Keyboards: Direct to DP-24SD, or Routed through Mixer?

[Old No7]

Hi all:

I started mixing my keys long before I got my Tascam DP-24SD, so I simply routed the output of the analog mixer to the Tascam (as shown in the image). I had a friend visit recently, and he suggested that I route the keys directly into the inputs of the Tascam and skip using a mixer entirely.

If I'm not mistaken, that would work OK as long as I assign and arm each track, but a downside is it will consume all 8 inputs (as I've just added a 4th keyboard). And another is that I'd have to disconnect a board to use a mic or mics for our vocals.

Any thoughts on this?

Old No7

ps:
Note my the use of the Mackie "Big Knob" -- it works great allowing me to select the output as either powered speakers for playing, or to monitors for mixing/mastering. -mjk- had advised me how to run a "noise" or Stereo Imaging Test and it passed with flying colors. I'd posted about it back in 2022.

 

[-mjk-]

The truth is, @Old No7 there is no right or wrong way in this case. There are reasons why one would want to use a mixer/patchbay or go directly into the recorder. Since you have a lot of inputs, it makes a lot of sense to use the external mixer. Nothing is stopping you from putting all your inputs on the mixer and recording one stereo pair of tracks, one pass at a time. Your diagram details a professional audio routing scheme to take advantage of everything you have. The only other way that might make sense is putting all inputs on a patchbay and you could even normalize all your standard inputs with the capability of making exceptions by way of the patchbay.

 

[Arjan P]

@Old No7 I would say the question is: do you want control afterwards, and how much? If mixed first on the analog mixer, there is no way to remix. If all is separate, you can mix after recording. And you can compromise: Mix two or three keyboards and connect the last one(s) directly..