Combining analog and digital (scope & console)

[Shot]

Hi all...

I just wanted to share my experience with integration of Scope into "real world" of studio hardware.
This is the way I setup my studio. Maybe it will give some fresh ideas to some.

I have Pulsar2 and Luna2+adat expansion. I have two A16ultra converters, and two 8 ch swissonics (one AD and one DA).
It is all connected to Trident 8T console (24 ch. frame). Except for one hardware Lexicon reverb, all other sends are routed from the console to the input of AD converter. It gives me a possibility to use Scope as any other fx device. For instance, to have aux1 on the console routed to Advanced Clock Delay, aux2 routed to MasterVerb and so on. All those effects are connected to STM mixer and sent to stereo return on the console. It's absolutely no different in practice from using hardware fx boxes!

Also, I've connected direct outs from group outputs on the console to the input of the converter. That way I can send selected analog channels from console to one group, disable group being routed into final mix (on console) and apply drum buss compression in Scope. I have one all-purpose stereo output from Scope connected to fx return 2 on the console. I've never had issues with analog headroom when summing that signal back to console, and that way it doesn't waste channels on the console.

One more thing! Since I have Samson C-Control (yeah I know it's not up to high specs...dh...flame me!) for monitoring selection. This device has three pairs of "recording" outputs. They are not dependable to monitoring volume. They mirror the signal from MIX input. So I've connected one pair of those outputs back to Scope. In Scope it is directly connected to analog source module (on my system I use Luna's input, could be any input in fact) and it is providing signal for Pinguin Audio Meter. This software is really neat and it constantly provides spectrum metering, level metering and correlation on separate pc monitor (screen monitor, not loudspeaker!).

Of course, the same system is also running entire DAW (Nuendo in my case) with all it's outputs routed out to the console inputs, so this is not only fx box!

Scope is the most flexible system around! So many ways of using it!
GET CREATIVE WITH IT!



Shot

[dawman]

Awesome. I'd love to see a picture of that rig.
I use external analog gear also synths and effects.
Hybrid is the way to go.

[garyb]

[wayne]

Word

[voidar]

Interesting as this is pretty much how I might do it soon.

I am looking into acquiring a TOFT ATB16 console.

I currently have 24 ADAT IO and I plan on hooking my A16U up to the consoles 16 channel IO. I plan on running the busses through scope again via ADAT and the master via SPDIF. TOFT are planning a digital addon for this exact thing.

I am not sure about what to do for aux though. I would need more IO.

[darkrezin]

voidar - I did some research into the Toft and the Trident 8T a while back and came to the conclusion that the Trident is better overall. Can't remember exactly why as I ended up getting neither.. I found a very nicely priced used DDA Interface console which fit my needs perfectly.

[voidar]

I've been doing some research on this lately, obviously. There has been some smear campaign between the two brans TOFT and Oram-Trident, and I guess it didn't help that the early TOFTs were plagued with bugs.

Probably great boards, but do feel the TOFT has more appeal to me. Also there's a local TOFT dealer here.

[bassdude]

We used a Toft ATB 24 to record a 90 piece orchestra. I must say I was unimpressed with the noise floor on that desk and would need to do some major testing before I would purchase one. Maybe the one that was provided to us had a problem but it was supposed to be brand new.

[chriskorff]

Wouldn't surprise me... but then it wouldn't be my first choice of desk for a classical recording either!

[bassdude]

That's interesting then. Some people seem to rave about them but i wasn't particularly impressed. We were offered a digico as well but the whole point was to mix down live to 2 track so we chose the analog route.

[voidar]

Yeah, it's more a pop/rock/metal console.

Also, I don't think it's a good live console if you are multi-tracking.

Might be the preamps that would be noisy for ultra dynamic classical. I will mainly use whatever console I get for mixing. I've got other preamps available, though I guess it's nice to have some extra available.

Anyway, anyone familiar with the Midas Venice consoles?

[garyb]

i think all those are a bit of a waste.

i'd rather spend money on mic pres. that said, i DO have a soundcraft 1600 console.....

[darkrezin]

voidar - I've heard mixed things about the Venice. There are some informative threads on gs. Obviously there's not much else around for the money in this area so any of the choices will involve some kind of compromises. Personally I've been overjoyed with my DDA - solid, really low noise and sounds great.

[voidar]

gary:

I gues I am just partial towards physical faders and such and knowing it's not just a control-surface. There is nothing like using both your hands while sweeping a frequency on an EQ.

[garyb]

sure, nothing wrong there....