Planning for a Recording Console

[@MrPlayerPerson]

If you are a poor musician and you plan to build a studio as I did 40 years ago, I didn't have the money to buy everything at once, it was bought "piecemeal" as I could afford it. Roll up to 2022, the battery in my Tascam DM3200 died and I had to tear apart the studio to replace a $10 CR 2032 battery, I revamp the setup and improved some of the workflow issues, and fix some of the problems. I still have racks of 1990's and 2000's effect units and everything is run into several patch bays, which are labeled and normalled to be inputs and/or outputs for the various effects. It is a fantastic setup and because I planned the layout I know the ins & outs of the setup. The best part of the setup is I can mix "In the box" or "out of the box", the dealer's choice. Great video by the way!

[@zdogg8]

Great when you can engineer in some of those options. It's not always the money you're spending. Pro tip to some that might be reading, your Dsub 25 pins can be ported on standard flat gray ribbon cable, same as was used as printer cable back in da day, and user crimp-on 25 pin oonnectors. No soldering. That cable is the same as used on interior of some mixers, for those who would suggest this in not "robust" or interference prone, etc. Instead of $250 Mogami's, you're paying about $5. per cable and it's fairly easy to do with a $20 Crimping tool. Btw, I have the same mixer as featured in this video, that's why I'm passing through. This guy (sans Sweet water generosity) would have paid (and he's using 25'ers.)about $300 per x 23, that's about $7K just for the cables, when you could actually do it for about $400-500 bucks. Who told me that in the first place? Trident. Not Joe Shmo.

[@RobertBakerGuitar]

I've never been happier to just be a guitarist😅

[@ReubenGingrich]

😂

[@rocketsauce5067]

My mom always said you should take up harmonica.😂

[@SICKVED]

Just Amazing

[@LarryLobo]

Less hassle if you would’ve used the Cranborne N8 hub and a few Cat 6 cables.

[@EposVox]

And here I thought my crazy analog video 30+ CRT TV routing was hard to wrap my head around

[@vinodsrivatsava]

I can already see the little man is going to do great things in music, he has that enthusiasm and spark, the studio looks amazing

[@AndrewMasters]

Appreciate it! He loves it. We jam together for several hours, every single day up here. It's a dream.

[@vinodsrivatsava]

@AndrewMasters I can imagine that, it's in his blood,

[@AlasdairGR]

He's just a little carbon copy of Andrew. ❤

[@christdolphin69]

He’s not so little. He’s had this channel for a while now

[@JustCauseBoom]

@@christdolphin69 They're talking about his son.

[@ZachWirchak]

It's been about 5 years since I worked on a console daily... these videos make me want to return to the console grind!

[@alexanderwerneburg8642]

I just built my first “budget” home studio, my one bedroom apartment is a beautiful mess, control room is in the bedroom, drum kit on the balcony , snakes all over the floor and I love it!!! So happy for you getting the console from doing what you love and being able to share it with the ones you love, total inspiration.

[@witnessthelightmusic]

Hello!! Congrats on the new console. Someone is gonna have to come and interview you and your studio now!

[@archiebeatz]

Nice brother. The planning is fun part 😂😂😂😂

[@AndrewMasters]

Thanks dude!

[@ApolloJetsonKND]

Can’t wait to see the console demo / review 🙏🙏🙏

[@danafiorucci83]

Congrats on the console!!!

[@seangregory2734]

Just as I'm sitting here enjoying some coffee and searching your channel for something I haven't already seen -- which is becoming more impossible by the day -- you go and drop and new video. Bless you. :)

[@AndrewMasters]

Thank you!

[@gowestrecording]

can't wait to hear what you do with it!

[@biggrime]

Happy for u. Awesome setup

[@michaelperez5273]

That studio desk is so cool 😎

[@michaeltablet8577]

Absolutely Awesome! Thank you Sweetwater for sponsoring our favorite channels!! Congratulations on the new gear! Very happy for you!

[@brendanpatrickmusic]

I'm happy seeing more producers using the JUNO-X. Love mine and it's almost a 4th wall break when I see it in other peoples studio setups haha! You rock!

[@iamtomjohnson]

Have you tried it next to one of the old Juno’s by chance? I’ve been really interested in the Juno X. Thanks!

