A very simple way to print the EQ in any track is to send that track to group 1-2 and then use the input 13-14 (I have a MTK 12 not MTK 24 like in the video) to record whatever you sent in group 1-2. This way the EQ in each single track sent to group 1-2 is going to be printed (you can also do it one track at a time like in the vdeo). If you want to print the EQ say on track 1, using input 1 in your DAW will not print the EQ on track 1. You first have to send track 1 to group 1-2 (by pressing the 1-2 button on track 1) and then record group 1-2 in the DAW via input 13-14.
Thanks Jacopo. I have several videos on my channel that show the way you describe in your comment. In this video I am showing an alternate routing, as the Soundcraft Signature series console is very versatile in how it can route audio in different ways. Thanks for sharing!!!
hey!! we just got this board and are seeing what it can do for us in the studio... your videos are great, and thank you so much for taking the time! very helpful. cheers!
Thanks a lot for this video, I had kind of figured it out in my mind (I still haven't bought the console), but seeing how you do it made me more confident on purchasing it. Cheers!
I don't understand why they couldn't have just added a button that allowed the channel signals to either pass through the EQ or not on the initial USB recording session. This would be very useful for electronic musicians who use gear and sequencers and want to record their jams WITH the nice EQ, THE FIRST TIME. It is a shame because I really like the idea of this mixer and wanted to buy one, but I cannot get over this limitation.
I appreciate your work making this video and answering everyone's questions Brian. Do you know of a UBS mixer that does allow the EQ to be recorded directly?
Does the buss tracks show up as an input in the DAW? I like routing tracks to a buss and record that back into the DAW without messing with the Master buss.
You have to create a new audio track and select the Console's channel as the track's input. This will allow the audio passing through the Consoles channel to go back into your DAW.
For example, I often take the output of Garage Band which is channels 1 and 2, send that to a group buss and then select that group as an input in Reaper which is my main Recording software. Just making sure I am able to select a group buss instead of the master buss unless the master buss is my only option. I assume the board has a master output knob to control speaker volume that is independent of the master fader?
+Doctor McFarland Studios I use a passive monitor control for this feature. The board’s master fader is exactly that a master level out to your monitors.
+Doctor McFarland Studios if you are asking about the analogue coloring from the Soundcraft then I would say no because they utilize different preamps. That is not to say it is better - that my friend is a matter of taste.
You can only record EQ when utilizing the USB RTN button. You send audio from your DAW through the Soundcraft (via USB RTN) and then back out into your DAW and onto a new audio track with Print set as the Input to get the Soundcraft's EQ onto a track. This was partially designed so the user could record a multi instrument session into their DAW and then come back later and mix it back through the Soundcraft.
@@BrianBuckalew Hey man, thanks for the vid. Will there be any difference in audio quality when reprocessing the printed signal back into the mixer for eq? i.e. because the audio is now in the digital domain will it add digital artefacts to the signal when sent back through the analog mixer?
Thanks Brian for taking the time to make these videos. Im considering buying this board. Just to clarify: During recording you are not able to add EQ and effects going into PT?
Correct. I'm sorry if I didn't explain that part clearly enough.The way the manual explains it is as follows: The Signature 22MTK Input channels ALWAYS send their post-gain, pre-EQ signal to their respective USB recording channel. The process I demonstrate in this video shows how to reintroduce the recorded track from inside of Pro Tools into the Sig 22 and then impart the Sapphyre EQ onto the track, send it back through an Aux channel and then finally routing it through another unused channel for level matching of the "post" EQ track to the original recorded track. Like I said in the video there may be other ways to go about this, but this is the first way I actually found to work for me. I am an ITB recording engineer and the Soundcraft Signature 22 is my first experience on an analogue console of any sort - so if I make no sense at all it is only because I am approaching this still from a largely ITB mindset. Every day I'm learning something new about this board that makes me see just how powerful of an instrument it can be. Even though this "Pre" EQ feature may seem inconvenient, it has helped me to better understand how to route things and to better understand the inner workings of this console.
The output from the Si comes out just after the gain, and before any of the eq or effects. Brian does state this in the video correctly and your understanding is correct.
Hey! I've heard the limiter and high-pass don't go to "tape" inside the daw and that the mic signal goes into the preamp and then right to "tape". Are you sure the limiter and highpass work to tape?
I may have missed something. If you record a dry signal to computer, then return and use eq settings and do your master track, this would give you the ability to change eq, effects, maybe add plugins settings for mastering. I would have thought this was a standard, flexible recording method
It is a standard flexible recording method - and what you described is exactly how it was meant to be used. I think a lot of people are put off with the fact there is an extra process to this that includes having to go back and "re-mix" a session or live event after they had already initially done it once. While this may be a small inconvenience to some, it is actually a benefit to me and how I use it in my studio. I like being able to record, mix and master in 3 separate phases.
Thanks for the video. I have a Sig 12 MTK and I read how "13 and 14" are the master stereo out - I assume this master is going to be post-channel strip with EQ and Faders or am I mistaken? I can't test it as for some reason those channels have no signal in my DAW.
As far as I know with the Sig12 MTK the "Playback Channel" from the console to the DAW is the highest channel on the console. For me on my Signature 22 it is channels 21/22. So, I would assume it would be channels 11/12 on your Signature 12 MTK. Channels 13/14 would then be your "Tape Return", which would be used to provide a analogue sum return into your DAW. I use channels 23/24 as my tape return and print tracks back into my DAW once I am satisfied with my mixes, or after I have finished mixing on my console and want to begin ITB mixing. I would create a new stereo audio track and set my input as Analogue 23/24 (Analogue 13/14 in your case) and my output would be Analogue 21/22 (Channel 11/12 in your case). This would be a great way to get a final analogue stereo sum of your session as well by enabling the USB RTN button on each channel and routing your DAW's audio tracks to various console channels and mixing your session. I hope this all makes sense, and also that it is correct for your Sig12 console.
Okay so from what your saying only the Master bus can be a print EQ and Effects correct? If this is true, in order to print a single track to your DAW with on board EQ and effects via USB, is to go through the Master bus. Then why do all the extra routing to channel 14, just solo the kick through your Maser bus? Thanks for the video glad I seen this even though I just want to print from my Master bus didn't know you couldn't do it from each individual channel for new stems
In this setup I am doing it this way to run through the preamp one more time. That’s all. Just trying to show 1 of the many ways you can route audio on this console.
very well explained,on routing 12 MTK would be limited. 22 input is a lot but sacrificing one input on the 12 MTK would do the job or I would as TLD record it in pro tools and later add them on the aux into one of the channel I would free for the EQing:-)
They probably kept the eq from USB option for live use. Imagine terrible acoustics the venue might have, you don't want to print the eq you're sending to the house to the computer. I've had many live set ups where I specifically hated that I couldn't send the signal pre eq to a PC to record the show with, and the venue needed serious tweaking to get sounding good. This just makes extra work for you in studio. I'm mostly peeved they didn't include inserts on the channels. For live it's nice to have gate's, de essers, etc to prevent feedback. And I would like more than the limiter for compression of say drums for example. I'd never do a live gig without compression if there's drums and bass, and I got no idea how well the limiters would do for transients.
It actually works very well in the live setting, especially if you are just tracking to get a basic mix into your DAW so you can take it back to your studio at a later date and give it a good ITB mix. That is really one of the main functions it was meant for. It also excels as a multi-track option in the studio where you are building up mixes 1 or 2 tracks/instruments at a time like I have to do in my home project studio. It is a very fine and warm sounding analog console/hybrid mixer.
Hi Brian, can I somehow print multiple tracks to my free channels separately? Lets say I want to EQ whole recorded drum set (6mics - in first 6channels) and print them separately to channels 7-12, than bring them all back to daw. Not as a single stereo print track but all six seprately. Is this possible? Thanks. Peter
Good morning Peter. The console routing doesn't quite work that way. You only have 1 stereo print return used for analog summing/console mix printing, so you can't mix 6 channels and then record them back into your DAW onto 6 separate audio tracks. You would have to do it a track at a time. I often do this prior to starting my ITB mix, especially on drums. I'll mix my drums on the console, then print them back into the session - first kick, then snare, toms, OHs, etc., mute/hide the original recorded drum tracks and then start my ITB mix with console affected drum tracks. The reason I do this is because drums really sound great running through the onboard Sapphyre EQ. It is a great starting point for my mix as I feel it gives me a great head start towards getting to where I eventually want to go.
It has to be track by track and printed in real time? I'd love to find a way to apply this to each individual instrument. I am not sure this technique would work for a long recorded set with multiple instruments. This would work great for individual songs though!
For very large sessions it can become very tedious. I have found that creating analog summed stems works great once I have done my ITB mix. The good news is there are multiple ways to work with this console - you are not locked into only one process flow. I often find myself just sitting there thinking of different ways to route my sessions, and certain sessions are better to be processed one way over another. That is one of the the joys of working with this hybrid console - true flexibility.
Not a stupid question at all. I asked the same thing once before, myself!! PFL stands for Pre Fader Listen and is the button you use to set your gain properly on each channel that you are recording audio through. When you press the PFL button on the Soundcraft Signature series consoles it sends the input channel's signal to the headphone output and allows you to see the incoming level on the console's master meter. You would then adjust the channel gain until you getting the metering to where you want it.
Hey man Nice video. I am running a sound craft board just like yours into presonus studio one two. I'm bussing tracks back out on to my mixer and sending them back into studio one two. I'm then making a "print" track within my daw. My daws main output is set to channel 21/22 on my mixer and all of my tracks that are bussed back out on the mixer are set to the "main output" of my board. I've got some sweet mixes rolling but I'm hearing a hiss behind my mix. This isn't the "analog white noise" either. it sounds like there's a problem within my system. Does anything sound wrong with how I am doing my mixdowns?
I'm not using PreSonus StudioOne, but that wouldn't be the cause of your noise issue - so I would have to say it sounds like you are using the Soundcraft board properly with your DAW. I would suggest getting a powerstrip/conditioner with some type of grounding in it - I use the Furman M-8x2. Also, check any cables that might be bad - that can give you many issues with noise. Finally I would look into getting a better USB cable if you don't already use one. Simply put, a store bought USB utility cable just isn't good enough to handle professional audio. You need a high end USB cable that was meant for handling music. Here is what I use: www.amazon.com/AudioQuest-Cinnamon-Meter-Digital-Audio/dp/B0041EAL64/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1487783592&sr=8-11&keywords=Cinnamon+USB+cable
Hey brain, thanks for these videos! Does group 1 have an input into protools? I'm curious why you are sending channel 14 also to the group. Was wondering what the function of the group 1-2 send was, thanks!
