ajaik's forum posts 89

There’s seems to be no way of adding limited edition versions of instruments if the base model already exists right ?

Example

Thought this ranking of audio interfaces was interesting. Having started with a basic Minifuse, and then the M-Audio, I’m now using SSL interfaces which thankfully rank quite high. Despite the relatively low ranking for the Minifuses, Arturia’s flagship interface rig jumps into excellent territory.

In my case, I had a listing for an Ibanez SR300 bass, mine being the IPT (Iron Pewter) version of the guitar hence it was previously listed as "Ibanez SR300-IPT Bass". It has now been changed and is listed as "Ibanez SR300 (Duplicate)". WTF ?

I ended up pre-ordering of course...

Sequential Founder & ‘Father Of MIDI’ Dave Smith Has Died

Holy crap, I never thought I would ever see a new Oberheim polyphonic synth, exciting times ahead while my wallet weeps 😅

Wavetable Bass Synthesizer and Rhythm Machine

Name: Sonicware Liven Bass & Beats

Image: https://i.shgcdn.com/86ae3dce-5c23-4271-b7ab-a58e71c2eeca/-/format/auto/-/preview/3000x3000/-/quality/lighter/

Product Page: https://sonicware.jp/pages/liven-bassandbeats

FCPro Audio Mixthesizer, a fully customizable mixer dedicated to synthesizers

Company site: https://www.fcpro.audio

12 days later submission still not handled and GC links are still failing "We're having trouble finding a product with that link. See the tips below for correct formatting, or contact us for help."

This new system is terrible

Agreed - frankly the old system where people could add and mods could clean up any mistakes was far better.

Seems to me, one consequence of moderating all add requests is that there seems to be quite the backlog and no way of knowing if you item has been added except by checking every day via search...

@jimmarchi1 I thought you might appreciate this

Mods can you please add

Name: Vector Synth

Image: https://www.vectorsynth.com/public/images/vector_top.png

Composer who helped develop the Synclavier at Dartmouth has died

As far as the comments about standby mode, my understanding (from watching videos and reading forums) is that each channel strip has its own REC button which puts it into “standby” when clicked. So you arm each channel, then you hit the “main” REC button on the transport controls to start recording. That doesn’t appear especially difficult to me.

Also the levels are shown on the screen rather than having an individual meter in each channel like the Zoom L12 has. I’m not sure if that’s good or bad but was wondering if anyone else can speak to that. I don’t have any personal experience to compare it against 🤷🏻‍♂️

You may be right in that finding a retailer that has one out on the shop floor to play with might be worth doing…

So I mentioned I was looking at the Model 12 online and got some responses…

“ If you are self recording the big bright level meters in the Zoom will save you every time, without those big wonderful meters you will be throwing out half your sessions from too low or too high levels....or you will be squashing everything with compression. I have never had an overload on my recording sessions of live music on all 8 tracks and 24 channels of sub-mixing to the Zoom.”

And…

“ Tascam is notorius for making confusing interfaces on their mixers. A great example of that is the DP series. There's a lot of weird quirks to them you'll only know if you learn them from someone experienced in using the things. As per the record+play "issue", every single portable recorder/mixer I've seen in the wild works this way, even the Model 12. When you press record, you're arming the thing to record. This is something that's standard behavior also on DAW and tape recorders. There are several issues associated with recording straight away when pressing record that date back from analog recordings, which is why it is done that way.”

Isn't thatjust Yamaha's modular control surface for cubase/nuendo?

You're asking me ? 😂

Theres a big gap in the market these days

I think that's true of almost everything these days... shrinking the middle class means shrinking mid-range products too.

Either its the cheapest crap or its priced out of range...

One of the channels (sorry ;-) I follow on YouTube is Doctor Mix who runs a studio in London. He recently built a new studio and vlogged the whole process which was fun to watch. He also made a couple of videos about his Nuage mixing desk which I thought @jimmarch1 might find fun to watch.

Have either of you folks seen a block diagram in the documentation?

The diagrams in the Spec section of the manual start at page 64.

BTW, came across this video for a DAWless setup for the Model 12 into an MPC One.

