Mixing in the Analog World

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Thought I'd post this here and see if anyone can help me out...

So, I tried googling this and didn't come up with exactly what I was looking for. I'm working with Maschine. The Maschine software allows you to output audio through the outputs of your audio interface. I have a small mixer with 8 mono channels, my interface has 8 mono outs. The problem is Maschine only out puts stereo pairs. So, I'm tricking Maschine into giving me 8 mono outs instead of 4 stereo pairs by hard panning sounds.

For example, I'll send my kick and snare to the first stereo pair in Maschine. I'll hard pan on left, one right. This allows me to mix the kick and snare separately in the analog world on my mixer.

My question is, what negative effects might this have on the sound? The hard panning in the digital world? I know using mono samples and creating mono patches would be ideal. But beyond this do I need to worry about any distortion or phasing issues? To my ear, all I'm loosing on stereo samples/patches is the full benefit of stereo processing and a bit of gain (which I've no problem making up).

I'm reintroducing stereo processing (delay and reverb) in the analog world, so getting that back isn't an issue.

Thoughts? Recommendations ?

[Sharmaji]

what negative effects might this have on the sound?

none. very standard way of making things work.

Thoughts? Recommendations ?

mono is more powerful than stereo, you sound amped on the process, so go for it! enjoy and report back about how it goes.

[fragments]

what negative effects might this have on the sound?

none. very standard way of making things work.

Thoughts? Recommendations ?

mono is more powerful than stereo, you sound amped on the process, so go for it! enjoy and report back about how it goes.

As always Sharm, many thanks. That's I'll I needed to know. I'll report back with results for sure. Working on my something at the moment. I thought working with a lot of mono sources would make tracks way less dynamic, not at all.

[paradigm_x]

what negative effects might this have on the sound?

none. very standard way of making things work.

Thoughts? Recommendations ?

mono is more powerful than stereo, you sound amped on the process, so go for it! enjoy and report back about how it goes.

Yeah, were almost entirely mono. panning and stereo fx give the impression of mono.

I have a soundtracs topaz 24:8:2 -

It is seriously a level above the spirit/mackie desks, really smooth eqs, loads of flexibility in routing etc



Cheers

[paradigm_x]

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Hey Paradigm...was wondering if you might chime in, thanks for the thoughts. I'm working on a comparatively small mixer (Soundcraft EPM . I'm going to give that video a look (might have to wait until I'm home from work). Loving the absolutely no computer setup, man. What are you guys recording to? DAT? Tape?

I'm just going to have to get something finished and get some listeners and advice.

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So, I've tried to sell my Yamaha MG102C mixer on eBay for about 2 weeks...but it's getting to the point where I'd have to sell it so cheap I'm thinking about keeping it. I was kind of stupid recently and damn near did a cross-grade instead of an up grade to a Soundcraft EPM8 mixer (which I like a lot).

Curious what anyone thinks of the following mad thoughts: I've been regretting not having any sub groups/mixes on my new mixer, specifically I'd like to be able to bus process my drums while maintaining individual control of the sounds. I could do that in Maschine...and I do to an extent...but who the fuck wants to piss around with software when there are better toys to be tweaked. So I'm thinking...I'll out my drums to the Yamaha, which gives a fairly complex set of options, then send it's 2bus to two of the channels on the Soundcraft.

Suggestions? Thoughts? Am I treading into the territory of some kind of hardware madness?

I'm going to try it regardless...because why the hell not? These kinds of mad routing setups are really what I love about this hobby anyhow...

[paradigm_x]

exactly

sub mixing is an entirely valid, we do it all the time, chaining mixers and recorders.

In terms of recorders, we use a mackie 24 track digitial recorder at mine. Its just so awesome, i record up to 24 tracks down via the mixer, then press a button and the 'tape' return comes back through the same channel, so you can then mix it back via the same channel. Very cool. you can make loads of different sounding mixes just from the same multi-tracks, and totally dub out the mix as we go.


Dave has an 8 track zoom digital recorder, but he tends to use it just as a stereo recorder.

I actually mix down to my old computer ( ); really want a dat or a SDCard equivalent, but its lying around and ive got a nice soundcard so a good recording. Its such a pain in the arse to use tho. I used to be a complete computer/daw ninja, but its amazing how quickly you forget.

Dave rips all his cables out and rewires every new tune, plugging things straight into fx for example, never the same routing, = all tunes are different.

