Thanks for your feedback.
Not to bore you with the details (but I'm going to
) - but this room (being setup) has a lot of hardware gear over two 'synth setups' - over 30 synths and about 8 hardware effects. One of the two synth setup is already primed to use two cascaded O1V96s (still trying to figure out how the hell that works!) - and the second setup uses the Mackie. They each route into a MOTU interface via 8 channels (each) and into DAW.
So I'm trying to use the equipment I have - and the gates are just an after thought.
FYI there are several reasons why I'm not ditching the Mackie
Firstly it's so versatile in terms of I/O - 32 physical inputs (routed to a MOTU interface via its 8 busses) - but - also it replicates its bus outputs three times; and also has the inline MIX-B capability - providing for up to 64 physical inputs.
So all told - it caters for a huge number of old analog synths very well - and perfect for hardware monitoring when recording to DAW (I'm using 8 channels for hardware effects too which can be used during hardware monitoring when tracking or as effects via auxes in Logic Pro)-
But because of the sheer number of of inputs and outputs, I've figured out a mechanism to also simultaneously cater for permanent routing of the tape-backup inputs and outputs for a Jupiter 6, Prophet T8, Trident Mk2, CS40M and Juno106 (and others if needed) - enabling backup/restore on the fly from any of those synths on a per-piece / as needed basis. I'm hoping this will enable those synths in exciting new ways because frankly I haven't programmed a new sound for them in years because their memory banks are full and it's otherwise so much hassle making backups and restores. But using both the Mix-B In-line inputs and the replicated bus outputs - I've figured out a way to have the synths permanently linked to Logic Pro for backup/restore while not interfering with the more usual role of the mixer for tracking.
Finally, I have to say, however contrived in use because so much will be done in the box - I _love_ mixing at the Mackie. I make no claim to being expert in this arena - but just above the Mixer are a pair of Genelec 1030A's and just above them tilted slightly down so acting as near fields are a pair of huge JBL 4412's - and it is nothing short of bliss to sit at the Mackie, mixing a piece over those speakers. I just love the experience of sitting comfortably at the mixer, making tweaks because it's such a joyous listening experience.
So although not fully worked out yet routing wise - and perhaps a little old-fashioned these days - I intend taking 8 DAW outputs as tape returns through the Mackie and indeed routed to a Finalizer 96k for mastering (because I know it well too). Even if it's just for stereo mastering (that's 'mastering' with a small m
) - I just love being at the Mackie and want to keep it in the setup. I could honestly live permanently in that seat !!
So the Mackie is doing a lot of 'heavy lifting' over various roles - it took ages to work out the tricky routings for its various roles and there just isn't a digital mixer available with the sheer quantity of both inputs and outputs needed.
Sorry for such a long winded reply - it's a along winded room! I'm trying to use every last morsel of equipment I already own - and as said - find the Mackie more than useful in a hardware laden setup. (I have a second room in development too and it with a lot of hardware synths too - but I'm going totally MOTU AVB interface in that setup)
If I read you (all) correctly , you have no fundamental objection with the Behringer equipment(?) To Sam - I haven't heard of the "Berry" gates and a Google reveals nothing on them?
Thanks for your time and replies - I totally get the digital mixer suggestions and as said am in part doing that - but just want to keep the Mackie too.
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is that they do tend to sound a bit cold, glassy, I'd go for two secondhand BSS quad noise gates, that'll cost you about £500 tops for good used units.
