Perfect timing. I just got a stand alone mixer. Your setup confirmed my thought process for how I plan to write it up. Appreciate the video man, thanks
Wooow, I have the same Mackie mixer, but have been looking at modular interfaces for multitracking. It never occurred to me to use the inserts send on the Mackie to be able to multitrack with what I have. That’s excellent! Definitely going to wire this up today like this. Very, very helpful. You just saved me, like, $700.
Thanks, thats nice to hear! But still, I always like to see old studio tour/interviews of artists after making their first hits, in compact, improvised or messy studios. You can do great music with a lot less, or the focus on other things, or, well, anything you like I guess :)
Thanks for this. So cool our recording setups are super similar. I like having a multi-track setup and stereo mix always at the ready as well so I can record separate dry and wet tracks or just a jam! Great advice. I have two 12-channel Soundcrafts: 12 for modular and 12 for synths/drum machines/mics. Both mixers have various effects on the sends/returns and set up so I can swap them around easily without a patchbay (patchbays are just such a PIA to set up...just not worth it). Both mixers go to an Arturia Audiofuse 8Pre audio interface (I'm on PC so the Apollo stuff was not an option). I did consider the MOTU but ended up with the AudioFuse which has been performing flawlessly having big shoes to fill replacing a Focusrite 18i20 that lasted almost 10 years! On the MIDI and clocking side, Beatstep Pro was my heart for 2 years but I just recently swtiched to Ground Control (42HP) just to step up the sequencing capabilities a tad and make some desk space. Been working nicely but I already miss Beatstep a bit hehe. It sync'd my entire system perfectly.
Hey, that's nice to hear, sounds like a great setup, thanks for sharing! It's so important to have a nice worksflow for productivity :) Also Ground Control is great. Indeed love the BSP, mostly for writing and performing live, so I'm happy it doubles as a midi>cv at the moment, but there's room for improvement, always, haha. Enjoy your studio! :)
This was very useful. I really thought I needed to invest in output modules but I already have a 12 channel Mackie mixer. You saved me some money here :) Thanks ^^
Very interesting and complete. I also like to mix my Eurorack signals directly in my mixer. I chose the 1010 Blue Box because it can handle up to 12 mono (6 stereo) hot Eurorack signals and it's small & portable. When I'm mixing into something like a Octatrack or Circuit Tracks, I attenuate with VCAs and a Eurorack output module. I also have to make sure my power is clean or I may use a passive DI box to clean up my signal. Great video!
Great stuff as always. You've helped me a lot since my modular journey began. Great tips on the routing. I have a Mackie I also use but am limited to 2 inputs on my interface which I'd like to upgrade so I have more ins
Hey, that's lovely to hear, happy to help! I did 5 years of weekly youtube Jams just recording the stereo mix, lot's of fun to be had without multitracking :)
My setup is more simple, but still pretty flexible. I have an Arturia AudioFuse Studio. That gives me 8 inputs for synths, drum machine voices and modular gear, which can all be tracked individually in the DAW. It's loaded with nice features like two INSERTS for outboard effects, two pairs of speaker outs, the ability to create submixes Cue1 and Cue2, and map the main or submix to either of the two headphone outs. It's also DC-coupled for modular control, and has USB Loopback for recording sampling from RUclips or streaming audio. Overall a very solid and flexible option.
Thanks for the very detailed walkthrough - lots of gems here! Keep coming back to your channel for all the great content. Could you explain a little more which cables you use for the 4 inserts going to/from the interface to multi track these channels? This sounds awesome. Cheers!
Glad you liked it! I use standard Insert cables. They have a stereo plug (tip ring sleeve) on one end, and two independent mono plugs on the other. In an insert situation the stereo cable plug is used to send and recieve a mono signal symultaniously. www.thomann.de/de/cordial_cfy_09_vpp.htm?gclid=CjwKCAiAlrSPBhBaEiwAuLSDUF63BPAqm2U1LN9-0u6skEiA3Gd8p-iXuE9-W2sI4hmmwJfDq3AYUBoCDHgQAvD_BwE
I absolutely love your videos. So inspiring. This one was a little fast paced for me though! I'm not a novice, but I found this a little difficult to keep up with, and understand why you'd done certain things. The purpose of the light pink cables still are confusing me! Otherwise, I really appreciate your content. Thanks.
Glad to hear you like my videos! Finding the right tone and speed that suits everyone is hard, so many different people with different knowledge. But appreciate the feedback. I aim for beginner/intermediate users, and have to say recording myself is still awkward to me. I notice I rush through a bit some times. Always room to improve! The light pink represent the 'returned' audio, in a send-return setup. Audio comes from the modular to a channel on the Mackie Mixer. I use the Insert of that channel to route that audio to my interface so I can multitrack. But an Insert 'interrupts' the audio to the mixer. It's meant to send the audio through a device, like an outboard effect. So the interface I use needs to send the audio back to the mixer so I can use it in a mix and listen to it :)
Thanks for the look at your studio set up! A suggestion... if you went with something like the mio10 XL, you could route all MIDI through the one device, and make everything just another node on the network (including your computer!). This way your DAW doesn't have to do any MIDI routing, which frees you of both latency and complexity. In this config you can work dawless, in the box, hybrid, or whatever without any reconfiguring, all the time.
Hey, thanks for the idea! Indeed it would function as a clock etc, something I could look at! I think I would still do the MIDI routing via the laptop a lot, as the daw is also used for sequencing. But interesting indeed!
