Compact desktop line mixer?

[OneRoomStudio]

All connections should be on DB25...this isn't 1983. All modern patchbays and most 8 channel preamps, 500 racks and everything else is on DB25. There should be very few dedicated individual in/outs. Cheaper, easier manufacturing , easier hookups.

DB25 was invented in 1952….so I don’t know what the year has to do with it. Personally, my interface and patchbay are ¼” TRS.

 

[Brian Roth]

I might be a strange example because I have a Dangerous Source that acts as both the D/A for my main outs and my monitor controller. The rest of my hardware goes through my other AD/DA converter (a MOTU).

You bring up a good point though. I guess I had been thinking that I would monitor off the board while I was mixing, then print the mix to the DAW, and if I wanted to listen back afterwards, I could just patch back into the stereo return and listen through there. I have meters to know how hot I’m hitting the DAW, and digital doesn’t alter the sound enough that I feel like I need to monitor the returns while printing. I know that’s not how things were done in the tape days though.

OK, your workflow is similar to some folks I know who don't have a desk of any type.....using an external monitor controller. I only have a vague idea about one of my friend's setup, but there is a UA monitor controller of some sort along with other UA digital interface gear. No analog desk; a 500 rack that somehow ties into A/D and D/A convertors.

But, with this project, the mixer IS the monitor controller. CR level, solo listening, speaker select, etc.

Bri

 

[Brian Roth]

All connections should be on DB25...this isn't 1983. All modern patchbays and most 8 channel preamps, 500 racks and everything else is on DB25. There should be very few dedicated individual in/outs. Cheaper, easier manufacturing , easier hookups.

I had thought about that. The x-desk used multiple DB-25's. OTOH, the LILO used XLR and TRS jacks. But, it was a much larger mixer.

DB-25's pretty much eliminate the possibility of a DIYer "easily" doing their own metal work. Chassis punches are incredibly expensive, and drilling a bunch of overlapping holes and then spending a ton of time with a small file is very tedious and the results look crappy. I can easily make a panel with a drill press and some Greenlee punches, but draw the line at manually "chopping" odd-shaped openings. Shrug....

Bri

 

[Brian Roth]

@OneRoomStudio I have an UNfeature Creep idea. <g>

Instead of the multi-segment meter on each channel and the peak indicator, instead use a "three-step" indicator for Signal Present (-20?), Normal (0) and Clip (+20?). Either a single tri-color LED or three individual LEDs. There is a way to add a pre-fade sample into the readout circuit to catch clipping of the input buffer as well.

Perhaps a single multi-segment meter could "watch" the Solo audio bus?

As best as I can see, the x-desk and LILO have NO metering or clip indicators on each input.

Deleting the meters on each channel greatly simplifies the circuity and reduces required panel space.

Bri