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--></style></head><body lang=DE-CH link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>All right, short update on the progress – the decision came by chance, I saw an almost new and essentially unused Midas M32R Live desk on offer in our neighboring village. It’s sitting on our dinner table now, I’ve just did a quick new mix from the last recording.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>First impressions so far: It’s heavy. Especially with a flight-case.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Second impression: I figured out the basics reasonably quickly without a manual (it doesn’t come with one, just a very basic quick start quide…), just needed to google a few details (e.g. how to do a factory reset). I like the fader concept so far, especially the small displays per channel are useful. Setting up basic effects and a limiter in the main channel worked well, the channels themselves are easy to set up. I definitely like the metering, and I was positively surprised at the real-time frequency analysis screens when setting up the channel EQ. Digital mixers have come a long way since the 01V (which is still in use in my studio…).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>I’ll need to do a bit of practicing until everything feels natural. I wouldn’t call the console entirely intuitive once you get past the basic channel settings, but the learning curve shouldn’t be too steep either. I’m curious about the sound quality I will get through these pre-amps.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Tomorrow’s show will still rely on the traditional setup, but the desk will certainly see action for the following one.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Thanks for the comments! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Martin<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0cm 0cm 0cm'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-fareast-language:DE-CH'>From:</span></b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-fareast-language:DE-CH'> music-bar <music-bar-bounces@lists.music-bar.org> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Martin Naef<br><b>Sent:</b> Freitag, 21. Mai 2021 23:40<br><b>To:</b> music-bar@lists.music-bar.org<br><b>Subject:</b> Mixer / Recorder for live-streaming chamber music<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Hi all<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>We are currently live-streaming a classical concert every couple of weeks, most of the time chamber music with two musicians. Apart from keeping our audience engaged, I found this is actually a very efficient setup to get a good quality video production with relatively low effort for further use (e.g. Youtube content). I am using a Blackmagic Atem Mini Pro ISO for the live-streaming and recording of four camera streams. On the audio side, I have Tascam DR-680 that serves as a mic pre-amp for the live-show, and records the audio in parallel for later use. The Atem Mini Pro provides four analog audio inputs and a decent quality channel strip and master section with EQ, expander/gate, compressor and limiter each.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>The nice part is that I can load the video recording into DaVinci Resolve after the show, touch up the video switching, effects and colors if needed and then export a high-quality version. If needed I combine that with a remastered / mixed audio stream based on the multi-track recording from the Tascam.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>For those interested, this is how it looks behind the scenes: <a href="http://ilonakocsis.ch/index.php/news/18-live-streaming-hinter-den-kulissen">http://ilonakocsis.ch/index.php/news/18-live-streaming-hinter-den-kulissen</a>, and this is the result: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTMFGfX06cTxh--WeJC3Bag/">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTMFGfX06cTxh--WeJC3Bag/</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>But now to the challenge where I am looking for input: In September I will do the same for a concert with string quartet and piano where I want to use more mic channels. The current setup works with a stereo pair plus a mono supporting mic for the music, and the Rode Wireless lavalier setup for announcements with two mics combined into a mono input, but there I expect four or five instrumental mics plus three lavaliers. That means I need a mixer and a multi-track recorder on set. I usually don’t change audio settings during the show except muting the lavaliers when nobody is talking – I can do that on the ATEM if I feed the lavaliers to the second analog stereo input.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>I’ve been looking around for solutions, here’s what I found so far and what I see as pros and cons:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Midas M32R Mixing Desk<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>++ High quality pre-amps<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>+ Good, flexible effects, solid channel processing<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>+ Recording straight to SD card (all channels)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>+ Full desk, full control, fast sound-check<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>--- heavy and large – 15kg (I already carry a ton of material to every show, I’d rather not add more)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Presonus StudioLive 32SC Mixing Desk<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>(+/-) A touch smaller and lighter than the Midas, but still on the heavy side (11kg)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>+ Sound quality seems to be good, but the Midas tends to get higher praise<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>+ Very flexible channel strip with modeled EQ/compressors, but less praise on the reverbs<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>+ Recording to SD card (all channels)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Behringer X32 Rack<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>+ Same software/fx as the Midas<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>0 pre-amp quality considered ok but a good deal below the Midas<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>+ Recording straight to SD card (all channels)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>++ Small and light, but still with a basic UI that I can supervise and control the device without a PC in an emergency case<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>+ cheapest of the bunch<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>(can add a Behringer X-touch to get faders / control for full access during a show – but this adds complexity and cost)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Presonus StudioLive 16R<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>+ Same software was the StudioLive desk<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>+ Same sound quality as the desk<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>++ very small footprint of the rack unit<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>- no UI on the rack, separate PC and/or fader box is a must during the show<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>-- no SD recorder (there is, but only the stereo master) – PC required (see above)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>If there was an X32 with Midas pre-amps, this would probably be the best compromise as portability is really a high value. On a minor side, I can also control some X32 or Midas functions using the Stream Deck. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>The Presonus 16R would fit the bill especially for portability, but I dislike the idea of relying on a PC for the recording (I have two laptops, so that doesn’t add cost) and once I add the Faderport to the setup I approach the cost of the full desks. Presonus also tends to get mixed comments regarding maturity of the product.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Do you have experience with any of the setups above? Any other ideas or thoughts? I am really torn between the sound quality and ease of setup/use of the desks vs portability – it would feel pretty absurd to bring a full desk when I record a solo show…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Regards<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Martin<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></body></html>