MX9 - mixer or replace AI opinions

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MikeDVI
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MX9 - mixer or replace AI opinions

Post by MikeDVI »

Hi all, I am currently using a Presonus 1818VSL with MX9 pro studio. If you are familiar with this AI though you are aware that is discontinued and has some limitations due to that. While it still works ok, I am tired of Presonus’ Universal Control software.

So…… I was thinking of selling it or using it as a backup of sorts.

That brings me to considering a digital mixer. I do like having a hands on mixer from my old (very old) school days, but with MX having such a good mixer built in - - other than the “hands on” advantages is there really any point to not just replacing my 1818? I do occasionally record 6 or more tracks simultaneously with singer – songwriters, so 8 tracks up to 12 or 16 would suffice.

$1000 +- price range, more if necessary.

Thanks! Mike

MX9 Pro Studio B447, Dell XPS 8930 Core I9-9900 3.10 GHz, Windows 10 Pro 64-bit, 32GB RAM, Nvidia GeForce 2060, 1 TB SSD + 1 and 2 TB spinner sata’s
MX10.5 Pro Studio B 586. Presonus 1818vsl AI, Dell XPS 8930 Core I9-9900 3.10 GHz, Windows 10 Pro 64-bit, 64-GB RAM, Nvidia GeForce 2060, 1 and 2 TB SSD’s + 1 and 2 TB spinner sata’s, cookies and coffee.
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Acoustica Greg
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Re: MX9 - mixer or replace AI opinions

Post by Acoustica Greg »

Hi,

The thing with mixers is that a lot of them mix down to two channels via USB, so you couldn't record 6 tracks simultaneously, unless you hooked the mixer up to your 1818VSL or some other ASIO interface via audio cables.

Greg
Mixcraft - The Musician's DAW
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MikeDVI
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Re: MX9 - mixer or replace AI opinions

Post by MikeDVI »

Interesting, thanks for pointing that out!

I was under the impression that "most" mixers would output the channels right to a DAW and you would then route as needed.

Much to learn.

Mike
MX10.5 Pro Studio B 586. Presonus 1818vsl AI, Dell XPS 8930 Core I9-9900 3.10 GHz, Windows 10 Pro 64-bit, 64-GB RAM, Nvidia GeForce 2060, 1 and 2 TB SSD’s + 1 and 2 TB spinner sata’s, cookies and coffee.
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jlouvar
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Re: MX9 - mixer or replace AI opinions

Post by jlouvar »

Unfortunately we don’t get multiple outputs for DAW’s on digital mixers until we start getting to about the $3K price range or more. I think Yamaha has one for about $3000.
- Joe -

MX9PS, 64-bit, build 460. Windows 10, Intel i5, 64-bit, 1.8GHz, 8GB.
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MikeDVI
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Re: MX9 - mixer or replace AI opinions

Post by MikeDVI »

OK, understood. I appreciate the response!! Sounds replacing the AI is the best option, I do like MX's mixer quite a bit, just miss the hands on. Of course if I have a song with 30 tracks or so I'm out of luck anyway lol

Mike
MX10.5 Pro Studio B 586. Presonus 1818vsl AI, Dell XPS 8930 Core I9-9900 3.10 GHz, Windows 10 Pro 64-bit, 64-GB RAM, Nvidia GeForce 2060, 1 and 2 TB SSD’s + 1 and 2 TB spinner sata’s, cookies and coffee.
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Rolling Estonian
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Re: MX9 - mixer or replace AI opinions

Post by Rolling Estonian »

You could just get a midi control surface to control knobs and faders etc. Tons of options out there and if you do get one and have a project with 30 tracks you can use bank controls so the control surface can control all of your tracks.

M
Drdish007
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Re: MX9 - mixer or replace AI opinions

Post by Drdish007 »

Hi,
I use a Focusrite 18i20 second generation that gives me 8 mic/line inputs, that I can record to 8 separate tracks in Mixcraft9. What is nice with this interface is that I can add another 8 mic/line inputs ( in the future ) by adding one of Focusrite's octo preamps. These connect using the optical in/out. The cost of an 18i20 and one of their octo preamp is less than $1000.00usd. That would give you 16 mic/ line inputs.
Hope this helps.

- Myran
Mixcraft9RS(469)64Bit, Win. 10 64Bit, Intel i5 @ 3.20GHz, ssd 250GB(os),1TB hdd(library audio),1TB hdd (recorded audio),Nvidia GeForce1050i video,16GB RAM,Focusrite 18I20 2nd gen usb,Motu 5 ch.midi interface, D5,U220,Keystation88,B4000+,Leslie,Rhodes73mk1
MikeDVI
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Re: MX9 - mixer or replace AI opinions

Post by MikeDVI »

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the input!

Mike
MX10.5 Pro Studio B 586. Presonus 1818vsl AI, Dell XPS 8930 Core I9-9900 3.10 GHz, Windows 10 Pro 64-bit, 64-GB RAM, Nvidia GeForce 2060, 1 and 2 TB SSD’s + 1 and 2 TB spinner sata’s, cookies and coffee.
MikeDVI
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Re: MX9 - mixer or replace AI opinions

Post by MikeDVI »

OK, back with a question...Is a mixer as the Behringer X32 fitting the bill here? ( I am not necessarily looking to buy this exact mixer, but it seems to be one of the type needed to multi track).

Rolling Estonian, Drdish, yeah looked at Mackie MCU controllers also, some nice stuff out there. $$$$ 😜

Thanks!