@@MonotrailTechTalk One of the up sides to this config is that you wouldn't need to do that routing in the daw anymore. Of course there are many ways to set it up, but the way I have it is to use one midi port and matching midi channel, so port 3 is channel 3, port 4 is channel 4, etc. As you know, most gear doesn't have any concept of "port", so from something like a midi controller you can just change the send channel, and it hits whatever device is using that port/channel. This means I can literally send to ANY device in my studio from any other one, just with the turn of a knob. Very fast. So then the magic happens... I do things such as, use the MPC Live, Keystep Pro or TR8s as the master clock. Everything follows, including the computer (ableton live/bitwig in my case). Work daw-less as long as I want. Then when I want to track it all into the computer, set that master device to follow, and switch the DAW to master. Press play, everything works exactly as before, but now you can route audio into your daw and record it. No reconfiguration. So easy to just walk up and jam instantly without a computer, or work from the box while recording hardware. (I have my audio routing set up basically the same way through an RME UFX+) When sending MIDI out from your DAW, you do need to choose both a port and a channel, and thats where some smart configuration comes in when setting up the device, but it's not a big deal. Modulars sync up as long as you have a device to translate midi to cv (but you already know that stuff super well!) If you have any questions about it I'd be happy to answer in any detail. I appreciate all the fantastic and detailed stuff you have shared, especially some modular stuff. I've learned a lot, and thanks!
Nice video! Instead of sending directly from the modular to the mackie 1202 I pass the signals via a palmer passive DI box, this removes DC offset and has a 20db pad, so I do not need to attenuate as much.
Thanks for sharing! Would you recommend using a passive DI box between the DC coupled outputs of an audio interface and the inputs of studio monitors? I read somewhere that DC coupled outputs might damage monitors, but I don't have more info on that.
Hi there, thanks! let me know what you mean with "recording process" (concept / daw / practical etc. Latency is no problem for me, never was, and don't really get it :) Maybe it's because I don't run much on the laptop, like heavy VST's like effects etc. But All audio is going to the MOTO, that is passed on to the speakers directly, without going through the laptop first. So there is no latency when listening to, sequencing, or jamming with hardware.
@@MonotrailTechTalk I’d like to know what is your aproach with Ableton live. What is your process when you’re jammin ? When your’re making a track, is your approach different ? I’ve got a similar setup and trying to find the most effective way to record my ideas. I’m struggling with Live latency, especially when recording the TR8s. I’ d like to make loops on the fly when jammin and afterwards take the time to edit all of this in the daw. I’m using beatstep pro who’s receiving master clock from live transmiting it to the TR8s and to the keystep pro who’s controlling my synths and the modular. Thanks 👍
Ha, that's to much to type in a comment! I actually already have some thoughts written about this, and will make some videos about it in the future. Very short version: I jam a lot, just make music, explore gear, record ideas etc. Mostlty use Ableton to store sequences and progressions etc. Sometimes some jams are worth exploring or expanding on, then I go into multi tracking mode. As for latency, when it's caused by MIDI, when you run all gear from Ableton, make sure to check the preferences-MIDI tab. There is the possibility to create a timing "offset" for each device you sync to the clock. If there is audio latency, make sure to monitor directly. So for example use a mixer to mix the tr8s and synths, listen to the mixer out, and not what the laptop is recording, that might be delayed. If your pc is crucial, for example your using the tr8s with synths in the DAW, I believe the audio interface, and it's power is mostly responsible for latency. But like I said in the first post, I'm not to sure about this :)
Great video and excellent explanation about the setup! I am about to buy a new mixer. Wondering how the Mackie Onyx 16 is transfering the multiple tracks to the DAW. There seems a lot of confusion about it in the videos on RUclips. Do all the seperate tracks go into the DAW unmodified or is it a mixed down version? Hope you can shed some light on this. Love your music and these videos a lot!
Hello, hope I get the question right. All channels can go into a DAW seperately. So for example, you can set track 1 in your DAW to record channel 1, track 2 in a DAW to record stereo pair 5/6 etc, up to 14 channels (on the onyx 12). That means all 12 inputs (not inputs 13/14 - which kind of are effects return), as well as the stereo mix out. The stereo mix out record exactly that, the stereo mix, eq and fader settings per channel included. The other outputs (1 to 12 on the onyx 12), are direct outputs, so pre fader, and pre eq. So fader and eq settings don't effect the recording at all. This is annoying maybe if you want to record a liveset and just render it out, but of course that's what the mix outputs are for. The direct outputs are good for multi-tracking and making decisions later. That way can eq afterwards in piece, or even have a track fade in earlier then when you recorded it :) Let me know if that helps.
@@MonotrailTechTalk That was of great help and exactly the answer I was looking for. Thank you! When you record on the SD card/USB will it save all the individual channels and/or just the stereo mix with the effects and eq included? I am having a hardware synths and samplers set up and want to be able to jam and turn it later into a final mix. So I was eyeballing for this mixer or a Zoom Livetrak L-20. I own a Mackie Mix 8 which is excellent for its job. Thank you for your prompt answer!
You make great helpful videos. Sometimes I pick up theses little epiphanies… Did I hear you say “use the Beatstep Pro as a MIDI to CV converter..?” And suddenly I’m re-thinking my setup!
maybe it's a stupid question... but I would like to understand how you make motu and Mackie Onyx(or other USB interface mixer) record multi track together in the same time on your DAW? In DAW I guess you only can set one of your Audio interface right? could you explain this further? thank you for sharing!
Not a stupid question at all, that's not possible indeed. I mostly use the sides as two projects independently, but if I want, I can use two different programs, each with another drivers to record both sides. Then just import the recorded stems into the DAW I like for editing.
I am about to start recording my modular. I have a mackie mixer as well and wondered if you exerience any added sound from the mixer? My mackie is all analog and has a lot of headroom. The mixer is also around 7 years old. When I plug my eurorack into my arturia studiofuse interface, I dont have that extra sound experience. Aside from my specific mixer, wondered if this extra sound/noise is common when using eurorack into any mixer? Best way I can describe noise is like a hum, like what you can hear when plugging an electric guitar into an amp. Last, when you record on the computer, do you find the volume levels set on the mixer match the levels of what was recorded? I have not recorded yet, so I just wanted to hear your experience with levels. Thanks!
