So I’ve outgrown the octa… well not the machine anyway, but the input selection (and/or ventured down a path of future hardware chaos). I’m building a hardware setup (for potential live application), currently using various smaller synths and an analog drum machine. I’m looking at maybe 10-12 channels (some stereo pairs, and bass/bd/sd running in separate mono mixes, ideally).
So naturally, I’m looking at a mixer. However, I’m a bit puzzled on how to put this all togheter… Using the octa as a FX send device gives a lot of flexibility, but I would loose other interesting aspects, such as controlling volume of various devices with crossfader/scenes etc, as most of this would now be mixer work… an alternative could be to get a simple line mixer and just sum devices up into the A/B C/D inputs but I think it will become a mess. Also I would probably spend all my tracks on input machines…
Seems like no matter what way I patch this (in my head currently), it’s going to have some drawbacks… any ideal setups for Octa when you need more inputs?
“Easiest” method for more inputs and exploiting those input machines would be a dedicated full size or mini patchbay, like the Hosa MHB-350. Swapping patch cords live would be easy if color coded. This is how I work in my studio (3x Samson S-patch+) and the input flexibility for the OT & everything else is hard to beat. Takes seconds to hot-swap and re-route gear.
For a long time, I’ve been trying to wrap my head around a similar setup to yours, also considering the live aspect. Although I’m not avoiding the mixer control portion, I’m embracing it more as dub-style mixing. Can’t see a way around it so I stopped trying. I settled on the Soundcraft Spirit M12 for a rack-mounted mixer, largely for routing flexibility, direct channel outs, inserts, 4 aux sends and the SPIDF summing output.
Roland also has a new mixer up up their sleeves (MX-1), should be out by June. It’s really a sequenced FX box with a bonus mixer thrown in. The inputs are slim but interesting. It opens up a lot of new routing possibilities for complex setups like ours. Especially if you’re running everything alongside a DAW. I’m hoping it’s the glue in my chaos!
The drawbacks are hard to skirt with any setup. The patchbay mitigates most of them and makes life more enjoyable if you’re into heavy FX. Two mixers together can also accomplish the complexity you’re after.
I’d be curious what you end up doing. This is one of those equations that could use some work. Or a few new niche products…
Hi, thanks for excellent tips - I actually didn’t know about patchbays…
I went ahead and bought a mixer, Yamaha MG12UX, I’m patching it together now. First impression is that its a solid piece of hardware, but it was bigger than anticipated and I’m running out of space…
I’ll have to ponder this for some time getting new gear used to be great, but lately it seem to add too much complexity to my workflow. I only have two hands…
Could you give a practical example with the mini HOSA 350 patch bay and Octa? To get this “split” function, you would need balanced plugs (I assume) and I think most if not all my gear is unbalanced… so it becomes more useful for organizing the cables and reducing jacking in and out directly of all instruments… But it doesn’t seem to give any completely new mixing options? Maybe I’m not seeing the full capabilities here
getting new gear used to be great, but lately it seem to add too much complexity to my workflow. I only have two hands…