I bought a Soundcraft Series Two 40 Channel Mixer. I have a bunch of synths, cheap outboard gear, and pedals. I would like to connect as much of it to the mixer as possible.

What is the best way to get this into the DAW? I am OK with around 24 channels of In and Out (I/O). If I can get more (cost effectively) that would be great!

I have a Presonus 2626 and a Tascam Model 12 Mixer/Interface. I am using Ableton Live in a PC.

So...would I be better off getting a couple of Behringer ADA8200 to expand my Presonus...or selling the 2626 and Model 12 and using those funds for something like a Tascam Studio Bridge 24?

I do like being able to record direct to the Model 12 for DAWless jams, which occurs WAY more often than opening up Ableton. But, I would like to be able to use Ableton with lots of hardware when the time comes.

All of this may evolve into me getting a Tascam 2400 and a few more patch bays. But, at this time I want to stick with the big 40 Channel Soundcraft. It has 8 Auxes and 4 dedicated stereo returns (plus two additional stereo channels) so it seems to be ideal for lots of rack FX units. It also looks cool and is inspiring to me. That's just where I am right now...

Thanks for your suggestions!

You wanna use an analog mixer into a digital interface?

Heresy!

I suggested this on the forum weeks ago and was almost shot. People on this forum will tell you to dump all that garbage (analog) mixer because they're not used anymore, by anyone.

In order to stay and be accepted on this forum you need to get a digital mixer at the very least. The best thing for you to do is to get a sledgehammer and destroy that analog mixer....ancient piece of junk. No one uses analog mixers anymore....didn't you get the message?

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Yep! Go figure...hahaha

Except lots of the greats!

So, did you figure out how to use yours?

For my situation using an analog mixer into a digital interface, I'd simply need 24 ad/da...motu or something.

Oh...the sickening thought of it. At the very LEAST.... I NEED....a yamaha dm3.

And don't forget cables. LOTS of them...

Heh...Welcome to MY world!

But I wouldn't want it any other way.

I have been buying different cables to try out the quality. I have bought from Redco, Monoprice, and MyCableMart. I really like the Mogami 33 series. But, since I need tons of these cables to get from the synths to the patchbay or mixer, I am probably going to go with the cheaper options. I'm sure the cheaper cables that won't be unplugged a lot will be just fine. For patch bay cables I will probably go with the Mogami 33.

Lets make this thread mixer positive to counter the other one.

I expect the same people to appear with an opposite view.

For 24 I/O I have ordered the SSL Alpha 8 (x3) to run off a Digiface.

VERY much my philosophy. Good-to-better cables for high-use applications, and more reasonably-priced cables for my set-and-forget needs.

And how many dashes (-) can YOU use in a reply?

You can get 5 x 8 Channel Interfaces like the Saffire and make an Aggregate sound card is one way.

I'm on a PC. The way I understand things is aggregates are on Mac. BUT, I think there is software you can use (ASIO4All) that allows you to do it on PC, it is just not native like on a Mac.

Budget?

$1,000 USD

At this point I am leaning toward the Tascam Studio Bridge. This plus six Hosa DB25 breakout cables puts me around $1400.

Being able to record and monitor DAWless is a big plus.

Tascam Studio Bridge

Seems to be the best option. I'm such a newbie that I am not sure how to make the connections to be able to monitor but I am asking question in other threads and trying to figure it out.

I'm assuming when you press record, etc, it just sends the record ready tracks to the tape returns on your console to monitor with. Just like a tape recorder with an inline desk.

It's basically just a tape recorder that's digital....sorta like a Radar, is what it looks like to me. Cool device and good price for an analog ready workflow.

Does away with all the uber expensive 32 channel ad/da's that are 6kUS. + the cost of your computer/pro tools setup. $$$ (another 5kUS)

My goal is to figure out how to wire everything so that my mixer acts like a dual path inline mixer. I don't think I have tape returns on each channel. So, I will probably have to utilize the insert return in order to do this.

I'd love to run all this by Jim Williams and see if he would give me pointers on how to modify this console to achieve my goals.

Just in case I am using terms incorrectly: what I want to do is be able to send each channel to the DAW and have that track return back to the mixer on the same channel (not a stereo tape return).

Hope this makes sense.

Yeah that makes sense...that's basically inline function. You can use the insert as a return....but then you lose your inserts for mixing (and tracking) with hardware boxes...which is one of the big benefits of OTB recording and mixing. You could always go with a nice live desk and run in split config...and keep your inserts.

I'm still trying to figure out if the Auto Monitoring function sends the inputs to respective output in record ready mode....or if it's all just sent to the headphone jack for monitoring. They talk about Auto Monitoring on page 40 of the manual. I mean....the way my Radar 24 track recorder works....is when you press rec ready it automatically sends the signal to the tape returns for monitoring...and that's what you listen to during recording and overdubbing...mix b. I'm not sure if this thing does the same thing....or if all you get is the headphone jack.

An RME Digiface USB and some interfaces with ADAT optical connections is another way to go. Their TotalMix software is an amazing digital patch bay.

Thank you for your suggestions. I will read up on the RME Digiface.

DIGIFACE user here.

Really versatile little box. Don't always need to use the full channel count.

Can select various ADCs to use with it. (Luxary)

But main thing the same box is plugged in whether doing Stereo or 32 tracks, this make things a lot simpler.

