HOW I RECORD MY SYNTHS - Patchbay Setup, Audio Routings and FX

How do I record 15+ synths at once? And how have I set up my patchbays and FX sends? All will be explained this video. This series is sponsored by DistroKid. Use my link and get 7% off: distrokid.com/vip/bobeats - its a solid service for getting your tracks onto Spotify & iTunes.
Episode 1: • 5 reasons to have a SM...
Episode 2: • Building a Home Studio...
TUTORIAL on patchbays: • How I Use Patchbays in...
Here's gear I recommend for a synth setup & your studio. This is almost exclusively gear I have used in my studio and know to work. (All links are affiliate links)
MIXERS (all of these can record multiple channels at once)
Bluebox Mixer
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/504944?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/b4ELm
Soundcraft MTK 22
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/359305?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/6a2GG
Soundcraft MTK 12
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/359304?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/35b7d
Tascam Model 12
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/483453?offid=... (affordable!)
US: imp.i114863.net/Vro4E
Presonus 16 channel
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/423722?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/RxJRb
Presonus 32SC (the one I use)
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/462793?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/vLe2j
MIDI THRU BOXES (midi splitters)
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/220156?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/LvenY
iConnectivity MioXL (there's a smaller one too!)
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/476770?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/xxAy1
PATCHBAY:
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/118484?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/XxbLLg
SEQUENCERS (makes no sounds themselves)
Novation SL Mk3 // 8 track keyboard/sequencer/controller:
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/450573?offid=...
US:imp.i114863.net/QqZ79
Arturia Keystep Pro // 4 track sequencer/controller:
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/483153?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/M4G7Y
SYNTH & SAMPLERS WITH SEQUENCER
Roland MC101 // portable 4 track synth
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/473345?offid=...
US:imp.i114863.net/74Lq5
Roland MC707 // 8 track synth and sampler
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/473348?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/rvkmd
Novation Circuit Tracks // 4 track Sequencer & Synth
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/512775?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/0kgRJ
Elektron Digitakt // 8 track sampler, 8 track sequencer
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/409950?offid=...
US:imp.i114863.net/yDJYB
Elektron Digitone // 4 track FM synth + 4 track sequencer
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/431568?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/4kOXL
NI Maschine+ // standalone sequencer/sampler
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/501389?offid=...
US:imp.i114863.net/m69Yy
GOOD STARTER SYNTHS
Original Minilogue
EU:thmn.to/thoprod/379052?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/2PbZM
Korg Minilogue XD
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/465932?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/Rxg72
Cobalt8
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/506277?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/eDP4X
Argon8
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/473936?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/0bKWL
Microfreak
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/457192?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/ZknZK
Dreadbox Typhon
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/496419?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/GPva6
Korg NuTekt NTS1
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/473592?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/2OR10
Reface CS
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/368212?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/PLJLR
HydraSynth
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/527778?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/5b6MZ2
DRUM MACHINES
Roland TR8S (very versatile!)
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/434284?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/PLJoR
TR6S (tiny!)
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/504204?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/QBzL6
Analog Rytm MK2 (pricey but amazing!)
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/503365?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/WjW7O
Pulsar-23 (a bit overkill for a beginner)
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/504302?offid=...
US: bit.ly/pulsar23
Drumbrute Impact
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/444377?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/LJod3
SYNTH MERCH
merch.bobeats.tv
Direct US link: bobeats.myspreadshop.com
Direct UK link: bobeats.myspreadshop.co.uk
PRESETS & SAMPLES
store.bobeats.tv
SOCIAL MEDIA
Instagram: / bobeats
Twitter: / bobeatsmusic
Facebook: / bobeatsmusic
COMMUNITY
Discord: community.bobeats.tv
FB group: / simplysynthesizer
GEAR I USE (affiliate)
bit.ly/Bo_gear
BUSINESS INQUIRY
bonurmimusic ( at ) gmail.com

[@SwedishSurfer]

Fantastic, gonna go get some popcorn and enjoy these 15 mins of good production!

[@SaintLuminus]

Love it Bo. What I think is interesting is that you are connecting & routing everything in a very professional way. This is exactly the way pro studios do it. The fact that you can connect Eurorack, guitar pedals, and synths all together shows the importance of a mixer in order to get very creative. Oh, I use the Allen & Heath Qu-16. Loooooooove it. Thanks again for sharing your setup, appreciate it.

[@Daphoid]

Seconding this. Right now all of my stuff is a pack away / pull / repeat fashion due to space; but when we move into a house in a few years and I have actual space, this is the goal. Everything out, patch bays, and a mixer. Good to know the 32SC is expandable (my biggest hunt so far is I want multiple inputs, a very small amount of microphones (whereas a lot of bigger mixers are geared towards recording bands, its just me with synths and effects and the odd analog instrument :). What a nice reference video this is.

