Concidering this Mixer

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Cone Poker
Member Since: Apr 07, 2002

Behringer DDX1632 Digital Mixer

Can I just plug this into my PC and have it control the software?

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Pinnipedal Czar (: 3=
Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004


Apr 17, 2006 09:09 am

Quote:
Can I just plug this into my PC and have it control the software?


Quote:
MIDI implementation.


Oh-yeah !

There are +'s and -'s to working with a digital mixer that has a cleaned-up interface like this, where alot of functions are stacked under few controls . It makes for a bit steeper learning curve, but essentially works the same... just a coupl'a extra steps to each process . That said having a tactile controller for automation, is nice . Cheers !
~Hue

Cone Poker
Member
Since: Apr 07, 2002


Apr 17, 2006 09:29 am

Yeah well I've been wanting to get a dedicated digital mixer for a while. Ideally I'd like a mackie onyx just cause all the controls are laid out as an analog mixer (since it is one) but it's also digital via firewire, but I don't have the money or a firewire port. This one doesn't look too bad, even with the learning curve, and the price is sweet at 599

Pinnipedal Czar (: 3=
Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004


Apr 17, 2006 09:50 am

Agreed, it does look to be pretty sweet... and yeah, it is a good price . I always thought that if I bought another digital mixer it'd be a Behri... as it stands now, the pre's that are in my TM-D1000 are such crap next to Behris, that I just use it for a software controller .

Cone Poker
Member
Since: Apr 07, 2002


Apr 17, 2006 09:56 am

Yeah I have no idea how the pres in this sound, but to be honest they are probably a lot better than the pres in my Phonic mixer that I'm using right now. I have a small amount of software control using the M-Audio Radium, but I'd like a full fledged analog mixer, and this thing would make my phonics almost obsolete.

Pinnipedal Czar (: 3=
Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004


Apr 17, 2006 10:19 am

Interesting... it says absolutely nothing about the pres in it's product desription . Just hope that in cramming all those features into one inexpensive unit, they didn't scimp on the pres, like Tascam did with the TM-D1000 .

Oh, make sure you get the ADT1616 version... much more versatile than the TDIF version, but you probably already gathered that .

I love the smell of new gear... that dust-free-factory packaging smell, the whole box, smells like...

victory . : p

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Apr 17, 2006 10:23 am

I would suspect they are the same IMP pres that Behringer puts in everything now...I would doubt they have multiple pres for use in different product, most economy-oriented product makers like Behringer would rather have billions of one type of pre made to use in everything.

Pinnipedal Czar (: 3=
Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004


Apr 17, 2006 10:26 am

Yeah, that would make sense .

Cone Poker
Member
Since: Apr 07, 2002


Apr 17, 2006 11:13 am

OK it's settled this is what I am getting. lol. man my girlfriend is going to be sooo mad

Pinnipedal Czar (: 3=
Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004


Apr 17, 2006 01:26 pm

I can hear her now...

YOU...
Flyin'-Fadin'
Lightpipin'
Software Syncin'
No-good mutha...

The ONLY matin', you gonna be doin' is automatin' !!!


OH ! : p

Cone Poker
Member
Since: Apr 07, 2002


Apr 17, 2006 01:41 pm

lmao oooooh man, sleep deprivation plus picturing her saying that. You owe me a new monitor as mine is now covered in monster energy drink

Pinnipedal Czar (: 3=
Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004


Apr 17, 2006 01:46 pm

hee hee

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Apr 17, 2006 11:07 pm

Loki, did you mean the DDX3216?

I dont want to burst your bubble here, but Midi Implementation means it can perform certain task's recieving midi data. Like timing, having its parameters set and so on. It can also send its memory banks out via midi for storage elsewhere, like your PC. It is a digital mixer, not a control surface. They are 2 completely differant animals. It is not a DAW control interface, incase that is what you are thinking it is.

I suggest you download the manual and a have a look deep into it to see exactly what you are getting into.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Apr 17, 2006 11:09 pm

And it uses the ULN, or Ultra Low Noise pre's. They are just the second generation of the imp pre's. Pretty dang good from what I have heard.

Cone Poker
Member
Since: Apr 07, 2002


Apr 17, 2006 11:43 pm

Oh I was under the pmression that a digital mixer was also a control surface. Sad

Pinnipedal Czar (: 3=
Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004


Apr 18, 2006 08:56 am

[quote] They are 2 completely differant animals. It is not a DAW control interface, incase that is what you are thinking it is.
[/quote]
Not to argue with y'a Noize, but I use my digital mixer as a control surface without issues .

