Digital desks can link mono inputs to pairs for stereo, plus fx sends. The benefits out way the inferior eq for me.
I like the yamaha 01v with 4 fx sends, plus I use the monitor group. It also has 4 buses and adat 2*8 on optical. Dynamics side chainable everywhere.
I pair it with my dj mixer that has become an fx hub with epic how around ability.
1 Like
digital w/lot’s of AD/DA for routing is pretty much the only answer other than a really big analog desk
My SQ5 can do it too, but I recommend either Qu or QuPac
You could also consider using something like the Keith McMillan K-Mix, or another interface with plenty of inputs/outputs like the Motu range 8a/624/Ultralite/etc (a bonus of which has DC coupled inputs/outputs for using with modular). Routing is flexible enough to do whatever you want.
Ideally though there would be better analog mixing desks with multiple stereo sends.
Currently using a Motu 624 combined with a Mackie 1920 (on which i use stereo aux returned back into a stereo input like many other people have mentioned above.)
I’ve been having exactly the same dilemma as the OP. Mega frustrating that the designs don’t take into account modern needs of a studio.
I currently use an Apollo Quad linked to an Apollo 16 via TB and have a cheap Beringher Ultrapatch Pro in between.
As the Apollo has no internal virtual allocation of FX, I need to use up physical i/o to route external FX - quite frustrating to say the least (and expensive)
I have found this to work fine for me on the 1642vlz4. On one stereo bus i have the AH and thanks to this setup I can choose whether the dry signals are sent to either only main bus or main+AH or only AH.
On the 2nd stereo bus I have an Eventide Space reverb. I can indeed only toggle sending to this bus on the channel strips and then have one overal send gain control with the bus fader. I ve made it part of my sound. Probably helps that I m using it for heavy fx, not subtle reverbs.
On mono aux sends I have an EHX MemoryMan which is mono and routes into a Stereo Pulsar to turn it into a ping pong like delay. And I have a send to my MD for resampling.
I would like to add more advanced delay and modulation fx but can t send it a stereo signal. Maybe i ll use the doubled bus outputs on this desk. Or I ll put the space on a mono aux instead of a stereo bus.
4 Likes
Yeah, I really like the look of the Model 24 and it suits how I want to work - apart from the fact that I’m used to using an MX-1 that has stereo FX send/return with FX send amount per channel (with an Eventide Space on the loop, usually). Not sure if I could live with losing that. I probably could, in that I’ll just use it inline on the Monomachine or something and add other reverb in the mixdown later (I want to track live without a computer, and mix/add fx later).
Now with support for multi track recording…
https://www.allen-heath.com/series/wizard/
FEATURE SUMMARY
- 19″ Rack mountable
- 10 mic/line inputs with balanced XLR/TRS jack, insert and direct output
- 100mm faders
- Reverse switches swap the function of the group and aux masters in Monitor or Dual Mode applications
- 6 Aux sends – switchable pre/post fade
- 4 Audio groups
- 2 Dual Stereo inputs with separate gain and ‘ON’ switches allowing inputs to be selected independently or mixed together
- 4 band EQ with 2 swept mids
- 6×2 Matrix for providing feeds for in ear monitors, delay speakers, video, broadcast and more
- Oscillator and Pink Noise generator for line-up and speaker testing
- Tri-colour, 12 segment bargraph metering
- +48V Phantom Power
- Signal and Peak LEDs
- Talkback Mic XLR with trim
- Lamp socket
- USB multitrack recording option
3 Likes
Why exactly do you propose these?
the analog feel plus multitrack recording and 6 AUX sends
2 Likes
Mono I presume?
The L/R sides of the stereo signal sum together to feed each aux in mono but can be changed using an internal jumper so that L feeds auxes 1, 3 and R feeds auxes 2, 4. The auxes are always post-EQ.
1 Like
Ok that s cool
But a max of 2 full featured stereo channels 
ok, so you basically get stereo sends, only drawback being you have two knobs, one for each channel, which you have to balance yourself - rather than a single knob.
And the advantage is mostly negated by not having more than 2 stereo channels anyway… for stereo signals split on 2 mono channels the situation remains exactly the same as without the option. Now if they had put at least 4 stereo channels on it…
I get one of these:
http://motu.com/products/avb/8a/specs.html
Standalone Operation, Web Mixer Interface via ipad.
expansion possible with external preamp, up to 64 port.
Can work on Ethernet network aswell as Thunderbolt and USB3.
- chaining multiple interfaces.
- low latency 1.6 ms with thunderbolt 1.9 ms with USB3.
- analog compressor emulation.
- proofen record of delivering good interfaces
- isnt as heavy as a QuPac 11kg vs 1kg.
Negative:
- no recording without computer. Mixing /Auditioning /Jamming is possible.
In addition to all the good answers above, you might consider an alternative approach like adding a separate matrix mixer device like a Shure Auxpander to a good basic mixer.
http://www.shure.com/americas/support/find-an-answer/tips-for-using-auxpander
Before I downsized my setup, I had two Auxpanders. Each Auxpander could provide four additional stereo aux sends, allowing (nearly) everything in my setup to send stereo audio to anything else.
I wish there were a modern, compact equivalent.
5 Likes
Methinks the main issue may be that most folks are looking at the wrong tool for the job in the first place.
As someone mentioned earlier in the thread you can find studio mixers that fit the bill in any number of combinations. The issue is that these are serious workhorse type mixers where the price reflects what they are. I’d venture a guess that many of us here are not looking at those due to price. I mean, I look at them and lust but then fail to see a day where it makes sense for me to spend even $5000 on a 8-12 channel studer or neve. Never mind the $150,000-200,000 for the real deal ones.
That leaves most looking at live use mixers or mixers that happen to have a USB or lightning interface at most in terms or it having “flexible enough for studio use” features. The problem is these are primarily designed for live use.
This brings us to accepted wisdom as it pertains to live purpose mixing. True stereo is not really desired or its actively eliminated by sound engineers. True stereo becomes an issue because live venues are not optimal listening environments. In an effort to give every seat a good listening opportunity what you get is actual “mega mono” not stereo.
Of course there are exceptions to this rule but I think you will find that for the most part this is the case.
8 Likes
You’re absolutely right. It would be interesting to see an alternative Tascam Model 24 for bedroom producer types that had more stereo channel strips (6 stereo and 10 mono for example, or even 7 stereo and 8 mono), with two or more stereo aux busses / fx sends, and midi sync.
Basically, they should make this very specific thing just for me and not for these people in “bands”, whatever those are.
7 Likes