Hello! In general, no, a mixer should't add any noticeable sound to your sound :) Of course old or cheap mixers might, but the most likely sound would be noise or crackles. Humming as you describe could be a grounding issue. Check if you use a grounded socket for the mixer. Also in my studio I found that any USB powered devices powered from laptop or modular instead of a wall socket cause grounding hum. Maybe it's a fault in the mixer, hard to tell from here of course! And for volume. If you record the main or sub outputs of the Mackie, or any mixer, the levels should set the volume for each channel, creating a mix. But if you have a digital mixer with direct outs, or you record the inserts of an analog mixer like I do, that sound is pre EQ and fader. So than it's recording the sound going into the channel, and the volume fader doesn't change that. So as I mention, make sure to attenuate the signal on the modular, before going in to the mixer!
@@MonotrailTechTalk Appreciate the reply and potential issues. I will investigate the outlet use for a couple things. I know at least one thing direct to an outlet. I use power conditioners for most things. Also I plan on introducing a few things at a time and check the hum / buzz. Its not loud but I can def hear it. Going to check outlets first and then a bunch of trials. I am inclined to take the mixer out of the signal path and just go from my eurorack to a device like the Analog Heat or OTO BOUM then into an audio interface for recording. That way, when playing live, the setup will be the same. I dont want to have a mixer eq setting at home and then have to make changes to whatever space I play.
Hi! How do you keep your modular in time sending the clock through your beatstep pro? Do you send directly midi data that are converted to CV by the beatstep, or do you just use clock sync from ableton and then use the beatstep sequencer? I tried this second solution too, but looks like the beatstep is quite delayed! Is it just my opinion? Thanks a lot, your videos are very clear and inspiring!!
Hi there! Indeed you can adjust the delay for midi devices in Ableton. But you can also create a piano-roll sequence in Ableton and control the drum trigger outputs that way. A C note is the first trigger (forgot which one) c# the second and so on. So I always dedicate one drum trigger out to sync the modular via the BSP. It's a lot tighter than using the midi clock.
Hello, thanks a lot for all these infos, it helps me a lot in my studio setup. I'm thinking of taking the Mackie mixer for my modular but i do have a question, all my effects are in my modular, is it possible to do to send and return normally, or do I need something else ?
That's good to hear! Which Mackie? Edit: Actually doesn't matter. Both have aux send outputs. The vlz also has two dedicated stereo returns. The Onyx doesn't have any returns, so you would need to send the effects back into one of the regular channels. With both mixers though, send and return with modules is very easy. The only thing to note is that some modular effects are really designed for 'hot' modular level signals, others work fine with line level signals, which would come from the mixer. So check with the manufacturer of the fx you like to use like this to be sure.
Glad to help. It's really a fun setup though. I'am also thinking of expanding the modular effects in send return style. So far I'm using a Mutable Clouds, as well as a Doepfer spring reverb this way, both work great as fx send :)
Yes, for the money, but mostly because I see that as a secondary feature set, next to being a great live performance tool. I don't have trouble with cv convertion when sequencing though, but the clock is slighty edgy when the moon is off.
Hello, nice and interesting video. I would like to know in more detail what you did as a software configuration to connect 2 audio interfaces to your laptop and have both used to record in your ableton.
Hello! And im sorry, that confused more people and I should have explained it properly, ill make a pinnend comment. As far as I know windows and most software can only work with one ASIO driver at the same time, so the simple solution is to use two DAWs, or a daw and any kind of recording sofware (could be simple, could be free). I use Ableton with the MOTU, so to mutitrack the modular side, as well as send midi via the MOTO. Then I simultaniously run Adobe Audition, to multitrack the Onyx. For edditing I have to dragg the tracks recorded with one, into the other programm, and then good to go!
@@MonotrailTechTalk OK ! thx for the quick response. I'm not at that stage for the moment because I'm still in the process of building my racks and buying my gear but I'm looking forward to setup a MOTU 896mk3 with an Expert Sleepers ES-9 and mixe both with the ASIO4all tool. This tool is able to combine multiple audio interface and show only one to the daw with all the INs and OUTs combined (going to test this solution but haven't yet so can't confirm it's working just fine). Not perfect but maybe more practical and once setup more convenient then the double record software solution
hello. right now im dealing with this problem, couse i realized i cannot plugin my modular resonators straight to my interface. but i want to record multitrack...thats important to me. can you explain further how it works with this muting so you can sent it to ALT ? when its muted, than its hard to record the session when you dont heat anything? also i dont get it with this insert channels - they work like separately outputs thanks to this ALT? heh, im just starting with modular...didnt expect to buy multi output modules to record indiviudaly. im more willing to buy an analog mix. thx.
Hello there! If you want to multitrack the most important thing is an interface with multiple inputs that can multitrack of course. If you have a good one they often come with software to mix, and create routings. Then, as I mention in the video, you don't need multiple output modules, just use an attenuator or VCA to lower the volume of your sound. Then you can go directly to your interface, and slowly open the sound on your modular to see what levels are good for recording. No mixer needed. But in case you like to know: On the Mackie I use, if you mute a track that signal is sent to a second pair of outputs cald ALT. These are also send to my interface (Ihave a MOTU with 8 inputs), so I can hear both the main, as well as the alt outputs. On top of that the 4 inserts are send to the remaining 4 inputs on the interface, so I can hear and record those as well.