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Excellent. I just started a percussion heavy track last night in Maschine so I'll be mixing it with two mixers then : )

That mackie digital record sounds like the tits. That'll be something for me to look into, possibly. I've been obsessed with the way King Tubby, Scratch Perry etc used the studio as an instrument and have been on a quest for about 2 years figuring out a setup I can do something akin to that in my humble studio.

Currently I'm recording to DAT. Lucky enough to get a pristine DAT deck for free from one of my father's clients. This guy has actually given me a lot of equipment. No shame face need b/c you record to computer, I can't un-tether myself completely.

Tell Dave I full approve of his tearing down after every project--I do the same thing.

PS to anyone lurking this thread. You must check out the youtube vid Paradigm posted!

[Libra]

Some really good advice and info on this thread, will read when I come off shift.

But regarding phase blah blah... if it sounds good. Do it.

[AxeD]

Some really good advice and info on this thread, will read when I come off shift.

But regarding phase blah blah... if it sounds good. Do it.

Phase is actually a major component. After editing I check phase relationships of every mic, to check what
sounds best. Wouldn't be exactly the same in a track without acoustic recordings but still.

[Sharmaji]

Curious what anyone thinks of the following mad thoughts: I've been regretting not having any sub groups/mixes on my new mixer, specifically I'd like to be able to bus process my drums while maintaining individual control of the sounds. I could do that in Maschine...and I do to an extent...but who the fuck wants to piss around with software when there are better toys to be tweaked. So I'm thinking...I'll out my drums to the Yamaha, which gives a fairly complex set of options, then send it's 2bus to two of the channels on the Soundcraft.

or, go completely opposite and bounce it down to stereo those great hihat/cymbal sounds and the balance of tape echo and original source stuff is the sound of multiple generations of tape. get all your drums down to a stereo (or even mono) track, mix all your vox down as well, etc. by the end you're essentially just mixing stems.

[fragments]

Curious what anyone thinks of the following mad thoughts: I've been regretting not having any sub groups/mixes on my new mixer, specifically I'd like to be able to bus process my drums while maintaining individual control of the sounds. I could do that in Maschine...and I do to an extent...but who the fuck wants to piss around with software when there are better toys to be tweaked. So I'm thinking...I'll out my drums to the Yamaha, which gives a fairly complex set of options, then send it's 2bus to two of the channels on the Soundcraft.

or, go completely opposite and bounce it down to stereo those great hihat/cymbal sounds and the balance of tape echo and original source stuff is the sound of multiple generations of tape. get all your drums down to a stereo (or even mono) track, mix all your vox down as well, etc. by the end you're essentially just mixing stems.

That's a great idea too. Don't have anything but a cassette deck at the moment, a pretty noisy one. But this gives me some ideas indeed...damn between you and Paradigm I'm going to have experiments to keep me busy for a while!

Hrm...Hrm...Hrm...

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I dunno if it's cool to post it here...but I did work out a basic arrangement for a new tune and tried to nail a mixdown in the analog world. Checked it on Equator D5s, AKG240s and some Numark DJ monitors I've got in the garage for listening to music. If anyone wants a listen I can PM the link...or you know...if it's kosher to post it in this thread...(it seems we are pretty strict to keeping tunes in the feedback thread or Dubs sub forum).

[SunkLo]

That's only for noobs and assholes


(Not like the thread's purpose is to get feedback, just an incidental thing that arose from the discussion)

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That's only for noobs and assholes


(Not like the thread's purpose is to get feedback, just an incidental thing that arose from the discussion)

Yea...I'd really prefer not have to someone listen to 30 seconds of my track and then tell me to brickwall limit the master and boost 250hz. And of course then end it all with a "cool tune bro" or "feedback for feedback" (are people still using that phrase in Dubs???)

[paradigm_x]

i think its entirely valid in a thread like this, with only 3 people it (=

Bit like the DIY fred.

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Soundcloud



Arrangement needs more work, track needs filled out etc.

[mks]

I mixed in the analog realm for years. I loved it. I didn't have the best mixing board though, it was just a Mackie 16 channel but it was adequate for what I was doing.

I was really influenced by dub, so that was my mixing style; hitting the sends and riding the faders which made every mix unique and it was like playing the mixing board like an instrument.

Without automation or recall you had to get the mix done before moving on to the next project.

[paradigm_x]

Yet another bonus of analogue desks.

I used to spend months/years perfecting everything until it was flat and sterlie.

Now theyre scruffy and raw, but got so much more energy. and do one or more a week! just move on, dont look back, single takes, warts and all, very liberating.

Macc sorts the good ones out!