How to integrate a console to a DAW...

[Julián Fernández]

Hey guys...
I´m a happy user of the Presonus Firepod and recently a friend of mine offered me a Mackie 1604VLZ.
I would like to try the feel of a real console instead of my BCF2000, but I´m not sure how to integrate it on my signal flow... Is there any advantages of going for it or the extra ad da convertions are gonna mess up my sound?
Any advices?
Thanks!
J.

[chris perra]

What do you want to replace feel wise? A BCF2000 Is strictly a controller that adjusts thefaders/plugins and whatnot in your Daw using USB midi commands..There's no audio running through it. It only replaces the commands you would give using a mouse to your Daw..

Using a Mackie 1604 will not allow you to use the Daw's plugins or fader levels It has no Midi capabilities..
So using it would completely change the way you do things.

If you want to use it as a mixer running faders ect. instead of the BCF2000 you would have to have a separate set of outputs from your soundcard each going to the 1604. But this would cause you to have to buy separate outboard gear for reverbs, compressors ect as the 1604 only has eq. Plus you could only run up to 6 mono effects or 2 stereo effects,. as there are 4 aux send with another one that is switchable for 5 and 6.

Your mix would then come out the main left and right... to wherever you want it. Back into the daw i guess or another conputer..

Somehow I don't think you want a conventional setup that would reduce you Daw to a tapedeck.. Unfortunately the Mackie has no midi on it and is only an analog mixer...

You could look for a better feeling controller surface,. with more faders..

[cjbdrm]

I would recommend only using the 1604VLZ for the preamps going into the Firepod, and as a latency-free headphone mixer.

I wouldn't suggest using it as a console mixer as the added AD/DA conversion would degrade the sound. (This goes for final mixes as well- you should go straigtht from the Firepod into your speakers, if possible.)

The less conversion, the better...in my experience.

Lastly, I would suggest getting used to mixing in the box with a mouse. Maybe get a second LCD monitor so you can have track view and mixer view windows open at the same time. You'll get the hang of it...