Doepfer A-139-2 does the job just fine. Moreover, if you have a mono signal (which is very likely to happen, in a Eurorack system) just plug it into input 1 (left): it's normalled to input 2 (right). One notable thing: keep the output level DOWN TO ZERO before turning your modular on, or you'll (50% probability) blow the PSU fuse (if you're using a Doepfer A-100 "Low Cost", they call it cheap! case). This is not your case, since you use an external mixer. But for who, like me, try to keep as much as possible confined in a single rack, ... It's a lifesaver!
1:18 Every decent interface should be able to handle Eurorack audio. Dozens of manufacturers offer Eurorack to Line level interfaces. Absurd. I like to pick and choose where my noise comes from. That Mackie mixer can be n o I s y !
Hi! Geiles Video. Mein beatstep pro ist heute angekommen und bin sehr gespannt um den mit meine Modulen zu verbinden. Danke für die Tipps, falls du irgendwann Bock zu Jammen hast, würde mich freuen. Ich lerne sehr oft was neues von dir (: Mach weiter so tolle Sachen! Mfg
Hello thank you for this great content. i have a question. is it possible to use a modular synth as an effect processor with logic pro on iPad as a sound source ?
Thanks! In general I'd say the answer is always yes. But depends on what you want to do exactly. There are modular midi/audio interface for example. But don't know what the output possibilities of the I pad are.
I used to play with jhs color box (overdrive pedal) : i use a sound card to be able to connect the iPad to the pedal. But now i want to use iPad as a sequencer and the modular system as an effect processor ( reverb , delay , LFO , modulations … ). I m new to this modular world so i want to get the maximum of information about how i can use the modular system as an « effect pedal board » , which module for midi to cv input and which for output ( if i need a module as an output (bc i saw in intellejel cases there are outputs build in the case , if I’m not mistaking ) thank you for your help 🤍
Yes, any good mixer wil be fine! Just make sure to use a VCA or attenuator when sending signals to a mixer, start with the knobs down, and go up from there to see what levels are right.
Very much! But I'll be honest, I only got it recently, when setting up the entire rack side of the studio. So now im super excited about the new workflow it offers. You can ask me again in a few months if I have remarks on recording, and or using it for a while :) But, yeah, it seems like great choice for the money, which is why I got it!
If i have a record player that i also want to go to my speakers separately from my synth>audio interface should i get a mixer? How would i go about wiring it? The modular and record player into the mixer and than the mixer into the audio interface? Will doing this possibly reduce the hifi/vintage sound of the record player? any tips help thank you
Hi there! Sometimes interfaces have multiple inputs, so check the manual on your interface. If it only has two inputs the rest of your story is completely right. You can send different sources to a mixer, then the mix to the interface. Advantage here is that you can record the record player. If it's for home use I wouldn't worry about quality loss. Other option could be something like the Mackie Big Knob, which allows you to switch between two sets of stereo inputs.
i dont like using outboard mixers with eurorack as they colour the sound (with the mixers EQ maybe this isnt the case on expensive mixers) mixers cant seem take feedback loop levels from modular even if you attenuate the levels still doesnt sound the same. i'm using an es-9 for 14 inputs for mulitracking modular directly.
So necessary this video, thank you so much!!! 😄💯 I was strugling how to deal with the latency in a setup like that, maybe It would be nice other video about how to avoid this issue, love your visual job with the explanations
Glad to hear you liked it! More people asked about latency, so I am curious in what situations they experience it? I have no trouble with it ever, but that's moslty I guess because I dont use the laptop for effects or synts or other vsts etc. In my setup all hardware gear is hooked up to the monitors directly via the mixers, without passing through the laptop, there is no latency there.
Perfect timing. I just got a stand alone mixer. Your setup confirmed my thought process for how I plan to write it up. Appreciate the video man, thanks
Glad it was helpful! Enjoy the mixer! :)
Wooow, I have the same Mackie mixer, but have been looking at modular interfaces for multitracking. It never occurred to me to use the inserts send on the Mackie to be able to multitrack with what I have. That’s excellent! Definitely going to wire this up today like this. Very, very helpful. You just saved me, like, $700.
Hey, thanks, happy that worked out :)
“This isn’t how you have to do it.” Actually yes it is. Your recording setup approach is as close to perfect as I’ve seen online anywhere
Thanks, thats nice to hear! But still, I always like to see old studio tour/interviews of artists after making their first hits, in compact, improvised or messy studios. You can do great music with a lot less, or the focus on other things, or, well, anything you like I guess :)
Thanks for this. So cool our recording setups are super similar. I like having a multi-track setup and stereo mix always at the ready as well so I can record separate dry and wet tracks or just a jam! Great advice. I have two 12-channel Soundcrafts: 12 for modular and 12 for synths/drum machines/mics. Both mixers have various effects on the sends/returns and set up so I can swap them around easily without a patchbay (patchbays are just such a PIA to set up...just not worth it). Both mixers go to an Arturia Audiofuse 8Pre audio interface (I'm on PC so the Apollo stuff was not an option). I did consider the MOTU but ended up with the AudioFuse which has been performing flawlessly having big shoes to fill replacing a Focusrite 18i20 that lasted almost 10 years! On the MIDI and clocking side, Beatstep Pro was my heart for 2 years but I just recently swtiched to Ground Control (42HP) just to step up the sequencing capabilities a tad and make some desk space. Been working nicely but I already miss Beatstep a bit hehe. It sync'd my entire system perfectly.
Hey, that's nice to hear, sounds like a great setup, thanks for sharing! It's so important to have a nice worksflow for productivity :) Also Ground Control is great. Indeed love the BSP, mostly for writing and performing live, so I'm happy it doubles as a midi>cv at the moment, but there's room for improvement, always, haha. Enjoy your studio! :)
This was very useful. I really thought I needed to invest in output modules but I already have a 12 channel Mackie mixer. You saved me some money here :) Thanks ^^
Glad it was helpful! Cheers!
