Hardwares effects

[Trancer]

Thank you very much for your answers and opinions.

I have six synths and a Traktor kontrol S4 Mk3 and Analog Rythm MK2.

I have two Claretts (one + 4 Pre and one + 8 Pre).

I am doing a complete overhaul of my setup.

After taking into account your opinions on my various posts (another big thank you to you) and a reflection on the subject, two solutions are available to me.

Either analog or digital mixer.

I'm still really hesitant, even if I really like the analog for ease, the digital solution holds my full attention.

A learning curve, a more in-depth implementation, but an excellent configuration.

My first choice, Studiolive 32sc, only 8 line inputs, to use the microphone inputs, I have to take adapters.

Otherwise the other option but the price stings the SX version a bit.

Another option, take an NSB solution from Presonus to have line inputs.

That way I can connect all my machines and my two Strymon and an Analog Heat mk2 to it.

The Presonus solution offers me the possibility of an all-in-one machine and then transferring to Studio One Pro 5 for mixing.

So a really interesting solution.

What do you think ?

Always very interesting and enriching to exchange ideas, experiences and opinions.

We learn and we evolve in knowledge.

[Uncle E]

A learning curve, a more in-depth implementation, but an excellent configuration.

The StudioLive's are pretty easy. No real learning curve. Like you, I'm using Studio One and I'm hoping the StudioLive speeds up working with Studio One quite a bit.

My first choice, Studiolive 32sc, only 8 line inputs, to use the microphone inputs, I have to take adapters.

Yes, that's annoying. A complete fail on Presonus's part, they probably saved less than $20 by not including more line channels.

Otherwise the other option but the price stings the SX version a bit.

The StudioLive 16.0.2 USB has 16 line inputs and costs less than the SC. You'll lose 2 FX slots but it looks like the channels have all the same dynamics and EQ's. I don't know if it loads Fat Channels, though. FWIW, the SX was the one I was looking at getting.

Another option, take an NSB solution from Presonus to have line inputs.

The NSB 16.8 seems pretty cool. At least you would get 8 extra channels that way. The 8.8 isn't a very good value.

[Trancer]

Thank you for your reply.

Indeed, a bit stupid not to have directly 16 line inputs for the SC.

Considering the price, even a bit stupid.

I hadn't paid attention to this model.

What is missing is the SD card recording, no motorized faders.

Regarding the fx, I have two Strymon and I plan to take an Analog Heat mk2 later.

I will be able to connect these three hardware effects to the Studiolive 16.0.2 USB

Regarding the NSB 16.8, you are right, much more interesting.

16 more line inputs, 24 in total for the SC, very interesting too.

Of course a different price too.

Beyond the price, the most important thing above all, quality of manufacture, quality of the components used, wear over time, reliability.

There on the other hand, I do not know the best choice compared to these two models.

Compared to the SC version, what is the audio output quality, manufacturing quality, reliability of the Studiolive 16.0.2 USB worth?

[Uncle E]

Manufacturing quality should be good with any of them. Presonus was making hardware long before they ever got into the software world. For example, we have a 25 year old Presonus preamp that we use every day on our testing station and it’s never given us any trouble.

The lack of motorized faders will be more reliable in the long run but I wonder if that makes it an inferior controller for Studio One. Also, it’s an older generation product and it wouldn’t surprise me if the SC has better sounding converters.

[zerocrossing]

that's not the same as doing your mixing in a host, but using hardware compressors and such.
then you need all the ins and outs, then may need something for the noise... and so on, it's not the same as adding a pedal inline.

i love hardware fx! i will use them inline on some sounds.
but for mixing id use software, not least the ease of use, but the expense, you're going to want at least a few of each effect, then the channels, then all the cables and power...

It’s funny, I bought an AxeFX III over the competition, partially because it really is a powerhouse in terms of effects, as well as amp modeling. When I’m just noodling about, I make a lot of use of those effects, but I quickly learned to turn them all off when I’m recording, because you can’t unreverb something. I guess I could split things and do a re-amp, but I’m too lazy. I just record a dry amp(s) sound and use software to add the effects I took out. I end up losing the effect of having a delay go into an amp, but I’ve gotten pretty good at faking it using a send into a delay/amp modeler. I mostly prefer post amp effects anyway.

you could just split it, one wet one dry.
then you play with the fx, so you play the guitar for example as you would with the amp and fx sound and feeling!
but also have the dry guitar, just in case the delay goes out of time or whatever, you can use the dry with software if you don't like the fx take.

Yeah, I’ve done that when things are crucial, but normally I’m just screwing about and I get good enough results with what I’m doing.

[zerocrossing]

Thank you very much for your answers and opinions.

I have six synths and a Traktor kontrol S4 Mk3 and Analog Rythm MK2.

I have two Claretts (one + 4 Pre and one + 8 Pre).

I am doing a complete overhaul of my setup.

After taking into account your opinions on my various posts (another big thank you to you) and a reflection on the subject, two solutions are available to me.

Either analog or digital mixer.

I'm still really hesitant, even if I really like the analog for ease, the digital solution holds my full attention.

A learning curve, a more in-depth implementation, but an excellent configuration.

My first choice, Studiolive 32sc, only 8 line inputs, to use the microphone inputs, I have to take adapters.

Otherwise the other option but the price stings the SX version a bit.

Another option, take an NSB solution from Presonus to have line inputs.

That way I can connect all my machines and my two Strymon and an Analog Heat mk2 to it.

The Presonus solution offers me the possibility of an all-in-one machine and then transferring to Studio One Pro 5 for mixing.

So a really interesting solution.

What do you think ?

Always very interesting and enriching to exchange ideas, experiences and opinions.

We learn and we evolve in knowledge.

That sounds like the long way around the park to me. If you’re really hell bent on using hardware effects, just get a UAD interface and some of their plugins. That’s what I do.

[Trancer]

Thank you for your answers and opinions.

The converters are certainly of better quality considering that new generation.

Indeed the motorized faders part is a risk of a concern for reliability.

I suppose that given the price and the intensive use of this kind of element, a special certificate has been given to the motorized faders, since they are the centerpiece.

Concerning the UAD option, having no usb c port, I will have to go through a usb interface, only two processors so too tight.

I would also need a hexacore satellite.

Not sure that a 2-core USB interface and a hexacore satellite will be sufficient to use many uad plugins.

If I had to invest in a Uad device, in order to be able to use it honorably, it would be really expensive.

In addition, I was advised against using a Uad system with Windows 10, not great, stability.

If I really wanted a Uad setup that held up, a budget of at least 6000 euros, given that I had to redesign my setup and already invested a lot, 6000 euros was not an option.