Input Monitoring in Hybrid Setup

[ssimlai]

Hi friends,

I am setting up a small gig with an 8-channel Presonus 1824c audio interface, whose inputs are to be fed from 8 Direct Outs of an analogue audio mixing console for recording audio.

Besides the 8 Direct Outs, the console also has two balanced main outs and a pair of left right unbalanced Control Room Outs aka amp/speaker outs.

While recording MIDI tracks from external synths and soft synths into the DAW, do I need to connect the mixer to the audio interface for input monitoring, or can I just use the mixer control room outs for input monitoring? Mind you, I am not recording any audio anytime soon.

I suppose the AI input monitoring would be useful for those not using a mixer, and even then, it might require buffer size adjustments to reduce latency.

Is my above thinking correct?

I shall be obliged to hear from someone to take this forward to the next set of questions.

Regards
Sumit

[T-CM11]

I don't know if that Presonus can directly monitor inputs (no latency). Do you have extra inputs on your amp or active speakers?

[kritikon]

If you're recording from the direct outs then I don't see any need for the control room or main outs for input monitoring, I suppose that may change if you're recording a band etc, i.e. many outputs simultaneously. But also depends on how you work. I have everything through a patchbay into mixer and mostly use the mixer for sketching ideas and building the song etc - when I record instruments I mostly record direct into the interface via patchbay. I have direct outs, but it's only a noisy Behringer mixer which is why I avoid it for recording. If your mixer is a decent one then it makes sense to use the direct outs.

On the odd occasion I do record via mixer then I don't bother with control room or anything else. Gainstage your mixer, and that interface will have input LEDs to ensure correct input gain.

Initially I didn't understand the question about control room/main outs, but I notice that interface doesn't have a DAW/input mix knob. Seems a bit of an omission for such an interface. I used to work that way but tbh it's so long ago, I can't remember how I had it set up. I know mixers have inputs for all that sort of thing but nowadays I pretty well only use the DAW/mix knob in my interface for tracking live instruments and DAW together. Maybe I'm the odd one here, ?

[kritikon]

Just saw TCM11 reply - must admit it makes me wonder about latency for that Presonus. Lack of a DAW/input mix knob is suspicious. I thought all interfaces had that loopback facility nowadays (or whatever it's called).

[ssimlai]

If you're recording from the direct outs then I don't see any need for the control room or main outs for input monitoring, I suppose that may change if you're recording a band etc, i.e. many outputs simultaneously. But also depends on how you work. I have everything through a patchbay into mixer and mostly use the mixer for sketching ideas and building the song etc - when I record instruments I mostly record direct into the interface via patchbay. I have direct outs, but it's only a noisy Behringer mixer which is why I avoid it for recording. If your mixer is a decent one then it makes sense to use the direct outs.

On the odd occasion I do record via mixer then I don't bother with control room or anything else. Gainstage your mixer, and that interface will have input LEDs to ensure correct input gain.

Initially I didn't understand the question about control room/main outs, but I notice that interface doesn't have a DAW/input mix knob. Seems a bit of an omission for such an interface. I used to work that way but tbh it's so long ago, I can't remember how I had it set up. I know mixers have inputs for all that sort of thing but nowadays I pretty well only use the DAW/mix knob in my interface for tracking live instruments and DAW together. Maybe I'm the odd one here, ?

I’ll like to clarify that there is no audio recording going on here. The Direct Outputs are NOT being used during MIDI track sequencing. The audio passing through the mixer will only be monitored and not recorded

[ssimlai]

I don't know if that Presonus can directly monitor inputs (no latency). Do you have extra inputs on your amp or active speakers?

Since only midi is recorded, is there’s any reason that I cannot monitor from the mixer control room out?

[T-CM11]

I don't know if that Presonus can directly monitor inputs (no latency). Do you have extra inputs on your amp or active speakers?

Since only midi is recorded, is there’s any reason that I cannot monitor from the mixer control room out?

You can use any mixer output you want or that works for you. But why did you quote me? I was only wondering how you wanted to monitor the/any mixer outputs. (via audio interface or directly to amp)

[T-CM11]

Just saw TCM11 reply - must admit it makes me wonder about latency for that Presonus. Lack of a DAW/input mix knob is suspicious. I thought all interfaces had that loopback facility nowadays (or whatever it's called).

I've only seen such a dedicated knob on interfaces with few inputs/outputs. My RME (Fireface UC) has those settings in the TotalMix software.