I have an MPC Live II…

Model 12 is 9.5lbs, AR16c is 14.1lbs... neither is going to have stand mounting holes or mounting hardware on the sides or underside, from what I can tell... so with one weighing as much a Fender Jazz bass, and one weighing nearly as much as TWO Fender Stratocasters taped together, this would have to be one impressive stand.

For some time Ive been looking at upgrading my main display to a much larger screen but noted that it was also much heavier than my current 27" and in the course of researching this figured out that I would need to buy a special arm if I hoped to desk mount the larger screen. Ergotron are one of the few brands that have arms that can support this kind of monitor. I think it might be the only arm that can hold the Samsung 49" Odyssey G9 curved screen which weighs in at 31lbs. The screen Im looking at is not the Samsung but a smaller lighter LG.

No, the real problem, as you say, is gonna be figuring out some way to mount it - maybe it could be secured (in some way) to a laptop stand attached to the arm 🤷🏾‍♂️ I can't be the first person to think of this surely. Or maybe a desktop rack is the only way to go (I was hoping to save some desk space ;-)

It's the new Mackie Onyxes that I was concerned about, I can't find the USB i/o spec for the new Onyx mixers.

Oops, sorry I was juggling manuals and got mixed up.

From the product docs (not sure if this is useful): "USB Recording 96 kHz / 24-Bit 8×4 on Mac/PC 96 kHz / 24-Bit 14×4 on Mac/PC 96 kHz / 24-Bit 18×4 on Mac/PC 96 kHz / 24-Bit 24×4 on Mac/PC"

Another plus for the Model 12: I think I prefer the inputs on the back rather than the top.

Another unrelated kind of question: I have one of those multiarm desk mounts, the kind of thing that can hold monitors, a laptop and a smaller device above the desk. The monitor arms have VESA mounts and I’m wondering if I could attach a VESA mount to the bottom of a mixer ? I plan to upgrade to Ergotron mounts which can hold up to 42 lbs on a single arm…

Right now, I’m leaning towards the Model 12. One thing I also read was that the Model 12 is actually newer than the Model 16 so has some updates that have yet to make it across to the Model 16 or Model 24.

I’m looking at the manual:

“ PreSonus® Capture™ 2.0 is a multitrack digital-audio recording application designed to make recording with StudioLive™ mixers quick and easy. With the look and feel of a digital multitrack hard-disk recorder, it is instantly familiar. It uses the same high-quality audio engine as PreSonus' groundbreaking Studio One® DAW, and its Session files can be opened directly in Studio One—no conversion or exporting required.

Capture 2 was designed exclusively for StudioLive-series mixers, allowing instant setup and recording directly from the mixer, with no configuration.”

Looks like the StudioLive and the new Onyx’s can only multitrack over USB to a computer, not direct to the SD 😔

The only thing the Model 12 is missing is DC-coupled i/o so AJAIK could get extra fancy with their eurorack interfacing down the road... but no mixer in this class/price has DC coupled i/o. Our 4-bus Mackies don't have it either.

That's interesting, I never really considered using CV outside a rack with any audio gear. And yes, I am getting more into modular gear these days. (Ive already built a Roland System 100m clone with 208hp of Behringer modules ;-) Though there are CV->MIDI modules that could be used here.

I think you need to look at the fully digital studiolive desks for studio one to be worthwhile installing and trying out, with those you get control surface integration, but we're not talking about those. The only thing to worry about is drivers, but I think presonus has mac integration down now.... think how long ago the firepod and firestudio came out.

They support Apple's new native silicon which bodes well when I buy a new Mac later this year

The packaged DAW, Studio One, is not necessarily huge within the synth music community here in 2022, but if you consider it more of a bonus than something you're paying for, there's no risk there.

Yeah, their DAW is not one that I see a lot of synth folks using so its a brand that's never been on my radar... and I didn't know they did mixers too.

One other thought in this class and style of mixer is the presonus studiolive range. You may want to check out the ar16c.

First impressions:

• Hybrid design with mostly analog front-end incl analog EQ
• High quality pre-amps
• Record in 96kHz to SD without a DAW (not clear if it multi-tracks to SD as well ?)
• Only $100 more than the 12 channel ones Im already looking at
• Ability to hook up several "consumer" devices like a phone, iPad, etc
• Bluetooth connectivity

On the zoom live tracks, I'm pretty sure they're a standalone multitrack SD card recorder... unlike a lot of their competitors you're not just recording your master bus in stereo. However it's entirely digital apart from the mic amps.