[@BoBeats]

Episode 4 will be about Midi Syncing 15+ synths together! Let me know what you want to learn about midi connections. Also don’t forget to sub & enable notifications (bell)

[@frankmason5525]

Everyone shows how to do midi connections. Everyone forgets that audio needs connecting too. PLEASE show us how the audio is done.

[@BoBeats]

Isn’t that what I am doing in this video? Let me know if there is anything I missed that tou want to know

[@frankmason5525]

Errr yeah. I tend to read the comments before I watch the video. I expected you to show a keyboard, a couple of synths, and maybe a drum machine daisy chained together. I didn’t think you’d have enough gear to restart the space shuttle programme! What you are doing is so far above my pay grade, it’s unreal. I am trying to connect a DSI Rev2 to a Moog Minitaur, incorporating a TR8s drum machine. What I needed was instructions like TR8s midi out to Rev2 midi in. Rev2 midi out to Minitaur midi in (or however it goes) then the same for audio cables. I just want to be able to play everything from the Rev2, I am a total beginner at this, and have never even heard of patch bays. You made my head hurt! It was very interesting, but way more than I needed. I did enjoy it though.

[@ChazSeamus28]

Awesome

[@1dkappe]

Just though I’d share my favorite piece of gear of the moment: www.redpandalab.com/products/mixer.html Very clean and let’s me connect synth, guitar and harmonica mic to a pedalboard. And it takes the level of the synth down to instrument level without having to deal with distortion or noise.

[@pbartmess]

Thank you for creating this series! This episode contains information that especially interests me - it's difficult for me to wrap my head around how to effectively use a patchbay and mixer.

[@xamphoa]

Great point regarding wear and tear. Hadn't really thought about it that way!

[@davidsanfeliumarco9664]

Wold be awesome an updated routing tour of your actual studio 😊

[@LEDBOO]

This was the video I needed to see. Thank you!!! I have a very very very similar setup. I haven’t really utilize the patch bay yet still trying to figure out how I want my workflow. This video certainly cleared it up. Thanks bro.

[@BoBeats]

Here's gear I recommend for a synth setup & your studio. This is almost exclusively gear I have used in my studio and know to work. (All links are affiliate links) MIXERS (all of these can record multiple channels at once) Bluebox Mixer EU: thmn.to/thoprod/504944?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/b4ELm Soundcraft MTK 22 EU: thmn.to/thoprod/359305?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/6a2GG Soundcraft MTK 12 EU: thmn.to/thoprod/359304?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/35b7d Tascam Model 12 EU: thmn.to/thoprod/483453?offid=1&affid=623 (affordable!) US: imp.i114863.net/Vro4E Presonus 16 channel EU: thmn.to/thoprod/423722?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/RxJRb Presonus 32SC (the one I use) EU: thmn.to/thoprod/462793?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/vLe2j MIDI THRU BOXES (midi splitters) EU: thmn.to/thoprod/220156?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/LvenY iConnectivity MioXL (there's a smaller one too!) EU: thmn.to/thoprod/476770?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/xxAy1 PATCHBAY: EU: thmn.to/thoprod/118484?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/XxbLLg SEQUENCERS (makes no sounds themselves) Novation SL Mk3 // 8 track keyboard/sequencer/controller: EU: thmn.to/thoprod/450573?offid=1&affid=623 US:imp.i114863.net/QqZ79 Arturia Keystep Pro // 4 track sequencer/controller: EU: thmn.to/thoprod/483153?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/M4G7Y SYNTH & SAMPLERS WITH SEQUENCER Roland MC101 // portable 4 track synth EU: thmn.to/thoprod/473345?offid=1&affid=623 US:imp.i114863.net/74Lq5 Roland MC707 // 8 track synth and sampler EU: thmn.to/thoprod/473348?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/rvkmd Novation Circuit Tracks // 4 track Sequencer & Synth EU: thmn.to/thoprod/512775?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/0kgRJ Elektron Digitakt // 8 track sampler, 8 track sequencer EU: thmn.to/thoprod/409950?offid=1&affid=623 US:imp.i114863.net/yDJYB Elektron Digitone // 4 track FM synth + 4 track sequencer EU: thmn.to/thoprod/431568?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/4kOXL NI Maschine+ // standalone sequencer/sampler EU: thmn.to/thoprod/501389?offid=1&affid=623 US:imp.i114863.net/m69Yy GOOD STARTER SYNTHS Original Minilogue EU:thmn.to/thoprod/379052?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/2PbZM Korg Minilogue XD EU: thmn.to/thoprod/465932?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/Rxg72 Cobalt8 EU: thmn.to/thoprod/506277?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/eDP4X Argon8 EU: thmn.to/thoprod/473936?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/0bKWL Microfreak EU: thmn.to/thoprod/457192?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/ZknZK Dreadbox Typhon EU: thmn.to/thoprod/496419?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/GPva6 Korg NuTekt NTS1 EU: thmn.to/thoprod/473592?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/2OR10 Reface CS EU: thmn.to/thoprod/368212?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/PLJLR HydraSynth EU: thmn.to/thoprod/527778?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/5b6MZ2 DRUM MACHINES Roland TR8S (very versatile!) EU: thmn.to/thoprod/434284?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/PLJoR TR6S (tiny!) EU: thmn.to/thoprod/504204?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/QBzL6 Analog Rytm MK2 (pricey but amazing!) EU: thmn.to/thoprod/503365?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/WjW7O Pulsar-23 (a bit overkill for a beginner) EU: thmn.to/thoprod/504302?offid=1&affid=623 US: bit.ly/pulsar23 Drumbrute Impact EU: thmn.to/thoprod/444377?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/LJod3

[@lucahugh7209]

pro trick: you can watch movies at Flixzone. Been using them for watching a lot of movies lately.

[@russellkeith3300]

@Luca Hugh Yup, I have been using Flixzone} for since december myself =)

[@mb2776]

Setup videos are really great, love them! It's really interessting how other people connect their stuff and how they handle the countless cables. When i started making electronic music, i kinda didn't realize something really obvious: each synth needs at least 3 cables, audio midi and power. Sometimes more for multi output synths and/or synths with Inputs. With lots of synths, there are lots of cables!!^^

[@maxbosoxfan171]

BO KNOWS BEATS !!! ha great lesson/tutorial loved it !! lots of great info n ideas

[@SyncdAlien]

Good advice about the patch bay. 👍

[@johnmadere]

Thank for this, Bo. I'm starting to look more into studio gear rather than instruments and effects. Need to start getting studio gear that matches all my fancy other gear. Haha.

[@dougroyce5784]

When I first learned of patch bays I was amazed. Anyone that works with hardware knows that wiring everything can be a pain sometimes.

[@KWHCoaster]

Yeah, took me awhile before I had a eureka moment with patchbays. They sat in the closet for at least a year. I have my default setup fully "normalized" so I can use all my gear without any patch cables on the front panel. I have three patchbays setup in a 8U rack, so room for more. #1 - for synth outs half-normalled to mixer inputs (24 channels) #2 - Mixer outputs half-normalled to hardware recorder (Zoom R16) inputs. And mixer CD/Tape ins/outs. #3 - is my effects patchbay and are all "Thru" configured. Used for synth inputs and guitar pedal ins/outs Amazing flexibility over what I was doing pre-patchbays. Now I record wet and dry audio, route individual synths or sub mixes to a sampler, plug in a tuner for checking mono synths, plug in "guest" gear to, etc. Always discovering new possibilities.

[@obenedetto213]

Bo you are the best!!...thanks a lot for all your videos

[@BoBeats]

♥️♥️♥️

[@zazoomatt]

Gee Whiz Bo your Blowing me away..............So glad to have found you. It takes q lot of work to get started.......but Oh Boy Thanks. ~American Male~

[@BoBeats]

Glad to have you here!!

[@djanishanand]

BO you are super amazing :-) very informative video. Thanks

[@charliekevers2751]

lovely video. Thank you

[@mannietheart]

I’m getting some pretty cool ideas for my setup. I’m looking at the StudioLive as well. Which other mixers did you look at before deciding on the 32SC?

[@nuyorcubariqueno3634]

Thank you for this video! Never considered a patchbay for easier connectivity.

[@Oooo-bi7bi]

Wowsers, it looks like a sculpture or art installation.

[@amberdean1263]

Bo - thanks for the awesome video. I'm considering purchasing a StudioLive 32SC as well, but I noticed that it only physically has 8 Mic inputs and 8 Line/Mic combo inputs. It appears that you have synths connected to the Mic inputs. Are you doing something to convert the synths you have plugged in there down to phono level, or can the mixer accept line level on those inputs over XLR? Additionally having to purchase the stage box I/O expander is more than I want to spend just to have more line inputs. Thanks!

