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Hello All,

I have some equipment and some specific goals but I am unsure how to proceed. If you have a moment and could respond I would appreciate it!

Here is what I have...

Alesis LX20 ADAT
Behringer 4 Channel board
PreSonus TubePRE
PreSonus COMP16
PC with Steinberg Cubase VST32
KRK ST8 monitors
Hafler 100 watt amp
Nice Condensor Mic (cannot remember the model right now)

Here is the goal...
I prefer recording to my ADAT most all cases. I like the ease of transport and the thought of having a tape. I have done recordings to my PC using a soundn blaster card a while back. I am looking at a MOTU to mate these two systems together. However, it is in the patching department that I am unsure what to do.

For now, I want to be able to play back all 8 tracks of my ADAT.
Then switch over and record while listening to the ADAT output.
My board only has XLR or instrument inputs.

How do people mix down with their boards if the output of the Alesis is RCA?

How can I get all these sytems together and be able to...
a. record on tracks x while listening to tracks y of the ADAT.
b. output and mix my 8 channels of ADAT to the Hafler.

I assume a patchbayis the answer but I am not sure where to start.
Oh, and a new 8 channel board I assume.

Thanks,
Wiley

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Comments

RemyRAD Wed, 01/18/2006 - 17:53

From what you indicated you had a Beringer 4 Channel board, I assume you mean 4 outputs? How many inputs?? Therein lies your answer. To interface the RCA outputs of your ADAT to the " instrument" line level inputs of your board can you say RADIO SHAFT?? All you need is an RCA to 1/4" mono adapter cord or just RCA to 1/4" adapters and a few RCA to RCA patch cords.

Onto the problem of monitoring from your audio board for overdub purposes.

Since you are using your main outputs to feed your multitrack machine and hopefully your board has more than 8 inputs? You would need to switch all inputs to the " instrument" line inputs with the exception of your channel that you're using your microphone or what have you to overdub with. Also assuming your little mixer has some kind of "effects sends" (assuming they are Post fader or maybe even pre-fader, which would be more desirable as it would negate the need to turn all channel faders up) on it, you can use your effects sends to feed a headphone amplifier and therefore be able to monitor your tape playback as long as those channels are not assigned to the same output channel you are using for overdub purposes.

You may even need to switch between microphone and line inputs provided there are provisions to do so?

Another simple way to go is to purchase an inexpensive line only 8 track mixer, connected to the output of your recorder and patched into a headphone amplifier, you can also put Y cables on the output of your recorder so that it can feed your Beringer and your headphone monitor mixer simultaneously so as to avoid much patching in your recording/overdub process.

I hope this makes some sense? We'll let me know?

Ms. Remy Ann David

wsiler Wed, 01/18/2006 - 20:08

Ms. Remy,

Thank you for your reply!

Your explanation makes total sense so I will give it a try. I think the thing for me was wondering if going from RCA to 1/4" caused issues. Since it seems I can make that conversion without issue, I shall give it a try.

The mixer is a Behringer Eurorack MX602A.
It has L/R Tape Out/In, Aux Send/Ret, and 6 Ins (2 in Stereo).

I can get by with 6 Ins since I am recording Guitars on 3 tracks, vocal on one and bass on one (for now). Drums I plan to doing my VST for guide tracks and later in studio with a session player.

The Hafler actually has a headphone out so I will use that or the headphone out on the board.

Thank you!

Wiley

wsiler Thu, 01/19/2006 - 08:40

BTW - The Behringer does not have mute buttons. Since i am using the tape outs from the board to send to the ADAT, all channels with signal get sent. That means monitoring a mix from the ADAT on the board inputs resends the signal in the mains and I would get a single track with the new material and the monitored material combined.

I think I need a different board. Anyone have a recommendation on a board to use with my 8 channel ADAT? Monitoring channels while recording to others is my priority.

Thanks!
Wiley