Focusrite and CW BL confused about driver display window?

[Pathfinder]

Focusrite 18i20 3rd Gen... So with Focusrite change everything to mono. Expected to see 1&2, 3&4 etc, separated in the CW prefs?
The screen shot hopefully will explain what I mean.

Is this a CW issue or a focusrite issue? Nothing changed in CW? Still 1, 3,5, 7. etc? Or is this even possible?
Would a different AI do this the way I want?

Thanks

[sjoens]

I use "Friendly Names" and renamed mine Onyx In 1/2, 3/4, 5/6, etc.

In track input dropdown they look like:
Onyx In 1/2     L   (left)
Onyx In 1/2     R   (right)
Onyx In 1/2     S    (stereo)

The shorter the name, the more legible they are in Console View

Edited December 16 by sjoens

[Pathfinder]

49 minutes ago, sjoens said:

I use "Friendly Names" and renamed mine Onyx In 1/2, 3/4, 5/6, etc.

In track input dropdown they look like:
Onyx In 1/2     L
Onyx In 1/2     R
Onyx In 1/2     S

The shorter the name, the more legible they are in Console View

Thanks Very much for the reply.

I guess, as usual I am missing something. It seems if the driver for input 1& 2 is the same driver than they cannot REALLY be split into mono inputs. But my knowledge about this kind of stuff is limited.
Guess I need to try and record into 1&2 and see if they really only record what is in INPUT 1 and then whatever is in Input 2? 

Edited December 16 by Pathfinder

[OutrageProductions]

15 minutes ago, Pathfinder said:

 It seems if the driver for input 1& 2 is the same driver than they cannot REALLY be split into mono inputs. But my knowledge about this kind of stuff is limited.
Guess I need to try and record into 1&2 and see if they really only record what is in INPUT 1 and then whatever is in Input 2? 

They are shown as the primary of a pair in Preferences, but are coupled in fact. Once you have a track with one of the inputs you will see that you can record in mono from either 1 or 2; 

OR as a stereo pair from "Focusrite ASIO Input 1" which is actually 1 & 2. Try it , you'll see.

Edited December 16 by OutrageProductions

[Pathfinder]

19 minutes ago, OutrageProductions said:

They are shown as the primary of a pair in Preferences, but are coupled in fact. Once you have a track with one of the inputs you will see that you can record in mono from either 1 or 2; 

OR as a stereo pair from "Focusrite ASIO Input 1" which is actually 1 & 2. Try it , you'll see.

OK thanks very much-Going to work on it now..... Appreciate the help!

[Sock Monkey]

This has been like this for every audio interface I've every owned. Every Daw shows the inputs a little differently but generally they seem to be observed as a stereo pair 1/2.   1=L    2 = R    and then stereo. 

[Pathfinder]

So far seems to be ok. I have an SM58b into Input 3 on Focusrite 18i20. I have  Warm Audio Wa-47 into Input 4. They both record fine. Of course I keep 3 off while using 4 and visa versa. Cool!

Thanks again!

[sjoens]

My drivers group mixer inputs in pairs.  This allows one to record separate mono tracks or one stereo track:

Onyx In 1/2  L = Left or channel 1 of the mixer.
     This records MONO from mixer channel 1 only - regardless of what's plugged into channel 2.
     Mixer Pan is ignored.
Onyx In 1/2  R = Right or channel 2 of the mixer.
     This records MONO from mixer channel 2 only.
     Mixer Pan is ignored.
Onyx In 1/2   S = Stereo or both channels.
     This records both channels into one track.
     Set mixer Pan for channel 1 hard left and channel 2 hard right for stereo recording.
     Set both mixer Pans to center for both mics recording a MONO track.
     Set both mixer Pans hard left or right if you want both mics recording to the same side of the track.

If each mixer channel was set to one driver input you would not be able to record a stereo signal into one track unless you used the mixer's Main stereo output to the track input, which would record everything you hear coming out of the mixer.