Thinking to pre-order this: Boredbrain Music's Optx V2 ADAT Converter. Seems like a really nice connectivity option!
Very interesting and complete. I also like to mix my Eurorack signals directly in my mixer. I chose the 1010 Blue Box because it can handle up to 12 mono (6 stereo) hot Eurorack signals and it's small & portable. When I'm mixing into something like a Octatrack or Circuit Tracks, I attenuate with VCAs and a Eurorack output module. I also have to make sure my power is clean or I may use a passive DI box to clean up my signal. Great video!
Sounds great! Interesting to hear the Blue Box can take the hot signals, lovely device. Thanks for sharing!
Great channel. Keep up the good work. Cheers!
Thank you! And I wll, cheers!
Great stuff as always. You've helped me a lot since my modular journey began. Great tips on the routing. I have a Mackie I also use but am limited to 2 inputs on my interface which I'd like to upgrade so I have more ins
Hey, that's lovely to hear, happy to help! I did 5 years of weekly youtube Jams just recording the stereo mix, lot's of fun to be had without multitracking :)
My setup is more simple, but still pretty flexible. I have an Arturia AudioFuse Studio. That gives me 8 inputs for synths, drum machine voices and modular gear, which can all be tracked individually in the DAW. It's loaded with nice features like two INSERTS for outboard effects, two pairs of speaker outs, the ability to create submixes Cue1 and Cue2, and map the main or submix to either of the two headphone outs. It's also DC-coupled for modular control, and has USB Loopback for recording sampling from RUclips or streaming audio. Overall a very solid and flexible option.
Nice, enjoy the setup!
Great explanation of your setup.
Thanks for watching, cheers!
.sehr gut, klar und verständlich !!! und sehr hilfreich.
Glad you liked it. Alles Gute!
Great tips as usual man. Thanks.
Glad you like them! all the bests:)
Nice video man, thank you so much.
Glad you liked it! Cheers!
Thanks for the very detailed walkthrough - lots of gems here! Keep coming back to your channel for all the great content. Could you explain a little more which cables you use for the 4 inserts going to/from the interface to multi track these channels? This sounds awesome. Cheers!
Glad you liked it! I use standard Insert cables. They have a stereo plug (tip ring sleeve) on one end, and two independent mono plugs on the other. In an insert situation the stereo cable plug is used to send and recieve a mono signal symultaniously.
www.thomann.de/de/cordial_cfy_09_vpp.htm?gclid=CjwKCAiAlrSPBhBaEiwAuLSDUF63BPAqm2U1LN9-0u6skEiA3Gd8p-iXuE9-W2sI4hmmwJfDq3AYUBoCDHgQAvD_BwE
@@MonotrailTechTalk Awesome thanks!
Those pdfs are sooooooooooooo helpful!!
Glad you like them! And thanks for your support! :)
Very interesting. Thank you!
Wow, definitely going to steal some of these ideas...
That's not stealing, that's what this is for! Glad you get some value out of it :)
I absolutely love your videos. So inspiring. This one was a little fast paced for me though! I'm not a novice, but I found this a little difficult to keep up with, and understand why you'd done certain things. The purpose of the light pink cables still are confusing me! Otherwise, I really appreciate your content. Thanks.
Glad to hear you like my videos! Finding the right tone and speed that suits everyone is hard, so many different people with different knowledge. But appreciate the feedback. I aim for beginner/intermediate users, and have to say recording myself is still awkward to me. I notice I rush through a bit some times. Always room to improve!
The light pink represent the 'returned' audio, in a send-return setup.
Audio comes from the modular to a channel on the Mackie Mixer. I use the Insert of that channel to route that audio to my interface so I can multitrack. But an Insert 'interrupts' the audio to the mixer. It's meant to send the audio through a device, like an outboard effect. So the interface I use needs to send the audio back to the mixer so I can use it in a mix and listen to it :)
Loving your videos.
Glad to hear it, thanks for watching!
Appreciate the info, thanks for your efforts!
Happy to share it, cheers!
Thanks so much for this!
You're very welcome, hope brought you something! :)
Of course! All your videos are of quality information!@@MonotrailTechTalk
Thanks for the look at your studio set up! A suggestion... if you went with something like the mio10 XL, you could route all MIDI through the one device, and make everything just another node on the network (including your computer!). This way your DAW doesn't have to do any MIDI routing, which frees you of both latency and complexity. In this config you can work dawless, in the box, hybrid, or whatever without any reconfiguring, all the time.
Hey, thanks for the idea! Indeed it would function as a clock etc, something I could look at! I think I would still do the MIDI routing via the laptop a lot, as the daw is also used for sequencing. But interesting indeed!
@@MonotrailTechTalk One of the up sides to this config is that you wouldn't need to do that routing in the daw anymore. Of course there are many ways to set it up, but the way I have it is to use one midi port and matching midi channel, so port 3 is channel 3, port 4 is channel 4, etc. As you know, most gear doesn't have any concept of "port", so from something like a midi controller you can just change the send channel, and it hits whatever device is using that port/channel. This means I can literally send to ANY device in my studio from any other one, just with the turn of a knob. Very fast.
So then the magic happens... I do things such as, use the MPC Live, Keystep Pro or TR8s as the master clock. Everything follows, including the computer (ableton live/bitwig in my case). Work daw-less as long as I want. Then when I want to track it all into the computer, set that master device to follow, and switch the DAW to master. Press play, everything works exactly as before, but now you can route audio into your daw and record it. No reconfiguration. So easy to just walk up and jam instantly without a computer, or work from the box while recording hardware. (I have my audio routing set up basically the same way through an RME UFX+)
When sending MIDI out from your DAW, you do need to choose both a port and a channel, and thats where some smart configuration comes in when setting up the device, but it's not a big deal. Modulars sync up as long as you have a device to translate midi to cv (but you already know that stuff super well!)
