R/E/P Community

R/E/P => Recording - Engineering & Production => Topic started by: Brent Venter on January 18, 2012, 03:59:46 AM

Title: Mixing Setup
Post by: Brent Venter on January 18, 2012, 03:59:46 AM
Hi Guys,

Excuse the igorance but I need some advice on the most affordable way to build a mixing setup. Effectively I use cubase and will then get raw tracks to mix with. My question is around what is the cheapest way to get 16/24 channels into an analogue console from the PC? The console will then feed the sound system.

This setup is purely to practice mixing in an controlled environment...

Do I get Motu/Presonus Pre's?
Do I get a hard disc recorder/player?

The aim is to be inexpensive so 2nd hand is an option.

Thank You
Title: Re: Mixing Setup
Post by: rocksure on January 18, 2012, 04:51:57 AM
Looking for "cheap" is probably going to get Fletcher the Radar Converter man shaking his head.
If you are going from a computer to a console you don't actually need pre's because the console will have them in it
If you already have tracks recorded in a computer you don't need a hard disc player or recorder because the PC does that job.
What you DO NEED is a device with good D/A converters. You want the best ones you can afford. This could be something from RME perhaps, or better still Lynx Aurora. But they are more expensive. Motu....hmm not so keen on, especially with PC's, Presonus I won't comment on.
Other people here will probably give you different brands and models to think on though.
Title: Re: Mixing Setup
Post by: Fletcher on January 18, 2012, 07:40:21 AM
If you're looking for good - the Lynx's are good, and relatively inexpensive.  If you're looking for cheap... MOTU, RME, [etc.] are all over eBay and Craigslist -- they were cheap when they were built, and they're even cheaper when the person who originally purchased them decided they needed better and put them on eBay or Craigslist.

The Auroras aren't cheap - they're inexpensive, and there is a difference.

Peace
Title: Re: Mixing Setup
Post by: rocksure on January 18, 2012, 04:10:16 PM
Yep that is the kind of answer I expected ^^^. The Auroras are worth the price of admission. One thing about them though is they put out a lot of heat, and need space around them. Not good to jam up against  other gear in a rack.
Title: Re: Mixing Setup
Post by: saint on January 19, 2012, 12:22:37 AM
The Lynx Aurora's do not put out any more heat than the Apogees (or any others I have worked with). It is ALWAYS a good idea to leave at least ONE space in between converters & add a cooling fan (quiet ones) since heat is your ENEMY!! BTW, the Lynx's are in use at Abby Road & Air Studios in London (& they can afford anything!)!