The Guys Using External Busses During Mixing?

[Bob Maximus]

What software are you using that allows external routing? What interfaces are you using, and how do you return the processed signal?

I am updating my studio and am curious as to what you are using.

Thanks.

[Nelson89]

Actually most software can do it nowadays. If you're doing a lot of external processing, Protools is generally the way to go, however i send signals out all the time through cubase and logic.

Interface wise, i run an m-audio profire 2626 with a focusrite octopre mkII dynamic plugged in via lightpipe. The interface gives me upto 26 in's and out, but right now i'm using 16 ins and outs. When it comes to returning the signal, i just plug it into the line inputs of the profire...if i were doing a lot more of it, i'd probably get another profire to use specifically for those extra 8 ins and outs.

Generally this is pretty close to the amount of channels you can get with a firewire interface (in my case upto 52 channels). If you want more in's and outs, you'll have to start looking at some higher end PCI cards. But that all depends on how many things you're willing to record...unless you're moving into some pretty high end stuff, you probably wouldn't need more than 26 ins and outs.

There's also some stuff from MOTU and RME thats probably better quality, however the m-audio suits my needs...+4 balanced line inputs and outputs too...

[Bob Maximus]

Hey thanks for the response Nelson! I've got a small project studio that I've had since 1998. It is based on the old Aardvark interface and Vegas (soundforge). All mixing has been done in the box with the plugins provided. It has suited my needs well since I started it.

I don't have any intentions to record bands, but it seems lately I've been getting more requests and opportunities to do recording that needs more than what is available in the soundforge stuff. It seems like a good time to upgrade.

[Nelson89]

Well most DAWs nowadays will do all of the external routing you need...but in saying that, DAWs have come a long way even in the last 5 years...you might find with a new DAW that you might not even need to externally route anything...although if you still want to the option is still there.

I'm sure if you post certain things you'd like to be achieving as well as some kind of budget, a few people on here will help you find what you need pretty quickly.