Best mixer?

Ganool · Post by **Ganool** » Wed Apr 17, 2002 9:29 pm

Here comes the big one: what is your opinion of the best mixer for Pulsar? I know it's completely depending on what you want to use it for, but if we put as less dsp-load as number one priority and features as number two - what does we come up with?

Creamware / 3rd party. No matter.

So far I've been a sucker for the Dynamic Mixer, but there might be some better?

Cheers,

Carl.

junklight · Post by **junklight** » Thu Apr 18, 2002 1:36 am

Pulsar mixer (the one that comes with the propack) - so good I sold my big analog 32 channel desk.

Its all I use (except for "odd" projects when sometimes the micromixer gets roped into service)

mark

Ganool · Post by **Ganool** » Thu Apr 18, 2002 2:16 am

I got the Pro-pack. The Pulsar-mixer you say? I remember calling it up yesterday. It seemed very capable, but does it really use little dsp-power? I didn't test that at all.

junklight · Post by **junklight** » Thu Apr 18, 2002 3:33 am

Its cool in that it only uses DSP power for things that are connected - so if you only have one channel connected up it will use very little DSP. Of course if you start turning all the EQ/Compression (got to love the built in compressers on channels - these make life so much easier) etc. its going to start using a lot more.

cheers

mark

doodyrh · Post by **doodyrh** » Thu Apr 18, 2002 4:16 am

PulsarMixer is cool but it's a bit DSP hungry. Instead of disconnecting devices to save DSP a channel disable button might be a clicksaving option (?). User definable number of channels like the Dyna-mixer and an easier way to move between channels would both be nice.
There's also a bug that disabled inserts are enabled when the project is reloaded.
But I like it!

Separate Monitor and Mix outputs would make the Dyna-mixer a viable lightweight alternative (with maybe a couple more inserts. And... and... and...).

[ This Message was edited by: doodyrh on 2002-04-18 05:17 ]

subhuman · Post by **subhuman** » Thu Apr 18, 2002 7:39 am

There's also a bug that disabled inserts are enabled when the project is reloaded.
But I like it! 

This doesn't happen on the PulsarMixer 2448.

caleb · Post by **caleb** » Thu Apr 18, 2002 10:52 am

Well in about a week I get my Scope card. Woohoo!

Looking forward to that.

I was shown a demonstration of the Scope mixers and they looked awesome.

dxl · Post by **dxl** » Thu Apr 18, 2002 12:18 pm

they look awsome on dual monitor and fast video card.
also better have more than one midi commander.

sell the hardware mixer becasue that? ha yar right........... mark.

subhuman · Post by **subhuman** » Thu Apr 18, 2002 12:29 pm

sell the hardware mixer becasue that? ha yar right........... mark. 

Hi Dxl,

Actually I'm also selling my hardware mixer (Yamaha 03D) and my studio mate is selling his (Spirit 328) and I have a few customers doing the same. Why? It's just not necessary for the way we work, takes a lot of room, we don't need the mic-pres, and this way we can upgrade the converters without completely changing the way we work. But I guess you wouldn't know that since you probably have never had a mixer with more than 10 channels...

kimgr · Post by **kimgr** » Thu Apr 18, 2002 1:41 pm

Hey DXL: Since you don't know what you're talking about, no matter what you're talking about, could you please just go away ???

caleb · Post by **caleb** » Thu Apr 18, 2002 7:11 pm

I definitely would not sell my hardware mixer for the Pulsar mixers. However, my mixer is a small Mackie 1202 VLZ Pro. But I don't use the pres or for actual adjustment mixing.

I just use it for plugging both of my computers audio, a keyboard or two, a sequencer etc. during one part of my composition progress for convenience.

And I do have Pulsar plugged into it for monitoring (my speakers are attached to my Mackie mixer).

However, I don't actually use it for adding effects, EQ, panning, level adjusting etc..

I find that these things are really determined by how you work.

I don't have hardware effect units - I only use software ones. Nearly all of my sound sources are sample sets, synths and audio tracks that I've recorded separately (vocals, digital piano). When I'm mixing, I only need the Pulsar/Scope mixers - so for that operation as such - my hardware mixer is completely redundant.

Caleb

doodyrh · Post by **doodyrh** » Fri Apr 19, 2002 1:00 am

On 2002-04-18 08:39, subhuman wrote:
There's also a bug that disabled inserts are enabled when the project is reloaded.
This doesn't happen on the PulsarMixer 2448.

