't necessarily a problem with what you're doing -- It's very likely that you're using the mixer's LINE outputs into the Saffire's LINE inputs (therefore bypassing the preamps at the converter). HOWEVER:

The Saffire preamps are very likely better than the mixer -- Or at the very least, far less noisy (as most of the mega-budget-friendly mixers are insanely noisy). And unless there's a pressing reason, add EQ and effects later on in the context of the mix.

Long story short -- What you're doing isn't "silly" -- But it's probably not ideal.
 
If you're getting the sound you want, then do it. If you think you could improved the sound, try it differently. Most people do not want to apply EQ or any FX to an incoming signal - because then you are stuck with that sound in your recorded track.


And a MOD needs to move this out of the "studio building" section of the forum!
 
Rule 1: If it is delivering the sort of sound you are happy with, stick with it.

Rule 2: Keep input paths as short and as uncomplicated as possible. This sometimes conflicts with rule 1.

For a long time I used a mixer to feed into an interface. I also had a number of outboard effects..

Over time, I've gradually shed these. I now go straight into the interface and do everything in the box.

I like being able to try things then change my mind.
 
mjbphotos said:
If you're getting the sound you want, then do it. If you think you could improved the sound, try it differently. Most people do not want to apply EQ or any FX to an incoming signal - because then you are stuck with that sound in your recorded track.


And a MOD needs to move this out of the "studio building" section of the forum!
Click to expand...

I totally agree with what you said regarding EQ and effects - and what I meant with the EQ while recording was mainly for voice but you do have a point with being stuck with it once it is recorded.
I apologize if this is not in the right section of the forum
 
What software are you using on the computer - most decent software will give you eq and effects nowadays, so using the mixer for this seems a bit pointless. I have some rather nice mixers in use with my systems, but they sit with their faders in a row and eq switched out - just allowing me to get a pile of external sound sources into my interface - once it's in the machine, I do everything there - far simpler and sonically better.

Going from device to device is very common in stage sound - cascading mixers isn;t really an issue with most kit now - in your case, it obviously works and you are happy - so that is fine. You can just do more inside a computer nowadays - with eq, fx and mix automation.
 
gecko zzed said:
Rule 1: If it is delivering the sort of sound you are happy with, stick with it.

Rule 2: Keep input paths as short and as uncomplicated as possible. This sometimes conflicts with rule 1.

For a long time I used a mixer to feed into an interface. I also had a number of outboard effects..

Over time, I've gradually shed these. I now go straight into the interface and do everything in the box.

I like being able to try things then change my mind.
Click to expand...

I know exactly what you're saying and I thank you for the input - I shall have a go at it as I have often contemplated getting rid of the mixer
 
rob aylestone said:
What software are you using on the computer - most decent software will give you eq and effects nowadays, so using the mixer for this seems a bit pointless. I have some rather nice mixers in use with my systems, but they sit with their faders in a row and eq switched out - just allowing me to get a pile of external sound sources into my interface - once it's in the machine, I do everything there - far simpler and sonically better.

Going from device to device is very common in stage sound - cascading mixers isn;t really an issue with most kit now - in your case, it obviously works and you are happy - so that is fine. You can just do more inside a computer nowadays - with eq, fx and mix automation.
Click to expand...

I totally agree with you - maybe I didn't explain myself properly - I don't use the mixer as my main source for EQ - I just thought that instead of recording my voice flat I would use the Higs, Mids and Lows of the mixer as you would use it on a gig. I deal with every aspect of sound in the machine. I use Adobe Audition as my main DAW but I also record Midi bits like keyboards, etc - Adobe isn't exactly the best for this, so I use Cubase 6 Artist Edition and FL10 Studio Edition for the midi parts - I export those parts to Adobe and then I work on the overall sound there. I know it may sound laborious and you are probably thinking why don't I use Pro Tools and do everything there - the answer is simple: Giving that I am no sound engineer it took me a long time to find my way around these interfaces - now I feel quite comfortable working with them and spending quite a bit of money on another interface at this point in time is something that I am reluctant to do. I do see your point in using the mixer being pointless because even for the guitars most of the time I turn the EQ knobs down. Thanks
 
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