I use it to get the gain up to where I need it to be when printing. If you just route audio into the MST channel, then the built in headroom kicks in a lowers your overall output. By routing to the Groups (1/2, or 3/4) you are able to get the gain level to match that of what you have inside your DAW to begin with. This was something I realized when I first starting working on the Sig22 and was not getting the same levels on my stereo prints/sums as I was getting in my mixes themselves - this was one way I found to offset that built in headroom Soundcraft implemented into this desk.
@@BrianBuckalew no need to route the aux return anywhere, usb out is post gain. just trim ch14 into your pro tools print track and match. you can easily figure out the unit's converter calibration with a test tone round trip. hope that helps
Great videos of the Signature mixers, been watching them all. I have to say it looks a bit cumbersome to have to do this to get EQ, antother extra step you have to go though every time.. not for me i think.. Can i skip the USB-part and just connect this mixers individual outs (not just main channels) to my 18-ins sound interface to get the EQ? I mainly want a mixer so that i don't have to do that part (EQ etc) in Cubase for my tracks. Thanks
+Vurt72 thank you very much. You can route everything to the Group sends (1/2 or 3/4) and print that way. I was just trying to show another option in this video. There are no individual channel outputs other than the USB in the case of the Multi-Track version of the Signature series consoles. You can use the TRS Group and/or Aux outputs if you want, but I would argue that is circumventing the main purpose of this console to begin with. In other words, if the USB function is not to your liking then you probably should look for a different console/control surface to satisfy your needs. For me, this console was exactly what I was looking for.
Thanks for this! Recently got this board and love it for the couple of times I've gotten to use it. My question is this -- it has direct outs if you put the 1/4 cable in halfway on the top jack as a direct out. My first thought was to try it that way....or is that still pre-eq and fx? Thanks....
In this particular video I am showing one way of working with the console. There are many routing options that can be used. The only way I recommend is the way that works best for you. I am merely trying to show that you can use this console in multiple ways. The way I presently use the console is by sending stems through the console as a static board mix (my levels and automation are already set inside my DAW from ITB mixing) then printing an analog summed stereo mix back into my DAW. This new file is my analog summed pre-mastered mix that then will be mastered inside of Harrison Mixbus.
Im using this with Logic Pro X & I cannot get the tracks 1\2 stereo to record in logic AT ALL or play back via STEREO OUTPUT - all other tracks work. 1/2 playback when audio IS ROUTED TO 21/22 WHEN AUDIO IS ADDED to the track Can you tell me what's wrong with 1& 2 channels here ?
Based on how Logic is defaulted to use Channels 1/2 on any user interface, these two channels are not able to be used in the traditional sense. You will have to create an aggregate device - this will open up all the channels of the Soundcraft Signature series console to be used in LPX. I have a video showing how to do this on my channel.
Thanks for the video, do you know of any way to record each channel individually after adding eq and effects? Instead of having to record using input 13/14 or 11/12. For example I would like to send tracks to channels 1, 2, 3, and 4, apply EQ and effects and record each 4 tracks separately, without using aux channels because I would be limited to only 2 aux channels on my desk. Is this possible or can you only sum to a single stereo track?
You would have to do it a track at a time. There is only 1 stereo return track (print return) from the console to the computer. This is how I print my drum tracks through the console before I mix a session. Kick on 1, Snare on 2, Toms on 3/4, OHs on 5/6, and Room on 7/8. Then I EQ and print each track back through the console and into my DAW on a new analog print audio track. I then mute the original audio and archive it in case I ever need to go back and retrieve it.
Hi Brian, your tutorials are very good, I have a Soundcraft mtk 22 I follow all your steps and when I print channel 23/24 I get very little gain, what could be my mistake? I thank you very much for everything, greetings
Hello - thank you for your kind words. I would suggest getting a passive monitor controller so you can crank up your channel levels in order to match the gain level of the signal you are summing. There really is no way to properly get a loud enough level back into your DAW from the Soundcraft Sig series consoles by just getting the level to be loud through your monitors. The signal needs to be turned down to your monitors while turning up your Sig 22 mtk's output faders considerable in order to match the gain of your input source. I use the Nanopatch+, but you can find any passive monitor controller on the market that will do the same thing. The reason I recommend a passive monitor controller is because it does not color or change the quality of your audio as you raise or lower the level. This is very important in being able to make proper mix decisions.
So im confused. So lets say on the soundcraft you have drums on channels 1-8 (kick, snare, toms, etc...), before you record into ProTools you cant eq when getting levels and then record? You have to do USB RTN?
If you are tracking a drummer through the console, you are just recording what your microphones are picking up. You go back afterward and mix through the console to get the EQ an, Lexicon FX onto your tracks. This is how the board was designed to offer you recording and mixing in two separate steps.
Thanks for the response. Let me ask you, how's the headroom recording strait in without the USB return? Are you getting good levels? Also, are you returning the stereo track back to the console to s stereo channel and using the master faders in the board as your volume to your monitors? This isn't causing any latency? What about patching in external gear? I've always used analog boards and keep my external pre's, compressors, and effects boxes on my 4 auxes, everything in the board can be routed through the auxes to hit the gear. Can the Soundcraft be setup this way or do the auxes have to be routed back into channels in the mixer? Are their inputs for the aux's and group busses in the routing software? I'm confused! LOL. Thanks man. Cheers!
The headroom straight in is fantastic - each channel has the Ghost preamp and the first 8 channels (on the Sig22) have the dbx Broadband Limiter. I have no issue with levels going into the Soundcraft or my DAW. When I do get a low signaled instrument through a dynamic mic I am not afraid to either turn the gain all the way up (it is still pretty quite, but this will greatly depend on the recording environment) or run it through my Aphex Project Channel strip then into the Soundcraft (I have rarely had to do this). I use a JBL Nano Patch + passive volume control (www.amazon.com/Audio-Nano-Patch-Passive-Attenuator/dp/B000T9K8ZO) to control my monitors. So, I have my MST L and MST R sent out into the Nano Patch, which then is hooked up to my studio monitors. I control the volume with the Master fader on the Soundcraft as it is your Stereo out of your DAW. I presently have no latency issues to speak of. I record with my buffer set at 128 and mix at 1024. You must route the Auxes back into the Soundcraft via an open channel. The Auxes and Groups are strictly hardware-based, meaning they do not show up as a selectable "Input" inside your DAW. Auxes are controlled with channel volume knobs (you can control the amount of channel signal that is sent to a particular Aux) and Groups are selected on each channel with a button (stereo paired Groups are 1-2 and 3-4 on the Sig22) where the channel level is what goes into the Group. Hope that helps!
There are a lot of comments in the various forums that the output to the DAW is too low. One of the Soundcraft designers said this was on purpose in order to give plenty of headroom.
You wouldn't need to - the Sig22mtk is both a digital interface and an analog board. FYI - I upgraded from a Digi003 to an Avid Artist Control, and ended up finally getting this Signature 22mtk to get me back to the Digi003's workflow. I'm not saying the Sig22mtk is like working on a Digi003, but just that it was closer than the Avid Artist Control was - and a lot less buggy!!! lol
So if I'm understanding correctly, say I am going from the 4 individual outputs of my mpc in real-time to channels 1 through 4 on my mixer, now, I can eq each channel separately and print this to whatever I have hooked up to the LR bus as a stereo mix. and if I work this way, and only want to print stereo mixes, this will print what I did with the EQ to the stereo mix correct? however if I were to route the individual outputs of 1 to 4 thru USB to logic, the EQ would not be printed on the individual tracks unless I routed each of the tracks to an aux bus like you did in this video? Thanks for making these vids, they are very informative. Basically I am just wanting to possibly get away from Having to digital output each individual track in real-time inside the mpc then dragging into the Daw, so I was thinking if I just routed the individual outs of the mpc to a mixer, i could do some basic EQ and maybe add a reverb or delay to my drums, then finally print a stereo track to cassette or a stereo logic track, I could avoid most of the time consuming and boring process of multitracking each instrument within the mpc. Am I assuming correctly that a mixer like this could be the bridge for a more hands on style approach to printing a stereo mix?and if I needed to recall a mix, I could just re open my mpc project and write down my eq settings for each song? Thanks!
Yes - you are definitely thinking about the process properly. This mixer allows for many routing options and what you are wanting to do, albeit not the most effective way of using this console's audio interface, will allow you to do exactly what you are wanting to do. Plus, you can always use the USB part of it to analog sum your final mix when you are finished. I would say a win-win for you and your music.
@@BrianBuckalew thanks alot man! This mixer is definitely on my want list now!! seems I can use it as a more expanded audio interface, and also utilize the mixing fx and do some otb rough mixes directly to cassette tape for my more raw sounding beat tape stuff, but still also have the added benefit of being able to multitrack all of my mpc tracks in one pass and setting up my Daw with logic when I need to do a more professional sounding mix! or if I'm going to record vocals and it calls for a bit more polish than a beat tape would usually ask. This machine seems amazing! Especially the multitrack aspect of this mixer that seems to be pretty rare in this pice range. Does this still ring true at the end of 2018?
The multi-track feature at this price point along with the Safire EQ and Ghost preamps all make it a steal. Not to mention you have the ability to use it as an analog summing box once you are finished with your ITB mix. That was one of the main reasons I wanted it - $700.00 for an analog summing box made it worth it to me alone, then you still get all of its other features. Just a really good investment. Money well spent.
Great videos bro! Thanks, how do you go about printing a full session eg. 16 channels at once in stereo including EQ and fxs? Can it be done routing all 1 to 16 to group 3-4 then back to 19/20 in stereo to group 1-2 to print?
You would mix on the comsole with EQ and effects and then route it back into your DAW on a new stereo audio track with Analog 23/24 as the input. This channel is the "tape return" from the console. This will be your analog summed signal with analog EQ and effects baked in.
There are many ways to route audio - it depends on your studio setup more than anything else. If you use the Soundcraft as just a console and have a separate audio interface, then you can run the MST Out into your interface. That is one of many ways.
Very helpful Brain. Thanks! Here's a questionable alternative i'd like to have your advice on: in order not to waste any mic pre channels (i record full bands with the 12 MTK version), would it be recommended to route a recorded mix with GROUP 1-2 into fader 11-12 (which i never use) with JACK-CINCH cables in order to bounce a master track with mixer EQ? Or will i lose audio quality/add noise etc? Thanks again! Jules
What about the AUX ouputs.. are they stereo? Because i guess if u wanna use a rhodes with the classic panning vibrato effect and want to re-record it using the eq it'll have to be stereo right?
