analog mixer + control surface = digital mixer?

[j20056]

Hi. I currently use a Mackie 24 analog mixer, and a Baby HUI as a control surface. I am trying to rearrange my space more efficiently, so I was wondering if I could sell these two and replace them with one device that does both. Is a digital mixer the answer?
I want the functionality of an analog mixer to play live with my band (my room is both a recording, mixing and band practise room), and control ProTools. My budget is under $3,000 and I want at least 16 channels and 4 busses.
am I thinking right about a digital mixer? Do I lose or gain functionality in the process?

[bb_aus]

digital mixers realy are a different beast to use but if your comfortable with it then it will do what your asking

cheepest entry is a yamaha 01V96

[j20056]

Thanks. I've narrowed down the search to the yamaha 01V96 and the Tascam DM-3200 (although the DM-4600 that they just released looks really nice, but $5,000). What about the Control|24? It's obviously the best control surface versus the others, but is it remotely capable of being used as a live mixer (for a band practise room)?

[Third Eye Studios]

You could look for an older Mackie Digital 8 Bus with an extra AIO card. The console is no longer made, but it can function as a HUI for Pro Tools and as a digital console (and it's in your budget).

[Matt Whritenour]

this should do the trick
http://www.solid-state-logic.com/music/aws900plus.html

[j20056]

SSL = $100,000

[JCBigler]

The Yamaha 01V96 is the tool you are looking for. I have one, and use it as a control surface, and audio I/O for Protools. Though you didn't say what Digi hardware you are using. If you don't have any Digi system yet, you will need to got one to use Protools. The Digi 002R is the unit that you want.

With the 01V96, you can bring 8 channels of ADAT I/O into the 002R, and four additional channels via the OMNI outs. That will give you 12 channels into Protools via the 01V96 -> 002R. Plus the four mic pres and S/PDIF on the 002R brings you to a total of 18 channels of input to Protools--the max that Digidesign currently allows.

With this set up you still have the use of the 01V96's onboard digital EQs, compressors, and effects--while recording into Protools, so it is very much like an oldschool analog mixer/outboard gear set up.

You also get the Protools control surface functionality that you want.

As well, the 01V96 sports the following features by default:

12 mic pres, 8 aux send, 8 subgroups (DCA style), on board fully parametric 4-band EQs, compressors, gates, delays, and limiters on EVERY input and output. Scene memory, motorized faders, two channels of stereo 1/4" input, 17 faders (including the master L-R), the ability to upgrade the base configuration to have up to 32 mono mic inputs. And it's relatively light, so it's not a huge hassel if you have to move it for a gig.

It's a very versatile board, and well worth the money. It is the only digital board out there that can do what it does for the price ~$2,000.

I can't recomend it enough.

[j20056]

Thanks JC. Since I posted my original message, I researched this topic a lot and came with similar conclusions. The top two candidates are the Yamaha unit you mentioned, and there is also the Tascam DM-3200. My analog mixer has 24 faders, and I use them all during band rehearsals, so I am not totally happy about only having 16 faders, but I *do* understand that I can get access to more faders by a single button press to show me the next 16, from 17-32, although I will only have 16 line/mic inputs. I also found this brand www.argosyconsole.com that makes beautiful consoles to integrate the Yamaha or the Tascam.
I may decide to upgrade and get the new Tascam DM-4800. It has 24 mic pres / line in, and 24 physical faders, as well as 8 analog send/return instead of 4. In a sense, it is like the Yamaha 02V96 ($9,200 street price) but at $4,999 list price.
I'll post about what I wind up buying. BTW, how is the control surface working with PTLE? I do have the 002R

[JCBigler]

Like I said, I love my 01V96. Best investment I ever made. It has a suttle/scrub wheel, and yes you can bank the faders in groups of 16--I have two user preset buttons set up so I can bank up and down in groups of 16, jut like you would with the Command8, Digi002, or Control24.

[Matt Whritenour]

SSL = $100,000

i think it's more around $90,000 lol