workin with an 8 input DAW

[solaris0031]

would this be the proper way to have it setup for an 8 input DAW setup:

10 mics (or less) hooked up to mixer-->mixed on the 2 stereo buses-->2 inputs on computer

6 other mics--->6 outboard pres (rackmount of some sort i guess)--->into 6 inputs on computer



i would probly not have this hooked up this way in the near future, but hypothetically would this work?


am I even getting the right idea?

and how is this done in a proper studio?

and what exaclty is the way people use those massive mixing consoles?

 

[Nik6teen]

If you needed 16 channels that would be the way to do it. If you don't already have the outboard pre's, you could just get a mixer that has direct outs (or use the inserts trick) and maybe some decent pre's built in. Then just run the mics in through the board (8 at most, unless you sub-mix), and from there run the direct outs on the mixer to your 8 inputs on your DAW. I use this setup, since as of now I don't have any external pre-amps or anything, works for me. Not sure if it answers your question, but i hope it helps.

Nick

 

[mshilarious]

If you needed 16 channels that would be the way to do it. If you don't already have the outboard pre's, you could just get a mixer that has direct outs (or use the inserts trick) and maybe some decent pre's built in. Then just run the mics in through the board (8 at most, unless you sub-mix), and from there run the direct outs on the mixer to your 8 inputs on your DAW. I use this setup, since as of now I don't have any external pre-amps or anything, works for me. Not sure if it answers your question, but i hope it helps.

Nick

I agree except I'd run 6 pres direct out & use the other 2 inputs for the main mix. That way you still have 8 discrete channels, but you don't have to repatch to submix.

Once you have external pres it would be typical (but not mandatory) to also get a patchbay to enable whatever routing into your 8 inputs you want.

 

[solaris0031]

regarding the inserts trick: what is that, how do i do that, and would i do that with an RCA to 1/4" snake with mono 1/4 plugs or stereo 1/4 plugs? I know my mixer (mg 16/4) has a plug called "INSERT I/O". thats the one i would use right? there is no plug labeled direct out.

 

[LRosario]

Lets back up a little bit.


First off, what EXACTLY are the specs of the computer you're running? But assuming you're running a capable DAW, then lets do it like this:

For starters, it sounds like you're trying to squeeze alot into a little bit of space. The good news is that you have 8 inputs to work with and thats not bad, for home projects. It depends also on what you're gonna do.

The bad news is it seems you're trying to squeeze twice the sound into half the space. So it's going to mix certain tracks together, depending on how you patch your signals. 16 mics into 8 inputs is gonna limit you some...know what I mean? It's all about combinations. In the industry we use patchbays and the like for stuff like this.

So YOUR setup will work, but you'll have 10 tracks all rolled into 2 seperate tracks, so thats going to really make editing mixed sounds hard on you.

mshilarious suggested what I would of. Use 6 of your inputs exclusively from the board and the other 2 for a direct in..for things like vocals or over-dubbing. That way you can at least edit 8 out of 10 tracks independently.

Know what I mean?

As for how we do it in the industry, it's alot more complex and thats where you start getting into signal flow and advanced workstations. It's a totally different setup. This is where you start going into workstations worth thousands of dollars, like for example Pro-tools HD Accel line, which is what I was trained to work with.

 

[solaris0031]

ok for now what i would be doing is just using 8-10 mics (mixing some together if i need ten, going individually for up to 8). so could i use the pres on my mixer and a use 6 of the channel inserts to go to the RCA inputs on the delta 1010lt, and then send the other 2 channels hard panned thru the main mix XLR outs to the XLR ins on the delta.

The system is currently P4 3.0Ghz, 2 Gigs DDR400, dual 80 gig ATA100 harddrives (upgrading to dual 120 soon), GeForce FX 5600 video card, etc etc.

I think it can handle separate tracks recording into cubase sx...am i right?

It will be a while before im trying to cram 16 tracks in at a time (if ever), and i probably won't need 8 inputs right off, but i figure its not much more expensive to go from 4 inputs to 8, and i will be glad i went the extra bit instead of having to buy a whole extra card when i *need* more ins..

 

[ssscientist]

As for how we do it in the industry, it's alot more complex and thats where you start getting into signal flow and advanced workstations. It's a totally different setup. This is where you start going into workstations worth thousands of dollars, like for example Pro-tools HD Accel line, which is what I was trained to work with.

Anyone who refers to it as 'the industry' and makes an inaccessible ivory tower out of ANY variety of protools should not waste his time answering questions on a plebe BBS like this one.

The idea is to inform, not to agrandize oneself; to share tips and techniques, not to obscure them; and to welcome people who take the time to search out the board and to give them the respect they deserve no matter how basic the question may seem.

 

[ssscientist]

As far as the original question, MsHilarious said everything right.

And yes Solaris, cubase can handle multiple ins from a properly equipped soundcard, and you are on the right track to buy more than you currently need instead of just enough to get by for now...

 

[LRosario]

Anyone who refers to it as 'the industry' and makes an inaccessible ivory tower out of ANY variety of protools should not waste his time answering questions on a plebe BBS like this one.

The idea is to inform, not to agrandize oneself; to share tips and techniques, not to obscure them; and to welcome people who take the time to search out the board and to give them the respect they deserve no matter how basic the question may seem.

I'm sorry you saw it that way. It's a job, but more importantly, a passion of mine. Thats just my lingo; how I speak.

I'd appreciate a private message next time, ok?



as for solaris's question:

The computer specs you have will be plenty to run multiple tracks...you're all set.

 

[solaris0031]

cool guys. thanks

 

[Bulls Hit]

It will be a while before im trying to cram 16 tracks in at a time (if ever), and i probably won't need 8 inputs right off, but i figure its not much more expensive to go from 4 inputs to 8, and i will be glad i went the extra bit instead of having to buy a whole extra card when i *need* more ins..

The good thing about the 1010LT is that if you do need to step up to 16 inputs, you can just pop in another LT alongside your existing one and they'll sync up nicely together.

And at $220 a card, it's a pretty damn cheap upgrade option