Mike
MX10.5 Pro Studio B 586. Presonus 1818vsl AI, Dell XPS 8930 Core I9-9900 3.10 GHz, Windows 10 Pro 64-bit, 64-GB RAM, Nvidia GeForce 2060, 1 and 2 TB SSD’s + 1 and 2 TB spinner sata’s, cookies and coffee.
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jlouvar
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Re: MX9 - mixer or replace AI opinions

Post by jlouvar »

MikeDVI wrote: Thu Feb 27, 2020 12:18 pm OK, back with a question...Is a mixer as the Behringer X32 fitting the bill here? ( I am not necessarily looking to buy this exact mixer, but it seems to be one of the type needed to multi track).

Rolling Estonian, Drdish, yeah looked at Mackie MCU controllers also, some nice stuff out there. $$$$ 😜

Thanks!

Mike
Yes I think so, I took a look at the Behringer X32 on the Sweetwater website and it states a “32 x 32 USB interface“... But I don’t think it has any XLR mic inputs. :(

By the way, there are four Behringer X32 mixers (the digital, producer, compact, and rack).
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/search ... ringer+x32
- Joe -

MX9PS, 64-bit, build 460. Windows 10, Intel i5, 64-bit, 1.8GHz, 8GB.
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MikeDVI
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Re: MX9 - mixer or replace AI opinions

Post by MikeDVI »

Yea jlouvar thanks for the link and info!!

And of course, the $2498 is the one intriguing me (Einstein's formula states the correct quantity of gear to have is Q+1, where Q is the current gear owned). BTW - go to the 360 view and spin, XLR 's on the back!

Anyway I just moved recently and am 75% there with the new recording area, upgraded my PC (that is another tale in itself), upgraded MX, working with GIK and Auralex, more. So I'm looking at all options at this time since I've already committed earnings for the rest of my life LOL.

At any rate I REALLY like the mixer in MX9 as I stated before, just miss the "hands on" part. Sometimes a mouse just makes me nuts. Alas spending a few grand because I miss old style mixing could be a bit out there.

Mike
MX10.5 Pro Studio B 586. Presonus 1818vsl AI, Dell XPS 8930 Core I9-9900 3.10 GHz, Windows 10 Pro 64-bit, 64-GB RAM, Nvidia GeForce 2060, 1 and 2 TB SSD’s + 1 and 2 TB spinner sata’s, cookies and coffee.
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jlouvar
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Re: MX9 - mixer or replace AI opinions

Post by jlouvar »

MikeDVI wrote: Thu Feb 27, 2020 4:57 pm BTW - go to the 360 view and spin, XLR 's on the back!
I think those are male XLR outputs... Not female XLR mic inputs (look at the specs).
Anyway I just moved recently and am 75% there with the new recording area, upgraded my PC (that is another tale in itself), upgraded MX, working with GIK and Auralex, more. So I'm looking at all options at this time since I've already committed earnings for the rest of my life anyway LOL.

At any rate I REALLY like the mixer in MX9 as I stated before, just miss the "hands on" part. Sometimes a mouse just makes me nuts. Alas spending a few grand because I miss old style mixing could be a bit out there.

Mike
Yeah I know what you you mean, oh well at least we don’t have to still splice tape. :lol:
Tip: If you buy a cheap digital mixing console and use it a lot, remember It usually won’t sound as good or last as long as a better mixer.
Last edited by jlouvar on Fri Feb 28, 2020 6:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- Joe -

MX9PS, 64-bit, build 460. Windows 10, Intel i5, 64-bit, 1.8GHz, 8GB.
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GovernmentMule
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Re: MX9 - mixer or replace AI opinions

Post by GovernmentMule »

If you want a cheaper solution I use a Behringer XR18 mixer/interface. It has an 18x18 interface, though after you connect to your DAW you have to use two channels for the output from your DAW. It is controlled by an IPAD, Android tablet or your PC. It has 16 XLR/1/4 combo inputs. Midi in and out. I actually control it from my old DAW computer on a separate monitor from my DAW computer. It also has 6 AUX outputs.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail ... ital-mixer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbwAZ_ooQMY
Drdish007
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Re: MX9 - mixer or replace AI opinions

Post by Drdish007 »

Hi,
I just looked at Sweetwater and the Behringer X32 has 32 female mic inputs. It can also use a digital snake and digital stage box with mic preas. It is pricy.
I was looking at this mixer for a local high school auditorium I do live sound in.

- Myran
Mixcraft9RS(469)64Bit, Win. 10 64Bit, Intel i5 @ 3.20GHz, ssd 250GB(os),1TB hdd(library audio),1TB hdd (recorded audio),Nvidia GeForce1050i video,16GB RAM,Focusrite 18I20 2nd gen usb,Motu 5 ch.midi interface, D5,U220,Keystation88,B4000+,Leslie,Rhodes73mk1
Drdish007
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Re: MX9 - mixer or replace AI opinions

Post by Drdish007 »

Hi, again,
The X32 also has motorized faders. I was just checking, reason for second post.
It also has 16 built-in digital effects. The mic preamps are digitally controlled. Can also be controlled with an i-pad or Android tablet.
- Myran
Mixcraft9RS(469)64Bit, Win. 10 64Bit, Intel i5 @ 3.20GHz, ssd 250GB(os),1TB hdd(library audio),1TB hdd (recorded audio),Nvidia GeForce1050i video,16GB RAM,Focusrite 18I20 2nd gen usb,Motu 5 ch.midi interface, D5,U220,Keystation88,B4000+,Leslie,Rhodes73mk1
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