Mixing desk compatibility

[Carrot Child]

Hey guys,

I was on the verge of buying the Mackie cfx 12 mixing desk but I thought it would be a good idea to make sure that it's actually compatible with pro tools 11 first before buying it, so can anyone enlighten me as to wether this desk works with pro tools 11. Thanks in advance

[Darryl Ramm]

Work in what way? Are you wanting to use it's mic preamps for tracking, use it as a control surface or want to mix in it?

[Darryl Ramm]

And preempting the answer, that Mackie does not support HUI as far as I know so it cannot act as a control surface.

[Carrot Child]

Oh right, well as long as I'm able record audio on to pro tools with it, I'm all good.

[Darryl Ramm]

Well it is just a live mixer/console. It has no USB, Firewire or other digital O to allow it to act as an interface for a DAW. You can always use its preamps to drive the line inputs on an interface or use it to mix down a live session to stereo inputs on an interface, but that is typically not what most people want to do. You need to more clearly describe what you are trying to do exactly and folks here can suggest some products.

[Carrot Child]

Essentially, I need a desk that is able to record audio directly into a pro tools track via the desks pre-amps and microphone inputs. Any suggestions?

[albee1952]

Originally Posted by Carrot Child

Essentially, I need a desk that is able to record audio directly into a pro tools track via the desks pre-amps and microphone inputs. Any suggestions?

How many inputs do you need at one time? What connections does your computer have(USB, firewire, Thunderbolt....)?

[Carrot Child]

I'd say a minimum of four inputs and my computer has USB 2.0, firewire 800 and thunderbolt.

[albee1952]

Originally Posted by Carrot Child

I'd say a minimum of four inputs and my computer has USB 2.0, firewire 800 and thunderbolt.

Well, you have lots of choices for an interface to cover your needs, like:
UA Apollo(thunderbolt-Mac only)
Focusrite Pro series(firewire)
Focusrite Saffire series(USB)
MOTU 828 Mk 3
or even a used Digi/Avid 003
If you want a controller too, then look for a second hand 003 controller as it covers your needs at the best price right now.

You could also use an interface with a separate controller, but that gets a bit more complicated(and expensive) depending on your needs. If you just need a fader for doing rides, and some basic transport control, the little Presonus Faderport works well enough. Then Behringer has a cheap controller(but its not the best thing ever) and then the Avid Artist Mix is pretty nice, but costs a good $1K, so consider your needs

[Carrot Child]

Thanks for the help brutha, much appreciated. I went with a Yamaha mg166c usb mixer in the end.