Mixer or patchbay?

[kritikon]

Royalties? Why would I need to pay any royalties? I haven't released anything in several years now, and have no intention of doing so. Some of us don't need our egos stroked by actually releasing our stuff, some of us do it for our own pleasure. I have no need, obligation or requirement to pay royalties. Why on earth would I feel the need to pay anyone royalties for samples I don't release to anyone or any site or any label? I don't understand what planet you're coming from, I'm afraid. It sounds like you need to go check your legal definitions. It sounds also like you need to think before you type and make yourself look any more stupid. Your assumptions are your problem, not mine.

Last time I did release anything with samples on it, we used samples from legitimate sample CDs with automatic clearance. From which I assume the authors were paid in due course from sales...the way that normally happens with sample CDs. If they weren't then that is an issue for the CD company that sells their CDs with stated clearance to use commercially. And you may also have read (or not I suspect) the part where I said I very rarely indeed use any kind of vocal in anything I do.

So...are you intentionally a dick, or does it just fall out of your head by accident?

[Colonel Flashback]

You gotta excuse the guy, he's stuck in the early 70s. Samplers (and Sampling CDs) haven't been invented yet.

[where02190]

I haven't released anything in several years now, and have no intention of doing so.

Sorry I mistook you for a real engineer, not a wannabee.

[parke02]

Kritikon: Thanks for the very informative post. I don't have any hardware FX and have no need to record vocals or acoustic instruments, so I don't have any use for quality preamps, eqs, or routing options. I'm satisfied with my software FX atm. I'd like to invest in some hardware FX units in the future but have very limited room in my studio (bedroom) or the funds to do so.

I was under the impression that the preamps were the components that cost the most on a mixer and that the quality of the line channels didn't vary much even on cheap mixers. On all the DJ mixers I've had over the years the quality of the phono preamps were significantly better on my Rane mixers but not very noticeable with the line inputs.

Hink: You're right, there would be a lot of unused space on the patchbay. I was about to buy a Neutrik 48 point patchybay and a small rack, but haven't quite figured out where I'd place it or if I really need one quite yet. I guess I really don't need a mixer or a patchbay. Not for what they were designed for anyway. I'd just like an easy way to record my synths and turntable/mixer setup w/o the need for crawling behind my computer and replacing cables. I'd also like my investment to be future proof. I'm moving in 1/2-1 year and will probably be buying another keyboard or invest in a rack and rackmount synth.
I could buy a soundcard with more inputs, but that kinda seems like a waste as well seeing as how I don't need more than 2 inputs at a time.

That would be awesome If you could have your patchbay. Thanks for offerinig. I'd gladly send you money for shipping. I'm in California.

[aciddose]

where02190; i'm sorry but, if you're one of these so-called "real engineers", what are you doing on kvr? inflating your ED-ego with the kvr penis-pump again. the people with the ego are generally speaking the most insecure of all people. i pity you as i'm sure 'we' ("real artists") all do.

[Hink]

Kritikon: Thanks for the very informative post. I don't have any hardware FX and have no need to record vocals or acoustic instruments, so I don't have any use for quality preamps, eqs, or routing options. I'm satisfied with my software FX atm. I'd like to invest in some hardware FX units in the future but have very limited room in my studio (bedroom) or the funds to do so.

I was under the impression that the preamps were the components that cost the most on a mixer and that the quality of the line channels didn't vary much even on cheap mixers. On all the DJ mixers I've had over the years the quality of the phono preamps were significantly better on my Rane mixers but not very noticeable with the line inputs.

Hink: You're right, there would be a lot of unused space on the patchbay. I was about to buy a Neutrik 48 point patchybay and a small rack, but haven't quite figured out where I'd place it or if I really need one quite yet. I guess I really don't need a mixer or a patchbay. Not for what they were designed for anyway. I'd just like an easy way to record my synths and turntable/mixer setup w/o the need for crawling behind my computer and replacing cables. I'd also like my investment to be future proof. I'm moving in 1/2-1 year and will probably be buying another keyboard or invest in a rack and rackmount synth.
I could buy a soundcard with more inputs, but that kinda seems like a waste as well seeing as how I don't need more than 2 inputs at a time.

That would be awesome If you could have your patchbay. Thanks for offerinig. I'd gladly send you money for shipping. I'm in California.

I'll look for it, I think I have an old tascam...meanwhile you might want to think about making your own "little black box". Two jacks to connect to the input and then two jacks for every piece of gear you need to hook up, one rotary switch for selection and a project box from radio shack wont cost much.

If you're good with a soldering iron this is a snap, if you're not it's a great way to learn. I can help talk you through it as I'm sure many others here will. Hell you could even be clever and wire a preamp in the box for your turntable...

[Meffy]

wannabee

The point of the first part of kritikon's post went right over your head, didn't it?

Helpful Lifestyle Hint: If you must wear mirrored shades, next time buy the kind with the mirroring on the outside surface.