Yes, right! And in that same way you can send stereo stems or bus channels etc. as well. All at the push of a few routing buttons. Much simpler than cable patching mono tracks. This process leaves those precious aux outs for external effects hardware which can be brought into the mixer on some open channels and will be printed along with the 2 built in effects and board eq at the same time.
@@TheJood59 Do you know that Ableton-printing in route, for example, MIC(CH 1 IN) → CH 23-24 (master) attenuates your printed signal so much, that level of printed signal is not acceptable to use it in mix. May be, his case of routing adds some part of AUX-noise, but IMHO it is a single way to have required level of sound. If you know how to print the sound without loss by using USB-rtn with 1st channel, pushed button 'MST' and 23/24, I will be very grateful to you.
I must b doing something wrong cuz I send to the main bus 23,24 but I get nothing had this problem for a very loooooooong time some help would b greatly greatly appreciated
Thanks for the vid Im thinking of buying this board for studio use and also take it out live.I run logic 10 with Mac book pro with 16 gb of ram with a 2.8 ghz i7 processor.My plan was to run my logic tracks into the board and to play guitar live and have live vocals.i run eq ,comp rev ,real eight and amplitude do you think the board and the laptop could handle this as far as cpu is concerned.
Not topic related question, but I just broke my head trying to understand, why I ma getting mono signal in my headphones. It's fine with my monitors, but in my headphones all stereo signals convert into mono. Any advice? Is it technical issue or something wrong with routing?
In most cases it is one of two things: a short in the headphone cable, or a mono cable/adapter is being used. Make sure you are getting a stereo signal by plugging your phones up to a stereo output (on the Soundcraft Signature series consoles that would be the headphone output) and playback a stereo track in your DAW. Pan the track inside your DAW back and forth from Left to Right. If you are getting only one signal source then you have either one of the above mentioned issues. Try another pair of headphones/earbuds to see if it might be any better. Most headphones come with an 1/8" connector at the end of the cable with an extra 1/4" adapter that can be added to the end of the cable. If you are not using the adapter that came with the headphones then you may be using a mono adapter that is canceling out 1/2 of your stereo signal.
Hi there and thanks for the video, very informative. I have a question: I am trying to multitrack record into Ableton Live 9 and then play everything back through the console so I can apply EQ, effects etc. to each channel separately. Although I am able to multitrack record, I am not able to hear it back on the mixer, despite engaging the USB rtrn buttons and configuring the outputs into Ableton as advised in the instruction manual. Also, would you know how to do the same EQ printing in Ableton as it does not have the print track function? Many thanks in advance
Unfortunately I do not use Ableton Live 9. If I can get ahold of a copy I will see if I can make a video showing the proper functionality when used with the Soundcraft Signature console.
hi, did you maybe solve this problem? i am also using ableton live 9, and im having exactly the same problems as you do.. please answer if you have the solution :)
Hi Brian, thanks for putting these up there a big help. Im having trouble figuring out how to print my entire mix(9 Tracks) back onto Logic (I've applied EQ and REVERB). Is it possible? Thanks, Michael.
Yes. I'm not using Logic, but the way you would do it is in Logic you would create a new stereo audio track. The input of that track would be Analogue 23-24 (if you are using a Signature 22mtk). This highest stereo pair is the USB Master Stereo output of the board mix back into your DAW.
Not through the USB. You must use the Analogue 23-24 PRINT channel to do this. You could use your MST L & MST R XLR outs to feed a recorder to get them to print, but there really is no point in that with the USB feature on this console.
Hello sir, if you can please help me out, I am planning on purchasing the Soundcraft 12MTK and replace my existing interface, a Focusrite Scarlett 2i4, so i can expand my Inputs and record several guitars, a bass and vocals. After reading throught the specifications of the 12MTK, it says that on multitrack usb recording, the Sampling rate and bit depth are: 44.1kHz / 48kHz , 16-bit / 24-bit. My focusrite has 96kHz and 24 bit conversion. My question is, would the lower sample rate on the 12MTK affect the recording quality greatly? Or would the 44.1 and 48 kHz sampling rate be enough to record good quality guitar signals (or DI?). Thanks and i hope i am making sense as i don't have too much technical background in recording.
Yes - both 44.1 and 48 are perfectly fine for recording. The sample rate determines the frequency range of the audio that is captured, similar to the dpi resolution of a photograph. When you are done with a mix you need to down-sample to 44.1 anyway, so many suggest recording in 44.1 to begin with.
Oh i see, i would need to down sample anyway, guess i will pull the trigger and get me the 12 MTK. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and the videos on the soundcraft MTK series. You are the only resource in youtube so far that explains how it is set-up. Thanks for the videos.
You are very welcome. I made these videos due in large part to the point you just made - there were not any videos out there telling what this board does and how it works. Best wishes!!!
So you better off using an old analog mixer with a usb interface if you using it to eq sounds coming out individual out of the mpc to preprocess going into DAW.
Hello Lionel - this depends on the sound you are going for. Not everyone will agree or want to have this type of sound for their mixes. This is a different workflow than standard ITB mixing. It does require spending more money and time learning how to get the gear to work together seamlessly. I have found a way to use this hybrid gear that makes sense to me and gets my mixes to sound the way I am hearing them in my head prior to moving a single fader or turning a single rotary knob.
@@BrianBuckalew yeah that's what I'm getting at. My understanding is that this mixer doesn't include the the eq etc going in so if I know what I'm going for I won't be able to record my adjustments on the fly going in. Basically the eq and aux etc is only available for stereo mixes. Doesn't add up for me .
It is designed to allow you to get tracks recorded directly into your DAW passing through the Ghost Preamp, then to come back and mix through it after tracking has been completed. It is a workflow that won’t work for everyone. It was done this way so they could keep the console under $1,000.00. Otherwise the price would have ballooned up as they added more features. The trade-off was too much for their target market.
Hi Brian, finally I got the soundcraft mtk22 and i have a question and i hope you can help me: i made a recording in ableton live and all was ok until the last days the daw start to have some clicks during the stereo print... what can i do?, my computer it has 8G ram enugh space in the hard drive and... i did the same print with a Motu ultra lite mk3 and i dont have this problem....
Do you have your buffer set to 1024 or is it a 512? Anytime I have clicks and/or pops I usually jump to my buffer settings and check those out first. 9 times out of 10 I have it set too low for the mixing process. Also, let me say I have been able to do a lot more processor intensive mixing through the MTK22 with my buffer set to 128 (that is where I set my buffer to record) than I ever could with my Focusrite Saffire Pro40 interface. I attribute it to the USB cable that I purchased from AudioQuest (I have the 3m Cinnamon). I would check your buffer setting first. If it is already set to a higher setting then I would consider swapping out USB cables. You may also want to check to make sure nothing else was running in the background while you were printing - I have had adverse affects in the past when my computer was performing other tasks while I was trying to record or mix in Pro Tools. Hope that helps! Let me know how you make out!
Yes. And I have done that on several client mixes so far (whether it is automating EQ, Panning, or FX, etc.). This is a very good console - especially the Sapphyre Asymmetric EQ.
if you are just printing one track at a time surely there is no need to route via the aux into another channel, you can just play it back through the relevant track and record it back into your DAW via the master channel. having said that this aux routing is a good way to multi track back if you use all 5 aux outputs you could then multi track back in 5 EQ'd channels in one go?
Ah ok. But for one print track you could achieve that by routing through the groups and master using the faders too right? As in an alternative to patching via the aux? Have you tried multiple patches at a time to essentially multi track print? From this video it look like that should work?
Yes - the purpose of this video was to show one of the many ways it can be done. This console has multiple ways to accomplish the same task (as do most analog consoles). No doubt some people have certain ways they like to work, and other people find different ways that they prefer to accomplish the same end. This console is able to accommodate many different approaches.
Thanks. I would have thought about doing multiple Aux’s had I not seen your video so that’s super helpful as have been particularly keen to Eq and print drums separately so will give this a go on mine
Yes you can. You can route in a number of different ways. That's the best part about this console to me - there are several ways to do the same thing in most cases. Just depends on how one likes to work. A couple of benefits of doing it this way is you get your gain up to where you need it much easier and you also can print any EQ/FX. But you can get the same/similar results by utilizing the Group send feature as well. Just make sure the input of the audio track you are printing to inside your DAW has its input set to Analogue 23-24 as that is the PRINT return from the Soundcraft Signature 22mtk console.
I use my Auxes to feed my headphone mixes, so I don’t use them the way Tom is asking about. But if you wanted to send a track through an Aux and into your DAW, the best way would be to employ the way I explain.
Hey Brian, and thanks for still taking questions on this. However, there is one thing you didn’t mention that really threw me off. While it may be obvious to you and others more experienced, you didn’t mention that the AUX master volume needs to be turned up. I couldn’t figure out why the f**k this wasn’t working even when I followed your every move. After carefully looking at the controls while you were talking I noticed that your AUX 3 master volume is all the way up, which would be a big deal to newbs like me. Also, when you describe your I/O settings in Protools, I have no idea what you’re doing. You’re saying that your input goes to Print and your output goes to the drum buss?! That didn’t work for me. For input I had to use external input 14 and out to the print track.
My apologies Tom - I never meant to cause confusion. I only hope to be able to relate as much information as I can in 1 video. This can sometimes be an issue, as I don’t rehearse or write down my video prior to recording. I decide on a topic and hit record on my video camera and start talking. I can sometimes leave out vital information, not because I don’t think it is important, but because I try to cover so much information I leave out certain details by mistake. Thanks you for pointing out this issue and again my apologies for not making my process more clearer.
By turning the aux knobs all the way up you boost the signal quite a bit. And then you also use up one of your channels and one of your auxiliaries. And on top of that it’s mono (printing reverb mono makes no sense) so if you want to print stereo you’re stealing another channel and another aux. Why not just use channel 23-24 in your daw and record the soloed track you want to print from the stereo master sum?
I just recently used an external pre amp while tracking some vocals (the Aphex Project Channel) and it was ok. But you can't bypass the Signature's Ghost pre, which is the first element on every channel (Ghost pre, dbx Limiter, Sapphyre EQ, Lexicon effects engine, GB routing) so you'll have that inherent "Soundcraft tone" regardless of what else you try to front end your signal with - and this isn't a bad thing, the board sounds magnificent!!!
