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The Signal Flow of a Recording StudioThe Modular Multi-track Recording Studio
The modular multi-track studio is most appropriate for those seeking to record bands where many tracks may be recorded at the same time. This design is classic because it goes back to the 70's and 80's when multi-track reel to reel machines were mixed down to a 2 track reel to reel. Today, the equivalent of those machines is the 24 track modular digital recorder and DAW running recording software. Almost any computer can work here, even laptops, as 2 track recording does not take much CPU or memory. The multi track recorder simply records the performances as they stream out of the mixer. On playback, the signals go back through the mixer, through sends and returns from the rack of processors and out the 2 track output to a second recorder or computer with a soundcard or audio interface.
Note the patchbay routing traffic between the processor rack and the mixer. A patchbay allows the easy insertion of compressors, fx boxes, harmonizers, eqs, wherever they are needed. A decent mixer will have inserts, direct outs, sends and returns which will all feed the patchbay. This allows the insertion of devices in either the recording chain or the playback chain efficiently. For example, if you have an expensive vintage compressor you could use it to record the vocal and once that is done you could repatch easily to enhance the drums on playback.
While the basic example above uses all analog connections, the modular multi-track rig can also be fully digital. If a digital mixer is used once can use the digital i/o of the multi track. Most of today's processors also have digital i/o and the digital mixer can do all the functions of a patchbay in its software. A well-equipped digital mixer will have its own effects and processors onboard which will lessen the need for an outboard rack. As one goes digital, the only analog connections that may remain are those tied to microphones. As these home studios go semi-pro, they may add high end preamps to replace the functions of the onboard mixer preamps. That step, along with careful room treatment or the addition of rooms for guitars, drums, vocals can dramatically bring one's home studio up to a great spec.
Finally, it is possible to incorporate and integrate a MIDI/Audio sequencer and DAW into the multi-track rig. In fact, for today's professional studio this allows one to take on a much larger range of projects. Many of today's clients may come in with work already started on their home DAWs. An Audio interface with digital connections such as ADAT will allow 8 channel bulk transfers from DAW to Multi-track machine. Such a system also lets one use MIDI with its sequenced tracks, soft synths/samplers, plugins and arranging capabilities to generate tracks. Through use of various clock protocols such as MTC (MIDI Time Code), SMPTE or ADAT Sync, the multi track, digital mixer and DAW can all be synchronized to the same time base.
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