What are You Mixing Down to?

[analogcabin]

For your 2 mix, what's your method of choice? I'm coming from a Radar II through an analog console to Bias Peak 3. It's less than ideal. I'm wondering what other folks are using and......why?


Thanks a lot..... e.maynard

[joeysimms]

I just bought a masterlink, so that's what I will be mixing to. Why? Because until I get into at least a 1" if not 2" recording setup, the tape squashing benefits on my 8 track 1/2" are not likely to get more better mixing to a 1/4" machine. The 'link can do 96/24, which will be nice to send to mastering.

I'm still always on the lookout for a nice 2 track tape machine, though. The 2 I have already I only use for delay.

[SLiM BiLT]

Ditto on the Masterlink. Love it. If this was the only thing Alesis ever made they would have a sterling reputation.

[Mark]

Much as I'd like to say I'm mixing down to some superduper Otari or Studer 1/2" half-track open reel deck (or even just a 1/4" one), I'd be fibbing

It's an old Yamaha cassette deck

[lsn110]

Out of DP via Metric Halo and Swissonic, through Trident 65/Outboard. Then back into DP via Metric Halo.

In one ear and out the other. Would love to get a nice 1/2" 2-track, but that ain't happening until I at least have my pair of Distressors.

[cgarges]

Most of the time, I'm also mixing to a Masterlink (often from a RADAR 24, console's analog outs). I usually record mixes at 24-bit, 88.2k. For some reason, 88.2 sounds much better to me if you're converting to Redbook CDs internally.

If the studio's got a great 1/2" or 1/4" machine, I'll often use that, especially for rock stuff. Usually 30 IPS, no redux.

Chris Garges
Charlotte, NC

[soundguy]

ampex 440b 1/4" heads or a scully 280 1/4" heads depending on the sound we are after. The UTCs in the scully make a pretty big difference.

dave

[xonlocust]

studer A810 1/4" @ 15 ips w/GP9

used to be a shitty laptop though with the standard soundcard. and then DAT & MD before that.

by the way, i got my A810 for a steal at 700 - but that's less than a masterlink. masterlinks are around 800 or so right? you can get an MCI or sony 1/4" machine for that. i think A810s are going around 1200 these days. blevins has 2 analog machines under 800.

[doc]

Sometimes inside the box. Sometimes cassette tape. And usually before mastering I'll also send it to either my Teac A-4010S 1/4" open reel or my Sony TC-252D 1/4" open reel. They all sound different, so they're all good options depending on the band I'm recording/mixing.

-Doc

[doc]

Sometimes inside the box. Sometimes cassette tape. And usually before mastering I'll also send it to either my Teac A-4010S 1/4" open reel or my Sony TC-252D 1/4" open reel. They all sound different, so they're all good options depending on the band I'm recording/mixing.

-Doc

[joeysimms]

I usually record mixes at 24-bit, 88.2k. For some reason, 88.2 sounds much better to me if you're converting to Redbook CDs internally.

That's interesting, I'll have to try that. I just got the thing, so I've only put one rough mix on, at 24/96, then burned a redbook. Do you find the dsp useful?


Tom

[llmonty]

And usually before mastering I'll also send it to either my Teac A-4010S 1/4" open reel...

-Doc

Hey doc -- I will be getting the same teac soon. It is my dad's. He bought it in asia in about 1970 and hasn't used it much and offered it to me. As a kid I remember his crazy party mix reels (he partied alot!). I think it is in good shape, though I picked up a little repair/maintenance book on it.

How do you like it? Any tips you can share?

Currently I am recording with a laptop and an RME hammerfall and usually keep it in the box to mixdown.

[Professor]

Multi-channel digital (48 tracks) out of ProTools into the Yamaha DM2000 consoles, and then off to a Masterlink. Depending on the project I'll either go digitally from the board to the Masterlink (everything at 24/88.2) or I'll go analog out through an Avalon 747 comp/EQ into the Masterlink's analog. When I was at AES in New York two weeks ago I went to a special private DM2000 demonstration that Yamaha held at a nearby studio with Elliott Scheiner talking about how he uses the board and was delighted to find out that he runs from Nuendo through the DM2000 to a Masterlink (for stereo) and to an Alesis HD24 for surround. That's a pretty fair endorsement. I've thought about a 1/2" analog but for a University studio that typically does application demos, it doesn't make sense. I own two Masterlinks personally and bought two for the school studio.

-Jeremy

[joeysimms]

... (everything at 24/88.2)..

There it is again. What is about 88.2 that sounds nicer than 96? Is it some artifact of having exactly double the sample rate than redbook?

Jeremy, do you use the dsp on your masterlinks? find it useful?


Tom

[axial]

great thread, I basicly don't master at this point if I make anything its a stereo mix with some simple mastering through sound forge at 24bit wavs and burn those to cd, its usually good enough and at that point if the band wants they can take it to anyone and have it mastered correctly, if they plan on doing this I'll leave a few db off the top for the mastering engineer to play with.

I don't know what solution I'm gunna buy into at this point, but the masterlink seems cool!