I would suggest getting the Soundcraft first, then the pre73 if you decide afterwards that you have a need for it. I say this because I feel you may be fairly impressed with what the Soundcraft Signature offers. You may also decide it isn't exactly the characteristic you want imparted on your vocals anyway, but you'll already know and at that point can get the pre73. I say all this without knowing your current setup. I'm assuming you have an audio interface and are wanting to impart some type of analog feel into your mixes. If that is the case then I would definitely suggest going with the Soundcraft first.
Why wouldn't you just route it out the group send? I get it! Looked at the manual: overly complicated to hide the limitations but at this price pretty darn good. Your vid helps make this clear and how to work around! Good on you!
Yes - the Group Send is another way to get similar results. Here, specifically, I am trying to get the gain up as much as possible and I have found routing it this way gets a hotter signal back into my DAW for printing. Thank you for watching and leaving your comment.
Yes! You should be able to do everything the same as on the 22MTK, there are only slight differences in regards to channel routing between the 12mtk and the 22mtk.
Thank for checking out my video(s). If you setup each FX engine with the effect you want you actually can turn them on and off with the push of a button by routing them to Group Sends. The dials are simply there to allow you to add the amount of dry signal to the effects engine. I tend to like the way it is designed, but I certainly can see where you are coming from.
So, couldn't you set up both the track you're recording and its return at the same time to print both a dry and eq'd track? I'm mostly tracking one stereo track at a time, so basically I'd monitor the sound with eq and effects, record it, and then turn around and send it back through the same channel and then print the effected tracks on two new channels? At this point, you are monitoring a sound that has eq and maybe effects, but when you record it's dry? Thanks. I'm still researching what the mixer can do.
Yes you can. In this video I am working with a session that was already recorded, but the principle would be the same - through the board > into your DAW > back to the board > out to Print.
Thanks for the quick reply Brian. So, just to be clear then, you can then have both inputs to the board and return both active at the same time and monitor the Eq and effects in realtime while recording and printing in one go? If so, that would seem to solve a lot of problems people seemed to have initially with this boards layout and workflow.
Yes - for example: I could plug my bass into channel 1 on the Sig22mtk, input in DAW Audio track is Analogue 1, Output in DAW Audio track is Analogue 1, USB RTN button and MST routing button on Channel 1 on Sig22mtk are both depressed, Input on Mono/Stereo Audio track in DAW is PRINT (on the Sig22mtk this is Analogue 23-24, but it depends on the model you have). Set DAW Audio track for Input Monitoring and arm PRINT track in DAW for recording. Set your EQ and levels and record. However, I do not work this way - I just track and save my mixing for a later date. I literally work in stages - Record, Mix, Master - all at separate times, but all on the Soundcraft Signature 22mtk.
Brian Buckalew ah, got it. Thanks Brian for explaining the process. It seems like it will work for me. Although I'd essentially be doubling my track count, but it seems I could monitor my effects and Eq adjustments, record the audio dry, then simply turn around and send it back in through the board (using my same track Eq and effects sends configuration) and record the new processed audio. It's a different way of working, but does provide somewhat of a backup dry copy of the audio performance, rather than always recording wet.
foggydrifty exactly. The main idea of this console is to allow the ITB mix engineer a way to introduce analogue warmth and quality to their recordings without losing the advantage of their ITB setup/functionality. It really is the best of both worlds to a guy like me in my small project studio.
Yes - it would be as simple as routing those two tracks (let's say Analogue 1-2) to Aux 1-2 and then running the output of Aux 1-2 to another channel pair (let's say Analogue 17-18). Another way to do this is to send your stereo tracks (again, lets say Analogue 1-2) to Group 1-2 and then send your Group out to the MST. Inside of your DAW you would create a new stereo audio track with Analogue 23-24 as your track's input (I renamed Analogue 23-24 PRINT in my DAW's I/O so it shows up as PRINT when I go to select tracks for routing). Regardless of which method you chose, be sure to level match your signal so you aren't getting an extreme amount of signal loss - I would recommend getting a passive monitor control knob, such as the JBL Nano Patch (or similar product). This will allow you to get the level up to where it needs to be without having the signal coming out of your monitors be at an extremely loud level. Here is a link from JBL's website: www.jblpro.com/www/products/recording-broadcast/monitor-controllers/nano-patch-plus#.WMQn0qxtnMU
Thank You very much for such detailed explanation. But I was more curious what if I want to print a stereo track. like chanel 15/16 for example. For example I have a stereo bus in my daw which signal I sent via usb return to 15/16 stereo chanel. I adjusted eq settings and now I want to print this settings. Is it possible to do it with original stereo track without splitting it in 2 mono channels?
If you mean a Boss DD-3 Digital Delay, then yes. You would have to route the audio out through an Aux or Group and into the DD3, then run the audio out of the DD3 and back into a new channel on the console as your processed signal.
I'm not sure what you are asking. This question literally could mean any of several issues within a studio environment. Please rephrase your question, and perhaps give me a little more detail about your issue and I will certainly try to help out the best I can.
I have a 16 channel signature and a boss dd3 . I don't want to signature mixture echo reverb...arternately can I punch DD 3 with 16 channel signature?? "Can I get echo reverb in all channel of 16 channel signature"??? THEN IT IS YES.... PLEASE TELL ME THE PROCESS tell me the process step by step by simple method Don't use hard word ( I'm not understand hard English) PLEASE REPLY ME....
You will need a channel to return every channel you run to the DD-3. There is no FX return on this board, so you must use a channel to bring the DD-3 signal back through. Take channel 1 and send its audio signal out Aux 1. On your Aux 1 output send it into your DD-3's input. On your DD-3's output send it into channel 2. Channel 1 is your DRY signal and Channel 2 is your WET signal.
b E q A that depends. For all of its features I think you really can't beat the price. For the 22mtk version you see in this video it goes for $799 US.
Hey! Nice video! I got the same console but there is a little thing that Im not on point! The USB RETURN BUTTON, in the manual we can read : NOTE: The analogue input to an input channel will ALWAYS be SENT via the corresponding USB audio channel, so you can use a USB SEND > DAW > USB RTN path to insert DAW-based plug-ins into the mixer’s channel path. Effectively, I can record the outputs of my synth from the inputs of my console without using the USB RETURN button! SO if I understand, the USB RETURN is here only to have a return of the signal from the daw (audio interface) and to rerecord the signal using the EQ, FX etc. Right ? SO outputs of my synth --> into the inputs of my stereo channel 19/20 for example --> PFL --> RE UP the gain --> select the right inputs into my daw and record withtout using the USB BUTTON right ? Dont need it ? Thanks for your help and happy new year! Alix Excuse my english
You are correct. The USB RTN is only for routing signal from your DAW into the console for mixing. You can send instrument groups back to stereo pairs (Analogue 1-2, Analogue 3-4) to mix back through the console once you are done editing inside your DAW. This would be to create an analogued stereo sum. The USB RTN is not needed to record your synth.
Thanks so much! Finally someone who can help me a lil a bit thanks for your time, it's difficult to find informations about this console on the net! Im 20 years old and french, Im studying in a sound school after a law university drop out , the way was long till the day I decided to do what I want to do, anyway stop talking about my life, I have two more questions : - No monitor level (control room) for my speakers, how Im supposed to do when I want to use only my headphone during the night without turing off the speakers ? Bus group ? - And is it possible to plug external effect like reverb or a compressor ? THANKS !!
I feed my headphone amp through Aux 1 & 2. Each track I want to send to my headphone amp is controlled with the Aux 1 & 2 volume controls. For external hardware you will need to use your Auxes to send a signal to your hardware and then return it back into a channel on the console.
Last question and Im stop anoying you, what is the reference of your headphone amp ? Brand etc, just to see in which directions Im supposed to looking for ? Thanks
I own a Focusrite Saffire Pro40, and the Soundcraft is far superior in overall quality of preamps and headroom. I am not sure how the Pro40 compares to the 18i20 (which is what I assume you meant, not a 18120), but the idea behind what I am doing is not to be faster, but to use an analog console to get an analog sum/print; so using the Focusrite 18i20 is not accomplishing an analog sum at all, but a digital bounce/print, which again has nothing to do with my method of achieving an analog summed mixdown.
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A very simple way to print the EQ in any track is to send that track to group 1-2 and then use the input 13-14 (I have a MTK 12 not MTK 24 like in the video) to record whatever you sent in group 1-2. This way the EQ in each single track sent to group 1-2 is going to be printed (you can also do it one track at a time like in the vdeo). If you want to print the EQ say on track 1, using input 1 in your DAW will not print the EQ on track 1. You first have to send track 1 to group 1-2 (by pressing the 1-2 button on track 1) and then record group 1-2 in the DAW via input 13-14.
Thanks Jacopo. I have several videos on my channel that show the way you describe in your comment. In this video I am showing an alternate routing, as the Soundcraft Signature series console is very versatile in how it can route audio in different ways. Thanks for sharing!!!
Hii
hey!! we just got this board and are seeing what it can do for us in the studio... your videos are great, and thank you so much for taking the time! very helpful. cheers!
Thanks a lot for this video, I had kind of figured it out in my mind (I still haven't bought the console), but seeing how you do it made me more confident on purchasing it. Cheers!
you say he got low eq :D ?
I don't understand why they couldn't have just added a button that allowed the channel signals to either pass through the EQ or not on the initial USB recording session. This would be very useful for electronic musicians who use gear and sequencers and want to record their jams WITH the nice EQ, THE FIRST TIME. It is a shame because I really like the idea of this mixer and wanted to buy one, but I cannot get over this limitation.
I get it, Dylan. This certainly isn’t for everyone.
I appreciate your work making this video and answering everyone's questions Brian. Do you know of a UBS mixer that does allow the EQ to be recorded directly?
Thanks, Dylan! See what you think about this: www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/L12--zoom-livetrak-l-12-digital-mixer
Dylan Reece man i totally agree what did you end up with?
Good video I almost pulled trigger on this mtk
Does the buss tracks show up as an input in the DAW? I like routing tracks to a buss and record that back into the DAW without messing with the Master buss.
You have to create a new audio track and select the Console's channel as the track's input. This will allow the audio passing through the Consoles channel to go back into your DAW.
For example, I often take the output of Garage Band which is channels 1 and 2, send that to a group buss and then select that group as an input in Reaper which is my main Recording software. Just making sure I am able to select a group buss instead of the master buss unless the master buss is my only option. I assume the board has a master output knob to control speaker volume that is independent of the master fader?
I am currently using a Presonus Studio Live 24.4.2. Do you think I can get the same coloration of tracks like you do with the Soundcraft board?
+Doctor McFarland Studios I use a passive monitor control for this feature. The board’s master fader is exactly that a master level out to your monitors.
