Hi there, welcome. Thanks for including your equipment list. You are instantly making friends because of that alone. What I am unclear about is, what exactly is your question? While there are those folks that work strictly with computer audio interfaces and all ITB, there are plenty of folks like yourself that work in a more hybrid like old-school way. There are pros and cons to both ways. As you may well expect, there will be a difference when decoding and reencoding, multiple times. Purists would tell you not to do that. Hybrid folks would say go for it. I'm even more hybrid than you. Most of your equipment is all digital. You're not using an old preamp or console that are old-school analog. That's what I use. And it all goes into the digital recorders analog in. But if someone comes to me with a recording they have already made ITB at home and they want that special je ne sais quoi to their sound, I'll pull it out of the computer and go back through the analog console and back to the computer. That's so I can get that purely fabulous analog console sound and analog processing. Now just because you don't have a fabulous old-school analog desk doesn't mean you shouldn't be doing your work in a hybrid manner. You can still do it that way to a certain extent. But nothing in your list would really indicate there is any reason for you to be doing that? Everything you have is digital, nothing you have is actually analog. The microphone is analog. The analog microphone gets plugged into your analog microphone preamp in your Digital console. The analog output of your Digital console is going to the analog input of your Fast Track gizmo, which is to be expected. Though with that Digital console, that's not 100% necessary to do unless you just like the sound of doing it that way better. Sometimes people feel that Digital is a little harsh sounding. And in that way, the slight mushy factor one gets from decoding and reencoding again can actually lessen that harshness. Which, in many instances, would be desirable. Other folks that demand " absolute purity blah blah " will try to talk you out of that. Screw them, it's your music. You do what works best for you and sounds best to you not what everybody else tells you it should sound like.

Advice from a +40 year old fogey (My age is far older than that. I've been doing it that long)
Mx. Remy Ann David

Thanks for the advice, If you would indulge me- If my equipment was yours how would you incorporate everything together.

As I indicated, you can utilize your digital mixer in a more analog way. That's by relying upon its analog inputs and outputs as opposed to doing it all from within the mixer and outputting a CD, directly from the mixer which has the capability and the design concept to do exactly that. It seems like you are already doing what I've suggested? Though I'm not certain? You have the capabilities of doing either or both. And that will largely depend on whether you want total clarity or are going for more warmth.

You are appreciating the hybrid way of working.
Mx. Remy Ann David

Once again thank you. It is forums like this that encourages newbies and also coaches us newbies.

I would like to make a donation to this website and or to you for helping me and teaching others. Is there a way to make a donation and if so how do I go about doing it.

Chris runs the site. It's his baby. I discovered this place through a friend of mine (another fine studio technician) after coming home from lifesaving brain surgery. I was down for a few years there. I'm trying to restart my life again. So all of the effort I put into helping folks like yourself not only helps my synapses to reconnect it helps others. And if I can help others make better recordings that they will be happy and proud of, it makes me feel real good inside. So please donate to Chris at Recording.org. I think you'll find all that information for you at the homepage. We'd love to have you on board. I don't get paid for this Here. Your complement his payment enough.

Did you check out my truck? Crowmobile.com This was great when I built it in 1990. It's a bit of a white elephant today. Most all are gone already. What hasn't changed is the quality level differences. But experience and technique far outweigh any tools. I have the good stuff but I still enjoy using all of the entry level stuff at my musician friends home studios. Of which I have built plenty up for them. Some of them have my old pro gear and consoles. Others have the cheapest entry-level crap they can afford. It never makes any difference to me. Good recordings come to those who make them. You're already there. And now you're here.

It only gets better
Mx. Remy Ann David

How in the world do you manage all of that equipment ? I would feel like a gold fish in a shark's tank. I looked on the home page for a link for those who would like to contribute but I couldn't find it unless it is under another name and or area. I know that you are very busy but is there a way that you could post a link or have one of the other moderators direct me to exactly where I make a contribution to this forum.

I would really appreciate it.

Oh, I've done some pretty large and crazy jobs. Up to 48 simultaneous inputs along with a couple of extra sidecar mixers to supplement the Neve which only has 36 inputs.

Mx. Remy Ann David

Thank You once again.:wink: