Perform Like a Pro with this New Performance Mixer from After Later Audio

After Later Audio Bartender is a modular performance mixer setup that can grow as your needs change. It has 4 stereo channels, each with a stereo send to effects. Each channel can be panned under CV control, and also have its level under CV control. There are two effect send buses and best of all there are matched stereo effect returns so you don’t lose a channel to returned audio.
But the real power of Bartender comes when paired with its expander modules; Barback is a 2 channel stereo strip expander, Cast Iron adds a single channel strip, SendVCA gives you CV control over send levels, and USB 2Ch is a stereo USB send/return that allows you to integrate DAW/iPad effects into your modular patch.
In this video I explain how all of these modules work, go through the options for connecting them, and show you example patches too.
Full manuals for the modules, including links to buy Bartender, Barback or any of the other After Later modules:
afterlateraudio.com/products/...
afterlateraudio.com/products/...
afterlateraudio.com/products/...
afterlateraudio.com/products/...
afterlateraudio.com/products/...
If you want to buy other eurorack modules please consider using these links to help support my work:
(EU) Eurorack from Thomann: bit.ly/synthdadthomann
(US) Eurorack from Perfect Circuit: bit.ly/synthdadpc
Timeline:
00:00 Introduction
00:48 Overview of the features in the mixer modules
02:23 Barback expander modules
04:14 Look underneath for wiring jacks
08:25 Let's get patching!
10:46 Cast Iron single channel expander
11:43 Effect Sends and Returns
13:03 Workaround to control volume of return effect
13:51 Chaining effects - delay into reverb
15:01 Pre and post-fader sends
16:31 SendVCA - CV control of send levels
18:33 CV control of channel level
20:51 Cue bus monitoring
23:29 USB stereo interface, or send/return to iPad
27:36 Conclusions
28:01 Closing jamming
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[@alexmeeres5072]

I've been waiting with baited breath for these to materialize in the real world. Cast Iron could be the economy stereo strip we could all use more of.

[@dillipphunbar7924]

What a sleek and powerful system.

[@FileTransferProtocol]

Great video! Thanks for putting the time into it. I love that they took a modular mixer, and made it more modular. I just read their website, and it looks like this can be expanded to a 16 channel mixer. That’s pretty awesome.

[@modularbias]

Putting the 'modular' in modular mixer. This is a great mix of modules, features, and price points. Great video!

[@SynthDad]

Hey, thanks!

[@luvinfunvan]

Ooof this could be the ticket for making a desktop mixer to replace my 802VLZ4 in a much smaller footprint.

[@rayderrich]

I am just very happy that After Later Audio keeps creating modules. My first rack (since a few weeks) is more or less filled with their gear so it is nice to see them active.

[@SynthDad]

Totally agree - love their stuff

[@funkytransport]

“Their stuff” isn’t usually theirs though, always wondered how they get around selling the open source stuff?

[@rayderrich]

The clones are made by several builders, that is true, but I happened to like the look of After Later Audio modules most, plus they are priced decently.

[@funkytransport]

i meant the legal side. @@rayderrich

[@grief1]

Sold! This looks fantastic, cheers Dad!

[@SynthDad]

Glad you like it!

[@digicat247]

I have been using the Blood Cells Audio mixer for three years but this is hot.

[@nodz007]

I am thinking of getting one, Is it good? The blood cells audio one. I want the direct outs.

[@digicat247]

@@nodz007I use the direct outs to go into my audio interface, so I am recording out five channels from my Euro setup

[@DR_01]

Thanks!

[@SynthDad]

Thank you so much!

[@oldsoulsound]

Very well documented. Functionality seems awesome! I'm in the market for a mixer and have been looking at the SSF Vortices HiFi. I love having great functionality but also very interested in sound quality. What does it sound like? Does it have a vibe at all? I come from the studio equipment side of recording, where mixers, preamps , compressors... all have a sonic signature. I feel like very few manufacturers explore the impact of circuit design with regards to sonics in modular.

[@SynthDad]

To my ears (and it’s always personal) it sounds very clean with no colouring of the sound

[@fjb9095]

I initially thought that you could allow multitracking through the USB interface by connecting Bartender and the USB-2 at the back... shame, would've been incredible if that was the case - still looks ace though!

[@SynthDad]

It does connect underneath as well, I just didn’t show it in the video. But it still is a stereo output so only 2 channels

[@ThroughTheBag]

I was also under the impression you could multitrack

[@SynthDad]

@@ThroughTheBag No only stereo (or dual mono if that works) through the USB-2CH

[@joshkorody7376]

I think i have to grab this the cueing system plus 2 aux sends is great. The USB module made me really wish someone could figure out how to have this mixer multitrack all the channels via USB. Thats my main issue with euro mixers, great for live but not so much for multi track recording.

[@SynthDad]

I think there's a lot of electronics (and hence cost) involved in multi-tracking over USB. Especially if you have an expandable mixer with extra modules; how many channels do you advertise to the USB bus? It makes the design, coding and cost a lot more

[@dondonaudio8191]

Really nice rack you have :) and very well explained. Thank you. Is there any chance, there will be a direct out option for recording in the near future? I would buy the 8ch set right away.

[@SynthDad]

Thank you! By direct out you mean multitracking from the Bartender itself over USB? Not that I know of, as that is what the USB 2Ch does (but only for stereo).

[@dondonaudio8191]

@@SynthDad You are welcome :) I mean either via USB or even better (for me) with analog direct outs per channel.

[@Micr0korg]

I just got a Cast Iron for my small palette setup and love it. Economical in both cost and hp! I was just wondering if you might know (couldn't find any solid info yet) but could a second Cast Iron chain into the other and function like a two channel mixer or does the audio just get added to the first one's signal?

[@SynthDad]

I think the audio is added together from what I remember on the wiring on the back. To get multiple channels you'd need a Bartender as the 'master mixer'

[@Micr0korg]

@@SynthDad Appreciate that! I suppose there's not much wrong with running two into another mixer until I get a new case for a Bartender 😆

[@GoGoGoRunRunRun]

Looks like the WMD Performance Mixer. I'm assuming it's licensed? Great that they're available again..

[@SynthDad]

No it’s different from the WMD mixer in terms of features

[@GoGoGoRunRunRun]

@@SynthDad Oh, right, they are indeed different...The switchable A/B aux sends, cue bus and a similar looking layout made me think it's another collab/reissue.

[@linuxbender]

Thx for the demo Is the mute switch silent, can I use it in an active performance without click noise? Can I also use an external synthesizer with this mixer or I need a gain converter?

[@SynthDad]

Two good questions: yes the mute switch is silent, I haven’t had any clicks using it. You can route an external synth into it by connecting the jacks underneath to he 1/4” inputs on the Intellijel/Befaco cases. I’m using that to send my Digitone directly into a channel on the mixer without needing to level boost

[@linuxbender]

@@SynthDad thx for your help and time

[@eurotium]

Hi! We met on modular grid! Maybe you touch this later in the video, but what are the expected prices ? Thanks!

[@SynthDad]

Hi - I think it’s now listed on After Later’s website so check there in case I get it wrong

[@funkytransport]

send middle position should be send 1 AND send 2... you already have no send, by turning the send knob down....

[@SynthDad]

I think it makes sense to have a quick way to kill sends by flicking a switch. The send knob controls the send level and I found once you set it for a patch it doesn’t change

[@DawlessHouseMusic]

Stop touching the. modules with your giant DAD HANDS so I can see the darn things!! - With love.. lol

[@DawlessHouseMusic]

Seriously, I suspect that I will eventually give up my old-school "pro audio" mixer and make my own using modular.