+Doctor McFarland Studios if you are asking about the analogue coloring from the Soundcraft then I would say no because they utilize different preamps. That is not to say it is better - that my friend is a matter of taste.
Man, what if you just want to get the right sound up front using the Eq? You can't use the Eq in strait record mode? I can't believe that.
You can only record EQ when utilizing the USB RTN button. You send audio from your DAW through the Soundcraft (via USB RTN) and then back out into your DAW and onto a new audio track with Print set as the Input to get the Soundcraft's EQ onto a track. This was partially designed so the user could record a multi instrument session into their DAW and then come back later and mix it back through the Soundcraft.
Also when using it live, you can use a vst effect as an insert in that channel.
Yes - but latency may or may not occur. But that is more dependent on the plugin and the processing power of your computer than the console itself.
@@BrianBuckalew Hey man, thanks for the vid. Will there be any difference in audio quality when reprocessing the printed signal back into the mixer for eq? i.e. because the audio is now in the digital domain will it add digital artefacts to the signal when sent back through the analog mixer?
Nothing that would be considered negative. There will be analog anomalies that will be noticeable, but those are considered desirable.
Thanks Brian for taking the time to make these videos. Im considering buying this board. Just to clarify: During recording you are not able to add EQ and effects going into PT?
Correct. I'm sorry if I didn't explain that part clearly enough.The way the manual explains it is as follows: The Signature 22MTK Input channels ALWAYS send their post-gain, pre-EQ signal to their respective USB recording channel.
The process I demonstrate in this video shows how to reintroduce the recorded track from inside of Pro Tools into the Sig 22 and then impart the Sapphyre EQ onto the track, send it back through an Aux channel and then finally routing it through another unused channel for level matching of the "post" EQ track to the original recorded track.
Like I said in the video there may be other ways to go about this, but this is the first way I actually found to work for me. I am an ITB recording engineer and the Soundcraft Signature 22 is my first experience on an analogue console of any sort - so if I make no sense at all it is only because I am approaching this still from a largely ITB mindset. Every day I'm learning something new about this board that makes me see just how powerful of an instrument it can be. Even though this "Pre" EQ feature may seem inconvenient, it has helped me to better understand how to route things and to better understand the inner workings of this console.
The output from the Si comes out just after the gain, and before any of the eq or effects. Brian does state this in the video correctly and your understanding is correct.
Hey! I've heard the limiter and high-pass don't go to "tape" inside the daw and that the mic signal goes into the preamp and then right to "tape". Are you sure the limiter and highpass work to tape?
Yes
I may have missed something. If you record a dry signal to computer, then return and use eq settings and do your master track, this would give you the ability to change eq, effects, maybe add plugins settings for mastering. I would have thought this was a standard, flexible recording method
It is a standard flexible recording method - and what you described is exactly how it was meant to be used. I think a lot of people are put off with the fact there is an extra process to this that includes having to go back and "re-mix" a session or live event after they had already initially done it once. While this may be a small inconvenience to some, it is actually a benefit to me and how I use it in my studio. I like being able to record, mix and master in 3 separate phases.
Thanks for the video. I have a Sig 12 MTK and I read how "13 and 14" are the master stereo out - I assume this master is going to be post-channel strip with EQ and Faders or am I mistaken? I can't test it as for some reason those channels have no signal in my DAW.
As far as I know with the Sig12 MTK the "Playback Channel" from the console to the DAW is the highest channel on the console. For me on my Signature 22 it is channels 21/22. So, I would assume it would be channels 11/12 on your Signature 12 MTK. Channels 13/14 would then be your "Tape Return", which would be used to provide a analogue sum return into your DAW. I use channels 23/24 as my tape return and print tracks back into my DAW once I am satisfied with my mixes, or after I have finished mixing on my console and want to begin ITB mixing. I would create a new stereo audio track and set my input as Analogue 23/24 (Analogue 13/14 in your case) and my output would be Analogue 21/22 (Channel 11/12 in your case). This would be a great way to get a final analogue stereo sum of your session as well by enabling the USB RTN button on each channel and routing your DAW's audio tracks to various console channels and mixing your session. I hope this all makes sense, and also that it is correct for your Sig12 console.
Okay so from what your saying only the Master bus can be a print EQ and Effects correct? If this is true, in order to print a single track to your DAW with on board EQ and effects via USB, is to go through the Master bus. Then why do all the extra routing to channel 14, just solo the kick through your Maser bus? Thanks for the video glad I seen this even though I just want to print from my Master bus didn't know you couldn't do it from each individual channel for new stems
In this setup I am doing it this way to run through the preamp one more time. That’s all. Just trying to show 1 of the many ways you can route audio on this console.
very well explained,on routing 12 MTK would be limited. 22 input is a lot but sacrificing one input on the 12 MTK would do the job or I would as TLD record it in pro tools and later add them on the aux into one of the channel I would free for the EQing:-)
They probably kept the eq from USB option for live use. Imagine terrible acoustics the venue might have, you don't want to print the eq you're sending to the house to the computer. I've had many live set ups where I specifically hated that I couldn't send the signal pre eq to a PC to record the show with, and the venue needed serious tweaking to get sounding good.
This just makes extra work for you in studio. I'm mostly peeved they didn't include inserts on the channels. For live it's nice to have gate's, de essers, etc to prevent feedback. And I would like more than the limiter for compression of say drums for example. I'd never do a live gig without compression if there's drums and bass, and I got no idea how well the limiters would do for transients.
It actually works very well in the live setting, especially if you are just tracking to get a basic mix into your DAW so you can take it back to your studio at a later date and give it a good ITB mix. That is really one of the main functions it was meant for. It also excels as a multi-track option in the studio where you are building up mixes 1 or 2 tracks/instruments at a time like I have to do in my home project studio. It is a very fine and warm sounding analog console/hybrid mixer.
When you’re building mixes one or two at time, are those technically called stems?
Hi Brian, can I somehow print multiple tracks to my free channels separately? Lets say I want to EQ whole recorded drum set (6mics - in first 6channels) and print them separately to channels 7-12, than bring them all back to daw. Not as a single stereo print track but all six seprately. Is this possible? Thanks. Peter
Good morning Peter. The console routing doesn't quite work that way. You only have 1 stereo print return used for analog summing/console mix printing, so you can't mix 6 channels and then record them back into your DAW onto 6 separate audio tracks. You would have to do it a track at a time. I often do this prior to starting my ITB mix, especially on drums. I'll mix my drums on the console, then print them back into the session - first kick, then snare, toms, OHs, etc., mute/hide the original recorded drum tracks and then start my ITB mix with console affected drum tracks. The reason I do this is because drums really sound great running through the onboard Sapphyre EQ. It is a great starting point for my mix as I feel it gives me a great head start towards getting to where I eventually want to go.
@@BrianBuckalew Thanks a lot Brian! That is exactly the analog summing I was looking for in this mixer :)
It has to be track by track and printed in real time? I'd love to find a way to apply this to each individual instrument. I am not sure this technique would work for a long recorded set with multiple instruments. This would work great for individual songs though!
For very large sessions it can become very tedious. I have found that creating analog summed stems works great once I have done my ITB mix. The good news is there are multiple ways to work with this console - you are not locked into only one process flow. I often find myself just sitting there thinking of different ways to route my sessions, and certain sessions are better to be processed one way over another. That is one of the the joys of working with this hybrid console - true flexibility.
sorry if this is a stupid question but... what does de PFL button do?
Not a stupid question at all. I asked the same thing once before, myself!! PFL stands for Pre Fader Listen and is the button you use to set your gain properly on each channel that you are recording audio through. When you press the PFL button on the Soundcraft Signature series consoles it sends the input channel's signal to the headphone output and allows you to see the incoming level on the console's master meter. You would then adjust the channel gain until you getting the metering to where you want it.
Hey man Nice video. I am running a sound craft board just like yours into presonus studio one two. I'm bussing tracks back out on to my mixer and sending them back into studio one two. I'm then making a "print" track within my daw. My daws main output is set to channel 21/22 on my mixer and all of my tracks that are bussed back out on the mixer are set to the "main output" of my board. I've got some sweet mixes rolling but I'm hearing a hiss behind my mix. This isn't the "analog white noise" either. it sounds like there's a problem within my system. Does anything sound wrong with how I am doing my mixdowns?
I'm not using PreSonus StudioOne, but that wouldn't be the cause of your noise issue - so I would have to say it sounds like you are using the Soundcraft board properly with your DAW. I would suggest getting a powerstrip/conditioner with some type of grounding in it - I use the Furman M-8x2. Also, check any cables that might be bad - that can give you many issues with noise. Finally I would look into getting a better USB cable if you don't already use one. Simply put, a store bought USB utility cable just isn't good enough to handle professional audio. You need a high end USB cable that was meant for handling music. Here is what I use: www.amazon.com/AudioQuest-Cinnamon-Meter-Digital-Audio/dp/B0041EAL64/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1487783592&sr=8-11&keywords=Cinnamon+USB+cable
Hey brain, thanks for these videos! Does group 1 have an input into protools? I'm curious why you are sending channel 14 also to the group. Was wondering what the function of the group 1-2 send was, thanks!
I use it to get the gain up to where I need it to be when printing. If you just route audio into the MST channel, then the built in headroom kicks in a lowers your overall output. By routing to the Groups (1/2, or 3/4) you are able to get the gain level to match that of what you have inside your DAW to begin with. This was something I realized when I first starting working on the Sig22 and was not getting the same levels on my stereo prints/sums as I was getting in my mixes themselves - this was one way I found to offset that built in headroom Soundcraft implemented into this desk.
@@BrianBuckalew no need to route the aux return anywhere, usb out is post gain. just trim ch14 into your pro tools print track and match. you can easily figure out the unit's converter calibration with a test tone round trip. hope that helps
Great videos of the Signature mixers, been watching them all. I have to say it looks a bit cumbersome to have to do this to get EQ, antother extra step you have to go though every time.. not for me i think.. Can i skip the USB-part and just connect this mixers individual outs (not just main channels) to my 18-ins sound interface to get the EQ? I mainly want a mixer so that i don't have to do that part (EQ etc) in Cubase for my tracks. Thanks
+Vurt72 thank you very much. You can route everything to the Group sends (1/2 or 3/4) and print that way. I was just trying to show another option in this video. There are no individual channel outputs other than the USB in the case of the Multi-Track version of the Signature series consoles. You can use the TRS Group and/or Aux outputs if you want, but I would argue that is circumventing the main purpose of this console to begin with. In other words, if the USB function is not to your liking then you probably should look for a different console/control surface to satisfy your needs. For me, this console was exactly what I was looking for.