If you have any questions about it I'd be happy to answer in any detail. I appreciate all the fantastic and detailed stuff you have shared, especially some modular stuff. I've learned a lot, and thanks!
Hey, thanks for the detailed workflow! It's interesting for sure! Glad to hear you're enjoying the setup, I'll let you know if I have questions :)
Great tips !
Glad it was helpful!
Great info thx!
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks for this video, amazing
Glad you liked it, cheers!
Very cool, thanks.
Glad you liked it!
Nice video!
Instead of sending directly from the modular to the mackie 1202 I pass the signals via a palmer passive DI box, this removes DC offset and has a 20db pad, so I do not need to attenuate as much.
Hey, that's a great idea, thanks for sharing! Both the offset removal, and 20db reduction will remove any unwanted or unexpected signals :)
Thanks for sharing! Would you recommend using a passive DI box between the DC coupled outputs of an audio interface and the inputs of studio monitors? I read somewhere that DC coupled outputs might damage monitors, but I don't have more info on that.
Do you use one box per channel? Sounds kind of expensive if you want to have individual modular channels go to the mixer.
Thanks for the video
You're welcome, cheers!
Great video. Can you explain your recording process and how you deal with latency ? Thank you
Hi there, thanks! let me know what you mean with "recording process" (concept / daw / practical etc.
Latency is no problem for me, never was, and don't really get it :) Maybe it's because I don't run much on the laptop, like heavy VST's like effects etc. But All audio is going to the MOTO, that is passed on to the speakers directly, without going through the laptop first. So there is no latency when listening to, sequencing, or jamming with hardware.
@@MonotrailTechTalk I’d like to know what is your aproach with Ableton live. What is your process when you’re jammin ? When your’re making a track, is your approach different ?
I’ve got a similar setup and trying to find the most effective way to record my ideas. I’m struggling with Live latency, especially when recording the TR8s. I’ d like to make loops on the fly when jammin and afterwards take the time to edit all of this in the daw. I’m using beatstep pro who’s receiving master clock from live transmiting it to the TR8s and to the keystep pro who’s controlling my synths and the modular. Thanks 👍
Ha, that's to much to type in a comment! I actually already have some thoughts written about this, and will make some videos about it in the future.
Very short version: I jam a lot, just make music, explore gear, record ideas etc. Mostlty use Ableton to store sequences and progressions etc. Sometimes some jams are worth exploring or expanding on, then I go into multi tracking mode.
As for latency, when it's caused by MIDI, when you run all gear from Ableton, make sure to check the preferences-MIDI tab. There is the possibility to create a timing "offset" for each device you sync to the clock.
If there is audio latency, make sure to monitor directly. So for example use a mixer to mix the tr8s and synths, listen to the mixer out, and not what the laptop is recording, that might be delayed.
If your pc is crucial, for example your using the tr8s with synths in the DAW, I believe the audio interface, and it's power is mostly responsible for latency. But like I said in the first post, I'm not to sure about this :)
@@MonotrailTechTalk thank you for your answer 👍 Looking forward the futur videos
LOL. At 9:21 I first heard: "Keep an eye out on this TikTok channel." and I was like: Whuuut?!
Haha, nope. not gonna make it over there XD
Really surprised you've not upgraded from that Beatstep Pro to an Oxi One yet ;) Is Arturia sponsoring you? 😉
No-one is sponsoring me! That's why I didn't upgrade, it's expensive stuff ;)
Thank You
You're welcome! :)
Great video and excellent explanation about the setup!
I am about to buy a new mixer. Wondering how the Mackie Onyx 16 is transfering the multiple tracks to the DAW. There seems a lot of confusion about it in the videos on RUclips. Do all the seperate tracks go into the DAW unmodified or is it a mixed down version? Hope you can shed some light on this.
Love your music and these videos a lot!
Hello, hope I get the question right. All channels can go into a DAW seperately. So for example, you can set track 1 in your DAW to record channel 1, track 2 in a DAW to record stereo pair 5/6 etc, up to 14 channels (on the onyx 12). That means all 12 inputs (not inputs 13/14 - which kind of are effects return), as well as the stereo mix out.
The stereo mix out record exactly that, the stereo mix, eq and fader settings per channel included. The other outputs (1 to 12 on the onyx 12), are direct outputs, so pre fader, and pre eq. So fader and eq settings don't effect the recording at all.
This is annoying maybe if you want to record a liveset and just render it out, but of course that's what the mix outputs are for. The direct outputs are good for multi-tracking and making decisions later. That way can eq afterwards in piece, or even have a track fade in earlier then when you recorded it :)
Let me know if that helps.
@@MonotrailTechTalk That was of great help and exactly the answer I was looking for. Thank you!
When you record on the SD card/USB will it save all the individual channels and/or just the stereo mix with the effects and eq included?
I am having a hardware synths and samplers set up and want to be able to jam and turn it later into a final mix. So I was eyeballing for this mixer or a Zoom Livetrak L-20. I own a Mackie Mix 8 which is excellent for its job.
Thank you for your prompt answer!
Ah yeah, good one. Onyx series can only record the stereo mix to SD card. So for multitracking you need a laptop/DAW setup.
@@MonotrailTechTalk check! Thanks again for your concise and prompt reply.
Great video! What program do you use to make these amazing flowchart diagrams?
Thanks! Ther'e custom graphics/animations made with Adobe Illustrator and Animate.
@@MonotrailTechTalk alright! Thanks!
You make great helpful videos. Sometimes I pick up theses little epiphanies… Did I hear you say “use the Beatstep Pro as a MIDI to CV converter..?” And suddenly I’m re-thinking my setup!
