Digital Mixer, Audio Interface, or Both.

[ChrisNabil]

Hi guys,

I just wanted to ask a few questions. At the moment I have 3 keyboards all linked up to my Radial KL8, obviously, my studio monitors are connected to the Radial also. I will soon want to get a DAW and start integrating my computer. This can be a little tricky with the Radial and it doesn't integrate with my iPad. The Radial is ideal for my keyboards but what would be best for me to add... An audio interface, a mixer, or both? what are the pro's and con's of each? what setup would you advise?

Thank you!

 

[ChrisNabil]

Yamaha DM3S 22-channel Digital Mixer

22-channel Digital Mixer with 16 Mic Preamps, 9 Motorized Faders, 9" Touchscreen, 18-in/18-out USB Audio Interface, 2-in/2-out USB Recording, DAW Control, and DSP

www.sweetwater.com

Looks like this would do the job nicely, or -

Allen & Heath SQ-5 48-channel Digital Mixer

48-channel Digital Mixer, with 17 Faders, 6 Fader Layers, 32 x 32 USB Interface, and Network Audio Support

www.sweetwater.com

But maybe over-kill!

 

[happyrat1]

I have a Yamaha 16 channel USB mixer I bought almost a decade ago.

I retired it last year when I replaced it with a Mackie 12 Channel model. (downsized)

I could heartily recommend either one with one caveat.

The yamaha is not fully class compliant. If you want volume control you have to install their drivers to enable that function.

Definitely a big problem for Linux systems,

I can't speak for the A&E. Never used one.

 

[ChrisNabil]

I have a Yamaha 16 channel USB mixer I bought almost a decade ago.

I retired it last year when I replaced it with a Mackie 12 Channel model. (downsized)

I could heartily recommend either one with one caveat.

The yamaha is not fully class compliant. If you want volume control you have to install their drivers to enable that function.

Definitely a big problem for Linux systems,

I can't speak for the A&E. Never used one.

Thank you, Gary. After doing some research I found that digital mixers can also have really good audio interfaces combined with preamps and effects... sounds like the way to go and that will integrate into DAW.

 

[happyrat1]

Here's my current setup.

 

[happyrat1]

Except the computer is now an apple and the kurzweil is out for repair and currently replaced with a Numa Compact 2x

 

[happyrat1]

Did you ever receive that Arturia polysynth you ordered last winter?

 

[ChrisNabil]

Did you ever receive that Arturia polysynth you ordered last winter?

No!... I, as I am sure most others, have been finding it hard to purchase boards because of import/export problems. Most of the boards I wanted were on "back order" with Sweetwater. As a result, I have a mix-up. A Yamaha YC88, Roland Fantom 7, and a Korg PA5X. I am really happy with them for now.

 

[ChrisNabil]

I presume the Radial can be chained into the Mixer so I have my three boards running from the Radial. I wanted to get Sonarworks but soon realized it would not work with my current set-up.

 

[ChrisNabil]

I just bought a pair of Adams A77H 3-way monitors so wanted to dial them in properly with Sonarworks.

 

[ChrisNabil]

Except the computer is now an apple and the kurzweil is out for repair and currently replaced with a Numa Compact 2x

Do you find Apple easier to get on with?

 

[happyrat1]

It's a steep learning curve, but shares a lot with Linux.

Apple is based on FreeBSD UNIX so after 5 or 6 months I began to get a handle on it.

The nice thing about the Apple universe is guaranteed compatibility among devices.

Also it doesn't hurt that it's the de facto standard in the industry.

 

[ChrisNabil]

It's a steep learning curve, but shares a lot with Linux.

Apple is based on FreeBSD UNIX so after 5 or 6 months I began to get a handle on it.

The nice thing about the Apple universe is guaranteed compatibility among devices.

Also it doesn't hurt that it's the de facto standard in the industry.

Yeah, I get that. I just spent 4K on a Dell but was thinking one day I might get an Apple laptop.

 

[delaware dave]

Hi guys,

I just wanted to ask a few questions. At the moment I have 3 keyboards all linked up to my Radial KL8, obviously, my studio monitors are connected to the Radial also. I will soon want to get a DAW and start integrating my computer. This can be a little tricky with the Radial and it doesn't integrate with my iPad. The Radial is ideal for my keyboards but what would be best for me to add... An audio interface, a mixer, or both? what are the pro's and con's of each? what setup would you advise?

Thank you!

Have a look at the Alto 802 Live:
Link

 

[ChrisNabil]

Have a look at the Alto 802 Live:
Link

Thank you, Dave, I will take a look.

 

[happyrat1]

Have a look at the Alto 802 Live:
Link

Amazon lists all versions as unavailable.

Probably discontinued.

 

[ChrisNabil]

Liking the digital mixers with a nice big display.

 

[happyrat1]

Whether you spend $700 on the mechanical type or $4000 on a digital, unless you are scoring a movie. it won't make you sound any better

 

[ChrisNabil]

Yes!... I am not so deluded to expect myself to sound any better Just liking the digital because of the display and the possibility that it might make my learning a little more intuitive.

 

[happyrat1]

If you find touch screens and menu diving "more intuitive" than actual knobs and sliders that are the real thing most digital menus try to imitate, enjoy, but every menu I have to browse just murders creativity.

Gary