There is an argument within music production today, mixing in the box or out of the box.  In other words, should we mix using the stereo mix of our Digital Audio Workstation, DAW, or mix through an analog mixer.   Most have chose to record within computers since the editing and features are extremely useful, while some still hold on to the classic 2-inch reel-to-reel tapes.  Summing Amplifiers were introduced as the solution to bring back the original sound of analog that we’ve grown accustomed to hearing as well as keeping the benefits of using a DAW.

The list of advantages of computer recording over traditional analog recording is enormous. Everything from the editing, mobility, effects, automation and more. The ability to work on a song, save it and return to it at a later time with no degradation or change to the sound or mix is fantastic.

The sound quality of digital is a subject of debate, though.  Analog recorders are still hailed for their warm and rich sound, a far cry different from the sounds of digital which some consider thin and flat.  

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     There has been a lot of debate whether analog summing mixes sound better than the digital summing. This tutorial would serve as an introductory tutorial for beginners in knowing what an analog summing mixer is. This will not prove whether analog summing mixes sound better than digital or recommend that you switch to analog summing for all of your mixes.

How does it differ from Digital Summing?Let’s start with a more familiar digital summing. This is done inside your computer and using your DAW software such as Reaper, Protools, Cubase, etc.

In digital summing, binary bits (0’s and 1’s) also known as digital data of every track in your mix are added to produce a stereo “mixdown”. These processes are done “mathematically” inside your DAW that employs complex binary arithmetic or floating point calculation to carry out the operation.

In this article on advantages of 64-bit DAW over 32-bit float digital audio workstation, it reveals that even a 64-bit DAW involves rounding off and estimation of calculation results. These errors however are extremely small compared to using a 32-bit bit floating point calculation.

 
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“Loosely quoting Shakespeare one might say ‘To analog sum or not to analog sum?’  This has been a point of controversy with digital recording for quite some time. 

     With modern DAW software, mixing within the computer has resulted in some great sounding recordings, but I have long been intrigued by the concept of analog summing. I was not prepared to pay $800.00 or more to test that theory, so I engineered and built my own. Then to test the theory, I set out to see if there was any 
difference in the mixed sound.  Much to my amazement and pleasure, I did notice a subtle but very pleasing difference in the stereo separation and placement of 
the instruments compared to my In the Box mixes."  

IN CONCLUSION 
Is analog summing going to make your recordings sound like a Nashville studio with a billion dollars worth of equipment?  Probably not, but you will notice a difference in your mixes using a Unit Audio summing mixer.

 The Unit Audio summing mixers are pretty simple to set up. Once you have the mixer connected it can simply stay in your recording mix path.  There really is no need to disconnect it. All you have to do is run cables out of your converter outputs to the Unit Audio summing mixer balanced line inputs.  You then run cables out of the Unit Audio summing mixer balanced microphone level outputs 
into two channels of your microphone preamp. It is a good idea to have both preamp channels be alike.  The microphone pre that you use dictates the final sound that you will get in your mix.  The final stage of setting up is to come out of your microphone pre into two input channels of your converter and mix to stereo in your DAW. Because of the passive circuit in the Unit Audio mixers, there will be about 30db of gain loss. This is why you need the mic pre at this stage.  The really pricey summing mixers have make 
up gain built in which in turn creates a final mix of whatever coloring that particular circuit adds.  By using your own preamps you can adjust your final mix sound by the character of each individual pre amp.  It is pretty cool. I will be happy to answer any questions you might have about set up, or anything. Send an email to terry@unitaudio.com,
or use the email submission form on the contact page.


                                                                                          Terry