The overwhelming success of the d8b is, and has been, how flexible it is... this is the forte' of this mixer. Does it have "audio" flaws? Yes and no, the more you know about the "as it is" d8b, the more effectively you can use it with great success. Learn what not to do.
In a real world market for this (your) software product, cutting out what the d8b already is would be a mistake I think for the home enthusiast and small studio guy.
Just as a matter of mentioning my d8b has always worked great; it is not plagued with the problems so often talked about on this forum and the other forum. I am lucky. I use the mixer to do my little work here and it works fine. Do I avoid certain aspects of the board? You bet, but this is strictly an audio choice – I can choose, so I do just that. I think the majority of d8b users are in the category of it works great every time. It is deceiving that the Internet has plagued this mixer to be problematic. It really is not problematic. Of course for a few, it is… has been… and will be. I stress the word a few.
A lot has happened in the maybe 20??? years since its release. For me it is all ones and zeros and the occasional analogue I/O because it happens to work well for the app. And just so you know, I have a computer DAW actually two … it’s 2011 for gosh sake – I think it (computer recording) is great. But I also love the sound of an 8-track ¼” Teac machine, but I am not going to use one
… okay I actually might… moving on.But to the d8b…
I use a bunch of different high end front-end products and the back-end is a high end D/A straight to a Hafler P-series Amp with my awesome sets of old school speak-easys. I find the EQ and compression (on board) more than adequate and quite good actually – even by today’s DAW computer program wizardry standards, and the Drawmer and Massenberg plug-ins are very good too. The auto tune actually works, but my computer version looks nicer and has more settings.
I also use some old (analog) compressors that are just hard to give up because they sound very good and have a character to them.
When this goes to the market, think flexibility Marc, don’t cut off your nose to spite your face. Some people will want only the control surface functions and if it is quiet and it is all in one area (for a small studio) this is good I know this will be good for those folks.
Honestly, I work in some of the biggest studios here in LA and everything is in the machine room – noise is not a factor in the client area – the client’s comfort is the only factor… the less garbage and the cleaner it looks, how cool it is, temperature control, correct lighting, if it is a video bay how does the projector look on the screen, are there comfortable seats, are there enough seats for everyone – the list is much longer than this of course… snickers bars, good coffee… etc. I know this isn’t exactly the target market for your product but why not? If it would become a target market the power supply becomes a non issue to where it is located, as it would certainly be remote and the “original” d8b functions would certainly not be desirable to this caliber of buyer. So find your possibility – I do this for a living and I am giving you some free advice – don’t limit your self with this product. Quite often (most often) we see things as it applies to ourselves. It is a human character flaw.
When you work as I do, I take myself out of the condition and look at the all that is possible aspect.
Also (and I hope this is true) as things improve in the economy and people expand their facility, it could be a viable solution to have the ability to have use of both products depending on their needs. I had a boss a long time ago say to me, “the difference between you and me is that I think big” That statement changed my life.
I don’t know you Marc, and I really hope you can see that I am a caring helpful person. We are on this planet for a short time, and I don’t care one way or another how you pursue this. I got my own stuff to do. A word of advice (yes unsolicited) --- sorry I know that is direct violation of a man rule… but a word of advice anyway, do not limit yourself with this product.
MPD out.
I don't want to use up valueable real estate on issues that do not matter at this point. Just know we are all really excited and I trust you will do your best.
