Analog mixers in today's studios

[HeadCrusher]

How many of you guys do still use analog mixers and what for? Which ones to you have?

I figure it might be cool to have a lot of channel strips at hand e.g. when recording drums. Apart from that?

 

[Fredrik-Ablaze]

I have an old Spirit Studiomixer that I use for preamps and light pre-eqing before hitting the computer.
Plus I'm using it for monitoring as well.

 

[scorpio01169]

i still use an analog mixer, a Mackie 32.8+24e for tracking and mixdown

 

[elmuchoescadawg]

Im using a DDA QMR console. Its good for monitoring options when tracking, if Im working all in the box its really good for leaning on. At the moment Im working on a project were the bulk of the mix is being done on the desk rather than in the box as it suits the sound. At the moment Im really prefering the sound of the desk to just software mixing so may carry on this way project dependant. Ive been leaving all the faders at unity and setting the level and any automation in the DAW so I get the sound of the desk but the mix recal side of a DAW.
Also Ive still got a lot of outboard and its pretty useful for bringing that in on a session.

 

[Keessi]

I wish I had one. Before I thought that it would be useless but after I got the chance to record in the biggest studio in Finland, Finnvox, I completely changed my mind. They had an SSL AWS900 there and goddamn the eq and preamps were great. it was only while tracking though. They have a full analog SSL too, but I haven't gotten in to that yet. Actually two full analogs....

 

[alexrookie]

Behringer mx 8000

just for monitoring and some scratch tracks - the rest is done with my outboard preamps.

but i don't wanna miss the routing flexibility of a mixer within a recording process!!

 

[colonel kurtz]

i have an analog mixer as well, even though it usually just functions as the front-end for my DAW

 

[Noumenon]

well, uhm. Behringer MX602A, preamps :S

 

[MetalWorks]

i still use an analog mixer, a Mackie 32.8+24e for tracking and mixdown

When you say mixdown do you actually mix using the Mackie's EQ, Panning, Volume etc or mix in the box and use it for summing into a stereo track through the board?

 

[Razorjack]

I'm using mine as a monitoring device, for a long time it was used so I could monitor my recording with zero latency but for the past year it's just been used to run various sets of monitors.

If it wasn't for the lack of good monitor control set-up on the Saffire 26I/O I probably wouldn't use it at all.

 

[Kazrog]

Sold my Mackie years ago and haven't looked back. If I had an SSL or Neve board, I'd just rack all the pres.

 

[egan.]

I certainly prefer boards for tracking...especially setting up cue mixes and never giving latency a second thought.

 

[RKelly]

I'm lucky enough to work on SSL and Amek boards still, overdubs and vocals will sometimes be simly pre -> PT if I'm in a smaller room but it's just so fucking handy having everything you need RIGHT there and not having to load plug-ins

 

[scorpio01169]

When you say mixdown do you actually mix using the Mackie's EQ, Panning, Volume etc or mix in the box and use it for summing into a stereo track through the board?

yes...i dont use a daw for recording...i use two stand alone multitrack recorders

 

[Sly]

A console is very useful : pres, EQ, sometimes a dynamics section, summing, monitoring options, no latency at all (parallel compression !)... and a good console sounds better than plugs and digital summing : more depth, warmth, and a special "glue" between the elements.

 

[HeadCrusher]

Apart from the Mackie 32.8 that seems very common ist there anything usable in the < $ 3.000 range?