Thanks for this! Recently got this board and love it for the couple of times I've gotten to use it. My question is this -- it has direct outs if you put the 1/4 cable in halfway on the top jack as a direct out. My first thought was to try it that way....or is that still pre-eq and fx? Thanks....
The Game Before The Money I'd honestly have to try that before I can comment on it.
no, that only works with inserts, this are just line ins.
Do u have a new way of doing it now?
And why didn't u print directly from the 14thr channel
In this particular video I am showing one way of working with the console. There are many routing options that can be used. The only way I recommend is the way that works best for you. I am merely trying to show that you can use this console in multiple ways. The way I presently use the console is by sending stems through the console as a static board mix (my levels and automation are already set inside my DAW from ITB mixing) then printing an analog summed stereo mix back into my DAW. This new file is my analog summed pre-mastered mix that then will be mastered inside of Harrison Mixbus.
Im using this with Logic Pro X & I cannot get the tracks 1\2 stereo to record in logic AT ALL or play back via STEREO OUTPUT - all other tracks work. 1/2 playback when audio IS ROUTED TO 21/22 WHEN AUDIO IS ADDED to the track
Can you tell me what's wrong with 1& 2 channels here ?
Based on how Logic is defaulted to use Channels 1/2 on any user interface, these two channels are not able to be used in the traditional sense. You will have to create an aggregate device - this will open up all the channels of the Soundcraft Signature series console to be used in LPX. I have a video showing how to do this on my channel.
Thanks for the video, do you know of any way to record each channel individually after adding eq and effects? Instead of having to record using input 13/14 or 11/12. For example I would like to send tracks to channels 1, 2, 3, and 4, apply EQ and effects and record each 4 tracks separately, without using aux channels because I would be limited to only 2 aux channels on my desk. Is this possible or can you only sum to a single stereo track?
You would have to do it a track at a time. There is only 1 stereo return track (print return) from the console to the computer. This is how I print my drum tracks through the console before I mix a session. Kick on 1, Snare on 2, Toms on 3/4, OHs on 5/6, and Room on 7/8. Then I EQ and print each track back through the console and into my DAW on a new analog print audio track. I then mute the original audio and archive it in case I ever need to go back and retrieve it.
Hi Brian, your tutorials are very good, I have a Soundcraft mtk 22 I follow all your steps and when I print channel 23/24 I get very little gain, what could be my mistake? I thank you very much for everything, greetings
Hello - thank you for your kind words. I would suggest getting a passive monitor controller so you can crank up your channel levels in order to match the gain level of the signal you are summing. There really is no way to properly get a loud enough level back into your DAW from the Soundcraft Sig series consoles by just getting the level to be loud through your monitors. The signal needs to be turned down to your monitors while turning up your Sig 22 mtk's output faders considerable in order to match the gain of your input source. I use the Nanopatch+, but you can find any passive monitor controller on the market that will do the same thing. The reason I recommend a passive monitor controller is because it does not color or change the quality of your audio as you raise or lower the level. This is very important in being able to make proper mix decisions.
So im confused. So lets say on the soundcraft you have drums on channels 1-8 (kick, snare, toms, etc...), before you record into ProTools you cant eq when getting levels and then record? You have to do USB RTN?
If you are tracking a drummer through the console, you are just recording what your microphones are picking up. You go back afterward and mix through the console to get the EQ an, Lexicon FX onto your tracks. This is how the board was designed to offer you recording and mixing in two separate steps.
Thanks for the response. Let me ask you, how's the headroom recording strait in without the USB return? Are you getting good levels? Also, are you returning the stereo track back to the console to s stereo channel and using the master faders in the board as your volume to your monitors? This isn't causing any latency? What about patching in external gear? I've always used analog boards and keep my external pre's, compressors, and effects boxes on my 4 auxes, everything in the board can be routed through the auxes to hit the gear. Can the Soundcraft be setup this way or do the auxes have to be routed back into channels in the mixer? Are their inputs for the aux's and group busses in the routing software? I'm confused! LOL. Thanks man. Cheers!
The headroom straight in is fantastic - each channel has the Ghost preamp and the first 8 channels (on the Sig22) have the dbx Broadband Limiter. I have no issue with levels going into the Soundcraft or my DAW. When I do get a low signaled instrument through a dynamic mic I am not afraid to either turn the gain all the way up (it is still pretty quite, but this will greatly depend on the recording environment) or run it through my Aphex Project Channel strip then into the Soundcraft (I have rarely had to do this). I use a JBL Nano Patch + passive volume control (www.amazon.com/Audio-Nano-Patch-Passive-Attenuator/dp/B000T9K8ZO) to control my monitors. So, I have my MST L and MST R sent out into the Nano Patch, which then is hooked up to my studio monitors. I control the volume with the Master fader on the Soundcraft as it is your Stereo out of your DAW. I presently have no latency issues to speak of. I record with my buffer set at 128 and mix at 1024. You must route the Auxes back into the Soundcraft via an open channel. The Auxes and Groups are strictly hardware-based, meaning they do not show up as a selectable "Input" inside your DAW. Auxes are controlled with channel volume knobs (you can control the amount of channel signal that is sent to a particular Aux) and Groups are selected on each channel with a button (stereo paired Groups are 1-2 and 3-4 on the Sig22) where the channel level is what goes into the Group. Hope that helps!
There are a lot of comments in the various forums that the output to the DAW is too low. One of the Soundcraft designers said this was on purpose in order to give plenty of headroom.
Thinking about purchasing this board, currently using a digi003 rack. Is it possible to use both this board and the 003 in the same session?
You wouldn't need to - the Sig22mtk is both a digital interface and an analog board. FYI - I upgraded from a Digi003 to an Avid Artist Control, and ended up finally getting this Signature 22mtk to get me back to the Digi003's workflow. I'm not saying the Sig22mtk is like working on a Digi003, but just that it was closer than the Avid Artist Control was - and a lot less buggy!!! lol
So if I'm understanding correctly, say I am going from the 4 individual outputs of my mpc in real-time to channels 1 through 4 on my mixer, now, I can eq each channel separately and print this to whatever I have hooked up to the LR bus as a stereo mix. and if I work this way, and only want to print stereo mixes, this will print what I did with the EQ to the stereo mix correct? however if I were to route the individual outputs of 1 to 4 thru USB to logic, the EQ would not be printed on the individual tracks unless I routed each of the tracks to an aux bus like you did in this video? Thanks for making these vids, they are very informative. Basically I am just wanting to possibly get away from
Having to digital output each individual track in real-time inside the mpc then dragging into the Daw, so I was thinking if I just routed the individual outs of the mpc to a mixer, i could do some basic EQ and maybe add a reverb or delay to my drums, then finally print a stereo track to cassette or a stereo logic track, I could avoid most of the time consuming and boring process of multitracking each instrument within the mpc. Am I assuming correctly that a mixer like this could be the bridge for a more hands on style approach to printing a stereo mix?and if I needed to recall a mix, I could just re open my mpc project and write down my eq settings for each song? Thanks!
Yes - you are definitely thinking about the process properly. This mixer allows for many routing options and what you are wanting to do, albeit not the most effective way of using this console's audio interface, will allow you to do exactly what you are wanting to do. Plus, you can always use the USB part of it to analog sum your final mix when you are finished. I would say a win-win for you and your music.
@@BrianBuckalew thanks alot man! This mixer is definitely on my want list now!! seems I can use it as a more expanded audio interface, and also utilize the mixing fx and do some otb rough mixes directly to cassette tape for my more raw sounding beat tape stuff, but still also have the added benefit of being able to multitrack all of my mpc tracks in one pass and setting up my Daw with logic when I need to do a more professional sounding mix! or if I'm going to record vocals and it calls for a bit more polish than a beat tape would usually ask. This machine seems amazing! Especially the multitrack aspect of this mixer that seems to be pretty rare in this pice range. Does this still ring true at the end of 2018?
The multi-track feature at this price point along with the Safire EQ and Ghost preamps all make it a steal. Not to mention you have the ability to use it as an analog summing box once you are finished with your ITB mix. That was one of the main reasons I wanted it - $700.00 for an analog summing box made it worth it to me alone, then you still get all of its other features. Just a really good investment. Money well spent.
@@BrianBuckalew yeah! And I've been even seeing them from 350 to 450 on ebay! Def gonna be my next big audio purchase! Thanks for all your help!
Great videos bro! Thanks, how do you go about printing a full session eg. 16 channels at once in stereo including EQ and fxs? Can it be done routing all 1 to 16 to group 3-4 then back to 19/20 in stereo to group 1-2 to print?
You would mix on the comsole with EQ and effects and then route it back into your DAW on a new stereo audio track with Analog 23/24 as the input. This channel is the "tape return" from the console. This will be your analog summed signal with analog EQ and effects baked in.
@@BrianBuckalew much appreciated thanks
My pleasure.
so is there anyway to print the eq and different channels at the same time in different channels to your DAW?
There are many ways to route audio - it depends on your studio setup more than anything else. If you use the Soundcraft as just a console and have a separate audio interface, then you can run the MST Out into your interface. That is one of many ways.
Very helpful Brain. Thanks! Here's a questionable alternative i'd like to have your advice on: in order not to waste any mic pre channels (i record full bands with the 12 MTK version), would it be recommended to route a recorded mix with GROUP 1-2 into fader 11-12 (which i never use) with JACK-CINCH cables in order to bounce a master track with mixer EQ? Or will i lose audio quality/add noise etc? Thanks again! Jules
The quality of the cable will have a lot to do with whether noise is added to the signal, but I would say this should work for your purposes.
@@BrianBuckalew Eureka!! I'm gonna try that asap. You're an angel!
Let us know how you make out with this routing, Jules!
Thanks for the explanation! I'm planning on getting a 12MTK. What headset mic do you use by the way?
www.point-sourceaudio.com/earset_microphone/omnidirectional/CO3.html
when they don't write the price on the homepage you know you'r e in trouble
What about the AUX ouputs.. are they stereo? Because i guess if u wanna use a rhodes with the classic panning vibrato effect and want to re-record it using the eq it'll have to be stereo right?
Stereo - YES!
Just send the track with EQ to the main buss (USB 23/24). Make sure nothing else is being sent to the main buss.
Yes, right! And in that same way you can send stereo stems or bus channels etc. as well. All at the push of a few routing buttons. Much simpler than cable patching mono tracks. This process leaves those precious aux outs for external effects hardware which can be brought into the mixer on some open channels and will be printed along with the 2 built in effects and board eq at the same time.