[@BoBeats]

I am actually just running xlr to trs cables and its been working fine. For the mic inputs you simply need to watch the input gain a bit. Ive done a few a/b tests and cant say I hear any difference between those channels and the Line inputs

[@amberdean1263]

@@BoBeats Perfect - thank you, I think I may go with this mixer now!

[@frankmason5525]

Hi Bo. Love your videos, and have bought a fair bit of stuff on your recommendations, so thanks for that. Looked carefully at the StudioLive 32S, but currently in the UK, I can get a Behringer Wing for only £30 more, so I think I am going for that. My question: you are using the Quicklock QL 400, which looks amazing, but the specs say Width Range: 36.50cm - 53.50cm Depth Range: 30cm - 40.50cm, and the 32 S is a lot wider than that, (82 x 58 cm) so how is it held on the stand? Is it stable?

[@shitmandood]

That Medusa has caught my eye. What a lovely creation. I think you did a review on that which I need to go back & check out. I noticed your Minibrute 2 is MIA? As is the Moog semi-modular things. Probably not enough space for them.

[@SidJ8300]

Hi Bo, can I record the modular synth on DAW directly or do I need this detailed set up itself ? Thanks .. 😊

[@titouanchevojon7742]

Love you're video !! What's trs cable are you using ?

[@tomblaze2]

Thanks for the info

[@calderwood9641]

Great video Bo. One question about something you didn’t address. How do you handle the gain differences between line level pro audio equipment(mixer)/synths and your eurorack equipment? My understanding is eurorack stuff has a MUCH hotter signal than line level equipment.

[@BoBeats]

i am not great at explaining this: with the befaco mixer it just isn’t an issue at all.

[@SaintLuminus]

That’s a good question. The answer is proper gain staging while using a mixer. Once you know how to use a mixer properly, it won’t matter whether the synths are hot or not. You’ll be able to manage everything. Of course this only works if you have a decent mixer.

[@stringsnare]

this is amazing. im building a small synth setup to start. so far i have just a sampletrak, but im getting a minilogue, and a microfreak, and rd8. trying to figure out the best way i can record this into my daw, i have a 4 in rme babyface pro. id rather not have to plug/replug my microphone for vocals, guitars, and synths into the rme. i am trying to figure out what mixer to get. also, i want to be able to use outboard 500 series rack...hmmm

[@Gagarinprojectofficial]

external adat inrterface can help

[@montxsuz]

Good series tak! I like your maximalistic pov ;) Still have the Neutrik patchbays from 2017 I see? :) So I now understand why you want a patchbay thank you. I will buy a Behringer tomorrow - it is cheaper and have mode switches - though I still have to figure out the wiring. I am curious though why you are not using a MIDI Interface such as iConnectivity mioXL? I have ordered one to act basically as a Midi patchbay.

[@sunilsolanki]

Great video. I use a Mackie 1640i mixer and it also doesn't send the auxes (6 of them) out through its FireWire for multitracking... Very frustrating! . I'm still trying to get my head around patch bay ins and outs... Watched your other video on it too! I can't understand the signal flow! I have 16 channels in my mixer but probably 30 or more possible inputs. Plus 6 or 8 effects pedals... Is a patch bay a solution? Or a bigger mixer???

[@BoBeats]

Patchbay is definitely worth investigating I think.

[@orphic-trench]

Hey Bo! Do you think I'll run into problems if my synth's unbalanced TS outputs are connected to a patchbay that uses balanced TRS cables to go into my interface? I've read all types of warnings about this, but other people say not to worry. So, what's up?

[@ecohouserecords1446]

If I wanted to record 4 synths to my p.c on seperate tracks (multi tracking) so I can adjust each synth after recording how would I go about that and waht would I need . I have a basic yamaha m616 fx mixer and a m audio 410 soundcard recording into acid pro 8 , thanks great video.

[@SwedishSurfer]

Looking for info and comparison on syncing midi via usb (like TB-03 and MS-101) vs midi interface. Delay problems, cpu usage etc. Is there any resource to find this info? I have Googled my ass off and came up empty. Moreover using the usb for audio input, like the TB-03, vs using the audio interface for input. Pros and cons etc. Is there any good Dischord forum perhaps?

[@BoBeats]

Join out community perhaps? Community.bobeats.tv and see if someone can help :-)

[@xCROWNxMysterion]

Hi Bo! Nice Video! So all of your Synths are going into the presonus 32 and the presonus has 16 line inputs and 16 xlr inputs. What sort of cable do you use to connect the synths (2x 1/4 jack output for stereo sound) to the xlr slots? i cant find TRS to XLR cable...

[@BoBeats]

i have HOSA XLR to TRS cables. It works perfectly fine with this mixer to use the mic inputs for synths.

