Model 12 ableton Monitoring

[Peterb]

Hello, I’m using the model 12 primarily as a mixer for multitrack recording in ableton. While monitoring, I’m hearing the signal from the model 12 itself. Then when I switch to the daw to hear the recording independent of the mixer, the track sounds quieter and flimsier from the lack of processing from the mixer. I’m wondering how I need to set up the mixer so I can hear the monitoring from the daw and adjust accordingly while tracking. And/or if I can get the mixer output to record into the daw so what I’m hearing from the mixer is reflected in the daw. Basically I just want to hear the project as it will stand in the DAW while recording since that’s where I will be doing the bulk of the work on the track.
It’s also an issue for my input levels, since they seem much louder in the mixers output than they are in the daw, resulting in a disparity between what I’m recording and what I end up with. So if anybody could additionally give me a crash course on input monitoring with the model 12 on usb mode that would be a big help.
Thanks

 

[Mark Richards]

Welcome to the forum @Peterb.

I don't own one of these mixer/recorders, so can't speak directly to your post, but I can say that you have professional level gear and there's a learning curve. There's no such thing as a "crash course" that shortcuts the knowledge necessary to use this gear effectively.

In the meantime, until someone knowledgable chimes in, if you haven't yet done so, I recommend a forum search with terms like "ableton", "monitoring", "low volume", "unity gain", and "gain staging" to locate past threads and posts that may prove helpful and informative.

I also recommend the "Tutorial and Informational and Videos for the Model 24/16/12" sticky thread as a valuable resource. The first post in that thread has an index to all the videos. The Model 16/24 posts will in many cases also apply to the Model 12.

 

[shredd]

OP should also consider searching for/brushing up on studio concepts such as "routing", becoming familiar with the Block Diagram, and absolutely do a deep dive on the "stickies".

 

[Max Relic]

Hi @Peterb, I guess that to formulate an adequate answer to your question it would require me some time, as we don't know exactly your skill and knowledge level. Let's try to start from somewhere...

On the Model 12

While monitoring, I’m hearing the signal from the model 12 itself.

So you must have your headphones or active speakers hooked to the Model 12 Main, SUB or headphones output jacks (Hey, @-mjk- !), at least a live input signal, channel unmuted and assigned to Main and/or SUB, fader raised at unity (the "0" sign), Main and/or SUB faders raised to a decent level.
Is it correct, or in what your setup differs?
Is the LED meter above the Main fader moving according to the input signal?
Is the LCD meter moving according to the input signal? Peaks should be around the thin horizontal line that crosses the screen (-12 dB).

On the DAW

Then when I switch to the daw to hear the recording independent of the mixer, the track sounds quieter and flimsier from the lack of processing from the mixer.

What do you mean with switch to the DAW? How do you actually listen to it?

If the track sounds quieter than expected it could have been:
- recorded at a quiet level
and/or
- listened to at a quiet level

Tell us about levels.

On the Model 12

[...] and flimsier from the lack of processing from the mixer.

I guess you are applying some compression and EQ on the Model 12 and expect to have the result recorded on the DAW as you hear it.

Go to menu MIXER > MTR/USB SEND POINT and click on the F4 button (rightmost below the LCD) until the option POST EQ appears for all the mixer channels, then click on F1 (leftmost below LCD) to exit the menu.

Now do some recording and listen to the result, do you notice any difference in sound quality compared to before?

I have to stop for now, do your homework and give us an update.