@@TheJood59 Do you know that Ableton-printing in route, for example, MIC(CH 1 IN) → CH 23-24 (master) attenuates your printed signal so much, that level of printed signal is not acceptable to use it in mix. May be, his case of routing adds some part of AUX-noise, but IMHO it is a single way to have required level of sound. If you know how to print the sound without loss by using USB-rtn with 1st channel, pushed button 'MST' and 23/24, I will be very grateful to you.
I must b doing something wrong cuz I send to the main bus 23,24 but I get nothing had this problem for a very loooooooong time some help would b greatly greatly appreciated
What OS are you using? Also, what DAW?
Oops forgot to mention that 😅 I'm using a mac with logic pro x
Thanks for the vid Im thinking of buying this board for studio use and also take it out live.I run logic 10 with Mac book pro with 16 gb of ram with a 2.8 ghz i7 processor.My plan was to run my logic tracks into the board and to play guitar live and have live vocals.i run eq ,comp rev ,real eight and amplitude do you think the board and the laptop could handle this as far as cpu is concerned.
Absolutely. You might could also try Apple Mainstage, which is meant for what you are wanting to do.
Thank you Brian
very good vid ...
Thank you very much, Danny!
@@BrianBuckalew wc
Not topic related question, but I just broke my head trying to understand, why I ma getting mono signal in my headphones. It's fine with my monitors, but in my headphones all stereo signals convert into mono. Any advice? Is it technical issue or something wrong with routing?
In most cases it is one of two things: a short in the headphone cable, or a mono cable/adapter is being used. Make sure you are getting a stereo signal by plugging your phones up to a stereo output (on the Soundcraft Signature series consoles that would be the headphone output) and playback a stereo track in your DAW. Pan the track inside your DAW back and forth from Left to Right. If you are getting only one signal source then you have either one of the above mentioned issues. Try another pair of headphones/earbuds to see if it might be any better. Most headphones come with an 1/8" connector at the end of the cable with an extra 1/4" adapter that can be added to the end of the cable. If you are not using the adapter that came with the headphones then you may be using a mono adapter that is canceling out 1/2 of your stereo signal.
Hi there and thanks for the video, very informative.
I have a question: I am trying to multitrack record into Ableton Live 9 and then play everything back through the console so I can apply EQ, effects etc. to each channel separately. Although I am able to multitrack record, I am not able to hear it back on the mixer, despite engaging the USB rtrn buttons and configuring the outputs into Ableton as advised in the instruction manual.
Also, would you know how to do the same EQ printing in Ableton as it does not have the print track function? Many thanks in advance
Unfortunately I do not use Ableton Live 9. If I can get ahold of a copy I will see if I can make a video showing the proper functionality when used with the Soundcraft Signature console.
Thanks, that would be really helpful as I don't seem to be able to solve the issue by myself and I've not received any help from Soundcraft.
hi, did you maybe solve this problem? i am also using ableton live 9, and im having exactly the same problems as you do.. please answer if you have the solution :)
Hi Brian, thanks for putting these up there a big help. Im having trouble figuring out how to print my entire mix(9 Tracks) back onto Logic (I've applied EQ and REVERB). Is it possible? Thanks, Michael.
Yes. I'm not using Logic, but the way you would do it is in Logic you would create a new stereo audio track. The input of that track would be Analogue 23-24 (if you are using a Signature 22mtk). This highest stereo pair is the USB Master Stereo output of the board mix back into your DAW.
great thanks heaps!
Michael Procter my pleasure!
Can you just print master fader, using usb recording, and you got everything printed that you work on your signature mixer, including eq and other?
Not through the USB. You must use the Analogue 23-24 PRINT channel to do this. You could use your MST L & MST R XLR outs to feed a recorder to get them to print, but there really is no point in that with the USB feature on this console.
Hello sir, if you can please help me out, I am planning on purchasing the Soundcraft 12MTK and replace my existing interface, a Focusrite Scarlett 2i4, so i can expand my Inputs and record several guitars, a bass and vocals. After reading throught the specifications of the 12MTK, it says that on multitrack usb recording, the Sampling rate and bit depth are: 44.1kHz / 48kHz , 16-bit / 24-bit. My focusrite has 96kHz and 24 bit conversion. My question is, would the lower sample rate on the 12MTK affect the recording quality greatly? Or would the 44.1 and 48 kHz sampling rate be enough to record good quality guitar signals (or DI?). Thanks and i hope i am making sense as i don't have too much technical background in recording.
Yes - both 44.1 and 48 are perfectly fine for recording. The sample rate determines the frequency range of the audio that is captured, similar to the dpi resolution of a photograph. When you are done with a mix you need to down-sample to 44.1 anyway, so many suggest recording in 44.1 to begin with.
Oh i see, i would need to down sample anyway, guess i will pull the trigger and get me the 12 MTK. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and the videos on the soundcraft MTK series. You are the only resource in youtube so far that explains how it is set-up. Thanks for the videos.
You are very welcome. I made these videos due in large part to the point you just made - there were not any videos out there telling what this board does and how it works. Best wishes!!!
So you better off using an old analog mixer with a usb interface if you using it to eq sounds coming out individual out of the mpc to preprocess going into DAW.
Hello Lionel - this depends on the sound you are going for. Not everyone will agree or want to have this type of sound for their mixes. This is a different workflow than standard ITB mixing. It does require spending more money and time learning how to get the gear to work together seamlessly. I have found a way to use this hybrid gear that makes sense to me and gets my mixes to sound the way I am hearing them in my head prior to moving a single fader or turning a single rotary knob.
@@BrianBuckalew yeah that's what I'm getting at. My understanding is that this mixer doesn't include the the eq etc going in so if I know what I'm going for I won't be able to record my adjustments on the fly going in. Basically the eq and aux etc is only available for stereo mixes. Doesn't add up for me .
It is designed to allow you to get tracks recorded directly into your DAW passing through the Ghost Preamp, then to come back and mix through it after tracking has been completed. It is a workflow that won’t work for everyone. It was done this way so they could keep the console under $1,000.00. Otherwise the price would have ballooned up as they added more features. The trade-off was too much for their target market.
Thank you kind sir.
You are welcome!
Hi Brian, finally I got the soundcraft mtk22 and i have a question and i hope you can help me: i made a recording in ableton live and all was ok until the last days the daw start to have some clicks during the stereo print... what can i do?, my computer it has 8G ram enugh space in the hard drive and... i did the same print with a Motu ultra lite mk3 and i dont have this problem....
Do you have your buffer set to 1024 or is it a 512? Anytime I have clicks and/or pops I usually jump to my buffer settings and check those out first. 9 times out of 10 I have it set too low for the mixing process. Also, let me say I have been able to do a lot more processor intensive mixing through the MTK22 with my buffer set to 128 (that is where I set my buffer to record) than I ever could with my Focusrite Saffire Pro40 interface. I attribute it to the USB cable that I purchased from AudioQuest (I have the 3m Cinnamon).
I would check your buffer setting first. If it is already set to a higher setting then I would consider swapping out USB cables. You may also want to check to make sure nothing else was running in the background while you were printing - I have had adverse affects in the past when my computer was performing other tasks while I was trying to record or mix in Pro Tools. Hope that helps! Let me know how you make out!
Ey Brian thanx for your help, was ableton live, it has something and i had tu uninstall and reinstall again and now its all perfect!
Glad to hear it all worked out for you - let me know if you have any more questions.
thanx a lot. cheers!
That means that you are maxing out the power of your CPU. Are you using a lot of plugin effects? They take a lot of CPU power.
So if you want to automate, you have to do it on the print track?
Yes. And I have done that on several client mixes so far (whether it is automating EQ, Panning, or FX, etc.). This is a very good console - especially the Sapphyre Asymmetric EQ.
+Brian Buckalew sweet thanks
if you are just printing one track at a time surely there is no need to route via the aux into another channel, you can just play it back through the relevant track and record it back into your DAW via the master channel. having said that this aux routing is a good way to multi track back if you use all 5 aux outputs you could then multi track back in 5 EQ'd channels in one go?
It is done for the purpose of getting the gain up to a good level.
Ah ok. But for one print track you could achieve that by routing through the groups and master using the faders too right? As in an alternative to patching via the aux? Have you tried multiple patches at a time to essentially multi track print? From this video it look like that should work?
Yes - the purpose of this video was to show one of the many ways it can be done. This console has multiple ways to accomplish the same task (as do most analog consoles). No doubt some people have certain ways they like to work, and other people find different ways that they prefer to accomplish the same end. This console is able to accommodate many different approaches.
Thanks. I would have thought about doing multiple Aux’s had I not seen your video so that’s super helpful as have been particularly keen to Eq and print drums separately so will give this a go on mine
Absolutely. Go have fun and EXPLORE all of the possibilities!!!
Can't you simply send the aux 3 directly to your DAW? instead of round aux 3 to channel 14 and then into the group and then to the DAW?
Yes you can. You can route in a number of different ways. That's the best part about this console to me - there are several ways to do the same thing in most cases. Just depends on how one likes to work. A couple of benefits of doing it this way is you get your gain up to where you need it much easier and you also can print any EQ/FX. But you can get the same/similar results by utilizing the Group send feature as well. Just make sure the input of the audio track you are printing to inside your DAW has its input set to Analogue 23-24 as that is the PRINT return from the Soundcraft Signature 22mtk console.
Brian Buckalew Hey Brian! How would you route it as Tom Shea recommends? How would I send an AUX directly to my DAW. I don’t get it.
I use my Auxes to feed my headphone mixes, so I don’t use them the way Tom is asking about. But if you wanted to send a track through an Aux and into your DAW, the best way would be to employ the way I explain.
Hey Brian, and thanks for still taking questions on this. However, there is one thing you didn’t mention that really threw me off. While it may be obvious to you and others more experienced, you didn’t mention that the AUX master volume needs to be turned up. I couldn’t figure out why the f**k this wasn’t working even when I followed your every move. After carefully looking at the controls while you were talking I noticed that your AUX 3 master volume is all the way up, which would be a big deal to newbs like me. Also, when you describe your I/O settings in Protools, I have no idea what you’re doing. You’re saying that your input goes to Print and your output goes to the drum buss?! That didn’t work for me. For input I had to use external input 14 and out to the print track.
My apologies Tom - I never meant to cause confusion. I only hope to be able to relate as much information as I can in 1 video. This can sometimes be an issue, as I don’t rehearse or write down my video prior to recording. I decide on a topic and hit record on my video camera and start talking. I can sometimes leave out vital information, not because I don’t think it is important, but because I try to cover so much information I leave out certain details by mistake. Thanks you for pointing out this issue and again my apologies for not making my process more clearer.