[@KWHCoaster]

Off topic, but studio related. Do you power down everything when calling it a day? I have three power bars, one for each tower in my setup. I turn on the power bars and then manually power up everything in a certain order to keep MIDI routing happy. And the reverse when done. Thx P.S. Yeah, you need another patch bay. Or two. ;-)

[@BoBeats]

i power everything off, always

[@VV-vk3tf]

Never seen anyone plug the synth outputs into the front of the patchbay before. I just put them into the top row on the back so I can connect them to whichever input I want on the front.

[@Funkbutterfly]

Yeah, I am bit confused by his setup lol.

[@CesarPantoja0]

You could also connect the outputs of the synths to another patch bay. That way the connections would be patch bay to patch bay

[@davidknight754]

Great video. I think in time that you will prefer to use full channels (like you are doing now) for your effects returns rather than using the typical returns available on mixers as they don’t typically have an EQ available.

[@divinodayacap3313]

What patchcables do you use on you patchbays? do you use TRS balanced Patch cables?

[@bjornark]

What lavalier mic are you using on your chest there? Is the mic Connected directly to the camera? Nice studio and video! ;)

[@BoBeats]

Röde kit

[@bjornark]

@@BoBeats Thanks!

[@Drums1696]

Do you think the Arturia DrumBrute Impact would sound good with the MicroFreak?

[@BoBeats]

Definitely

[@sapbucry]

Do you sync your recording to midi ? Do you do multiple takes on SC32 ? Do you still use it ?

[@bankoftrustnwobot3218]

Do you have some suggestion for effect devices?

[@stevenaustin4591]

Hey Bo, I gotta ask., with all that gear hooked up (and possibly on at all times) would that become expensive on your electricity, as in, would it risk overloading the circuit box or cost a ton on the electric bill or both?

[@BoBeats]

It wasnt expensive in terms of power and it didnt draw that much either. Synths do not draw that much. But ofc i didnt let this sit on for hours if i didnt use them

[@stevenaustin4591]

@@BoBeats cheers! my own system of just a few plugs (bout 10x) sometimes sets off the safety on the electric box... old system :)

[@Anton-du-Fleur]

You need to come to my place to help me sort out my stuff

[@alexanderparkin362]

Hey Bo, I picked up the Presonus 32SC. I was relieved to hear you write on a comment on another video that mic to line level cables work well, as 8 line level inputs is on the low side for sure! Can I ask which cables you use for this, and just to confirm you haven't had to use a DI box at all? Thank you

[@BoBeats]

Hey Alexander. I use a Hosa Cable snake. Balanced. XLR to ”big tele” (dont know the english word, the normal line level cable). I have Peak, Matrixbrute and a few other synths on those 8 first xlr inputs and I have not had any problems. The only thing I have had to do is be more careful with gain from the synth. So on line level inputs I can max Peak output but on a mic input I tend it have it at 50% and if need be boost on the mixer. Not noticed any issues due to this.

[@alexanderparkin362]

@@BoBeats thank you very much for your help!

[@ChazSeamus28]

How is that novation peak treatin ya.. it's been catching my interest lately

[@cristianstanciu6872]

From what i see it is very difficult for you to create a track now, good job LOL!

[@BoBeats]

Stay tuned for the next episode ✌️

[@jamesrose5125]

Hey Bo. Just a beginner. But looking at your studio. A lot of equipment. Question is how much, ballpark, do you estimate you have spent on it all? Also assume it took you years to collect it all. But did you when you began have an idea what you wanted?

[@PoboyMusic]

This is cool but would drive me nuts Thankful for my vst and push 2. Glad it makes you happy tho

[@mattsynth]

I am completely confused on this patchbay business. Do you only record in audio, never in any midi sequencer? With my setup I have MOTU 24 I/O running 12 stereo synths, drum machines, etc into Cubase Pro. All my mixing , effects sends are done in Cubase Pro. I just don't get the ease of all those cables and patching. I will take a look at your older post to see if it clears anything up for me. Thanks Bo

[@BoBeats]

Next episode: midi routings :-)

[@johnvdl]

Another great video! Thank you so much❤! I ordered a Presonus StudioLive 32S III mixer but then I read it can't record 32 channels included volume changes! And EQ changes, compressor and (internal) effect changes. A major disappointment... I can still return the mixer but I would love to keep it😉. Did you ever record 32 channels (or another amount of channels) on the SD-card or with USB in the DAW included volume changes and so on?? In the user-guide I read that Post-fader recording on SD-card will not record volume changes. That's so strange! Why would I make all volume changes during my jam-sessions when I can't record them? Hope you can help, it's my dream to finally record on 32 separate channels... all tips or ideas are welcome!😉👍

[@BoBeats]

This is correct and a major problem I have brought to Presonus attention. You can record eq/compressor I think into the computer, but I agree that the lack of automation for sd card recording is so bad.

