why have a big console

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track pusha

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hey everybody, I got a quick question. I see studios that use computers in there set up, with pro tools or logic but they always have a big ass anolog mixing console. What is the use of the console, why not just get a control surface or get a external preamp and go straght into the soundcard. does the console make it sound better, or can it control fader movements.
 
track pusha said:
hey everybody, I got a quick question. I see studios that use computers in there set up, with pro tools or logic but they always have a big ass anolog mixing console. What is the use of the console, why not just get a control surface or get a external preamp and go straght into the soundcard. does the console make it sound better, or can it control fader movements.
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Although sound studios may have a computer and pro-tools they may also have an analog recording equipment (not visible in their pictures).
However, that being said, you can record a whole band (drums with overhead), keyboards, guitars (Electric, Bass, whatever), back-up singers, vocalist, and whatever else they may have all at once. This allows the band to have the live, feel (playing together) while recording them all in different rooms, and having a different channel for each one.
 
It might also have something to do with being around for a while. It wasn't that long ago when most studios had tape decks (Tascam DA-88, ADAT, Analog, Digital reel to reel) and they have grown up around the console.
If I were starting out now, I might think twice about having a board. When I started, I had no choice.
 
Professional Mixers generally prefer big analog consoles to mixing int he computer because there outboard sounds better then plug-ins and the board sounds better then ITB summing.
 
I just bought my large console. I have yet to find an EQ plug in that even comes close to the musicality of my console. Also, by having enough channels I NEVER have to worry about latency. Some consoles do have automation built in thats usable. Having a large console allows me to run a session any way I want. A lot of big studios do have Pro Tools, but it doesn't get used in the same fashion that most home studios use DAW applications. Even the big studios that use Pro Tools often, if not most of the time, mix on the console. High end analog equipment (comps, FX, EQ's etc....) is much easier to use when mated with an outboard surface like a console. Also, the big consoles are more affordable than you think when you break it down to the sound quality, integration, and factor in a "per channel" cost. Not only that, but I no longer have to run the heater in my control room. It was 5 degrees outside this morning and my control room, without heat being on, was 68 degrees:D

There truly is nothing like sitting in front of a huge desk lined with meters and P&G faders. Also, those big consoles out there often have good enough preamps and EQ's to hang in there with some pretty spendy outboard. They also make great monitor stands:D
 
Let's not forget about the wow factor of a huge board. In my experience thus
far, if a client doesn't see lots of faders and pan pots they just get confused.

At my last job, I set up a mixerless control room for tracking VO's and mixing (this was a film post studio BTW). It did not go over well with clients, they just seemed soooo disenchanted by the whole experience. So the next week, I popped in a Ghost, and voila!!! Everything was good again. The sad part is that
I only had use for one channel, a huge waste in my opinion. :mad:
 
I agree on the Wow factor. But even so in my experince, mixes through my analog console sound much better than what I can get ITB. Digital summing just ain't there yet. As long as you have a 24 channel I/O, your set :D
 
For me it's routing possibilities...with the sends and inserts, patch bays, processors...the last stop seems to be the PC. If you want to take a clean track and a side chain out...what ever. I've struggled with this myself...never can have too many outboard pres but the mixer alway seems to become a part of the routing chain. I can't get away from it.

I just gotta have more stuff.
 
I use a " Huge " analog board because you can still record that warm sound with the smooth british EQ's right into 1's and 0's ... no lossy.
 
punkin said:
For me it's routing possibilities...with the sends and inserts, patch bays, processors...the last stop seems to be the PC. If you want to take a clean track and a side chain out...what ever. I've struggled with this myself...never can have too many outboard pres but the mixer alway seems to become a part of the routing chain. I can't get away from it.

I just gotta have more stuff.
Click to expand...

This is the same for me. I've been computer recording for a very long time, and I still can't seem to get away from using a console. *Sigh*
 
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