Running out of inputs, mixer and/or interface?

[Arpangel]

I’ll say this already, there has to be a mixer in there somewhere, for live mixing, so not solely an interface.
I've got my A&H Mix Wiz and I’m really happy with it, but now I’ve grown out of it, options?
Get an ADAT expander for my Motu 828, and connect "another" mixer to that, or just get a bigger mixer, maybe one with USB?
Or, the digital mixer option, but we’ve been there, not enough real-time knobs.
I see I my head, just a duplicate system to what I’ve got already, a mixer, and an expander, I really don’t want to get rid of the A&H, it’s fantastic, so maybe just another MixWiz, or a bigger A&H?

[Hugh Robjohns]

I got my A&H Mix Wiz and I’m really happy with it, but now I’ve grown out of it, options?

Buy the bigger mixer you were always going to need?

Don't buy another small mixer like you already have because you'll just be back in three months complaining that you can't route signals between them and the effects pedal you want for Synth A plugging in to Mixer A is always connected to Mixer B...

[The Korff]

Yes, just buy a massive mixer if you need that many channels. There's a glut of second-hand ones for sale at bargain prices too. I've literally just seen a 32-channel Midas Verona on FB Marketplace for 800 quid; it's a good enough mixer for Matt Berry: https://www.soundonsound.com/people/matt-berry

[Hugh Robjohns]

Yes, Chris. Some real bargains out there... but Tony won't want to do that because it won't fit in his basement studio. We have been around that particular loop before... more than once...

[Arpangel]

Yes, Chris. Some real bargains out there... but Tony won't want to do that because it won't fit in his basement studio. We have been around that particular loop before... more than once...

I’m OK now, since the clear-out and redecorate, I’ve gained a lot of extra space, my main table is 7 X 3 ft plus I have another two side tables, each 6 X 2ft.
So I have place for a big mixer, if need be, I’m thinking maybe a Midas Venice 32, but it has a fan, that I know will annoy me.

[Hugh Robjohns]

[Arpangel]

I think a mixer "like" the Venice would be ideal, I need at least 24 inputs, lots of sends, and preferably 16 groups, that’s going to be the difficult bit.

[Stickman0_3]

If I run out of inputs on my mixer, I will run things through other synths / modules that have audio inputs.

[fatbenelton]

Speck Electronics Xtramix or perhaps an Xsum as a sub mixer into the A&H?

http://speck.com/xtramix6/xtramix_x6.html

[Arpangel]

Speck Electronics Xtramix or perhaps an Xsum as a sub mixer into the A&H?

http://speck.com/xtramix6/xtramix_x6.html

Nice, but I have this dual personality, I think I need to track everything separately, which can happen, but very rarely.
Most of the time, I only track one or two things, and arrange in the DAW later.
But now, I’m putting my money where my mouth is, I’ve got an idea, which involves tracking many live sources together, at once, like I’m mixing a big live band, but this is a one man band, synths, tapes, sound effects, FX units, loopers, radios, samplers, etc etc etc.
The whole point is that I can then make alternative mixes, or completely different "performances" from the same sources.
Hence my need for a lot of sub-groups, and interface inputs.

[fatbenelton]

It's got 8 subs and direct stereo outs on each channel.....

[The Korff]

I’m thinking maybe a Midas Venice 32, but it has a fan

Are you sure? I'm pretty sure they don't; none of the Venices I've used have had fans...

EDIT: A bit of Googling reveals that the F- and U-series versions might well have a fan (I've only ever used the pre-FW/USB Venice 240 and 320 models).

[Arpangel]

I’m thinking maybe a Midas Venice 32, but it has a fan

Are you sure? I'm pretty sure they don't; none of the Venices I've used have had fans...

EDIT: A bit of Googling reveals that the F- and U-series versions might well have a fan (I've only ever used the pre-FW/USB Venice 240 and 320 models).

Yes that’s right, I’d like FireWire or USB, as I think you can multitrack digitally with these, across all channels, I was going to buy one at one point, and went to dealer to try it out, but the fan was just a bit annoying.
I’m still vaguely thinking of going digital, but I’m unsure, I’m wondering, something like the Behringer X32, how many aux sends can you have? and how quickly can you switch from one to the other?

[Mike Stranks]

I’m wondering, something like the Behringer X32, how many aux sends can you have? and how quickly can you switch from one to the other?

https://mediadl.musictribe.com/media/sys_master/h9b/h22/8849399545886.pdf

There y'go! Happy reading!

[Arpangel]

I’m wondering, something like the Behringer X32, how many aux sends can you have? and how quickly can you switch from one to the other?

https://mediadl.musictribe.com/media/sys_master/h9b/h22/8849399545886.pdf

There y'go! Happy reading!

Thanks Mike ooer!
That manual has scared me to death already!