Yes, you're always recording multiple tracks which you can then import into a DAW if you want to, or use separately. And yes its mainly a digital mixer so def out of the running if analog EQ is important (should it be?). Unfortunately I don't know how good or bad digital EQ really is... 🤷🏾‍♂️

Although those budget AD converters may be your weak link then... you're going to run into that in general at this price point when you want an all in one solution that's a mixer and interface.

The fact that it is also an audio interface is a major selling point to me. Yes I have separate audio interfaces too but if I used them would that mean Id essentially be converting to and from digital twice ? That kinda feels like a negative to me...

If you're only in need of like 12 channels and just want a stereo mix and the ability to interface with your new mac all in your apartment? the live track seems like overkill in some ways

Maybe but Im assuming Ill learn some more, try more things, eventually need those extras perhaps.

Again, the onyx is tolerable... it doesn't sound bad or good and the old series has a proven track record as an interface and as a workhorse. I see a lot of onyxes trading around and they're clearly just as reliable as similar british offerings of that era... and given a choice between say a soundcraft spirit and the onyx?

Im not really familiar with the history here: are (were ?) British mixers something like a gold standard ? (You'd think someone originally from the UK should know this stuff ;-) I only know that's maybe a "thing" because Rupert Neve died last year and I saw articles about he and his work...

An aside since you live in NYC: I was considering selling my 16 into 8 into 2 soundcraft 400b monitor desk which is fully serviced and ready for another 40 years of music... but as great as it sounds compared to what you're looking at, it's not a computer interface, you would still need some converters when you get a new mac... and I couldn't let it out of the house for 3 figs... it's also not really small although much smaller than my current desk. But if you're interested in a serious mixer let me know because it's just sitting right now... I needed more channels and routing....

Looks amazing but it would probably need its own desk / stand and although I live in a loft space we seriously don't have the space for it.

And on that note I also suggest you buy more channels and features than you need. If you think 12 channels and just a master bus with 2 echo sends will do it? Go bigger. With mixers you always outgrow that minimum requirement you had in mind within a year. You'll want spare channels, sub groups and more echo sends and returns in no time if you're enjoying the analog mixer experience.

I would either get the biggest onyx I could afford, at least 16 into 4 into 2... or step up to a real desk and dedicated interface and really enjoy my sound.

Yeah I can see that is probably true like a lot of things in music! :-D

I mean the Mackie is a good bit cheaper and some mixers I prefer are out of production and might need a bit of service to get going if priced well but you get what you pay for to some extent.

Not knowing much about this I would be wary of investing in something I know nothing about. I don't buy vintage synths for the same reason ;-)

When I got my 1640i, I just needed something that could let me hear my synths and drum machines together without my computer being on. I was deciding between the 4-bus Allen & Heath Zed and the 4-bus Mackie options

Yeah, I just want to play several instruments and hear them away from a computer (Im a software engineer so already spend way too much time in front of a screen - the music was supposed to get me away from that and exercise other parts of my brain ;-)

There's also the budget and space considerations ;-) Ive been looking at Zoom LiveTrak 12, Tascam Model 12 and now the Mackie Onyx. There are all roughly around $600 price which is a number I can work with. From what Ive read online so far, the Mackie just seems the better choice in this price range.

1) The audio interface portion of Mackie's product did NOT require drivers on Mac... which means it would be more or less future proof. 7 years later, it's long since discontinued, but I'm still using it everyday, firewire into 2 (TWO!) different Apple adapters and it still performs the tasks I need. It'll develop some pops and clicks now and again, but I restart the beast and it behaves again. That's more longevity than anyone can/should expect from an audio interface.

I gave up on Windows in 2007 and never looked back - 9 times out of 10 the Macs don't need no stinking' drivers to hook stuff up.

• 1) all the usable gain in the mic pres is in the final quarter of the pot... and I'm not exaggerating. Even with a Cloudlifter, you'll be teetering on the edge of the range to use an SM7B at spoken-word volumes. It's a really shocking behavior for any Mackie, let alone their range-topping hybrid mixer. I'm glad to hear, from Jim, and from a review I just read, that the new Onyxes apparently don't have this issue.

