yawetaG wrote on 2021-03-14, 18:15:On top of what has already been said, most hardware-based DAWs and multitrack digital recorders have serious limitations with re […]
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darry wrote on 2021-03-14, 00:35:
imi wrote on 2021-03-14, 00:05:
unless you really want to build a retro DAW ^^
Or use one as a digital mixer . 😉
It's actually quite ironic that older hardware-based DAWs and multitrack digital recorders that include digital mixer functionality are actually often less expensive than dedicated digital mixer of the same or older vintage. At least that has been my impression recently. Assuming I am right in this assessment, have not just coincidentally seen some outliers and consequently gotten a false impression, I bet someone will eventually make a YT video pointing this out which will make prices rise .
On top of what has already been said, most hardware-based DAWs and multitrack digital recorders have serious limitations with regards to their internal storage mediums (IDE or SCSI hard disks, often low maximum size limits), quality of their hardware (many are aimed at the prosumer market), and current computer hardware and OS support (serial connections, USB connections with a driver that does not work on anything higher than Windows 98 or 2000 or MacOS 9.x, etc.).
Granted, samplers often also have those same limitations, but many of the more popular ones have a very specific sound that is sought after (Akai S-series comes to mind).
Also, I am not sure the lower prices apply to the really sought after units such as the Roland MV-8x00 series, Yamaha RS7000, etc.
Dedicated mixers often have higher quality hardware and indeed a more hands-on approach to control, and offer a larger number of channels. Vintage professional mixing consoles can run in the thousands.
Thank you, these are all very good points .
I am looking at this through the eyes of someone wanting an affordable digital mixer (TBH, mixing could take place in the analogue domain, but I would want at least one stereo ADC to feed an S/PDIF output that can be split or switched and routed to multiple destinations, like a recording PC, an AV receiver, etc) for decidedly non pro use (using retro PC sound cards). If anybody has any doubts, I am quite the newb in these matters . My perspective came from considering something like the 230 CAN$ Yamaha AW4416 I found versus even the cheapest comparable (timeframe-wise) digital mixer units from this list http://www.oldschooldaw.com/forums/index.php/ … 57.html#msg6657 , as an example (an O2R goes for nearly 1000 CAN$ typically and an AW4416 is about half that). I have practically zero interest in actually using any recording functionality integrated into a hardware DAW .
I realize that, while my approach may not be optimal, I would doubt that I am really making that bad of a choice going with 20-year old semi-pro gear (IMHO, unless an AW4416 and MY8/AD24 are not worthy of being called the semi-pro) with the features that I want for
200-300 CAN$ versus cascading a few entry-level analogue mixers at double that price range will not getting an S/PDIF output .
If someone is seriously into audio production, I would imagine that carefully choice of pre-amps, microphones, DI boxes , high-end outboard ADC solutions, etc , all of which are well beyond my skillset and paygrade, matter .
From my use-case perspective (and I imagine that I am not alone in trying similar thing) and considering the relatively low end devices I will be feeding a mixer with anyway, any dated (20-year old) but still working semi-pro or better gear will likely nearly always be overkill and if I can get overkill at bargain basement prices (versus more expensive new entry-level stuff) , why shouldn't I ?
I apologize if I am doing or saying things that seem dumb to people knowledgeable in audio production. As always, please feel free to correct me in my illusions/misconceptions .