Hey, thanks for letting me know, that's lovely to hear! Enjoy the experiments, cheers :)
maybe it's a stupid question... but I would like to understand how you make motu and Mackie Onyx(or other USB interface mixer) record multi track together in the same time on your DAW? In DAW I guess you only can set one of your Audio interface right? could you explain this further? thank you for sharing!
Not a stupid question at all, that's not possible indeed. I mostly use the sides as two projects independently, but if I want, I can use two different programs, each with another drivers to record both sides. Then just import the recorded stems into the DAW I like for editing.
I am about to start recording my modular. I have a mackie mixer as well and wondered if you exerience any added sound from the mixer? My mackie is all analog and has a lot of headroom. The mixer is also around 7 years old. When I plug my eurorack into my arturia studiofuse interface, I dont have that extra sound experience. Aside from my specific mixer, wondered if this extra sound/noise is common when using eurorack into any mixer? Best way I can describe noise is like a hum, like what you can hear when plugging an electric guitar into an amp. Last, when you record on the computer, do you find the volume levels set on the mixer match the levels of what was recorded? I have not recorded yet, so I just wanted to hear your experience with levels. Thanks!
Hello! In general, no, a mixer should't add any noticeable sound to your sound :) Of course old or cheap mixers might, but the most likely sound would be noise or crackles. Humming as you describe could be a grounding issue. Check if you use a grounded socket for the mixer. Also in my studio I found that any USB powered devices powered from laptop or modular instead of a wall socket cause grounding hum. Maybe it's a fault in the mixer, hard to tell from here of course!
And for volume. If you record the main or sub outputs of the Mackie, or any mixer, the levels should set the volume for each channel, creating a mix. But if you have a digital mixer with direct outs, or you record the inserts of an analog mixer like I do, that sound is pre EQ and fader. So than it's recording the sound going into the channel, and the volume fader doesn't change that. So as I mention, make sure to attenuate the signal on the modular, before going in to the mixer!
@@MonotrailTechTalk Appreciate the reply and potential issues. I will investigate the outlet use for a couple things. I know at least one thing direct to an outlet. I use power conditioners for most things. Also I plan on introducing a few things at a time and check the hum / buzz. Its not loud but I can def hear it. Going to check outlets first and then a bunch of trials. I am inclined to take the mixer out of the signal path and just go from my eurorack to a device like the Analog Heat or OTO BOUM then into an audio interface for recording. That way, when playing live, the setup will be the same. I dont want to have a mixer eq setting at home and then have to make changes to whatever space I play.
Hi! How do you keep your modular in time sending the clock through your beatstep pro? Do you send directly midi data that are converted to CV by the beatstep, or do you just use clock sync from ableton and then use the beatstep sequencer? I tried this second solution too, but looks like the beatstep is quite delayed! Is it just my opinion? Thanks a lot, your videos are very clear and inspiring!!
Hi there! Indeed you can adjust the delay for midi devices in Ableton. But you can also create a piano-roll sequence in Ableton and control the drum trigger outputs that way. A C note is the first trigger (forgot which one) c# the second and so on. So I always dedicate one drum trigger out to sync the modular via the BSP. It's a lot tighter than using the midi clock.
Cool! Thanks a lot!
Hello, thanks a lot for all these infos, it helps me a lot in my studio setup. I'm thinking of taking the Mackie mixer for my modular but i do have a question, all my effects are in my modular, is it possible to do to send and return normally, or do I need something else ?
That's good to hear! Which Mackie?
Edit: Actually doesn't matter. Both have aux send outputs. The vlz also has two dedicated stereo returns. The Onyx doesn't have any returns, so you would need to send the effects back into one of the regular channels. With both mixers though, send and return with modules is very easy. The only thing to note is that some modular effects are really designed for 'hot' modular level signals, others work fine with line level signals, which would come from the mixer. So check with the manufacturer of the fx you like to use like this to be sure.
@@MonotrailTechTalk Yeah right, I was talking about the VLZ but okay, perfect then. Thanks again for the response, cheers :)
Glad to help. It's really a fun setup though. I'am also thinking of expanding the modular effects in send return style. So far I'm using a Mutable Clouds, as well as a Doepfer spring reverb this way, both work great as fx send :)
Are you happy with the BeatStep Pro as a Midi to CV converter? I find it often not so precise in outputting CV.
Yes, for the money, but mostly because I see that as a secondary feature set, next to being a great live performance tool. I don't have trouble with cv convertion when sequencing though, but the clock is slighty edgy when the moon is off.
@@MonotrailTechTalk I will not get rid of my BeatStep Pro as a sequencer or playing my voices live.
Hello, nice and interesting video.
I would like to know in more detail what you did as a software configuration to connect 2 audio interfaces to your laptop and have both used to record in your ableton.
Hello! And im sorry, that confused more people and I should have explained it properly, ill make a pinnend comment. As far as I know windows and most software can only work with one ASIO driver at the same time, so the simple solution is to use two DAWs, or a daw and any kind of recording sofware (could be simple, could be free). I use Ableton with the MOTU, so to mutitrack the modular side, as well as send midi via the MOTO. Then I simultaniously run Adobe Audition, to multitrack the Onyx. For edditing I have to dragg the tracks recorded with one, into the other programm, and then good to go!
@@MonotrailTechTalk OK ! thx for the quick response.
