My final GAS list

[Timo]

Originally Posted by jasedee

Are you getting the LE or the one with Automation???? I wanted to get the Le32 but apparently they stopped making these....

It'll be a second-hand 24 channel LE. I originally thought the Automated version had VCA automation, but this wasn't the case (the full version has only automated MMC, midi mutes, and mute-groups) so hopefully I'll not regret losing those functions.

32 channels, however, would eclipse my bedroom, lol.

With the monitor channels patched in the 24-channel should allow for 48 input channels plus 4 stereo returns and tape-ins (a total of 58 channels! 8O) at any one time, i think. In addition to hardware synths/effects, am hoping to output eight channels from my computer to the console with eight going back into the computer for the best of hybrid hardware/software worlds.... I desperately need a computer upgrade and a new soundcard for that though!

Originally Posted by jasedee

Cant find a used one here in Australia either.....would love to have 32 faders for mixdown time!!!

I looked on ebay over the past year or so, watching a good few Soundtracs mixers and Ghosts going through, just to see what the score was, but I never went for them as I never really knew if they'd been looked after, or what condition I'd receivec them in.

Instead I went for purchasing it from a "Soundtracs" console engineer who buys (all analogue) consoles and services them for a living. So it should get here in good condition, touch wood, and I'll have a place to go to for lifetime servicing or advice if anything goes wrong. I wouldn't like to have something like a console posted, as stuff gets bashed, so am picking it up myself.

For those in the UK, the guy's website is http://www.studiosys.demon.co.uk/consoles.htm , which is mainly Soundtracs stuff, but he services and buys other mixers too http://www.studiosys.demon.co.uk/other_mixers.htm

Originally I was looking for a Soundtracs (Topaz Project-8 ), but the Aux arrangement and EQ functionality of the Ghost appears a lot more flexible. I'm looking forward to it.

Originally Posted by jasedee

I hear these Ghost consoles are quite transparent

eheh.

[edit, pesky bbcode]

[DIGITAL SCREAMS]

Its all software Juho? Why do that.....software is pretty dull.....

Talk about a passion killer. For that money Id buy one decent analog poly, mono and decent VA. The rest on outboard, FX and drum machine.

DS

[Timo]

I think (hope!) there would be great things to be said with mixing with your ears and fingertips, not your eyes on a computer screen with mouse glued in hand. I abhor the latter, hence the mixer purchase.

Having said that, it'd be great to pipe out a few channels from your computer out onto a desk to get everything to interact and gel, fusing it together with all your hardware gear.

[Juho L]

Originally Posted by Timo

think (hope!) there would be great things to be said with mixing with your ears and fingertips, not your eyes on a computer screen with mouse glued in hand. I abhor the latter, hence the mixer purchase.

Sounds like you have tried software setup without a soundcard. Hoho.

Edit: By the way what's the difference in looking at a mixer on a screen or a mixer on real life? The view is exactly the same except on software you also see the FX loop on the same compact screen. And what's the difference between moving a mixer slider and MIDI controller slider?

The bitter truth is that hardware is annoying. "Maybe I'll pause this project for a while and continue one previous project... Whopee! I wonder how these sliders and FX were... Damn, can't remember. I love hardware!"

[Timo]

>>Sounds like you have tried software setup without a soundcard. Hoho.

A 58 input soundcard.... mmm, where can I get one of those? ho ho

>>Edit: By the way what's the difference in looking at a mixer on a screen or a mixer on real life?

I think you just answered it.

Semantics and personal preferences, but what's the point of just "looking" at a mixer? Wouldn't you want that screen to be at least touchscreen and 40" widescreen?

A real mixer.... Instant access tweakol?, no scrolling, no mouse-pointing, no sub-menus, no tiny buttons, no fancy graphics, no software incompatibilities, no crappy EQ, no digital summing, no lack of headroom, no digital clipping, no lack of mic-pre's, no system resources, no Microsoft operating systems, no Steinbugs, no driver updates, no error messages, no internet connection, etc. etc.....

>>The bitter truth is that hardware is annoying. "Maybe I'll pause this project for a while and continue one previous project... Whopee! I wonder how these sliders and FX were... Damn, can't remember. I love hardware!"

lol

Hopefully it'll encourage me to finish one tune before going on to the next.

--------

Nah, I'm being pedantic. In truth, it's going to be used as a glorified soundcard, integrating hardware and multi-channel software. I couldn't live without a computer for audio!!!

[Tomer=Trance]

Originally Posted by DIGITAL SCREAMS

Its all software Juho? Why do that.....software is pretty dull.....

Talk about a passion killer. For that money Id buy one decent analog poly, mono and decent VA. The rest on outboard, FX and drum machine.

DS

i think with juno's digital software setup he might finish a whole album mixed and ready 4 mastering by the time you will say :"comon lads lets start do some jaming"
hardware realy makes stuff take longer...
have said that digital mixers/control surfess with automation is the ultimate way to mix...

[Panopticon]

Originally Posted by Tomer=Trance

have said that digital mixers/control surfess with automation is the ultimate way to mix...

haha, um...no. The ultimate way to mix is with a world class analog console. SSL ring any bells? You might not be able to own one, but you can rent a day at a studio that has one and do your mixing (or better yet, have your mixing done) there...it'll kick digital's ass six ways from Sunday.

[F5D]

Hardware synths are under control as long as you don't record them to audio. Earlier I always recorded my synths to audio and then took another patch and recorded it and so on.. Now I DON'T record anything. I control all my synths from logic audio and automate cutoff's etc. I still store the patches in my synths' own memory but I give every midi track a name of the synth & used patch so I always know what patch was used for the track.

All my synths are directly connected to a multi input audio interface and I use software effects for the hardware synths too, like TC reverbs & UAD comps. It's (like) using hardware quality synths & fx in software domain. I don't feel much difference anymore whether I am using a software synth or a hardware synth in a project because they work flawlessly together. It depends on the style you're producing but in my case I usually still get better sounds from hardware than native software.

[Timo]

Spot on post.

MMm,, UAD-1, gas! gas!

[jasedee]

I think from a musicians point of view (Juho) the all software option is a better one....but from an engineers point of view, we could never go past hardware (Mixers, FX/Dynamics processing, Synths?)

Software sure makes life a little easier....but it isnt quite there yet in terms of sound quality (and Vibe!). Why do you think all (Alot) of big-name artists will record in digital, then for mixdown, hire a Neve room (or SSL, if thats your thing). Cos they sound foockin' hot! It's the best of both worlds!

My ideal would be a HD system with top notch converters, with vintage pre's (Courtesy of the Studer) and then an analogue desk (and outboard) for mixdown.

I could spend $4000 on a Tascam control surface for 24 faders......or I could spend that $4000 on a Nuemann Mic and boutique preamp. I know what I would rather have....