Wireless Remote Digital Mixing and Recording Live

[Wes Wood]

I designed a soundsystem upgrade with multi-track recording and wireless remote mixing with Jim Stallings, Contemporary Music Leader at Duluth First UMC that I though I might share here for anyone interested. I would appreciate any comments or questions.

Typical of many church soundsystems, DUMC was using a 32 channel Mackie analog mixer, with aux 1 for front mons, aux 2 for rear mons, aux 3 stage left mains, and aux 4 stage right mains, stereo out driving flying center stereo rig with subs mounted in the wall. aux 5 and 6 were used to drive a stereo CD recorder. The mixer was located in a birdsnest in the back of a gym-style family life center (FLC).

My goals were to add independent multitrack recording and mix from a better location, ideally wireless mixing from a spot within the congregation downstairs, but to keep everything intact exactly as it was and operating for those who might follow me who would not be interested in these capabilities, or those who needed to use a simpler analog system for other purposes. I did this with a 24 channel patchbay wired to route the Mackie to the amp/speaker system when 8 numbered jumpers were removed, and enable the new system when they were installed.

For multitrack recording we originally chose (3) Presonus Firestudios, then found that Presonus doesnt support daisy-chaning of firewire, so we traded two Firestudioes for two FP10s with ADAT lightpipe. We continued the use of the Mackie preamps and used the inserts with a specially wired snake (to allow full insertion into the jack) to pick off the signal just after the Mackie trim to drive the Presonus 24 chans of analog inputs, then out of the Presonus analogs outs via another snake to the line-ins of a Yamaha 01V96 expanded with 8 additional AIs for the Live mix with remote control capability. We then patched the (2) Presonus FP10 ADATs to the single Presonus FireStudio, and then firewire out to an existing rackmounted computer that had been designed by Jim Stallings at DUMC. The computer had been optimized for music including removable HD, and pre-loaded with Nuendo 3. Dual 22in monitors were added upstairs for the multitrack recording. Signals trims were tweaked to optimize clean signals into Presonus pres and Yamaha 01V96 for live mix. Plenty of signal was available via Firewire for recording.

The last step now is to setup a laptop with Yamaha's Studiomaster (SMSW)control software either connect via a USB wireless modem direct to the 01V96 USB port for SMSW-only control, OR via running the SMSW on the rack PC with a wireless Windows Remote Terminal interface from the laptop allowing both Nuendo mixing control and live mix control of the Studiomaster SW from a wireless laptop.

To get the new digital mix "close", we are currently utilizing the new snake to run the 01V96 live mix from the floor in the back of the FLC. Recording/mixdown settings have been made and stored in Nuendo, so all that is required on Sunday mornings is calling up the stored template setting and creating a new directory for the audio file. The Video tech clicks REC a minute or so before the service starts.

BTW, we expanded the 01V96 I/O to have 8 AOs as well that functions the same as the Mackie was configured, namely, AUX 1- Front Mons, AUX-2 Rear Mons, AUX 3-Stage L Mains, AUX 4-Stage R Mains, Stereo Master Fader drives flying stereo speaks and subwoofers. I have patched AUX 3 and AUX 4 through to the last set of outputs to drive the stereo CD recorder. AUX 5,6,7,8 remain to drive (4) internal stereo effects processors.

When we get the laptop going wirelessly, we will then be able to mix live and/or start and potentially (via WRT) tweak recording from anywhere in the room. I will also be able to walk up on the stage during practice with the laptop and finetune the monitor mix for the band. Looks like USB modems are pretty expensive, so we will likely go the Windows Rem Term route. All comments welcome.....expecially on last step! Will take some pics and post soon.

Wes

[Steve Waide]

Hey Wes which Mackie 32? I'm assuming the SR?

[Wes Wood]

Yep thats the one.

[Chris Pou]

I enjoy using the 01V for small events myself. I also use it for training people on the basics of digital consoles. I don't see how you would be able to gain full control of your digital mix engine via wireless with the current rig that you describe though. You mentioned USB modems, and there are also wireless USB hubs, but those are merely opperable within 30 feet of the device. WIFI is really the only realistic option when it comes to wireless control and mixing options. The way this operates is through one of Yamaha's digital consoles with an Ethernet port for Studio manager control (i.e LS9, M7CL, or 5D). If you are using an Ethernet hub, standard CAT5e cables can be used, without one, a crossover (CAT5) must be used. Studio manager, the console software module, and Yamaha DME-N network driver must be installed on the laptop for this system to work. After that, it's merely a few configuration settings, and your up and running.

[Wes Wood]

It really not that complicated - Using Yamaha Studio Manager 2 on MacBook Pro and instead of USB cable to 01V96 - using GEFEN EXT-WUSB-4PIC. Every function availble via USB cable is working exactly the same via wireless USB. Yamaha engineers made the recomendation on this mfg/model of wireless USB. It is working fine at 100 ft. www.gefen.co. I am a degreed electrical engineer with 25 years of computer/networking, etc. and my first thought was to use Windows Remote Desktop via local Wireless LAN, run SM2 on the rack-mounted recording PC located within 6ft USB cable length from 01V96 - but worried about complexity & reliability - so I looked into USB modem/wireless routing and called Yamaha - They had the ticket - its simple and reliable. Only issue is the Gefen USB hub needs AC, so I sized a small UPS to give me 2 hrs of LT+Gefen running on battery during service - $189 at Fry's.

Chris, This would also be GREAT alternative to snake in live sound - just rack mount the 01V96 with (1) Presonus Digimax FS linked to built-in 01V96 ADAT, roll it up on the stage, plug in the mikes, spks, and power and go setup and mix 24 channels from the laptop in the audience without ever touching anything other than power button on the mixer. OR...get (1) MY8-AT, one more DFS and mix 32 channels....pretty cool....Cheers, Wes

[Wes Wood]

Chris - Just found this article on the application:

http://news.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/10381/469204.html

[Chris Pou]

Thanks for the education Wes. I'm always up for the cool info. I'm going to look into that wireless mixing option for my personal applications. I actually have to do a show later this month on an O1V. I'll definitely need to get an AD8HR or something along those lines as well, because it will be setup like a festival patch.

[Schmidty]

Hey Wes

Do you know the trick using the insert sends on the group buses to send to the 4 stereo FX's units in the 01V ?

this frees up the the remaining 4 auxs, i use all of my auxs for monitor mixes

it also allows for stereo sends to each of the FX units

you have to be very good with gain structure, but it works great, and you can put the insert post bus fade so you have a master to FX level control

Hope this frees up a few channels of aux for you

Schmidty

[Wes Wood]

I am lost Schmidty - help me out. Dont need extra AUX/Mons, now but may someday.