I'm not at that stage for the moment because I'm still in the process of building my racks and buying my gear but I'm looking forward to setup a MOTU 896mk3 with an Expert Sleepers ES-9 and mixe both with the ASIO4all tool. This tool is able to combine multiple audio interface and show only one to the daw with all the INs and OUTs combined (going to test this solution but haven't yet so can't confirm it's working just fine). Not perfect but maybe more practical and once setup more convenient then the double record software solution
hello. right now im dealing with this problem, couse i realized i cannot plugin my modular resonators straight to my interface. but i want to record multitrack...thats important to me. can you explain further how it works with this muting so you can sent it to ALT ? when its muted, than its hard to record the session when you dont heat anything? also i dont get it with this insert channels - they work like separately outputs thanks to this ALT? heh, im just starting with modular...didnt expect to buy multi output modules to record indiviudaly. im more willing to buy an analog mix. thx.
Hello there! If you want to multitrack the most important thing is an interface with multiple inputs that can multitrack of course. If you have a good one they often come with software to mix, and create routings. Then, as I mention in the video, you don't need multiple output modules, just use an attenuator or VCA to lower the volume of your sound. Then you can go directly to your interface, and slowly open the sound on your modular to see what levels are good for recording. No mixer needed.
But in case you like to know: On the Mackie I use, if you mute a track that signal is sent to a second pair of outputs cald ALT. These are also send to my interface (Ihave a MOTU with 8 inputs), so I can hear both the main, as well as the alt outputs. On top of that the 4 inserts are send to the remaining 4 inputs on the interface, so I can hear and record those as well.
Doepfer A-139-2 does the job just fine.
Moreover, if you have a mono signal (which is very likely to happen, in a Eurorack system) just plug it into input 1 (left): it's normalled to input 2 (right).
One notable thing: keep the output level DOWN TO ZERO before turning your modular on, or you'll (50% probability) blow the PSU fuse (if you're using a Doepfer A-100 "Low Cost", they call it cheap! case).
This is not your case, since you use an external mixer.
But for who, like me, try to keep as much as possible confined in a single rack, ... It's a lifesaver!
1:18 Every decent interface should be able to handle Eurorack audio. Dozens of manufacturers offer Eurorack to Line level interfaces. Absurd. I like to pick and choose where my noise comes from. That Mackie mixer can be n o I s y !
Hi! Geiles Video. Mein beatstep pro ist heute angekommen und bin sehr gespannt um den mit meine Modulen zu verbinden. Danke für die Tipps, falls du irgendwann Bock zu Jammen hast, würde mich freuen. Ich lerne sehr oft was neues von dir (: Mach weiter so tolle Sachen! Mfg
Hey, glad to hear it! I'm sure you will enjoy the Beatstep Pro, lot's of power! Alles Gute :)
Hello thank you for this great content. i have a question. is it possible to use a modular synth as an effect processor with logic pro on iPad as a sound source ?
Thanks! In general I'd say the answer is always yes. But depends on what you want to do exactly. There are modular midi/audio interface for example. But don't know what the output possibilities of the I pad are.
I used to play with jhs color box (overdrive pedal) : i use a sound card to be able to connect the iPad to the pedal. But now i want to use iPad as a sequencer and the modular system as an effect processor ( reverb , delay , LFO , modulations … ). I m new to this modular world so i want to get the maximum of information about how i can use the modular system as an « effect pedal board » , which module for midi to cv input and which for output ( if i need a module as an output (bc i saw in intellejel cases there are outputs build in the case , if I’m not mistaking ) thank you for your help 🤍
Would one of the Mackie ProFXv3 series work well with eurorack?
Yes, any good mixer wil be fine! Just make sure to use a VCA or attenuator when sending signals to a mixer, start with the knobs down, and go up from there to see what levels are right.
@@MonotrailTechTalk Thanks for the reply. Love all you work. You've helped me so many times through my modular journey
If recording direct from modular to a multitrack recorder, is their any point to having a eurorack panning module?
If it's a multitrack recorder you might be able to record left & right channel separate for a stereo recording.
How do you like the Onyx12? I'm in the market for a new mixer for my modular and really like the multi tracking capabilities without an interface.
Very much! But I'll be honest, I only got it recently, when setting up the entire rack side of the studio. So now im super excited about the new workflow it offers. You can ask me again in a few months if I have remarks on recording, and or using it for a while :) But, yeah, it seems like great choice for the money, which is why I got it!
@@MonotrailTechTalk Checking back in on your multitrack progress. Any changes?
If i have a record player that i also want to go to my speakers separately from my synth>audio interface should i get a mixer? How would i go about wiring it? The modular and record player into the mixer and than the mixer into the audio interface? Will doing this possibly reduce the hifi/vintage sound of the record player? any tips help thank you
Hi there! Sometimes interfaces have multiple inputs, so check the manual on your interface. If it only has two inputs the rest of your story is completely right. You can send different sources to a mixer, then the mix to the interface. Advantage here is that you can record the record player. If it's for home use I wouldn't worry about quality loss. Other option could be something like the Mackie Big Knob, which allows you to switch between two sets of stereo inputs.
@@MonotrailTechTalk Thank you for the Feedback! This really helped me a lot because the big knob is exactly what I needed! Cheers
i dont like using outboard mixers with eurorack as they colour the sound (with the mixers EQ maybe this isnt the case on expensive mixers) mixers cant seem take feedback loop levels from modular even if you attenuate the levels still doesnt sound the same. i'm using an es-9 for 14 inputs for mulitracking modular directly.
Sure, if you don't want the EQ/mixing/colouring part, direct to the converters is best!
So necessary this video, thank you so much!!! 😄💯 I was strugling how to deal with the latency in a setup like that, maybe It would be nice other video about how to avoid this issue, love your visual job with the explanations
Glad to hear you liked it! More people asked about latency, so I am curious in what situations they experience it? I have no trouble with it ever, but that's moslty I guess because I dont use the laptop for effects or synts or other vsts etc. In my setup all hardware gear is hooked up to the monitors directly via the mixers, without passing through the laptop, there is no latency there.