As I say just bear in mind you’ll be sending pre fade so nothing (apart from trim) that you set on the desk will have an affect on your sends.
Ah shit lol it was the 1402 that never had 8 outs duh!
Same applies tho Rob. Those direct outs are usually straight after the trim pot.
If you want to send 8 channels of mixes and effected (is that a word?) signals you’ll want to go the subgroup route where you build a sub mix of whichever channels you want across the 8 groups. Most of the 8 buss desks were discussing were aimed at the 8 track project studio market back in’t day.
Hmm ok… so my pedal fx and eq on the desk won’t be recorded direct in to logic?
If so your talking digital mixers for recording? Confused hehe
Yeah, you won’t hear any FX etc.
Traditional technique for direct outs would be to send them to a patch bay where you can patch in compressors etc then go straight to multitrack recorder. You the send the tape returns from the multitrack back to the desk so you’re mixing and applying FX after the multitrack. You’d then mix the lot down to a stereo pair. That was the multitrack is always ‘dry’ and you don’t print FX onto the master multitrack. Make sense?
This is where subgroups are great because you send the signals post channel strip to a specific group. As a simple example you might send drums to one or two groups, some guitar parts to another, vocal to another, synths to another pair etc. It’s just a convenient way of splitting your 24 channels down to a group of 8 and that way you can then record 8 channels with eq fx etc.
You can also tap in to all 16 channels via the channel inserts. (Insert cable to first click)
Good choice, it’s the best mixer for the money and flexibility hands down.
Yeah mate this is how I did it back in 91 etc I just thought that in 2020 all these mixers would have the capability and more. Guess these mixers are ideal for live stuff but if your wanting to record your FX from the main out your talking all you said above.
Been years since Iv’e used a mixer I’ve just been using audio interfaces for years now hence my knowledge ain’t that good now.
So… what now lol?
Do these usb mixers exclude the external fx too?
This diagram might explain it better. See how the insert point is directly after the input and gain control? The assign part is where the subgroups are fed from.
I know that’s for the 1604 but 99% of desks follow this topology. Once you get into bigger consoles you might have the option to have your direct outs pre/post fade.
If you want to multitrack with FX applied you’ll need to go the subgroup route or else the only other way would be lots of messing with patch bays and sub mixers etc. No brainier really.
If you’re happy to record down to a stereo pair keep it old skool!
I’m fairly sure most of the usb mixers still send pre fade? So you’d be in the same boat.
As I say, conventional wisdom has it that you multitrack dry then apply your FX and EQ at mixdown👍
Yeah Bunker old skool for me all the way… Only need the computer for the wav file and uploading…
So if I went that route I need pre fade ability… Wonder if a cheap Behringer does that then again if I played out live I might regret not buying the 1642…
Thing is as I said I just wanna be able to use my pedals on synths and somehow get the recordings in to the mac for uploading.
Good advice tho Bunker much appreciated mate
No probs bud. Just to clarify I think even the multitrack usb mixers will send the final stereo mix over usb too. The cheaper/less well featured usb mixers only send their stereo pair over usb so maybe that might be an option for you? That said you might not get the aux count on those desks… imo I’d go for something with subgroups if you can because it gives you added flexibility…thinking about future proofing here too. You’ve got your 8ch interface anyway. Just check that you can assign your aux returns to the groups tho so you can record your FX returns on the groups you want them on. That’s usually in the master section of the mixer.
There’s this! I’m just reading about it now
Maybe a little FX Patchbay might help out to some degree.
Obviously doesn’t magically add any send/returns to your mixer but it might add some versatility. You’ll be able to change fx routings on the patchbay, but have the Patchbay itself connected to 1 send/Return.
Heres a link with the block diagram.
http://location.spotlook.com/_spotlook/files/Location%20Ecran%2023.pdf
Yes - exactly - that has been a standard for quite a long time and quality/price ratio is really good
I would choose this over the Mackie
The british 3 band equalizer emulation is really a good plus
Here’s my old work horse. Been with me for over 20 yrs and still going strong
The midi mutes are fab too! You can mute individual channels or recall up to 6 scenes. On the downside the desk is unbalanced as it was designed to work with RCA equipped reel to reel multi tracks. I don’t think the mic pre’s are Neve quality
but I’ve used it with a separate mic pre and it was fine. Some folks love the EQ on there too.
Check this out https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/behringer-xenyx-2442fx
Yes this looks like a good review indeed. Even if I bought this and it didn’t work out it’s only £248.00
Iv’e also seen this but the Behringer looks pretty cool
Oh and I just seen this Behringer, has a Q version not X
Seems there’s 2 versions
You’d have to check the specs in depth but it looks like the q Model has the Klark Technik FX where as the non q seems to have a different FX unit with different algorithms. I can only speak for the KT FX on my Bodyssey but they sound great! Even if they are hamstrung. Doh! You’ve already got KT Fx on your DeepMind.