[@brendanpatrickmusic]

@@iamtomjohnson I don't own an old JUNO which is the main reason I invested in the JUNO-X. I have compared it to samples from other people though and it's pretty hard to tell the difference in my opinion. Most people probably wouldn't hear the difference in a blind test. I love mine and have yet to learn all the intricacies of it but it has really nice modern effects and parameters you can dial in. It's a great all-in-one workstation if you dig the JUNO PWM sound.

[@jonathaneeckhoudt4519]

Hope you make a video to explain your workflow and routing with the console. Nice stuff, love your videos.

[@BradKleyla]

congrats studio looks awesome

[@benfisher0930]

Yeah now I’m gonna have to copy you and get this board. It seems super simple to understand and looks great. Love the option to switch to an outboard preamp with a simple button!! I don’t have a studio yet, I’ve been a live engineer for the past 6 years and it’s my goal to have a studio very soon. But your channel is super inspiring and helps it seem less daunting. Thank you for what you do man!!

[@RealCbase]

Amazing👍 have fun with this beauty. 😍

[@syntheticErik]

I've built up decent home studios before but never anything of this caliber; this is like an absolute dream setup. I have no use for it and would get no additional utility out of it over what I already have and I still want it 😅

[@johnborges9201]

I'm just getting started with the whole recording at home so a lot of your stuff is daunt8ng and over my head, but I always pick up a couple of things and when I rewatch your videos I'm constantly learning a little more. I love channels like yours. What you do is so important so please keep up the great work. And it looks like you have a little protege on your hands. 😀

[@songar06]

Great video. I have an SSL Matrix console myself. I love it. I find it much easier to make things sound good with this than in the box. And it’s more fun.

[@brianespinoza2034]

at 06:30 cut in Lego Batman saying "1st tryyy..." That is an absolute miracle pulling off a heart-transplant in your studio and nailing it on first attempt well done sir

[@dombassman91]

Cool! Impatient d'écouter les futurs titres avec cette bête!

[@lawanedavis7818]

Amazing man , I love this channel.

[@AndrewMasters]

I appreciate that!

[@TheEMOkid66613]

Could you show the signal flow from microphone through the console, patchbay your IO and your DAW? That would be incredible!!

[@rooneygmusic4522]

Nice one Andrew good videos as always, I see a lot of you in me👍Don't talk to me about setting up all this stuff and the wiring involved it's pure insane, the dust that collects it's phenomenal how quick it collects. I have a mad home studio here in the U.K. Somebody said to me how long would all that wiring be in one straight line I dread to think how many miles it would be. I myself started a studio back in 70s it was all analog🫣 Oh how things have changed. I love my studio with so many keyboards and many other instruments, and love creating all sorts of various genres. . I do videography also now and worked with a few good artist over the years I lived in New York in the early 80s working with many of the Hip Hop artists like Rick Ruben, Arthur's Baker, Run DMC and many many others. It's good watching your videos and meeting all the others at their studios❤ Keep up the great work buddy, I like the bit with your boy there had to laugh, I started to cringe thinking if he wrecked some of your gear😟 I never left my boys alone with it even though their late 30s early 40s. I could go on forever talking about this stuff👍 BTW it all looks good. Respect RGM.

[@audioatelierstudio]

I can't imagine mixing on a desk with no automation or recall in today's workflow. Mix revisions would be a nightmare (for me, anyway) when you have to work quickly and have multiple projects going at the same time. You're a braver soul than I!😬

[@deonstassen6238]

Awesome video thanks Andrew...Would it be possible to do another video on exactly how you went about identifying the routings between outboard gear, the console and the interface(s) and DAW inputs? its always interesting seeing how others think about routing outboard gear to consoles (either through inserts or as inputs to the console) and then routing signals from the DAW through the channel chains back into the DAW for printing.

[@slingshot_db2389]

Love the Danger Fox desk. Sure would like to get mine. I’m nearing 5 months from when it was ordered.

[@Martinez11g]

More Vids with the console!! Summing vs Digital summing, Eq tests, live analog mix! Tanks for this channel man!