Do what Noize said, and check into the manual, but you should be able to use it for controling your software... via midi .


Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Apr 18, 2006 10:32 pm

Yes, some do. But that one claims to be a dedicated digital mixer. Nothing stating it will function as a control surface as well. I did look for that in their specs, and nothing states that.

I do know what you mean though Hue, Tascam has one or two like that. And I believe Alesis built one as well. But when they say the word dedicated it usually means it is just that and nothing else.

But I would definately download the pdf manual file and browse through it. But odds are not good as Behringer would definately state boldly if it were both in one unit.

Pinnipedal Czar (: 3=
Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004


Apr 19, 2006 12:00 am

Noize - "Dedicated" huh?... y'a don't say . I learn something new here everyday... somedays, twelve things .

Loki- Dude, I did not mean to lead you astray . I apologize for my ignorance... it can be abundant at times .


At least your gal will be still be sweet on y'a . : )

Cone Poker
Member
Since: Apr 07, 2002


Apr 19, 2006 12:04 am

yeah that's a plus. And ya didn't lead me astray hue, we both thought the midi thing meant the same thing. I look at it like a learning experiance. Now I wonder though, what is the advantage of a digital mixer over an analog one?

Pinnipedal Czar (: 3=
Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004


Apr 19, 2006 12:12 am

Not really sure... my expereince is limited to this Tascam... which kind'a blows . I don't care for the layered navigation of all it's goodies... kind'a standard with digital mixers . There's saposed to be less noise, but ?...

... must sleep . Catch'a later bro .

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Apr 19, 2006 02:26 pm

Loki, that is exactly what you want to look for in the Beheringer manual. Look to see if the controls are indeed assignable to other midi parameters. IF they are, then you will be in. Just have your recording application learn the midi control parameters that the Behringer unit will end if it does.

You should be able to see it in the manual under the section titled midi CC parameters or something like that. The main thing is to look and see if it can send midi data. And if so, exactly what can it send, and with what controls. If it can only send with a couple of the knobs then it isnt worth it for using as a control surface.

I havent had time to download and look at it yet. But if you need me to I will. Just shoot me an email as it will be quicker then me looking here for it. I am short on time as I am running some stuff for a beta test this afternoon. But I will keep checking my email for you.

Hue, Dedicated usually means it is one thing only. Now in Behringers case I wont state that as an absolute fact. So for Loki's sake I would hape it does not hold true. Although He hasnt run out and bought it yet, so nothing bad yet.

But indeed, the layering issue is the main reason most digital consoles stay away from being control surfaces as well. Although like I said, there are several out there. They are indeed a PITA to try and navigate through all the crap.

Hope I didnt come off as being harsh. I hate when I do that.

Noize

Pinnipedal Czar (: 3=
Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004


Apr 19, 2006 02:57 pm

I seen no harshness on the harsh-O-meter . : )

I'll bet it'd work, though... kind'a makes the thing alot less of an asset if it doesn't do that seemingly simple operation, wouldn't y'a say ?

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Apr 19, 2006 03:33 pm

Indeed, you wold think so. But then again I wondered why soem of the others didnt incorperate it into their's as well. It just seems odd to give a piece of gear midi i/o and limit what type of stuff it will send.

For an example, I can use the PODxt to send controller info from every knob, even my FBV which is the floor control for the xt sends midi controller info when I use it. I have several rack effects that will as well send midi controller info when twist the knobs.

But it might be a big deal for them to build the layers of control into some of those things.

Pinnipedal Czar (: 3=
Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004


Apr 19, 2006 03:41 pm

My CDX-1s midi sending/recieving is also limited... to that of transport controls, but I'm thinking that's part of the nature of the beast, so likewise a digital mixer should comunicate with software that is able to learn .

Keyword... should . ; )

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Apr 19, 2006 05:42 pm

OK, I couldn't stand the pain in my head any longer. I had to go find out. I DL'd the manual. It does indeed transmit and recive severl midi control parameters. They are however all linked to its own internal parameters. But since it does send and recieve this could work as you want, but it could also cause you headaches as well. Like it will be recieving data back during playback of your tracks, meaning it could be moving its own faders while youare trying to do something else. Or adjusting pan itself and so on. It does look however as if it can work that way. IT will just take some deep editing in its midi menu on your part, and some configuring in your DAW as well. But it could work for you.

Loki, I would honestly see if you can find a local shop with one and get them to hook it up and try it out. You'll really need to get a book on midi to bring yourself up to speed if you want to make it work well for you.

But in the end, it looks like there might be just enough in the manual to get you started anyway.

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