Mixer Setup Suggestions?, not sure what to do now.. Options

[Drifta]

Hello all,

I've come to an interesting point in the growth of my studio and I'm a bit stuck on where to go now. Just a brief rundown of what I've got:

3 mixers:
16 channel which i'm using as my main board (mackie 1604).
24 channel rack thay i'm running all the synths/sampler to (this has a submix bus).
8 channel that i'm going to use for analogue instruments (has stereo out and monitor out).

recording:
ADAT (not in use at the moment)
Mac G3 (yosemite) with M-Audio Delta 44.

Right now I have the mains from the 24ch and 8ch running to 4channels (2 stereo) on the 16ch. I have delta mains (2ch) also to the 16ch.

The problem is that I want to be able to do live jam recording without mixing it stereo first. The same problem occurs with synth recording, I either record 1 synth at a time or mix multiple synths to stereo and record that. I think it would be better to have each source on it's own track.

Is there a way to do this without buying like a 16 input recording interface? If I were to get a more recordable ins, how would I set up the mixers so that I could utilize them? Something like direct outs to a patchbay? I guess I'm just getting confused about what to do now to grow. I'd like to have a drumset somewhere (another at least 4 channels of input needed)..

I'm starting to get a bit tangled here thinking of what/how to write this stuff in an understandable way. Perhaps it would be easiest to stop here and try answering questions you might have. I'll run down what I have as far as sound sources:

approx 32 ch of synth outs
up to 16 ch of analogue outs
the 3 mixers
and 4 ch audio ins from sound card.

...ok. now i'm gettin' batty .

i'll answer any questions you have, and would LOVE suggestions on gear, setup or other that you might have!!!

thanks,
John

[Drifta]

Hello all,

I'd like to thank everyone for their suggestions. I've remedied my problem with your suggestions.

1) Nabbed a mackie 24.8 mixer (i got this b/c it was reasonably priced, my last mixer was a mackie and i liked it and i can add 24 channels with the 24E console --if i can find one used somewhere as they've been discontinued i believe).

2) Upgraded my soundcard to a M-Audio 10/10 with breakout box (again reasonably priced for a what i was getting and my old card was M-Audio delta44 that i enjoyed using, i.e., had no problems with it)

3) For a g4 dual 1.25ghz (mdd) locally for a great price!

i've had to rearrange the studio to accomodate the new board (it's a beast! hehe). Thinking in the long run i'll build a nice desk for it, my rack gear, etc. (btw does anyone know where i could get a basic set of plans for doing this with wood? i'll have to modify them i think but just to get an idea how to build it as i'm a woodworking idiot but would like to learn!).

i guess i'll have everything up and running b4 xmas!! i'm SO excited about recording again and trying OS X and DP4.5 --hopefully the solution to the usb midi interface problems i was having under OS 9.2. yes, i've given apple 1 more shot.

thanks, for the light at the end of the tunnel folks!! i was in a knot in my brain about what to do, seriously!!!! i REALLY appreciate you taking the time to respond to my questions.

cheers!!!!


-/)riF7/|