[@zdogg8]

Spoiler alert, he's not going to do much, he's a tracking guy, (console good) and more an ITB mixer/producer (console in the way) because he says (months later, after figuring it out, I guess) that for him it's too hard without console automation to jump from project to project as his jobs schedule demands, and that's legit, for him. He ends up dumping this console, (you might be aware) and says it's also about ergonomics, which is a bit "first world" problem category. He wants a split console with the digital screen and control surface with it's own dedicated space in the middle, and he's not into workarounds. Plus, he's got more gear to boost, something which caught him by surprise, because he's deriving most of his revenue this way, which was not the goal originally. He should be a bit more upfront about that, IMHO.

[@ScottRosette]

Congrats- totally pumped for you. I went thru a (very modest) build just prior to the Covid (more of a treatment and equipment buy)- Sweetwater is the best- Their advice & guidance was crucial to getting it right (the 1st time). Makin' daNoise in daBronx! Peace and good notes.

[@LBJedi]

Just so cool!!!

[@giovanniiotti963]

I'd be curious to know the budget for the whole operation. Thanks!

[@brendanlovesgridline]

I’d be interested to hear you talk about outboard gear. Seems like you’ve made changes with your racks so hearing you talk about what you decided to keep, what you got rid of and all that since getting the new console would be cool

[@jackmmarsden]

I can’t wait to see the console in action! I’m working at a commercial studio in LA, and can’t wait to have more seat time with the 88r and 8048 etc… I’d love to see a detailed video on signal flow and maybe even a recording session, using the Trident!

[@OzziePete1]

I suspect that prior planning was the foundation of the 'miracle'? Congrats, it looks excellent on video. I hope the new setup serves you well.

[@dacbiz6092]

Hi Andrew, great setup! I am thinking of getting a couple pieces of outboard gear and I am considering patchbays to help integrate the gear to the rest of my studio. My current setup is fully ITB with plugins but I have 2 Dangerous music convert 8s, that go into the 2 bus+, then out of that into the convert AD+. also have a monitor ST and a convert 2 for auditioning my final mixes. Im thinking the patchbays will go between the convert 8 and the 2bus+. what could be some guidance to achieve this? thank you

[@gotyor]

I been thinking about getting a SSL Matrix 2. I love the routing insert feature which would allow me to patch external hardware without a patch bay and get all that analog goodness from the summing in that console. Plus its also a killer daw controller, but watching you deal with all those cables and getting more outs for computer I think I will resist getting a console, I need to just stay in the dam box.

[@zacksymes]

“Theoretically, everything will be cooonnnected’” hahaha - a work of engineering and art for sure Andrew :)

[@ulfdanielsen6009]

Very happy for you,- looks fantastic,- and just right. One question thuogh,- from one guitarist to another,- where do you kick in the overdrive?

[@JanLeviSanchez]

i hope you could also do a video of your recording process along with how you use the hardware plug ins via the patchbay. great video as always!

[@MichaelNatrin]

Great video! The title made me think something went wrong, but then I realized it was all about your impressive planning & preparing process. Nice job 👏👏

[@tristanwarren3164]

PatchCad is a life saver

[@PetrovRecordingStudio]

cool mixing console

[@nic.frasca]

Would be amazing to see your workflow

[@annekedebruyn7797]

Were you looking at other consoles as well? I know that the Audient 4816 is another popular home studio console. It may be a cool video where you explain why you went with this one versus other offerings out there.

[@PloegmakersDaan]

Such a good and important video, thanks!

[@joshuacarro]

What a project!

[@monBeatsStore]

Amazing my G, really inspiring, you're the man!

[@sailorsaturn_]

can you explain the difference between your burl summing box and the analog console? :)

[@RANGDAP]

Wow the studio looks awesome 🤩

[@LordHar]

What I'm most interested in is to see the workflow between the console and your DAW

[@tylerwinter512]

Amazing! You inspire me dude.

[@AndrewMasters]

Thanks!

[@johanarens9798]

Hey Andrew, great content ! I'd love to see breakdown of the bugdet for various things, desk, patch bays, console, power supplies, cabling. Are you going to cover this ? Thanks !

[@g3cd]

How long did you wait for that custom-made console? When I ordered mine from another manufacturer in Germany, it took over 4 months! Also considering "planning your budget" ... I didn't expect one moment to dump easily 3000€ just for cables into my studio desk 😭 I did plan everything super exactly, but in the end, you never have enough cables 🙁

[@lessecretsduson]

Beautiful, congratulations !!!! One question, why trident? Why not api 1608, ssl origin or 2nd hand ssl aws ?

