Twin Creek Audio

Hybrid Studio Setup

Connecting an analog recording console to a multichannel audio interface can seem daunting, but by breaking it down, it becomes much more manageable. This setup allows you to leverage the warm, characteristic sound of an analog console while still enjoying the flexibility and power of digital recording.

Hybrid Setup Videos:

How to Setup for Mixing on an Analog Console

How To Record Tracks with an Analog Mixing Console

Mixing Console and DAW Setup for Analog Mixing(OTB)

Hybrid Mixing Setup Analog 8 Bus Recording Console

Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Understanding the Basics

Before we begin, let’s clarify the purpose of this connection. Your analog console will act as the primary mixer and preamplifier for your microphones and instruments. The multichannel audio interface will then convert those analog signals into digital data that your computer can record, process, and play back.

Essential Equipment

  • Analog Recording Console: Your mixing board with multiple input channels and output buses.
  • Multichannel Audio Interface: An interface with enough analog inputs and outputs to match your console’s capabilities and your recording needs.
  • TRS or XLR Cables: For connecting the console’s outputs to the interface’s inputs, and the interface’s outputs to the console’s inputs (for monitoring and mixing).
  • DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) Software: Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Ableton Live, Cubase, etc.
  • Computer: Powerful enough to run your DAW and handle multiple audio tracks.

Connection Instructions

Step 1: Connecting Console Outputs to Interface Inputs (Recording Path)

This is the most crucial part for getting your audio into your computer. You’ll be sending the individual channel outputs or bus outputs from your console into the inputs of your audio interface.

  1. Identify Console Outputs:
    • Direct Outs: Many consoles have “direct outs” on each channel. These are ideal as they send the signal before the master fader, allowing you to record each track independently. Look for jacks labeled “Direct Out,” “Insert Send,” or “Channel Out” on each channel strip.
    • Subgroup/Bus Outputs: If your console doesn’t have enough direct outs, or if you want to record groups of instruments (e.g., all drums on a stereo track, all guitars on another), you can use the subgroup or bus outputs.
    • Aux Sends (less common for recording tracks): While aux sends are primarily for effects or monitor mixes, you can use them as an output if absolutely necessary, but they are generally not ideal for primary track recording due to pre- or post-fader behavior.
  2. Connect Cables: Use TRS or XLR cables (depending on your console and interface) to connect the selected outputs from your console to the line inputs on your multichannel audio interface.

Step 2: Connecting Interface Outputs to Console Inputs (Monitoring and Mixdown Path)

This step allows you to monitor the audio playing back from your computer through your console and even mix your recorded tracks using the console’s faders and EQ.

  1. Identify Interface Outputs: Your multichannel audio interface will have several line outputs.
  2. Connect Cables: Use TRS or XLR cables to connect the line outputs of your audio interface to line inputs on your analog console.
    • Example: Connect “Interface Output 1” to “Console Channel Input 9,” “Interface Output 2” to “Console Channel Input 10,” etc. It’s often helpful to use a dedicated bank of channels on your console for these playback returns.
  3. Route to Master Bus: On your console, ensure these playback channels are routed to your console’s main stereo mix bus (typically “Main Mix,” “Stereo Out,” or “L/R”). This will allow you to hear the playback through your console’s master section and studio monitors.

Step 3: Connecting Your Studio Monitors

Your studio monitors should ideally be connected to the monitor outputs of your analog console. This allows you to monitor the complete mix (live inputs + playback from the interface) through the console’s monitor or control room section. Not all mixing consoles will have a dedicated monitor section. Alternatives are the main LR stereo out or Aux outs though this requires some trade offs. It’s best to use a recording console(a mixing console designed specifically for recording).

  1. Console Main Outputs: Locate the “Main Out,” “Stereo Out,” or “L/R Out” on your console. These will typically be XLR or TRS jacks.
  2. Connect to Monitors: Use appropriate cables to connect monitor outputs to the inputs of your active studio monitors (or to your power amplifier if you have passive monitors).

Step 4: Setting Up Your DAW (Digital Audio Workstation)

  1. Select Audio Interface: In your DAW’s preferences or settings, select your multichannel audio interface as the primary audio device (ASIO driver on Windows, Core Audio on Mac).
  2. Create Tracks: Create new audio tracks in your DAW.
  3. Assign Inputs: For each track, assign the corresponding input from your audio interface.
    • Example: If your console’s “Direct Out 1” is connected to “Interface Input 1,” then set “Track 1” in your DAW to receive input from “Input 1.”
  4. Arm for Recording: Arm the desired tracks for recording.
  5. Assign Outputs (for Playback): For tracks you want to send back to the console for mixing, assign their outputs to the corresponding interface outputs that are connected to your console’s line inputs.

Workflow Considerations

  • Gain Staging: Pay close attention to gain staging at every point in the signal chain (microphone preamps on the console, console channel faders, output levels from the console, input levels on the interface). Avoid clipping at all costs.
  • Monitoring Latency: When tracking, you’ll want to monitor through your console to avoid latency introduced by the computer. Most interfaces also have a “direct monitoring” feature that bypasses the computer for near-zero latency when tracking.
  • Hybrid Workflow:
    • Tracking: Use the console’s preamps and EQ for initial shaping, then record to your DAW.
    • Mixing: You can mix entirely “in the box” (within your DAW), or you can send individual tracks or submixes back to your console for an analog summing and final mix. This “hybrid” approach is very popular.
  • Cabling: Use balanced cables (TRS or XLR) whenever possible to minimize noise, especially over longer runs.

By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to integrating your analog recording console with your multichannel audio interface, opening up a world of creative possibilities for your audio production!

Check out these other pages for more useful information:

Analog Signal Flow

Analog Gain Staging