API BOX - 2 Stage Hybrid Mixing Analog / Digital

Getting the best of both worlds by capturing tracks with analog processing, then doing a digital mix with analog summing.
This system puts the DAW automation and plugin effects where they belong, after the analog processing, and provides quick easy archive and recall just like an ITB mix.
The surprise for me was how relaxing and pleasant it was doing the final digital mix with tracks that have already been through analog processing. i make a point of using a brand new project (with a template for summing outputs) - and importing the captured analog processed tracks from the original project. in addition to committing edits and takes its also a chance to print all virtual instruments. You end up with a very lean & clean new project, making the digital mix even easier. There's usually not much left to do at this stage in terms of channel processing so not having to reserve brain space for watching gain staging helps make that final mix truly focused on creativity.
#mixing #hybridmixing #analogmixing ‪@APIAudioOfficial‬ #apithebox #apithebox2 #DAW #mix #recordingstudio #producer #producerlife #musicstudio #musicproducer ‪@steinberg‬ #nuendo #protools #mixingconsole ‪@vintagekingproaudio‬ ‪@sweetwater‬
www.hopetownsound.com
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[@scrapethebottom]

great and inspiring to hear how you're growing into the api box! :)

[@hopetownsound]

Thank you! 👍

[@zenmixproductions]

Great video. I've got a 1608 and have been racking my head trying to figure out how to incorporate it with my in the box mix template. A couple questions. 1. Do you find it takes a bit longer to mix the song this way? 2. So your premixing the tracks basically, what about parallel compression? Are you printing that back on the analog tracks? Or doing that once you do the digital mix? Cheers

[@hopetownsound]

it takes a little longer to set up the 2nd session but every mix I'm getting faster with that. you could definitely print parallel comps, or do it with plugins in monitor/digital mix.
I'm using the SSL bus comp plugin on the drum skins bus and the SSL HF Comp on the drums metal bus. it's really nice.

[@hopetownsound]

btw! congrats on the 1608! I came so close to buying one last year, but it's just out of reach for me financially right now. Such a beautiful/flexible console. enjoy!!

[@zenmixproductions]

@@hopetownsound Thanks. Thats what i was thinking as well. Gonna go in this weekend and demo a mix using your mind opening process. Cheers

[@mhedderl]

Have you looked at the Wes Audio Leveler for fader automation recall? have a x-desk as well and love outboard but totally recall really sucks.

[@hopetownsound]

yes i've seen it. its interesting but im hesitant to add its sound to the signal path, also, I'm getting all the other advantages of doing the final mix in the DAW, recall, plugins... so the DAW automation is just part of that bargain.

[@mhedderl]

@@hopetownsound yeah that totally makes sense. Just now getting into hybrid mixing. Love your videos. Keep up the good work. It’s always nice seeing other peoples workflow. Especially pros that do this on the daily. Thanks again.

[@hiddentrackstudios9952]

Have you considered just running the outboard or channel strips of the console as external effects in nuendo, then routing them straight onto the summing side of the desk? Seems like a more coherent work flow, and you can still record the output channels (before summing) to open tracks to archive too

[@hopetownsound]

That would limit me to 16 analog channels and for most projects thats not enough. If i were running a 1608 or an SSL origin that would be more feasible.
The unexpected part to this process is how much I'm enjoying splitting things up. Starting fresh in a new project with the sounds processed and no gain staging is like getting in the hot tub after the ocean. It definitely doesn't feel incoherent :). my explanation might've been though lol.