Mackie d8b in Cubase

Anyone ever used this setup? Does it work ok?

Why wouldn't it?!? haha It's a mixer.

Yeah I've used one, quite nice desks. Not sure if I'd be happy picking up a second hand one tho to be honest. It was actually between my current desk and the d8B I was deciding between in the end when I was changing my analogue mixer.

I shouldve said the HUI mode sorry. Jay, i've been looking at them for a while now as it means i could downsize a few bits into 1(mcu pro/big knob/mixer), and possible get a few extra features. One thing is puzzling me though, how do you get the audio from your soundcard to the d8b?

I'm not sure about the HUI mode to be honest, the one I used wasn't setup like that. It might not be as up to date as something like your MCU for that side of things (midi?), would check with Mackie to be sure.

Don't know if you've seen one on the flesh as such but, footprint wise they're a reasonable size so, downsizing won't be for the size as such but, for combining stuff into one unit is good anyway.

I'm not sure what the base standard is but, I know for what I wanted it needed a few card upgrades. I don't know how available these are now. It may have direct outs on each channel, most large mixers do so you could just route it straight to a soundcard if you have the inputs. Other than that, the RME cards are what a lot of people use for the ADAT connections. You can pipe it all through easy enough. You'll need to buy one of the desk expansions I'm sure.

Whatever you do, make sure to go over it very carefully if you are buying one. Run sinewaves through each solo'd channel and check the pots, mutes, automation etc

Lush desk for its time but so much has moved on so fast that they now seem overpriced for what you actually get.

But all said, if its analog inputs you need but with a digital feel...and cash to throw around then why not.

HUI or decent control surfaces are all we need now. you can also get decent soundcards with multiple ins/outs if you need analog too.

Yeah i know they're a bit dated now Si, i've looked at some newer digital desks and nothing has taken my fancy like the d8b has

Would S/PDIF be enough to control all audio I/O of the mixer? or would it only account for a 'bank' of 8 channels?

If you mean as in ADAT (lightpipe) type connection then it's 8 channels. Make sure you have the right soundcard, or whatever, that supports it as it looks the same but, won't work.

Think ive got it sorted mate, i think i can get banks of 8 channels via S/PDIF - AES/EBU and 8 via optical ADAT, my soundcard supports these connections so hopefully i'll be good to go ! !

Mmmm I hope you're right but, I think you mentioned you used the motu and they only have 1 set of ADAT (8 channel i/o) option on them apart from the new 828MKIII. The SPdif will just be a digital stereo output I'm fairly sure. I was looking at them a few months ago as needed a new soundcard myself and it's so tricky to get a solution for digital connection as there's not many options.

I went for the M-Audio Lightbridge as it has 4 banks of 8 ADATs (I/O) and spdif etc. Either that or I ditched the mixer and bought the Motu 24io. That would be a good setup with the Mackie actually.

Grrr It's never bloody simple with these things is it haha

I use ADAT optical connections and it works a treat for what i wanted.

I know it isnt top of the range but i connect an EMU PCI 1212m soundcard to my Behringer DDX desk which has 2x8 adat connections. the second bank of eight go via a Behringer ADA8000 which is a seperate 8 Analog in 1U to ADAT converter giving me a total of 24 balanced analog ins together with 8 digital ins from the PC. More than enough for me.

£119 for the EMU
£325 for the desk
£150 for the ADAT card
£150 for the ADA8000

so £744 for the lot

Haha nothing but hassle aint it ! ! That M-Audio card may be worth me looking into mate it would give me 32 channels

I would however love a desk like this just to mimic SX3's mixer...so just a plastic box with sliders and knobs looking and feeling like a real mixer (40 channel realtime)...all could run from one USB.

that M-Audio Lightpipe module looks interesting...especially as i use ADAT optical so would be good for expansion

Haha Come on, haven't you bought this desk yet!!

It is mate, it drove me up the wall as I was hanging around waiting for RME to release their pcie version of the card I had. It was due about a year ago Just came across the Lightbridge by accident to be honest, was very surprised when I found it. There's literally only a handful with 16 or more ADAT channels, Focusrite Saffire Pro (bad reviews), Motu, Presonus Firestudio (bad reviews) and this one. Bargain price as well.

If you didn't get the desk I'd say get yourself the Motu 24io. Pipe everything in live, really good solution. That'll be my next step when I won't begrudgingly let some fucker get my desk at the silly price haha

I haven't bought the desk yet mate, still browsing, i'm getting some info on them first(see what extras i need ie soundcards ) before i take the plunge. It's looking promising though

Quote " that M-Audio Lightpipe module looks interesting...especially as i use ADAT optical so would be good for expansion"

I've got my desk hooked up to it, another synth that uses ADAT and also my PC which although is not used for anything I may set up for midi like an external rack just to use some PC only softsynths.

Where would the stereo analogue outs from my soundcard go?? Or would i not need them and the ADAT take care of this? I'm still slightly confused with all these connections

http://cachepe.zzounds.com/media/quality,85/brand,zzounds/d8brear-0e46159e85acc3f7b1182b14ca0d7665.jpg

 

Im on about using the Mackie master out controls

you wont use your analog outs unless its just direct to speakers.

ADAT handles the lot for me...but then again im using an external digital desk.

when recording i hate just bouncing down in Cubase as it sounds so clinical for some reason...so i record back into Cubase via the spidif input on the card which comes via the Digital desk, so in theory im using the 24bit DAC's within the desk. These sound warmer than Cubase alone. and it also gives me the choice of using the 2 digital FX processors within the desk too if the PC's CPU cant take any more VST's (The EMU card has its own FX DAC's too just like a Powercore)

Wicked, that's what i was hoping Si, cheers