[@SoundmanCH]

Hi Bo, thanks for this brilliant and entertaining video (series). I will follow your setup 1:1, buy a Presonus mixer and use patch bays with snakes. Listening to your music I can clearly hear that the sonic quality of the Presonus audio interface is by far good enough. 32 ins/outs in both directions from my DAW is perfect and all I will ever need. Would be nice if you could share your DAW integration. Looks like a dream setup to be able to select your desired synth’s ins and outs directly from you DAW without any patching involved. Full freedom, no creativity blockers anymore. Just a little question regarding the cabling: The snakes are fantastic, but how do you go about bringing an unbalanced synth line output to the balanced input of your mixer? Do you use custom soldering, like with pseudo balanced cables ? Best regards Frank

[@BoBeats]

Hey buddy! I use xlr to normal tele snakes. They are available from multiple manufacturers. No issues what so ever. You just have to lower the volume on some synths because the mic inputs are more sensitive.

[@SoundmanCH]

BoBeats thank you Bo, I will give it a try! Also checked with Loopop, as it turns out my Neutrik patch bays (the same as you have) are fully balanced. Thank you for taking your time to answer me!

[@burgetron]

this is very informative, and does feel like a nice culmination of your journey till now (for those who have been watching for a while) BUT man this video leads me (and im sure others) to GAS-ing on all the recording gear that i (and i'm sure others) would love to have, but will realistically never be able to afford. (1) what about setting up a studio with the budget that most of your viewers have - nothing to a few hundred dollars/euros. (2) convince reverb to send you to people's houses and 'pimp my ride' style people's home studios. if this fly's i wanna be first in line!

[@BoBeats]

Yeah! Great idea and it has been on my mind a lot. I want to do smaller builds. And hopefully this autumn and next year a lot of this can become reality

[@sonicindustries227]

Lot of gear there Bo - very interesting. Don't quite get the mixer (very nice as it is) - seems to solving a problem you didn't have? + assume you had an extensive interface set-up prior to the Presonus. The only reason I have 4 units going through the Xone is because of it's 'live' effects + each unit connected via 1/4" jack is also usb'd to the Mac so I can clock everything from Logic & also have the option of multiple instances of each device which could be set up as multi-channel and tweakable via Overbrdge. Just an observation - looking forward to the Midi vlog (when I'm back from Riga)

[@BoBeats]

The mixer is actually solves a lot of stuff: ties together multiple setups, much smoother to use with the hw synth rig, and sd card recording is very nice for the jamming I do. And ofc setting up fx sends would have been hell w/o it

[@sonicindustries227]

Fair play. Suppose I'm really trying to find a reason not to buy one myself lol...

[@SaintLuminus]

sonicindustries The importance of a mixer is super important. Solves lots of problems and will get the best sound out of your gear.

[@sonicindustries227]

@@SaintLuminus Don't get me wrong, I do want one but I just need to convince myself it's going to really add something to my workflow

[@SaintLuminus]

@@sonicindustries227 Yes for sure, understanding what you want to do in your workflow is important. For what I do, a mixer is invaluable. I wouldn't get the same results without a mixer. You don't have to buy an expensive 32 CH digital mixer, you can try an inexpensive small analog mixer to understand the basics of a mixing board and how it might help your workflow and sonic possibilities.

[@TobyBorrow]

There is no such thing as overkill 😃 Only ‘I got another year older and I’ll buy myself a birthday present’ - are you using a mio for your midi. The mio 10 has served me well to deal with multiple pieces

[@TobyBorrow]

Tell me. You are incorporating a mixer in. Last time I watched you were just running patchbays and 16 inputs. We have similar setups input wise. I am seeing the limitations of putting my desk aside (16 channel Soundcraft, like a 1604). I like to mix with my hands. But I can see how I would bring it back into the setup. I’m only going direct in because of space considerations. So question being why are you going back to the desk

[@janahodgson8060]

Hey Bo, do you incorporate any software into this setup (either DAW or software synths) or do you keep them separate? The ability to quickly record all tracks without messing with a computer seems useful, especially since that mixer records all tracks individually if you wanted to dump them into a DAW.

[@BoBeats]

Next episode I will try and explain this

[@blellow]

what audio cable do you use

[@mtae5]

Do you record all your synths in mono? All the music in this video sounded mono, does your setup allow recording each synth in stereo?