[@marcusmcgill5393]

I would also like to know🙌🏻 I love gear and hearing why people choose what they choose.

[@AndrewMasters]

Never been a huge fan of the API stuff (personally), I know I don’t like the pres on ssl’s. I have a strong history on tridents, and thought it would be a good fit. Very impressed with it thus far.

[@lessecretsduson]

@@AndrewMasters not having automations and recall is not a problem?

[@AndrewCCM]

If I had a choice right now, I think I’d do trident as well. Something about it’s sound that I dig.

[@carlosgsantiago]

No matter how detailed you are (and you are!), this all still seems so daunting but so cool!

[@tonyalbertson8379]

Can you do a vid on how you set up the UAD I/O it’s a little wanky with pro tools and external hardware.

[@echobeatsstudio]

I think having a console to mix on is way better than a control surface. It has tonal and harmonic characteristics that you can really compare to it digital counterparts.

[@KIRKALAN123]

Please let us know what's your Daw rounting and template settings in Logic pro .thanks

[@graham8316]

Would like a video on how the console is used

[@MannyXO]

Haven’t commented in a while but been keeping tabs! Go brother. Sick console!

[@philippconrad3652]

I highly recommend giving your Apollos 1/3U breathing room. They run hot and breathing room is very much recommended.

[@KirkyDrums]

Amazing Andrew

[@AndrewMasters]

Thanks!

[@H.O.M.I.]

Bro! COngratulations! Have you had a chance to mix anything through it yet? If so, what difference have you noticed versus in the box?

[@MuzixMaker]

Beautiful! Did I miss how you’re interfacing to your DAW?

[@AndrewMasters]

Through the Apollo x16’s, Everything is fully normalled through the patchbay.

[@MickDavies]

How do you go about volume levels and automation with the console?

[@larswillsen]

Wow, the moment your kid pressed a button and that look on your face was #1 - Keep up the good work sir! :-)

[@reavismitchell6031]

Very Nice!

[@scriabinbartok3465]

Should’ve gotten the Flock Audio digital patch bay.

[@davidhayesmusic1069]

Hey Andrew I love your channel! I watch your new epic home studio videos every Monday and they are fantastic! I am looking at getting a new console and the Trident 68 is on the list. I currently have an Allen and Heath GSR 24 M which I've had for 10 years and it's been great but I feel the need to take the next step up. I'd love to hear how you're liking your new Trident console. Keep up the great work! David.

[@AndrewMasters]

I'm really loving it. What do you primarily use the console for?

[@davidhayesmusic1069]

@@AndrewMasters I write music for tv sync so I’m using it for that. My main instrument is guitar but I have a Ludwig drum kit connected via mics to the console as well as mics on guitar cabs and a bass di. I’m using Logic Pro. My current console also is a controller so if I switched to a fully analog console I’d want some sort of daw controller for mixing. How do you mix with the Trident? Do you have an additional daw controller? Thanks!

[@AndrewMasters]

Great question, and yes - currently I’m doing a hybrid setup. I have inputs going to the console, as well as returns going to the console. The returns are for summing my mix through outboard gear and the mix bus. I have my SSL UF8 next to me for writing automation in the box. It’s nice to have the best of both worlds.

[@jessiebeveridge742]

Very cool!

[@Mr_A_Mia]

Im so happy for you. Great video, great content man. How do you plan for power on something like a console like this?

[@Somebodysomewhere2]

patch cad is great !

[@iamtomjohnson]

That’s it. I’m buying patchcad. Did it help you in figuring out all of your cable needs or was it mostly just templates to use for different patchbays? Thanks!

[@TonyThomas10000]

So, just wondering what made you decide to get a console? I would think a modular setup is more customizable, upgradeable, and repairable. I did console maintenance for a recording studio ages ago and it was a real nightmare. With surface mount devices (SMD), I can only imagine it would be even more daunting and complex.

[@anthonycunningham4598]

Bro! Nice!!

[@AndrewMasters]

Thanks !

[@davewilliams1056]

What about your DAW controller?

[@ceisen]

I know it’s assumed that a console is better then a digital version but I’m curious why? What are the pros of having a console?

[@kyteluna]

Can you maybe do a vid about what your signal chain is right now, and how everything ties together? And maybe how a console actually works and if it’s for you or not?

