Everything through multichannel mixer

Hi,

I have the following equipment:
- Macbook
- Apogee Duet
- MPC 2500
- AKAI S950
- Soundcraft M8
- 2X Technics sl1200 + Stanton DJ mixer

These are my chains:

Technics -> Stanton Mixer -> Soundcraft -> MPC2500/S950 Record in ->MPC2500/S950 Outputs -> Soundcraft -> Monitors

Technics -> Stanton Mixer -> Soundcraft -> Apogee Inputs ->Apogee Outputs -> Soundcraft -> Monitors

Macbook -> Apogee Duet -> Soundcraft -> Monitors

Are these chains possible? If I want to sample in to my MPC through the soundcraft desk and both my DJ mixer and the MPC outputs are plugged in on a channel on the soundcraft, it seems to me that you'll be hearing the same music/sound on both channels.

Also, should I plug the outputs of the dj mixer in to two mono channels or 1 stereo?

Every mono channel on the soundcraft has direct outs and the every stereo channel has aux out (which i assume is mono?)

The first two setups at a glance, would create a feedback loop. Even if you used the aux outs you still would be really close to making a feedback loop at a moments notice. Why don't you run the Stanton mixer right into the MPC/950? and in the second setup why don't you just run the apogee outputs directly to the monitors?

Try not to go back into something you've already ran through with the same device/signal, expcept for routing sends to channels when you using external effects etc.. I personallity would prefer everything hitting the soundcraft once, then go out to apogee, then to computer/monitors?

Don't be afraid to have a setup where you plug and unplug things, it will give you a nice clear signal chain you can see. In short, I'd rather have to plug something in to hear it than remember to turn a knob/press a button to stop a feedback loop from forming.

Thank you for your reply. To be honest, I bought the Soundcraft to not constantly have to switch between cables/devices.

I want to eq my samples before going in the MP.
Maybe a silly example, but ive seen a couple of youtube vids where people are routing turnable mixer through a mixing console in to the mpc and the mpc outs back in to the soundcraft. Monitors are plugged in the 'Monitor L/R'

Does using the direct channel outs allow you to remove those channels from the main mix? And/or does it allow you to send stuff out of the direct outs pre-fader then turning the faders down removing them from the main mix. This would make those setups work, but with the second setup you would still be close to a bad feedback loop. If its a knob/fader I wouldn't do it, if it's a switch that you know you won't bump or won't bleed ever then it's more safe.

Yes it does.

The thing is, when I use two monochannels, there will be a chance that there are minimal differences in level/eq, cause you have to adjust this per channel.

NavNek wrote:Yes it does.

The thing is, when I use two monochannels, there will be a chance that there are minimal differences in level/eq, cause you have to adjust this per channel.

Yeah but if you get it close it will be inaudible and you could just see it as some coloring from your workflow. Me personally I would prefer using dual mono channels rather than a deticated stereo channel, more options during production. But I work in mono almost 100%.

have you thought about a patchbay? it would give you much more flexibility in routing options and it wouldnt be so easy to have a feedback loop.

yeah i looked it up, but i assume i should get my soundcraft working like i want to.

My opinion it's overkill for what your trying todo. Especially once you get working with it will be second nature to be aware of all the connections. But like I said that's my opinion, worth no more than Damien's.

I'd try something like this:

Mpc/s950 out 1-x -> Soundcraft ch 1-x
Stanton -> Souncraft ST 1
Apogee out -> Soundcraft ST2

Aux1&2 -> Mpc/s950 rec in
AUX3&4 -> Apogee in

Monitor out -> Monitors

this is the way i have it right now.
dj mixer-> Mono ch 1&2 (ch1 panned 100% to the left and ch2 panned 100% to the right)
mpc -> Stereo ch 1
S950 -> Mono Ch 3

direct outs ch 1&2 to mpc record in.

How can i send a mono signal from from ch 1&2 (dj mixer) to the S950. Sure i can route one of the aux sends on both channels to record in on the S959, but i will only get either the left or right channel.

is this correct?

NavNek wrote:is this correct?

If it works for you there is no right/wrong way todo this. I just have a preference to steer people starting out away from setups that could lead to a feedback loop/doubled audio, but it sounds like your mixer is more than atiqueitely capable of handling your desired routing.

NavNek wrote:How can i send a mono signal from from ch 1&2 (dj mixer) to the S950. Sure i can route one of the aux sends on both channels to record in on the S959, but i will only get either the left or right channel.

The Soundcraft m8 has a mono sum out. Isn't that perfect for your needs?
Listen to what the mono sum will sound like going into your S950 by putting the pan pots into the middle position and then play with the fader levels to suit.
Just make sure that the S950's monitor knob is turned all the way down to avoid a feedback loop.