Edited December 16 by sjoens

[Pathfinder]

3 hours ago, sjoens said:

My drivers group mixer inputs in pairs.  This allows one to record separate mono tracks or one stereo track:

Onyx In 1/2  L = Left or channel 1 of the mixer.
     This records MONO from mixer channel 1 only - regardless of what's plugged into channel 2.
     Mixer Pan is ignored.
Onyx In 1/2  R = Right or channel 2 of the mixer.
     This records MONO from mixer channel 2 only.
     Mixer Pan is ignored.
Onyx In 1/2   S = Stereo or both channels.
     This records both channels into one track.
     Set mixer Pan for channel 1 hard left and channel 2 hard right for stereo recording.
     Set both mixer Pans to center for both mics recording a MONO track.
     Set both mixer Pans hard left or right if you want both mics recording to the same side of the track.

If each mixer channel was set to one driver input you would not be able to record a stereo signal into one track unless you used the mixer's Main stereo output to the track input, which would record everything you hear coming out of the mixer.

Is that one of those MAckie Onyx mixers? I was looking at those today!

Edited December 16 by Pathfinder

[sjoens]

Yes

[Jeremy Oakes]

10 hours ago, Pathfinder said:

Focusrite 18i20 3rd Gen... So with Focusrite change everything to mono. Expected to see 1&2, 3&4 etc, separated in the CW prefs?
The screen shot hopefully will explain what I mean.

Is this a CW issue or a focusrite issue? Nothing changed in CW? Still 1, 3,5, 7. etc? Or is this even possible?
Would a different AI do this the way I want?

Thanks

My 2nd gen 18i20 shows the same. But its not an issue for me. I ignore it.

For me its more important what shows up when i select the input for each track : when i select the input for a track, the drop down selection allows me to choose my unit then expanding that unit entry further i can select Input 1 L, Input 2 R as mono tracks as well as Input 1+2 for a stereo track. Same for inputs 3&4 etc etc. 

Thats is where you choose your input. If i choose input 1L, for example, then that physical input will be recorded on that particular track when its armed. Nothing else.  As long as you don’t arm any other tracks you’ll have no problems. I don’t need to rename the inputs, for me its clear what they are. YMMV

J

Edited December 16 by Jeremy Oakes

[Sock Monkey]

Mackie is on my avoid list now. First my Mix 8 mixer left output died. Then my other Mackie mixer pro fix 8 also died. Then my Mackie Powered studio monitors died and Now one of my Mackie Powered PA speakers is dead. 

I have written to the company at least 6 times asking for any help. No response. 
 

I have studio and audio equipment made by most major manufacturers. Most of that stuff is really old and still working. And if I need parts the companies respond to requests for help. 
 

I bought a Zoom L8 mixer/interface/digital 8 track over a year ago . Best audio interface I’ve ever used. 
 

 

[sjoens]

That's kinda what happened to my Behringer so I replaced it with the Onyx which is still working fine after a year or so.  It lacks the features I want but all current multitrack mixers lack something so it's always a compromise.  Now discontinued, the Behringer had everything - if it were built to pro standards it would still be #1 here.

[Pathfinder]

5 hours ago, Sock Monkey said:

Mackie is on my avoid list now. First my Mix 8 mixer left output died. Then my other Mackie mixer pro fix 8 also died. Then my Mackie Powered studio monitors died and Now one of my Mackie Powered PA speakers is dead. 

I have written to the company at least 6 times asking for any help. No response. 
 

I have studio and audio equipment made by most major manufacturers. Most of that stuff is really old and still working. And if I need parts the companies respond to requests for help. 
 

I bought a Zoom L8 mixer/interface/digital 8 track over a year ago . Best audio interface I’ve ever used. 
 

 

Many, many decades I have NEVER had an issue with mackie mixers, never owned their other stuff. Sorry that you did though!