[Sam Spoons]

To save you RTFMing Tony, the X32 has 16 busses and 16 analogue outputs plus 6 aux outputs (all mono), It's pretty flexible and there are ways of making the switching between selections fairly slick but not as simple as on an analogue desk. It is complicated to set up but so is any digital desk and the number of available faders (20 plus master bus) certainly helps). Things like the 'master channel strip' works very well for me for 'bread and butter' eq and dynamics even if you don't want to use the fx racks (which are fine for me but the more discerning amongst us may find them a bit 'low rent').

There is a new 'Unofficial Behringer Forum' run by a couple of very nice (and very knowledgable) guys here https://behringer.world/index.php, hopefully some of the other guys from the old Berry forums will join in as the current 'Music Tribe' forum is pants and the 'X32 Professional User Group' on facebook is full of ar53'oles and even more unpleasant than GS in it's darkest hour.

If you wanted a look at the X32 at some time Arpy we could maybe do a zoom chat and I'll try to work through it with you (bear in mind my usage is very much done from a simple live setup PoV and my knowledge is far from comprehensive)?

[Arpangel]

To save you RTFMing Tony, the X32 has 16 busses and 16 analogue outputs plus 6 aux outputs (all mono), It's pretty flexible and there are ways of making the switching between selections fairly slick but not as simple as on an analogue desk. It is complicated to set up but so is any digital desk and the number of available faders (20 plus master bus) certainly helps). Things like the 'master channel strip' works very well for me for 'bread and butter' eq and dynamics even if you don't want to use the fx racks (which are fine for me but the more discerning amongst us may find them a bit 'low rent').

There is a new 'Unofficial Behringer Forum' run by a couple of very nice (and very knowledgable) guys here https://behringer.world/index.php, hopefully some of the other guys from the old Berry forums will join in as the current 'Music Tribe' forum is pants and the 'X32 Professional User Group' on facebook is full of ar53'oles and even more unpleasant than GS in it's darkest hour.

If you wanted a look at the X32 at some time Arpy we could maybe do a zoom chat and I'll try to work through it with you (bear in mind my usage is very much done from a simple live setup PoV and my knowledge is far from comprehensive)?

Thanks for all that Sam, I will undoubtably go digital at some point, maybe just running alongside my existing se-up, see how it goes.
My budget is fair, I’d like one with very good effects, as it may cut down on my use of pedals and racks
From what you say, I could use outputs as sends, but that depends on how many effects return channels I’ll have.

[Sam Spoons]

The X32 has 38 inputs and 22 outputs, all outputs can be assigned to sends and all inputs can be returns. You can't do 'everything' as there are limitations but you can do most things you can think of trying.

WRT onboard fx, the Midas M32 shares the same firmware so they can't be too bad, I gust didn't want to big them up as I use fx as if I was mixing a live band (i.e. sparingly).

[Arpangel]

The X32 has 38 inputs and 22 outputs, all outputs can be assigned to sends and all inputs can be returns. You can't do 'everything' as there are limitations but you can do most things you can think of trying.

WRT onboard fx, the Midas M32 shares the same firmware so they can't be too bad, I gust didn't want to big them up as I use fx as if I was mixing a live band (i.e. sparingly).

I was wondering, are there any digital mixers out there that are noted for having great effects? It seems that most effects on these mixers are assumed to be good, maybe I’m wrong.

[Hugh Robjohns]

So I have place for a big mixer, if need be, I’m thinking maybe a Midas Venice 32, but it has a fan, that I know will annoy me.

There are ways and means of dealing with fan noise, such as locating the PSU in a different room or out of the way, building some kind of acoustic labyrinth around it, retrofitting quiet replacement fans, or even getting a new passively cooled PSU built by someone like Orchid Electronics. I really don't think it would be too challenging to get the noise as quiet as a modern PC in the same room, or even better.

[Arpangel]

Thanks Hugh, but the F32 has a built in PSU, not sure what I’d do about that.
I guess a lot of these desks were primarily designed for PA use, where fan noises aren’t so much of a problem.

[The Korff]

If you can make it to Ayr in Scotland, someone's just put a 32-channel Soundcraft Series Two (not Series II) with a rebuilt PSU up for sale on FB Marketplace, for the ludicrous price of 200 quid. 8 busses, 8 auxes, 11x2 matrix. That'd keep you busy for a while...

[Arpangel]

If you can make it to Ayr in Scotland, someone's just put a 32-channel Soundcraft Series Two (not Series II) with a rebuilt PSU up for sale on FB Marketplace, for the ludicrous price of 200 quid. 8 busses, 8 auxes, 11x2 matrix. That'd keep you busy for a while...

Thanks, I can’t seem to find it? I’m not on FB though.
HHHmmmm? even by my standards it’s a bit big, and at £200 it would need checking over.

[Wonks]

You need to be on FB to see items on FB Marketplace.