[@mihaitapertea]

how can I record everything coming from the presonus studioive on an octratrack?

[@1dkappe]

You haven’t talked about how you’ve integrated coffee into your new setup. ☕️

[@mnewb1]

What stand are you using for the Peak?

[@BoBeats]

Crema Cafe Design

[@aristotlekumpis7095]

Do you think a patch bay degrades the sound quality a little? Do you lose some volume?

[@BoBeats]

No such issues

[@mikehydropneumatic2583]

07:05 motorized sliders fuck me dead.

[@mb2776]

Another reason for a patchbay: More synths/samplers/stuff that your mixer can handle. Instead of crawling to the back of the rack, it's easier just to have the patchbay in front of you and patch the synths to the mixer u want to use right now.

[@BoBeats]

Thats a superb reason!

[@Val_Cla]

Nice setup ☺️ but how's the electricity bill now ?

[@BoBeats]

😬😬😬😬😬😬😬😬

[@albonymus1682]

Olival Clanaro when you can afford this setup i guess you wont be worried about the bill xD

[@jarradstallone5009]

@bobeats this is awesome but a buttload of gear. Do you have a video of a more slimmed down home studio set up? Like, 1 synth, 1 drum machine, a midi controller, 2-4 inputs/outputs interface, small mixer, etc...

[@synthshoot1026]

Shouldn't all permanent connections to the patch bay be made on the back. And inter connections only on the front. Thats the way I usually see it done. Thanks for the videos.

[@BoBeats]

Yepp, this is better for permanent stuff, but I move stuff around way too much

[@synthshoot1026]

@@BoBeats Actually what I meant lets you inter connect any thing to any thing without moving gear or cables at all. Once all inputs and outputs from every piece in the studio get connected to the back. All your routing can be made on the front from one panel.

[@BoBeats]

@@synthshoot1026 yepp, but my point was that if I route stuff on the back I have to pull those cables whenever I want to re-arrange. Which is unfortunately frequently since I test a lot of gear

[@synthshoot1026]

@@BoBeats I must be missing your point here. Once you have all cables on the back. Exchanging and testing gear would be a matter of un-pluging and pluging on the gear side without going to the back of the patch panel. Unless ofcourse your re positioning to far places in the room. then that makes sense. I'm thinking the scheme shown on the video is useful when you have enough inputs and outputs in your mixer. But then you have to do the routing in the mixer instead of physically on the front panel. Interesting video any way, I've learned allot.

[@1VperOctave]

@@synthshoot1026 I am similarly confused. To BoBeats - For example, if you want to replace the Microfreak at top left of that main desk with eg a Korg Monolgue, wouldn't you just leave the audio cable there and swap synths? Perhaps in your case, as you review and swap in/out so many synths, it still wouldn't make sense for you. I am very curious because I am also rebuilding right now, and trying to ensure minimum cable re-routing after I am set up. Thanks.

[@davealley1753]

What tone print are you using on the Hall of Fame? :)

[@benedwards1047]

Cool setup, but there is possibly a better way of using patch bays than that. I have all my connections on the back of the patch bay - all the mixer ins and outs, all the synth ins and outs all my effects ins and outs. Everything is labeled on the front of the patch bay very clearly. Then I use short patch cables to connect things together on the front of the patch bay

[@BoBeats]

Yepp. In my previous series I did it like that

[@williamlittlejohn5929]

Hi Bo! Nice video as usual...however, what makes me confused is : using a Patchbay when having the Presonus is....double.Got the 32 Studiolive too...let's say, my reverb is plug on the back of the mixer in the AUX...press AUX, select the channel assign of the effect...mine is 13, then choose the instruments you want to send onto it, move the slider of it, back to the main and boom...choose the amount of the effect you want on the corresponding slider...easier to show than to explain in words but hope it is clear enough... So for me, the patch bay is when you don't get a mixer...doesn't mean you cannot have both but I get the mixer to avoid the Patchbay, not only for that but among those reasons... Regards

[@BoBeats]

Sounds like the way I do it. Only difference is that I go: mixer outputs into PB, so I don’t have to drag so many different cables to the mixer. And easier to exchange a fx unit for another. And in the future I want a 3rd pb just for FX routings

[@williamlittlejohn5929]

BoBeats ,that makes sens in that way then...ok.For example,talking about info the mixer when you did the 1 St video,how to record an audio with effect onto the DAW!Still struggling on that point! Routing is quite complex in the computer and their software I found...not clear at all for me...

[@Stadsjaap]

Mmm... the monitor outs should be post fader so you should be able to route them back into your master track to record FX onto your SD card.

