Hybrid mixer/interface set-up

[Arpangel]

A friend has just gone down this route, using a mixer that is an interface, and works as a DAW control surface as well.
He’s getting on with it fine, so I’m thinking it may be a viable go at something a bit less "bitty" and unnecessarily hardware centric than my current system is.
I can definitely see the advantages of working this way, as many effects anywhere I want them, and extremely flexible routing, no external interface, and extra mixer or control surface.
I just need a few pointers as to where to look, he’s got a PreSonus, but I need plenty of channels/faders to control Reaper, are there any better solutions on a bigger scale? He’s fine with 8 channels, but I need at least 16, maybe 24.

[ronmac]

You won’t find an easily integrated, simple solution with Reaper, imo.

Bite the bullet and buy a Presonus 24 channel console and Studio One.

[amanise]

Not an area I'm bang up to date with - but when I bought my Mackie desk I noticed that there was a DAW integration framework produced by them which was catered for in my DAW (ACID Pro). I can certainly vouch for Mackie desks as mine is lovely. Totally transparent and very powerful preamps. If they have a DAW control surface in their current range I bet it would be worth a look.

[sonics]

There are lots of possible solutions, as I think you've guessed. I'd start with a budget, and see what's possible at that level. Also, what sort of integration are you after? Which DAW/software do you wish to control?

[Arpangel]

You won’t find an easily integrated, simple solution with Reaper, imo.

Bite the bullet and buy a Presonus 24 channel console and Studio One.

Looks like you can’t use the cheaper PreSonus consoles as DAW controllers, so I’m going to have to drop that requirement, it’s not a function I’ve found out that’s there unless you up the price range.

[Arpangel]

Hmmm? you’re right, Reaper doesn’t seem support on the more expensive digital desks, I’m thinking a good control surface, and a separate interface may be a better idea for me.
I can expand my Behringer 1820 with an ADA8200, then all I need is the controller.
I’ve let go of all those obsolescent fears, software etc, I’m at an age where that simply doesn’t matter anymore!
I’ve just read this post as if I was someone else, and I’ve had a revelation, nothing matters anymore, I should just stop all this nonsense and get get on with making some decent music.

[Drew Stephenson]

Before your wallet gets more exercise, what exactly to you think you're going to get from a controller / control surface?
Don't get me wrong, I use one all the time, but from your descriptions of how you work it's not going to do the same job as the big analogue desk you want but can't fit.

[MarkOne]

Didn't you have the X32 on loan for a while?

Pretty sure that can use the Mackie Control protocol to use it as a DAW controller.

But Drew is right. Understand what it is you want the experience to be like.

I do love the tactile experience of a control surface, and I do miss my Icon. I have transport control and non-motorised faders using the Arturia Keylab, and using the Softube Console 1 for all my EQ, compressor etc duties, there is very little mousing about required.

But I still don't see how a physical mixer can add anything that a multi-channel interface and control surface(s) have.

[Arpangel]

Before your wallet gets more exercise, what exactly to you think you're going to get from a controller / control surface?
Don't get me wrong, I use one all the time, but from your descriptions of how you work it's not going to do the same job as the big analogue desk you want but can't fit.

Yes, I can’t fit in (or don’t want to fit in) a big analogue desk, and I can’t make up my mind about this digital stuff, in the meantime I'm using things that aren’t "quite right" desk not big enough, interface too few inputs, it’s so bad, especially seeing as I can afford to get these things.
It’s almost as if I don’t want to take what I do that seriously, it’s more of a mental issue I think.
Yes, I did borrow an X32, two things, I found it complex, too much, also, I never explored using it as a controller, or an interface.

[ronmac]

As a follow up to my brief reply (post#2)...

I use Reaper as my main DAW and love the stability and ability to configure as I please. But there are some things that drive me nuts about it, one being it not (at least in my experience) easily driven by a control surface. Yes, there are a few folks who have created work-a-arounds with scripts and special action items, but that is a rabbit hole I don't want to go down. Have a look at the thousands of posts on the Reaper Forum, stretching back several years, on the subject.

My suggestion to bite the bullet and go the Presonus route with a 24 channel digital mixer/interface controller is based on the ease of getting it all to work together.

I use Studio One as a secondary DAW, along with a Studio 192 interface (8 mic preamps with 16 ADAT IO and 2 SPDIF IO) and a Faderport 8. It all works very well together and, if I felt the need I could add/link another Faderport 8/16 to the system.

There a lot of ways to get to where you want to go, but you do need to know where you want to go.

[Drew Stephenson]

I use Reaper with three different control surfaces and it all works tickety-boo but it did take some time to configure and did require downloading some additional Reaper-based plug-ins / scripts.
That does require a certain level of commitment and dedication though...

::: looks sideways at Arpangel :::

[Arpangel]

I use Reaper with three different control surfaces and it all works tickety-boo but it did take some time to configure and did require downloading some additional Reaper-based plug-ins / scripts.
That does require a certain level of commitment and dedication though...

::: looks sideways at Arpangel :::

This always happens, things seem simple "oh yes, just get a digital mixer and all will be fine, it’ll do everything, don’t worry"
Then, when you "really" get down to it, it’s one issue after another, and then, as usual, I give up again, and nothing changes.
I know "my" stuff, and I think I should stay with what I know works as best as it can.

[shufflebeat]

I’ve just read this post as if I was someone else, and I’ve had a revelation, nothing matters anymore, I should just stop all this nonsense and get get on with making some decent music.

That’s one of those simplistic suggestions, like when everybody says, “just close your eyes and mix with your ears”. It sounds simple but can be quite awkward and downright dangerous if you inadvertently head-butt the table.

[Arpangel]

I’ve just read this post as if I was someone else, and I’ve had a revelation, nothing matters anymore, I should just stop all this nonsense and get get on with making some decent music.

That’s one of those simplistic suggestions, like when everybody says, “just close your eyes and mix with your ears”. It sounds simple but can be quite awkward and downright dangerous if you inadvertently head-butt the table.

Make some music? I stand more of a chance falling down the basement stairs and drowning myself.

[amanise]

Make some music? I stand more of a chance falling down the basement stairs and drowning myself.

Are you working with Alice Cooper right now by any chance?

[Arpangel]

Make some music? I stand more of a chance falling down the basement stairs and drowning myself.

Are you working with Alice Cooper right now by any chance?

Yes, he’s here, do you want to speak to him?

[amanise]

Make some music? I stand more of a chance falling down the basement stairs and drowning myself.

Are you working with Alice Cooper right now by any chance?

Yes, he’s here, do you want to speak to him?

My hero!! First record I ever bought was "No More Mr Nice Guy"! You get all the good jobs!

[Arpangel]

Make some music? I stand more of a chance falling down the basement stairs and drowning myself.

Are you working with Alice Cooper right now by any chance?

Yes, he’s here, do you want to speak to him?

My hero!! First record I ever bought was "No More Mr Nice Guy"! You get all the good jobs!

Never liked his music, but I’m sure he’s a nice chap.