[Pathfinder]

5 hours ago, Sock Monkey said:

Mackie is on my avoid list now. First my Mix 8 mixer left output died. Then my other Mackie mixer pro fix 8 also died. Then my Mackie Powered studio monitors died and Now one of my Mackie Powered PA speakers is dead. 

I have written to the company at least 6 times asking for any help. No response. 
 

I have studio and audio equipment made by most major manufacturers. Most of that stuff is really old and still working. And if I need parts the companies respond to requests for help. 
 

I bought a Zoom L8 mixer/interface/digital 8 track over a year ago . Best audio interface I’ve ever used. 
 

 

I have my Focusrite 18i20 3rd gen of course but I also 2 fractal audio interfaces with my FM3mkII Turbo and FM9,,,,,,,,I really need to try them out. Others on fractal seem to love them.

[sjoens]

The old Onyx models were much better than the current generation but are now obsolete being firewire only.  Had they just converted to USB they'd be the top of my list.

[Pathfinder]

Well for my needs, as stated, being serious, maybe I just have been lucky with mackie mixers bi ut I have always used them since I can remember. I don't mean in bands and things, I mean at home because it is the MAIN way I monitor when working in CW. I use my BT770's when recording audio but besides Vocals and guitars all I use are VSTS. So I i like to monitor that stuff in the room. More fun. This is only for me of course.

So i bought the Mackie Pro10FXV3+ and i will arrive today. was using Mackie 1202VLZ4. It will go to my closet which is loaded with tons of audio and midi and guitar stuff. even still have my first modeler in there-Boss GX700, the one with the copper color face. Works too!

I do wish I could go back to a setup like the Echo Layla3G-I loved that thing. Always connected. easy to use interface. I did use it for while with a PCI to PCI express adapter but moved on. 

I like the idea of a pci express card type AI that's alway connected. 

Anyway we'll see how the new makie goes. I didn't get i because of the FX-I have to so many VSTS it's caray-all the Izotopes, Fabfilter, great reverb. In my little 2nd bedroom I actually use and like (only for MONITORING VOCALS) my Alesis MidiVerb 4. 

Edited Tuesday at 04:56 PM by Pathfinder

[sjoens]

Overall it's as good as any current mixer, but this Onyx is not the Onyx of old.  You may or may not see this but under certain uses there's serious crosstalk between channels that shouldn't be there.  I like Gain on all channels but these only have Gain for Line level inputs on 4 channels. 

Greg Mackie sold out in 2003 and it looks like the company was sold again in 2023 so it's not really the same company anymore.  Greg has since collab'ed with Korg to make another mixer.  https://www.korg.com/us/products/drs/mw_2408_1608/

Edited Tuesday at 11:15 PM by sjoens

[Pathfinder]

58 minutes ago, sjoens said:

Overall it's as good as any current mixer, but this Onyx is not the Onyx of old.  You may or may not see this but under certain uses there's serious crosstalk between channels that shouldn't be there.  I like Gain on all channels but these only have Gain for Line level inputs on 4 channels. 

Greg Mackie sold out in 2003 and it looks like the company was sold again in 2023 so it's not really the same company anymore.  Greg has since collab'ed with Korg to make another mixer.  https://www.korg.com/us/products/drs/mw_2408_1608/

Well guess what. Irec'd the ProFX10V3+ . I have already setup a return. It feels like a toy but main reason is NO FX LOOP. I understand that it has it's built in FX but never dawned on me that there still wouldn't be an FX loop.  Just really felt like a lastic toy

 

[sjoens]

They're good for the price but you really have to research things nowadays to know what you're getting.  Go thru the manual and watch video reviews.  No FX returns and cutting out input gain seem to be common anymore.  FX returns usually require a stereo input channel forcing you to by a bigger mixer.

Like most USB mixers, the ProFX only has 2 channel USB for the main output, so can't multitrack with it.