Individual DAW tracks to board over FW, can I take output from channel inserts?

[goodflow]

I've seen a few threads where people patch their DAW channels back into the DM for OTB mixing inside the DM. Does this route the DAW tracks through the DM's preamps? If so, does that mean the Insert jacks are active for each channel? I'm thinking of picking up a 24 track tape machine that is for sale locally and am brainstorming the different connectivity and workflow options.

 

[Arjan P]

I work that way, with max 32 tracks from Cubase going back into the DM. Since the connection is digital FW, there is no role for any preamp there. Therefor, insert jacks don't carry those signals..

 

[Bob Jonezon]

Confirming above, routing digital inputs (from firewire or otherwise) to channel modules does not present that signal at the analog inserts. The analog inserts are only used for the analog mic or line inputs.

 

[goodflow]

Ah, exactly what I need to know, thank you both. So the firewire signal back into the DM stays digital until it is sent to a physical output, then? This is what I suspected, but frequent references to this method as "OTB" confused me as that's a term I've always associated with the analog domain ["the box" being a metaphor for 1's and 0's]. When you guys mix on the DM, what is the signal path of your final product? FW into the same DAW project? Firewire into a mastering suite? Onto an external device? other? Thanks!

 

[Bob Jonezon]

Yes, OTB with the DM (or any digital console), might be more appropriately called "Out of the DAW".

Correct, that you have to route to one of the analog outs to get analog signal out.

I frequently "print" back to the DAW via FW, but also occasionally print to 1/4" tape.

 

[Arjan P]

My process is as follows: max 32 tracks playing from Cubase to DM, there some signals get external anaog processing or send to external analog effects. Those returns are again part of the mix and the stereo mix is recorded through FW channels 31/32 inside Wavelab. Fortunately the IF-FW driver supports the simultanoeus use of different DAWs.

 

[Gerk]

Also if you do really want to route one or a couple of returned channels to outboard stuff you can still do this by using the programmable ins/outs on the board as inserts (this is different than the built-in inserts on the strips).

 

[JHTorch]

Our workflow at this point is as follows:

The DM's Firewire card and the Orion 32 are made an aggregate device. The Orion passes the analog into a Dangerous 2-Bus for 16 channel summing & Hardware processing and then recorded back into two inputs of the Orion. We monitor through the Crane Song Avocet.