Recording Console Advice

[pflash4001]

Hi. I was wondering if I could get some advice here. A few years ago I bought an Alesis HD24 Digital Multi-track recorder. I also have a Mackie Onyx 4 bus console that does great for recording live, but is a pain in the neck to do much else with because in order to playback and overdub I need to re-patch everything because it isn't a double bussed board. My intent was to buy a Mackie 8 bus unit (a few years ago) but then that band split up and the recording gear has pretty much sitting around not getting much use. I've since been playing with some guys and we really want to get some recording done. My question is is it still a good idea to get a used 8 bus or go another route. We're not looking to get really fancy and we would be spending much more than the used 8-bus just by getting an interface, computer capable of handling recording, and software. I already have all the mics I would need. I have outboard compressors, f/x, stands, cables, etc. The only thing that seems to be lacking is the proper console. What are your thoughts on getting this used console or any other options. Thanks for your help!

 

[audioglenn]

As long as automation is not a concern for you on the mixing side of things, I would definitely look into a used
8 or 16 buss console. It's amazing what you can get for the price these days. I would make sure that any console
you acquire gives you the capability to take a direct out from each mic channel. That way, you could record every mic
to a separate track if you wanted to. Also make sure you get as many channels as you can afford. I like to bring effect
returns back into channels if possible, which means you will need two channels(panned R and L) for each effect return.
Also, get at least six if not eight aux sends per channel. You're going to need them for a headphone mix, as well as effects
sends. Hope this helps!

 

[pflash4001]

Thanks. I'm looking seriously at a Mackie 24 or 32 channel 8 Bus. This is exactly the kind of info I was looking for. I also believe that Mackie had an add on called Autopilot that automated mixing, but I don't really know anything about it. Any info on that?

 

[audioglenn]

No...I don't know anything about Autopilot. The used Mackie is a great route to go.
The preamps they make are good. Good luck with the search! I've seen them come up
on Craigslist many times.

 

[pflash4001]

Thanks...automation isn't a big deal for me at this point. I've got a line on a couple of then in the area. Hopefully I can find one that's been loved a bit.

 

[davy4575]

dont know if you bought one yet or not. Im assuming that your going to be tracking to a daw via interfaces. I use two mackie 32.8's (one for ins, one for outs), mostly just use them for front end digital though. I also have a 1978 tascam model 15 24.8 it has very warm pre's.in the other studio. We use analog boards for tracking just like we used to in the analog world, but we mix and sum in the box, its just way easier. I use the busses on 8 buss for running to outboard gear as sends and then return the outboard gear back to the board on a different channel as well as into the interface as a seprate input. That way I can blend original and effected to whatever level I desire. The good thing about the mackie and just about any recording console is that they have direct out jacks on each input channel as well as a channel i/o (insert). signal comes in, hits the preamp on the channel, gain pot and then right back out or can all the way through eq and fader then out. so we run each direct out to a corresponding input on our interfaces (motu 24I, motu 1224's). Most live consoles do not have the direct out, so you end up using up your channel insert, also, the noisefloor and crosstalk is generally higher on live consoles. Also, the mackie has a pretty good range of aux sends and returns which I used for headphone mixes although since working with cuemix for heaphone/cue mixes I quit using the board to do headphone mixes. Also of note, the mackie 8 busses are not capable of automation at all. they have no motorized faders, mutes or anything else. They are very colorless preamps and dont really change the sound going in, I prefer that, some dont though, So if you want your console to color the sound before it hits the interface and then box, look for an older live analog board.