By turning the aux knobs all the way up you boost the signal quite a bit. And then you also use up one of your channels and one of your auxiliaries. And on top of that it’s mono (printing reverb mono makes no sense) so if you want to print stereo you’re stealing another channel and another aux. Why not just use channel 23-24 in your daw and record the soloed track you want to print from the stereo master sum?
It is safe to say that with this console there are plenty of ways to route audio depending on the signal flow one would prefer to use.
Good vid! I was thinking about getting the Mtk 12, but was wondering if I could bypass the pre and use an external pre?
I just recently used an external pre amp while tracking some vocals (the Aphex Project Channel) and it was ok. But you can't bypass the Signature's Ghost pre, which is the first element on every channel (Ghost pre, dbx Limiter, Sapphyre EQ, Lexicon effects engine, GB routing) so you'll have that inherent "Soundcraft tone" regardless of what else you try to front end your signal with - and this isn't a bad thing, the board sounds magnificent!!!
+Brian Buckalew what would you get first for a good front end the sound craft or a golden pre 73. I'm planning on getting both
I would suggest getting the Soundcraft first, then the pre73 if you decide afterwards that you have a need for it. I say this because I feel you may be fairly impressed with what the Soundcraft Signature offers. You may also decide it isn't exactly the characteristic you want imparted on your vocals anyway, but you'll already know and at that point can get the pre73. I say all this without knowing your current setup. I'm assuming you have an audio interface and are wanting to impart some type of analog feel into your mixes. If that is the case then I would definitely suggest going with the Soundcraft first.
+Brian Buckalew yep you're exactly right. I want that analog sound/feel!! thanks for your help
My pleasure - best wishes!
can anyone advice how to do the same within ableton live?
Why wouldn't you just route it out the group send? I get it! Looked at the manual: overly complicated to hide the limitations but at this price pretty darn good. Your vid helps make this clear and how to work around! Good on you!
Yes - the Group Send is another way to get similar results. Here, specifically, I am trying to get the gain up as much as possible and I have found routing it this way gets a hotter signal back into my DAW for printing. Thank you for watching and leaving your comment.
can i do that in the 12mtk?
Yes! You should be able to do everything the same as on the 22MTK, there are only slight differences in regards to channel routing between the 12mtk and the 22mtk.
@@BrianBuckalew thank you
Hi Great Video. I am struggling to print my track inside my analog mixer and send the signal back in to Logic. Help Please!
+Edward Telfer you can email me at bbuck822@gmail.com and I'll see if I can get you all set up properly.
What the Flam !? - kidding... thanks for these vids - cheers
You’re welcome, Tony
Thanks for the helpful video. Soundcraft should have a method of sending effects with a simple button. Very poor design.
Thank for checking out my video(s). If you setup each FX engine with the effect you want you actually can turn them on and off with the push of a button by routing them to Group Sends. The dials are simply there to allow you to add the amount of dry signal to the effects engine. I tend to like the way it is designed, but I certainly can see where you are coming from.
What type the interface do use?
+Micro Doulo the Soundcraft Signature console is my interface.
sir souncraft signature 22 ka pure jankarika video banaye
So, couldn't you set up both the track you're recording and its return at the same time to print both a dry and eq'd track? I'm mostly tracking one stereo track at a time, so basically I'd monitor the sound with eq and effects, record it, and then turn around and send it back through the same channel and then print the effected tracks on two new channels? At this point, you are monitoring a sound that has eq and maybe effects, but when you record it's dry? Thanks. I'm still researching what the mixer can do.
Yes you can. In this video I am working with a session that was already recorded, but the principle would be the same - through the board > into your DAW > back to the board > out to Print.
Thanks for the quick reply Brian. So, just to be clear then, you can then have both inputs to the board and return both active at the same time and monitor the Eq and effects in realtime while recording and printing in one go? If so, that would seem to solve a lot of problems people seemed to have initially with this boards layout and workflow.
Yes - for example: I could plug my bass into channel 1 on the Sig22mtk, input in DAW Audio track is Analogue 1, Output in DAW Audio track is Analogue 1, USB RTN button and MST routing button on Channel 1 on Sig22mtk are both depressed, Input on Mono/Stereo Audio track in DAW is PRINT (on the Sig22mtk this is Analogue 23-24, but it depends on the model you have). Set DAW Audio track for Input Monitoring and arm PRINT track in DAW for recording. Set your EQ and levels and record. However, I do not work this way - I just track and save my mixing for a later date. I literally work in stages - Record, Mix, Master - all at separate times, but all on the Soundcraft Signature 22mtk.
Brian Buckalew ah, got it. Thanks Brian for explaining the process. It seems like it will work for me. Although I'd essentially be doubling my track count, but it seems I could monitor my effects and Eq adjustments, record the audio dry, then simply turn around and send it back in through the board (using my same track Eq and effects sends configuration) and record the new processed audio. It's a different way of working, but does provide somewhat of a backup dry copy of the audio performance, rather than always recording wet.
foggydrifty exactly. The main idea of this console is to allow the ITB mix engineer a way to introduce analogue warmth and quality to their recordings without losing the advantage of their ITB setup/functionality. It really is the best of both worlds to a guy like me in my small project studio.
what about printing eq of stereo track?
Yes - it would be as simple as routing those two tracks (let's say Analogue 1-2) to Aux 1-2 and then running the output of Aux 1-2 to another channel pair (let's say Analogue 17-18). Another way to do this is to send your stereo tracks (again, lets say Analogue 1-2) to Group 1-2 and then send your Group out to the MST. Inside of your DAW you would create a new stereo audio track with Analogue 23-24 as your track's input (I renamed Analogue 23-24 PRINT in my DAW's I/O so it shows up as PRINT when I go to select tracks for routing). Regardless of which method you chose, be sure to level match your signal so you aren't getting an extreme amount of signal loss - I would recommend getting a passive monitor control knob, such as the JBL Nano Patch (or similar product). This will allow you to get the level up to where it needs to be without having the signal coming out of your monitors be at an extremely loud level. Here is a link from JBL's website: www.jblpro.com/www/products/recording-broadcast/monitor-controllers/nano-patch-plus#.WMQn0qxtnMU
Thank You very much for such detailed explanation. But I was more curious what if I want to print a stereo track. like chanel 15/16 for example. For example I have a stereo bus in my daw which signal I sent via usb return to 15/16 stereo chanel. I adjusted eq settings and now I want to print this settings. Is it possible to do it with original stereo track without splitting it in 2 mono channels?
You can send 15-16 to Group 1/2 and print it back into your DAW via Analogue 23-24 as your Input channel.
Thank You very much!!
Can I connect extra dd3 with this mixture???
If you mean a Boss DD-3 Digital Delay, then yes. You would have to route the audio out through an Aux or Group and into the DD3, then run the audio out of the DD3 and back into a new channel on the console as your processed signal.
Brian Buckale how to reduce reverb in horn ??
I'm not sure what you are asking. This question literally could mean any of several issues within a studio environment. Please rephrase your question, and perhaps give me a little more detail about your issue and I will certainly try to help out the best I can.
I have a 16 channel signature and a boss dd3 .
I don't want to signature mixture echo reverb...arternately can I punch DD 3 with 16 channel signature??
"Can I get echo reverb in all channel of 16 channel signature"???
THEN IT IS YES.... PLEASE TELL ME THE PROCESS
tell me the process step by step by simple method
Don't use hard word ( I'm not understand hard English)
PLEASE REPLY ME....
You will need a channel to return every channel you run to the DD-3. There is no FX return on this board, so you must use a channel to bring the DD-3 signal back through. Take channel 1 and send its audio signal out Aux 1. On your Aux 1 output send it into your DD-3's input. On your DD-3's output send it into channel 2. Channel 1 is your DRY signal and Channel 2 is your WET signal.
this mixer is very pricey right?
b E q A that depends. For all of its features I think you really can't beat the price. For the 22mtk version you see in this video it goes for $799 US.
Hey! Nice video! I got the same console but there is a little thing that Im not on point!
The USB RETURN BUTTON, in the manual we can read : NOTE: The analogue input to an input channel will ALWAYS be SENT via the corresponding USB audio channel, so you can use a USB SEND > DAW > USB RTN path to insert DAW-based plug-ins into the mixer’s channel path.
Effectively, I can record the outputs of my synth from the inputs of my console without using the USB RETURN button! SO if I understand, the USB RETURN is here only to have a return of the signal from the daw (audio interface) and to rerecord the signal using the EQ, FX etc. Right ?
SO outputs of my synth --> into the inputs of my stereo channel 19/20 for example --> PFL --> RE UP the gain --> select the right inputs into my daw and record withtout using the USB BUTTON right ? Dont need it ?
Thanks for your help and happy new year!
Alix
Excuse my english
You are correct. The USB RTN is only for routing signal from your DAW into the console for mixing. You can send instrument groups back to stereo pairs (Analogue 1-2, Analogue 3-4) to mix back through the console once you are done editing inside your DAW. This would be to create an analogued stereo sum. The USB RTN is not needed to record your synth.
Thanks so much! Finally someone who can help me a lil a bit thanks for your time, it's difficult to find informations about this console on the net! Im 20 years old and french, Im studying in a sound school after a law university drop out , the way was long till the day I decided to do what I want to do, anyway stop talking about my life, I have two more questions :
- No monitor level (control room) for my speakers, how Im supposed to do when I want to use only my headphone during the night without turing off the speakers ? Bus group ?
- And is it possible to plug external effect like reverb or a compressor ?
THANKS !!
I feed my headphone amp through Aux 1 & 2. Each track I want to send to my headphone amp is controlled with the Aux 1 & 2 volume controls. For external hardware you will need to use your Auxes to send a signal to your hardware and then return it back into a channel on the console.
Oh okey great but me Im not using an headphone amp, only the headphone output from the console :/
Last question and Im stop anoying you, what is the reference of your headphone amp ? Brand etc, just to see in which directions Im supposed to looking for ? Thanks
i think you can get a focusrite 18120 interface and get a faster better print
I own a Focusrite Saffire Pro40, and the Soundcraft is far superior in overall quality of preamps and headroom. I am not sure how the Pro40 compares to the 18i20 (which is what I assume you meant, not a 18120), but the idea behind what I am doing is not to be faster, but to use an analog console to get an analog sum/print; so using the Focusrite 18i20 is not accomplishing an analog sum at all, but a digital bounce/print, which again has nothing to do with my method of achieving an analog summed mixdown.