Its unlikely Ill be recording my voice much anyway ;-) but if I ever need to that's good to know.

• 2) Mackie tends to squeeze in more routing/config options than their competitors, but at the cost of basic usability. I STILL have to consult the manual, 7 years in, because a lot of the layout (on this model, at least) just isn't something I can fully commit to memory and/or intuit. Never had that issue with other mixers, just this one.

Maybe that's improved in the the new Onyxes ?

To Jim's points, if you need a signal-combining appliance that is reliable, but devoid of analog magic, Mackie has historically proven themselves on these fronts... and my own first hand experience held true to that reputation.

Yeah simplicity is a big win. Maybe a year or two from now who knows, maybe Ill be doing more of this on a computer but for now just having a single box that doesn't empty my bank account and doesn't take up half my desk, just to dip my toes in the water makes sense to me.

1. I'm looking at your EB, and you've got a ton of cool synths... what are you currently using to hear 3 or 4 of these machines together at the same time? Both of your interfaces are only 2 x 2, so I'm curious.

Exactly my problem, I can only listen to two instruments at a time. I tend to focus on one thing at a time right now anyway but yeah I want to do more, Ive just been biding my time, educating myself, doing my homework before I get a "proper" setup.

1. What's your primary motivation for wanting an analog mixer, instead of, for example, a dedicated 8 or 16 input audio interface? I know all the mixers you mentioned also double as audio interfaces, but you could put that same money into an interface purely dedicated to A/D conversion, and come away with better quality recordings... but there are a ton of good reasons why you might want the option to NOT involve a computer 100% of the time. Just curious where you're coming from on this front.

Yeah pretty much don't want to rely on a computer but I want to at least have that option available later perhaps. I like the idea of using something self-contained without a computer for now. I plan to buy a beefy computer purely for music production later this year, Im just not in a position to do that right now and the computers I have now are just not up to the task. Im still learning this stuff so likewise Ive not taken a deep dive into any DAWs just yet, still figuring that stuff out.

1. Given the number of synths you already have, why aren't you looking at something with more channels, like an Onyx24?

I don't really need to have everything wired up and available at all times - Im fine hooking up a few smaller setups and using a patchbay to swap things in and out as I need them. I figured 12 is a good number, not too small but not the biggest either. I live in NYC and dont necessarily want to devote more space to a bigger mixer.

1. Where is @jimmarch1 hiding? This is totally a Jim topic.

I was gonna say something in the first post but I forgot ;-)

Im considering the Onyx12 model for my first home studio mixer and was curious if there were any Onyx users here that can give their thoughts / opinions ?

Id also be curious to know how to stacks up against Tascam Model 12 and / or MTK 12 ?

Having held off on buying the Big Sky and the Night Sky, and since I’ve gotten into modular gear the past year, I’m really happy to see them finally put out this module which may end up becoming the best reverb for Eurorack.

Not a fan of this new Sequential look with the grey panel and plasticky knobs that appeared with the Pro 3, but blimey does this sound good. Hope they do a version with wooden side panels.

I’ve always loved the sound and looks of the Prophets so that was kinda my knee-jerk reaction too when I first saw the Take5 announcement. Some have said it’s an odd look, a bit out of character for a Dave Smith creation, but then someone else pointed out this is Sequential’s first product under new company ownership 🤔 (And yeah, I understand these things have a long lead time in development but still maybe the new owners had some say during negotiations perhaps ?).

only 1 LFO and really limited routing... its a very late 70s inspired synth, barebones analog feature set and the multi-engine is just tacked on there like an afterthought....

Not a criticism, but am I right in saying the Prologues don’t have a sequencer ?

Personally, I don’t think a mic of that price range is needed for a video chat. Regarding livestreaming, a cheaper USB mic like a Blue Snowball should work fine. Equipboard’s Podcast Mic Guide might also be helpful.

Just to fill in some blanks: I’m currently using the Rode Procaster with an M-Audio Air interface for work. But I hope to eventually get a mixer, record some stuff (music and/or vocals), maybe livestream too, so I’m looking at things that could potentially serve double duty (ie. maybe overkill for work but great to use for music too).

Equipboard’s Podcast Mic Guide might also be helpful.

That’s useful, thanks.