Sub, I don't mean the old 'settings not saved' chestnut with the BigMixer. Sometimes I save a project with inserts in PulsarMixer 2448 disabled so I can bring them in quickly when I want them. When the project is next started the lights are all green. Anyone confirm this?

ghandi · Post by **ghandi** » Fri Apr 19, 2002 1:33 am

Yes doodyrh, I have the same thing. The trick is to save your mixer settings in a preset. Next time you open a project the mixer loads correctly, so you don't have to reload the preset by yourself.
Greets, Ghandi

[ This Message was edited by: ghandi on 2002-04-19 02:34 ]

[ This Message was edited by: ghandi on 2002-04-19 02:35 ]

junklight · Post by **junklight** » Fri Apr 19, 2002 1:41 am

"definitely would not sell my hardware mixer for the Pulsar mixers. However, my mixer is a small Mackie 1202 VLZ Pro. But I don't use the pres or for actual adjustment mixing. "

What I didn't mention was that I replaced my big mixer with the 2448 Mixer AND a little behringer notebook - 12 channel I think for my outboard stuff - micro modular,bass guitar, mini disc player etc.

I've got to say I am more than happy with this set up. I find the Pulsar Mixer a joy to use and its got more features than I need - always a good place to be. Its also nice being able to load different setups - I tend to have one setup (usually done on a track or even part of a track basis) for recording to HD recorder (another really good aquisition - it saves some much hassle with the computer) and then other more standard setups for mastering back into the computer (usually to soundforge at the moment) for a final run through t-racks to add a little warmth etc.

The best bit about all of this is that its all digital. I also love the mix down - its so easy just to drop a compressor into a channel if I need it or even add a filter in there - in my earlier studios that would be so much hassle or I would be using all of my outboard all ready that it wouldn't happen.

I really like the sound too - I do find digital a bit cold at times but I know how to get the sound I like with my pulsar setup.

cheers

mark

_________________
__________________________________________
junklight - dark experimental electronics
http://www.junklight.com

[ This Message was edited by: junklight on 2002-04-19 02:42 ]

at0m · Post by **at0m** » Fri Apr 19, 2002 1:49 am

My favorite template project has PulsarMixer, all I/O's, and Pulsarmixer Presets. I have most of my songs based on it, and is very flexible. No need to reload project if I wanna do another song, just change Mixerpreset.

I also like the MicroMixer for it's low DSP usage, as submixer.

I think PulsarMixer is a very good mixer, very extensive. Only stereo, but so come and go my cd's.

at0mic.

sandrob · Post by **sandrob** » Fri Apr 19, 2002 3:21 am

my favourite is rm242 even with bug (what cw will never fix).
i have hardware pult and rm242 is simple and have all what i need for my way of working.
i use rm242 for all my projects

doodyrh · Post by **doodyrh** » Fri Apr 19, 2002 6:06 am

On 2002-04-19 02:33, ghandi wrote:
The trick is to save your mixer settings in a preset.

Sound thinking ghandi. Cheers

subhuman · Post by **subhuman** » Fri Apr 19, 2002 11:06 am

Yes. When going "mixerless" I would still have some cheap (sub $99) mixer inbetween the A16 Ultras, and my monitors - for a hardware master volume control, and to have a place to plug in my headphones, plus maybe some usable mic pres for those very rare occasions I might need them...

Any suggestions for this cheap mixer? Number of channels isn't really important... PM or email me.

astroman · Post by **astroman** » Fri Apr 19, 2002 1:59 pm

hi Sub,
I mentioned this sometime ago, the old Kodak DCC 730 digital cassette recorders.
Outdated and really cheap (got mine for $70 in a shop, down to $40 on ebay) ex high end equipment.
Decent Mic pre and phones out + digital IO.
18 bit converters and you can record your monitor mix by just one push. The engine is absolutely silent in standby.

sandrob · Post by **sandrob** » Fri Apr 19, 2002 2:55 pm

with behringer eurodesk i have independed controls for nearfield and midfield monitors, i sending auxes to headphones amp in recording room, also have 2 headphones chanels in control room, talk back and "mono" swich.
i have deck and minidisk on eurodesk's main out.
i listen cd player and i can listen adat via eurodesk too...
that's why i prefere simple mixers like rm242