This is my reply I made back to him before posting on here.
Originally Posted by mXXXX
I've never seen a hardware digital mixer doing so. Plug-ins run inside plug-in host applications, i.e. on your computer.
What's the point of using a digital hardware mixer in 2013 anyway? Show me one digital hardware mixer that wasn't out of date and virtually worthless 2 years after its appearance!
My reply -Really good Point.
a powerful computer and buy control surfaces to taste!
Excellent Idea! first thought I had before buying the DM 4800.
Digital hardware mixers are a stupid concept and a waste of time and money. The world has zero need for a super short-living "tool" that offers solutions for issues that doesn't exist. They overcomplicate digital workflows like crazy, increases the potential for errors (digital interconnection synchronization is expensive and complicated), mess with your recall possibilities and none of them even come close to modern ITB setups with regard to ease of use, flexibility, quality and price!
My reply-
You brought up some very good points. My only reply is... Have you seen the controller market? Overpriced is an understatement.
1. MixLogic M24 2880.00
2. Avid controller bundle 3600.00 (24 faders)
3. Mackie Control Universal and 2 sidecar 2200.00
Audio interface 32 x32 (let's say decent, but not exceptional converters)
1. 2 RME Fireface 2-800 40 1800.00
I guess what I'm saying is for the price of only a control surface, you're getting a control surface and a decent interface. Worst case scenario, I use it as a control surface only.
His reply-
But, that's kind of the point: A digital mixer is nothing else than a control interface with standard converters and a very weak computer.
However, if one part breaks or doesn't keep up with your standards, you're stuck.
Control interfaces are expensive no doubt. It is expensive to build a nice physical control interface. But they also have true long term value. They will most probably still be useful and work properly in 50 years.
The shiddy computer inside the integrated hardware mixer will be out of date within months(!) and won't be able to run the latest formats. We've seen this pattern repeat over the last 15 year, again, show me one digital mixer that didn't look and act like a toy after 24 months! Not to mention the horrible work flow limitations such an external mixers imposes (highly unstable recall, no offline rendering, etc). Search ebay for digital mixers, you get them for a fifth of the original price!
My reply (all this before posting in this forum)
I just can't see spending the same or more for a dedicated control surface. I've seen a used Avid Artist control/mix and they look like shit. They are not going to last any 10 years and maybe not even 3 years. They're made of of plastic and never got a reputation for having "high end" faders.
He hasn't replied yet. I was going to see what he says first before voicing your thoughts with him. Though this mixer has A LOT of great features. One of my core features is the 24 faders. I had an 8 fader controller before and the problem was I would forget which bank I was on. So, I'm adjusting channel 16 when I think I'm adjusting channel 8. I never got used to this and eventually sold the controller. This is when I realized that, for me, I need to see my whole (or at least the majority) of my mix in front of me. The DM 4800 gives me this important element. The cheapest controller was 2880.00 and to me, is ugly. I paid less for the DM 4800 (used). Now I can mix my drums and other instruments better because I can "see" them better. I have Layer 1 for vocals and acoustic stuff, Layer 2&3 for Virtual instruments.