Looking to buy my first mixer HELP !!!

[Huw Phillips]

I am getting more and more confused here !!!
I basically want to be able to record
Bass
Electric guitar
Drum machine
Vocals
My understanding is that the model 12 is a hands on mixer that you can do everything in from start to finish ending up with a recording on an SD card, it also has seem less integration with logic that could prove helpful offering many options of loops and effects etc, for when I have a better understanding of how multitrack mixing and recording works. I fully understand that the model 12 has certain limitations however I feel it’s a good start and seems to be well reviewed and looks like something I could work with when I saw it in person.
Please excuse my lack of knowledge on this subject as they say I just want to shut up and play my bass, this is a means to an ends to me rather than a passion at the moment, I hope to gain some love for plastic knobs along the way
All input is very helpful and appreciated

 

[DirkP]

None of these mixers have DAW integration beyond audio interfacing and (maybe) transport control except PreSonus and that's only for users of PreSonus' Studio One.

This is not true. The Model 12 has MTC and a Control Mode, which allows you to control a DAW with the faders of the Model 12, start recording etc.

 

[brianrost]

the model 12 is a hands on mixer that you can do everything in from start to finish ending up with a recording on an SD card, it also has seem less integration with logic that could prove helpful

I assume you meant seamless? Darn spellcheckers

I guess it depends on what you consider to be seamless integration.

It does support some of the Mackie Control and HUI protocols that Logic will recognize but not very much. There's no control of sends and no device control (mapping knos on the model 12 to Logic plugins). So when I wrote "None of these mixers have DAW integration beyond audio interfacing and (maybe) transport control", the Model 12 does in fact have basic mixer control as well. I stand corrected. That's still limited integration, actually less than a $75 Korg nanoKontrol.

This is specifically what the Model 12 can control in Logic.

 

[DirkP]

actually less than a $75 Korg nanoKontrol.

Yes, but it is is included in a mixer/multitrack sd-card recorder/audio-interface with 8 mic-preamps, 6 of them of very good quality, 12 channels in total that works as a front of house mixer with 2 aux-busses and a stereo sub-out bus, too. And midi. And a small looper. For under 600,-. I own much more expensive gear and a more expensive mixer from SSL, but the Model 12 is about the best piece of equipment I bought in years. Depends a lot on the use-case, I admit. Band recordings, small gigs, a home studio with a lot of gear permanently connected. And the wish to do whatever I want with my gear without having to change cables and connections and setups all the time.

 

[brianrost]

Calm down, Dirk.

In the MIDI world "deep integration" and "tight integration" get thrown around an awful lot without any actual substantiation for the claim. The same unfortunately goes for "HUI support" and "Mackie Control support" because there's a lot of functions in both protocols that many control devices leave out. It's very important for a buyer to understand what they are getting.

Huw mentioned Logic, in particular "would prefer something that has good integration with Logic", "seamless integration" and "I also like the idea of having access to the Apple library of sounds". His definition of "good" isn't clear. Being clear about what it can and cannot do is really important.

I think the Model 12's controller support is really good for a mixing board, implementation of Mackie Control is a big deal for a Logic user. It is seamless integration. It will not at all be mouse-free with Logic, because there is no control of any of the native Logic devices (instruments or effects) and I want Huw to understand that.