Saturday, February 7, 2015

Mastering Mackie Mixology - Updated

While mastering Mackie mixology would be good, I don't believe it's going to happen.

There's a Gain knob for each channel with a corresponding green peak light.  I use a Low Cut of 100 Hz on most channels except drums.  There's also a red overload light at the bottom of each channel and this is definite clipping.  If you light this one, you will definitely hear it.  That's not so much true with the peak light.

Note:  review again the application of the peak light as perhaps it can be pushed more than the initial review indicated.

As nearly as I can tell and I believe I've twisted, pulled, and tugged every damn knob, slider or button on the damn thing, I don't think there is anything other than the Gain knob for each channel that modifies the strength of the signal going out over USB.

My proposed solution now is this:  there are two sets of outputs for the mains.  There are R/L balanced XLR outputs going to the actual speakers.  Also there are R/L 1/4" outputs.  It would be possible to bypass Mackie USB output altogether and run the second set of main outputs to a second audio interface as analog audio and send that mix to the computer via USB from that device instead.  (I'm aware of possible analog-digital conversion issues but I don't consider that significant enough at my level to matter)

The difference between this approach and using the Mackie's USB alone from the mixer is that I get complete control of the levels at all points whereas right now I'm playing electronic Whack-a-Mole.  The way it works right now makes it almost impossible to be sure the signal going to the computer is the same as what I'm hearing as the setting for all the volume sliders doesn't mean a thing over USB but they change the sound mix radically here.

Damn.

The interface is AWOL.  This is the same one that got busted up but was still somewhat functional after crashing the scooter.  It cannot be AWOL unless I chucked it but I don't recall that.  This is mystifying and I have been searching the room with my burglar-killer flashlight but no joy.  I don't chuck equipment quickly and I still have the guitar synth even though that thing is completely full of holes.

Rats.

I will have another search later.  More to come.


Update:  I have ransacked the place three times.  I know the interface was here only a few months ago as it was on the desk near one of the light devices.  There's no chance anyone else even touched it, much less chucked it.  The unit was severely damaged but it still worked enough that I would be able to use it for this.  It needed to be replaced but that's another hundred bucks I don't have.  I will have another search tomorrow as there's no point in recording anything until the problem of getting accurate audio into the computer is solved.

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