[@BoBeats]

unfortunately having one stereo for all the fx isn’t enough :-/

[@T-H-X]

For me i dont use a patchbay for routing. All my synths and effects are conected to my Mixer. I also can Connect everything to everything without patching everytime. I use the Mixer routing and two stageboxes. So i have Access to everything without the need of patching everytime. I use the patchbay only for Connection guitars or Bass Connection

[@env4n3]

'reduces wear and tear of precious synths' .. meanwhile is jsut stacking an octatrack on the medusa pads xD

[@BoBeats]

😬😬😬😬😬

[@Chasing_Thoughts]

Would you consider starting a series where you review the "production value" of your fans music. I'm sure a lot of us here have our music on a variety of the different streaming platforms. It would be a way we can all add value to audiences, albeit, with much of the value coming from your established online presence. Love your channel and I hope all this isn't asking too much.

[@BoBeats]

thanks for the idea!! i did do music reviews on streams before but honest I didn't feel totally comfortable doing this. While a lot of people seemed to enjoy the streams I feel I am not qualified to comment. I have thought about simply listen to and promote others music.

[@Chasing_Thoughts]

@@BoBeats I recently found out my distributor has created a "topic" for my music here on KZbin. 'Chasing Thoughts' .... A few years ago you replied to one of my comments about not posting music unless it's a finished product. These are my albums and singles. 🤗

[@MinimalWave1982]

This studio would totally overwhelm me.. i like it minimal.

[@jamesbrown4698]

Can you record in daw mode

[@shitmandood]

Question: If you no longer have a day job where you sit in front of a computer all day, why do you need a computer-free recording/music studio? It seems you could save some money here by leveraging a computer, unless there just isn't room & your room does look a bit cramped. You know you might actually need to move house, so you can have a larger home studio. :-)

[@BoBeats]

in the next episode I will go over how I use the computer in this setup.

[@bigbellyraregroovesdiscofu2904]

Ok,... I ordered the Presonus Desk incl. the Stage Box ;)

[@kylekennedy3299]

I can’t pronounce reverb anymore. It’s not happening. Re-verb. Rēverb. Riverb. Ryverb. Brain gone to mush But beautiful vid and wonderful shirt 👍

[@BoBeats]

Röööövööööörb

[@rchrd3353]

re-wind re-do re-verb re-view

[@idiotcombatant7918]

i found removing the keybed of the microfreak it is far more useable

[@izrefael6522]

This guy is 🥜

[@repeatdefender6032]

I’m learning, but this stuff is really hard for me to wrap my brain around. Sometimes I feel like it’s hopelessly complicated. I need a dictionary of synthesizer terminology, that would be rad.

[@mgabrysSF]

Someone went into the music store and said 'one of everything please'.

[@BoBeats]

🤣

[@ANTHONYBOOTH]

how do you prevent fire inspectors from entering the building? ...do you have Guns? Dogs? ...or BOTH???

[@carstencolberg1427]

1:04 schhhh..... don´t say that!!!

[@Y2F0]

is anyone gunna talk about how the 2,000 (almost 3,000) dollar mixer has a plug for a lamp on it ? i dunno it mite just be me but i think thats hilarious

[@BoBeats]

Its a bit funny! But its also super functional for live use, which is the intended use case for these mixers

[@Y2F0]

ohh i see! i never knew. also thanks for making this video!! its really helped me get into learning how to make my own synth setup, which can be a very confusing experience (atleast for me), so these types of videos are really appreciated!

[@BobbyGeneric145]

Absolutely ridiculous that presonus doesn't record internal aux or fx

[@mwarsell]

Bad, bad computer

[@frankmason5525]

Hi Bo. Love your videos, and have bought a fair bit of stuff on your recommendations, so thanks for that. Looked carefully at the StudioLive 32S, but currently in the UK, I can get a Behringer Wing for only £30 more, so I think I am going for that. My question: you are using the Quicklock QL 400, which looks amazing, but the specs say Width Range: 36.50cm - 53.50cm Depth Range: 30cm - 40.50cm, and the 32 S is a lot wider than that, (82 x 58 cm) so how is it held on the stand? Is it stable?

[@BoBeats]

I am using a 32SC and it fits very well :-) Wing seems an excellent choice

[@frankmason5525]

Appreciate the quick reply :-). The SC is only 447mm wide, the Wing is 871mm, so the stand wouldn’t fit. It’s a pity, because it’s the only one I’ve found with castors on. I’ll have to go to Ikea and get a desk or something.

[@mihaitapertea]

how can I record everything coming from the presonus studioive on an octratrack?