Question on Model 12 workflow for tracking/mixing into DAW

hoonhee

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Hi All, new here -
I'm considering selling my audio interface (Behringer UMC1820) and analog mixer (Soundcraft M8) that I only use for occasional dub reggae mixing to get the Model 12.

Goal is to get rid of annoying wiring and save desk space. I need to it be set up in a way where it's always ready for tracking/mixing without touching any cables or menu diving on the mixer.
I'm only interested in recording into the DAW for now.

I've read the manual and watched videos, but wanted to confirm if my understand is correct. or if this is a stupid idea 😅

My setup would be:
  • Mics/Instruments plugged into Mixer Mono Inputs 3-6, 7, 9
  • Aux Send 1 has an external mono effect (100% wet Delay) and returns into Channel 1.
  • Aux Send 2 has an external mono effect (100% wet Reverb) and returns into Channel 2.
  • 2 Insert Cables on Channel 1 and 2 into an external Stereo Chorus effect.
  • Mixer USB-C to Macbook USB-C
  • Mixer Main Output to studio monitor speakers
Tracking Audio into DAW:
  1. I set all Mixer channels to Direct Mode.
  2. The DAW receives signal from these channels into respective DAW Inputs 1-10 (selectable pre or post EQ/Comp)
  3. I can either monitor directly by sending Mixer Channel to Main output or I can monitor from DAW (with in-the-box effects) if I don't send to Main
MIDI Implementation:
  1. If I had a Synth with a keybed, and it’s MIDI Out goes into Mixer MIDI In. And a Synth module (no keybed) with Mixer MIDI Out going into its MIDI In. Then I can play VSTs and the external Synth module using both the other Synth’s keybed and DAW as sequencer.
Printing w/ External Hardware Effects into DAW (lower priority since I can just do everything in the box)
  1. I create a bus in my DAW, that outputs stereo to DAW Output 1/2.
  2. I set Mixer Channel 1 and 2 to PC Mode.
  3. Create new Audio Track in DAW receiving signal from DAW Input 1/2.
  4. I play the audio from DAW, and simultaneously record the wet signal from Mixer Channel 1/2.
  5. Now in the DAW I have a stereo track with wet signal, that should line up with the original tracks with negligible latency.
Dub Mixing:
  1. I have a DAW Project where tracking is complete.
  2. Set Mixer’s USB Audio Mode to Stereo Mix
  3. Group the DAW tracks into 6 Mono Tracks and 2 Stereo Tracks and assign them to Outputs 1-6, 7/8, 9/10.
  4. Set all Mixer Channels to PC mode.
  5. I don’t want the external Insert effects on Channel 1/2, so I unplug the Insert cables.
  6. When I press play in the DAW, signal flows into the mixer, and I can ride the faders, aux knobs, and record the Mixer Main Output into DAW Input 1/2. It’ll record as a new track in the same DAW Project that has the stems.
Thanks and sorry for the wall of text!
 
I believe you set the switch to PC.

Also keep in mind, for any midi sequencing, the Tascam has to be the master clock. It can't "slave"

I'm not using a DAW with the Tascam 12 just yet, but ultimately, that will be how I do it. So far I've been happy with the unit.. works quite well.

but I do see that a DAW will make things much easier and more precise down the road- like trimming tracks and automating things instead of doing them live during mixdown.

and of course, it doesn't master your tracks. It exports a stereo WAV file, but that will still need mastering.

This video should make things a bit clearer:

 
The OP wrote:
Mics/Instruments plugged into Mixer Mono Inputs 3-6, 7, 9
Mixer USB-C to Macbook USB-C
Tracking Audio into DAW:
  1. I set all Mixer channels to Direct Mode.
  2. The DAW receives signal from these channels into respective DAW Inputs 1-10 (selectable pre or post EQ/Comp)
I take that to mean the OP wants to record "live" to the D.A.W. via the Model 12.

Not being an owner of this series of mixers, from my read of the OM and Block Diagram, setting the Channels' input Mode Select Switches to "PC/Direct" might not work as the OP intends. To me it looks like the Mode Select Switch should be set to "Live", which also sends the incoming signal to the USB Channels (OM pp 54 & 69; and Block Diagram)

@TheFez, In the above video (9:00 through 10:38), the MPC "computer" is the audio source being routed via USB to the Model 12 using the Channel "PC" Mode Select Switch setting. That supports what's described in the OM and illustrated in the Block Diagram, yes? He records to the Model 12 SD card and then plays back the mix from the Model 12's SD card (starts at 42:10).

Also, the Model 12 OM is clear that a USB hub should not be used with the Model 12:
USB port
This is a USB Type-C port. Use a USB cable (Type-A to Type-C) to connect the unit to a computer. (see “Connecting with a Computer” on page 63)
ATTENTION
The unit should be connected directly to the computer, not through a USB hub. Moreover, noise could be picked up if the cable is too long.


When TASCAM gives warnings like that, I tend to take it seriously.

Perhaps @hoonhee would like to chime in and at least acknowledge our effort to help?
 
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I beleive what they mean by that usb hub thing is not to use a regular cheapie hub, due to not being powered.

Higher end powered hubs work fine.

re: the switch, I usually go by this logic:

there are 3 settings, and they correspond to where the Tascam is getting its signal.

"LIVE" = the signal is coming from the input jacks in the back.

"PC" = the signal is coming from USB

"MTR" = the signal is coming from the SD card in the Tascam itself.

...although the confusing part is that technically, you can record a track and have the signal come from the input of a track even if the switch is set to MTR
 
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ah thanks the Block Diagram is perfect, I missed this when I was looking through manual

so If I want Channel 1 signal to go to DAW via Output 1

LIVE signal is only one that goes through INSERT effect. USB out is selectable pre or post COMP/EQ

PC signal are post-Insert, and selectable pre or post COMP/EQ, pre fader
is that right?
 

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PC signal are post-Insert, and selectable pre or post COMP/EQ, pre fader
is that right?
Yes. Insert jack is placed in the analog portion of the signal path, before USB/MTR send point; USB Return follows the send point (there is a menu option for that).

When connected to a pc the USB Send/Return works as a regular fx insert: you can use any VST effect from your DAW to process individual Model 12 channel strips.
Oddly, the manual doesn't mention this application that IMO would be a selling point.

What's your concern about USB-C / USB-C connection?
 
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...although the confusing part is that technically, you can record a track and have the signal come from the input of a track even if the switch is set to MTR
That's a clever feature for "tape" monitoring while doing multitrack recording. Unfortunately the manual is not at the same level as the hardware it is supposed to illustrate, too few words to give examples of practical applications or recording techniques.
 

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