[Hink]

wannabee

The point of the first part of kritikon's post went right over your head, didn't it?

Helpful Lifestyle Hint: If you must wear mirrored shades, get the kind with the mirroring on the outside surface.

the truth is I'm a wannabe and damn proud of it...I wannabe be better at my craft everday, I wannabe smarter every day, I wannabe better to my fellow man everyday, I wannabe a better father/grandfather everyday...not that I'm bad at those things now, but I do like growing, improving and learning as I think laerning is the greatest gift of life...being a wannabe simply means having goals...I feel sorry for anyone who isn't

[where02190]

I wannabe be better at my craft everday, I wannabe smarter every day,

Audio isn't your craft, it's your hobby.

[Meffy]

Hink: You got it right. where hasn't a clue [edit: about the deeper OT issue, that is; not the electronics thing], and won't allow himself to have one. Them's the breaks; be glad you've got that philosophy instead of a bankrupt one.

[whyterabbyt]

I wannabe be better at my craft everday, I wannabe smarter every day,

Audio isn't your craft, it's your hobby.

You are relying on an incorrectly selective interpretation of the word 'craft'.

American Heritage Dictionary
craft (krāft) n.

1. Skill in doing or making something, as in the arts; proficiency.

[deastman]

I have several patchbays left over from a previous decade when I had tons of gear running through big mixers simultaneously. These days, I have a few effects plugged into one of them, but for the most part I don't use them for my hardware synths. Generally, I just have two long 1/4" cables running into my MOTU 828mkII, and I plug the other end into whatever I'm recording at any given moment... no patchbay required.

[anti--hero]

Heya parke02,

I'm assuming you meant emu 1212m and not 121m (its just i know emu released another wave of soundcards which i;m not famalier with)

Dont forget you have SP/dif and Adat digital inputs. For example you could buy the "behinger ultra gain pro" and have 8 more inputs in addition to the 2 analog mono on the emu(theres also a trick to convert this into a real stereo signal and not dual mono, if you have any stereo output synths). but please try to search for diffrent companys/products - the behinger is just an example and i havent really heard good things about behinger in the past.

Theres also the option of adding the emu audio dock.(altho yes its still bloody expensive)..every now and again i will trawl ebay for one but without luck so far.

anyway all the best

edit: actually , you know..for the purposes you describe indeed a patch bay will be more suitable and less costly...but if you feel in the future you may want to either -

1. use a microphone or guitar (the analog input levels will be too low, if you plug straight in) you will still need a pre-amp to boost the signal to ensure an acceptable signal to noise ratio.

2.Incorporate external hardware (for example , setting up a buss in cubase so that your audio runs through an external hardware unit and back into cubase) you will need the additional i/O.

[parke02]

Kritikon: Thanks for the very informative post. I don't have any hardware FX and have no need to record vocals or acoustic instruments, so I don't have any use for quality preamps, eqs, or routing options. I'm satisfied with my software FX atm. I'd like to invest in some hardware FX units in the future but have very limited room in my studio (bedroom) or the funds to do so.

I was under the impression that the preamps were the components that cost the most on a mixer and that the quality of the line channels didn't vary much even on cheap mixers. On all the DJ mixers I've had over the years the quality of the phono preamps were significantly better on my Rane mixers but not very noticeable with the line inputs.

Hink: You're right, there would be a lot of unused space on the patchbay. I was about to buy a Neutrik 48 point patchybay and a small rack, but haven't quite figured out where I'd place it or if I really need one quite yet. I guess I really don't need a mixer or a patchbay. Not for what they were designed for anyway. I'd just like an easy way to record my synths and turntable/mixer setup w/o the need for crawling behind my computer and replacing cables. I'd also like my investment to be future proof. I'm moving in 1/2-1 year and will probably be buying another keyboard or invest in a rack and rackmount synth.
I could buy a soundcard with more inputs, but that kinda seems like a waste as well seeing as how I don't need more than 2 inputs at a time.

That would be awesome If you could have your patchbay. Thanks for offerinig. I'd gladly send you money for shipping. I'm in California.

I'll look for it, I think I have an old tascam...meanwhile you might want to think about making your own "little black box". Two jacks to connect to the input and then two jacks for every piece of gear you need to hook up, one rotary switch for selection and a project box from radio shack wont cost much.

If you're good with a soldering iron this is a snap, if you're not it's a great way to learn. I can help talk you through it as I'm sure many others here will. Hell you could even be clever and wire a preamp in the box for your turntable...

You know a "little black box" is exactly what I need. I've been wanting to learn to use a soldering iron for a while now. How hard would it be to add a dial to attenuate/amplify the signal before the output? I think I'll invest in a soldering kit. Any specific type of soldering irons or brands I should look out for? I'd like to do all my shopping online if possible.

Thanks again Hink. Good to know there are some genuinely nice people out there

[where02190]

It's a lot more than a dial....