[@billyeibel5287]

Recommend any beginner / more budget friendly consoles?

[@skullsession]

When roll past a nice piece of property with a house 200 yards off the main road I think to myself...damn...I'd never be able to afford to pour that driveway. When I watched this video I thought to my self...damn...I'd never be able to afford all that Mogami DB25 snake.

[@zdogg8]

He's boosting gear for Sweetwater, I was thinking the same until the connection was more clear. I mean, good for him, and he deserves it, because his channel has that sort of reach, but it's not like the average 20 something studio engineer can just manifest a couple hundred thousand worth of gear.

[@deiwar2994]

Great preparation! Where can I get that Patch Bay software? Is it free?

[@AndrewMasters]

It’s called Patchcad. It’s $50 on their website

[@alexhykes3319]

Hey, I was wondering what for you need this console as I ever thought you‘re using a digital setup (besides the channel strips) … mixing analog - isn’t that a big step backwards in terms of summing, importing and automation. I like your videos. Greetings from Germany, Alex

[@alexhykes3319]

Basically the questions is: how does it integrate in your setup?

[@ttookkyyoo]

I'd love to know more about the routing from DAW to Desk etc - different when recording and mixing? Console virgin here so that stuff seems alien to me

[@AndrewMasters]

Line outs from interface are normalled to console line inputs. In your DAW you choose out puts 1-8, they show up on channels 1-8 on the console.

[@hiswonderfuldrummer]

Is there a way you could map the specific route of 1 microphone?

[@AndrewMasters]

You can map anything any way you can think of with this setup.

[@BenC95]

You had me convinced for years with your previous set up that I didn’t need a console and now look what you’ve done! I’m sitting here pricing up consoles 😩

[@Leo9ine]

Get yourself an older desk. I got a killer Soundcraft GB4 32 for $500 on craigslist, didn't even bargain the guy down, and it's mint - came from a church. Adore the thing and it's 90% of a $13k Trident, with an extra 8 channels. Coincidentally it was about $13k brand new as well, back in 2012. Always go used on consoles, they depreciate faster than sports cars.

[@AndrewMasters]

haha you definitely don't need a console. A console is an amazing tool that has both pros and cons. I'm pumped to use this puppy and figure out where it does and doesn't make sense to use it. Many videos to come!

[@BenC95]

@@AndrewMasters look forward to all the console content!

[@DavideGuerri]

did they fixed it or is the fader still controlling what's going to tape from the mic pres? i find it very annoying

[@SaintLuminus]

If I ever upgrade my current desk, I'm quite sure it will be DangerFox.

[@AndrewCCM]

Same

[@darrenmcsorley3726]

Its great to see how you get your son involved in a lot of what you do, good on you. Wish my dad was like that when I was young, but life was a lot different for me in the early 70's lol.. Anyway amazing video, I like how you focus on a lot of detail. Just curious why the big console? Is it because you don't care for the virtual DAW consoles? Im like you if I could afford a console, I would probably go that root too, but for now Ill just use LUNA :)

[@mattcopper3448]

Gotta ask, what's with the tape over the NS10's....or CLA10'S?

[@AndrewMasters]

Those are the Cla10s, they’re awesome. But they did put a big stupid looking print on the front of the speaker, so I fixed it.

[@mattcopper3448]

@@AndrewMasters Did you ever see the original add that Avantone put out for them that had CLA himself in it. I think they pulled it because it came off too self indulgent. "Just like the original white cone in a black box, but they have MY NAME on em!" 😂😂😂

[@AndrewMasters]

@@mattcopper3448 I’ve heard about it, haven’t seen it though. The speakers and the amp really are awesome, think the branding was a miss sadly. Nothing a little gaffers can’t fix.

[@arianamastersofficial]

@@AndrewMasters "fixed it" hahaha

[@preciseaudioblog]

27 DB-25’s?? Oh my Lord that’s a big budget just there

[@wynvalentosh8252]

So what happened to your old workstation.aka desk

[@AndrewMasters]

I’m giving it away for free, made a whole video about it. “I did it”

[@TheGiftof7PRESENTS]

Well done. Dap👊🏽🎶 ®

[@GaroNargizTV]

Can you share the link to the Patchbay Labeling Software?

[@AndrewMasters]

Patchcad.com

[@brucerounds3692]

Did you get rid of all your outboard preamps?