Recording Setup
Hi guys,
I purchased the X32 a few months ago and have only had the chance to do one live show with it. Due to being so busy I haven't had much of a chance to learn the board until now. From what I have done with it, though, I must say I am pleased with both the features and sound quality I am able to achieve.
Just to give you some quick background info from where I'm coming from before asking my main questions: I used to be strictly analog. Digital really wasn't attractive to me until recently. When the board at my church got fried in a lightning storm, I replaced it with a Presonus 16.4.2 (The X32 wasn't released yet). I was immediately sold to digital due to the shear processing capabilities of each channel. I love this board, so sometimes I might mention a feature and ask if it is possible on the X32. For recording, I used a Korg D3200 all in one.
I bought the X32 because it is packed with features and had the channels I needed along with motorization. I am using it both for live use as well as in the studio. That's where I'm having trouble getting started...
Like I said, I've never used a DAW in my life and have only used the D3200. I'm wanting to try and translate the processes used on the Korg into X32/DAW terms. I'm currently using Studio One 2 as my DAW, but I'm also going to look into Tracktion 4 since Behringer is partnering with them. I've managed to route the 32 outputs into the DAW so I can record as well as routing those 32 channels from the DAW back into the X32 (Each channel matches the channel on the board respectively, so for instance channel 1 is routed to channel 1 in the DAW and from the DAW back to channel 1 on the X32).
I'm wanting to do my mixing and processing "out of the box" I think it's called on the X32. I know some have differing opinions on this, but I find I'm able to do a much better job like this. Just humor me
So basically I guess I need advice on how to do what I'm wanting to do.
1.) Doing everything on the X32, I'm going to need 2 tracks to bounce down to so I'll have a master track to export to wherever. How do I do this? Is there a way I can record the master L&R fader into the DAW somehow without having to waste an I/O? I think the Presonus is able to do this somehow so that would be nice.
2.) How do I handle punching in or adding tracks since the card works in banks of 8? It's so simple on the Presonus because with the press of a button you can control each individual channel to be live or firewire. So for example, I've laid down channel one and now I want to play channel one and record channel two. Or maybe play channel one and punch in a section of channel 2. How can I do something like this? Again, I'm thinking in terms of both the Presonus and the D3200, so I'd like to translate this workflow style as close as possible.
3.) How do I manage a click track? Do I have to waste a channel on something like this, or is there another way to get it to come through the X32 so the musician can play along with it?
4.) Am I able to mix and match processing on the X32 and in the DAW? So for instance I have a compressor assigned to a channel on the X32 but also want to use a plugin within the DAW on that same channel. Can this be done or is it a matter of all "in the box" or all "out of the box"?
I think if I could figure these main things out and get a clear direction of how I need to get started I could figure everything else out hopefully. Sorry for the length and the mixing of brands. You just get used to doing things one way for so long and like certain features and it's just a matter of fighting the learning curve and discovering what you can and can't do.
I would really appreciate the help. Again, I'm not new to recording or pro audio, just new to this way of doing things. Thanks!