After a 1/4 century finally got my head round TotalMix and boy is that useful.

Yeah, it about needs that long :D

I did hear back from Tascam, and yes...the rec ready tracks send the signal to the respective tape return just like a normal recorder....so the Studiobridge looks very cool for the money at 999US.

Wow. Does away with all the expensive converter boxes, etc....for only 999? 24 tracks?

I think I'll be looking into this thing as well myself.

I've taken a look at that Studio Bridge a couple times. Sometimes I have fantasies of going DAW-less and going back to an old school approach like the tape-based studios I learned and worked in, and that unit would be part of the way for me.

Thing is tho....it's not dawless, all of it can be transferred into the machine as well.

I still keep going back and forth so much it's crazy. I *think* I want to be able to mix on the analog mixer as well as ITB. But, I really have no idea what I am doing, so I don't know how to wire it up everything properly.

Just to get my feet wet I might use my Presonus Quantum 2626, so I can figure out the Ins and Outs (so to speak) of using an analog mixer with a DAW.

I have to replace a couple of faders on my mixer, so I am a bit of a standstill at the moment.

That's actually a nice console that you bought. Nothing wrong with it at all. It's actually really easy to wire things up with it. You're gonna wanna run it in split configuration...cause it's not inline. So, that means you simply run all your direct outs (1-20) into the inputs of the studio bridge (if you decide to pick one up), and then go from the outputs of the studio bridge back into the line inputs of channels 21-40. You use 1-20 for recording and 21-40 for mixing. That gives 20 channels for recording and 20 channels for mixing. You can insert any compressors, etc into the inserts for processing during recording and then same on the mixing side for mixing. Seeing as your using the direct outs for recording, you'll probably want to use your groups just for mixing.

When you go to record things...you'll actually be listening to things on the mixing side....the monitor returns. So you setup the inputs, eq, compressors on the input side (1-20) for the sound you want until everything is recorded. Then you solely use the mixing side to mix. Of course, if you wanna mix ITB...you simply transfer everything to the DAW after your done recording. The studio bridge will allow you to record and mix on it, or transfer everything into the DAW. But obviously mixing on the console is a lot more fun.

The quantum isn't nearly big enough to accommodate the console so, not sure what to say about that. You might wanna purchase the studio bridge before you sell your quantum and tascam, to make sure everything is workin good...then once you test everything and get used to the workflow...you can sell your other stuff.

The console is slightly smaller that what the studio bridge requires....48 channels (24 record, 24 mix)...so If you wanna use all 24 tracks you'll need to do some re-patching. I don't know, if it were me, I'd probably leave all the cabling alone and just record to 20 tracks....unless I wanted to transfer everything into the box or something...then it's just a quick re-patch of 4 channels. Anyway, that's how I see it working/configured...for minimum hassle.

You could purchase and wire everything up to a patchbay, but that's gonna be more money and more complexity to get everything sorted out. So you might wanna get that figured out down the road.

Thank you very much for your detailed explanation Pyeguy. I was afraid that was the way things might need to work...split console.

One the Series Two there is also two stereo channels. I guess one of the things I don't really like about running a split console is that there are 24 mono channels plus 2 stereo channels on one side and 16 mono channels on another side.

There are four stereo returns so that is nice.

Regarding the Quantum 2626 I was thinking if I kept that I would buy two ADA8200 ($179 each) and expand to 24 Ins and 24 outs. Basically a lot cheaper than the Studio Bridge and I would get to keep my Model 12. The Studio Bridge is $1000 plus 6 breakout cables at $65 each. So, a little over $1400. I could probably get $700 for my 2626 and Tascam Model 12 ($350 and $350). The problem with that scenario is I really don't like selling gear. At this point in my life I would rather store it. But, I need to stay out of trouble with my wife, as I have been buying heavily (across a couple for hobbies) for about 5 years now. I had to rent a workshop to store my stuff!

One of the big plusses of the Studio Bridge is I wouldn't have to turn on the computer to jam (or would I with a second set of monitors on another Out?) and also record 24 tracks of my jams. It would also look a little cleaner wired into the room and also give DAW shuttle control when the computer is on.

Sounds like I am talking myself into the Studio Bridge...

One scenario, if the studio bridge plays back from the DAW....is that you could go 24 in (left side of the console) into the studio bridge/daw....and then play back from the DAW/studio bridge and run stereo stems into the 16 channels on the right hand of the console. Basically 8 stereo groups. A lot of people do this. Group everything in the DAW to stems (however many channels you record, could be 48) and output back into the console for mixing and processing. I'd probably run them back out and keep the kick, snare on mono stems...and then group everything else to stereo stems out to the console. ie: kick, snare, stereo drums, stereo bass, stereo guitars, stereo keys, stereo vocals, etc....till you fill up the 8 stereo stems on the right hand of the console (16 channels). That would use up the console channels more efficiently.

I like that. I stood in front of the mixer last night staring at it for about and hour, imagining getting to use it and how I will use it.

I thought the left side would be 24 out and the right side 16 in, just like you suggested. I just didn't know the detail you mention about the stereo pairs. I was also a little confused about how to use the 4 stereo send returns but I think I have my head wrapped around those now. I guess I would run the LR out back into the DAW and print it.

Thank you so much for how much you are helping. I really appreciate it.