We’re big we’re bad and we’re back for another Frequently Asked Questions Friday!
Today’s featured question is “Given the choice, would you rather mix through a console, summing or in the box? Why would you choose any one of those three?”
There is something about a console that I love, but I don’t really mix on a console. I mix hybrid using my DAW and make it do what I want. – I compress, EQ, and I do all kinds of fun stuff. Then I use my console for EQ, the inserts to use a whole bunch of other pieces of equipment. – So essentially I mix a hybrid fashion.
I don’t always mix in a hybrid fashion, sometimes I mix in the box. For me passive summing doesn’t do a whole lot of good, I’ve used a few passive devices which are fairly interesting.
You can insert other pieces of equipment into it but that makes it no longer passive. If I’m inserting something into it I can go through some external hardware, some expensive mic pre’, EQ’s, tape delays or all kinds of other fun stuff.
Summing can have a real impact if done like that, but 99% of the mixers I know aren’t particularly into summing unless there is a reason why they need to sum.
In fact, a couple of guys I respect don’t like summing at all because they think it means adding a couple more stages of re-digitization.
I sort of understand that because you’re going to go, digital to analog and then analog back to digital in. – So maybe their theory makes some sense.
The best situation is either in the box entirely and use that too get really loud slamming mixes and that’s something working in the box is uniquely qualified to do.
Or work in a hybrid situation, get out of the box and have dynamics, compression, EQ, and have access to other things.
For me, there are pros and cons to both. If I was mainly mixing EDM and Modern Rock I would probably stay in the box.
But as it is, I like the choice, I like mixing with the console in a hybrid fashion or staying in the box. – It gives you a lot to choose from.
We cover the following questions during this episode of FAQ Friday!
• Given the choice, would you rather mix through a console, summing or in the box? Why would you choose any one of those three? (0:39)
• When working in hybrid, do you find recalling your setting very difficult to do? Is it time-consuming and does that make you want to work more in the box? (3:24)