Hi everyone!
Short time reader, first time poster.
I’m nearing the completion of a full transition to a recording setup (primarily synthesizer and DAW) that is using the Qu-24 mixer as the centerpiece.
Here are my current toys that i’m using. Essentially, I’ve routed the synths through a patchbay, with each patchbay synth out going to an input on the Qu. I’ve also routed synths through the patchbay as BACK out —> FX in —> FX out —> Qu channel in. Preamp is set to be strictly an insert for individual synths to the desk in for that synth channel. I’ll probably need a few more Preamps at some point 
:
5x mono synths
3x stereo synth
1x preamp (insert)
3x mono external FX units, analog (distortion, delay pedal, stage echo)
1x stereo external FX, analog
1x 24 I/O Samson patchbay (normal, half-normal, thru configurable)
Qu-24 Digital Mixer
Ableton Live 10
RME Fireface UCX Interface
This setup is pretty straightforward to me. The patchbay allows me to route the preamp and FX as inserts swiftly.
I have a few questions that I haven’t had a chance to test because it already took a few days of youtube tutorials and trial/error to get to this point.
Something worth noting is that I currently have the RME UCX as my audio interface.
- I’ve experimented with sending groups of synth channel Ins to the Mix Output on the Qu, to the FX channels on the mixer, and back into the Qu as a return. I’m wondering if there’s a more efficient way to do this without causing latency when I record the group FX, or if this is the best way to do it (Group and Matrix outs don’t have mono capability grrr).
I guess generally what have been people’s experiences using the MixOut as FX sends and Channel ins as returns?
- What would be people’s suggestion around sending audio from Ableton to the Qu, to take advantage of the external FX? The two ways I can think of are:
a. sending audio from the RME interface into the Patchbay (or directly into the Qu while we’re thinking of all the options), and routing the audio through FX the same as a synth in). This would allow me to keep the RME as the main interface, which is how I have set it up today.
b. via USB-B into a channel on the Qu and repeating the above process in the description to send to FX.
- Since I currently have Mixouts as sends for external FX, what would be the best audio capture scheme? Should i route everything through the RME as the interface, or configure the Qu to be the primary audio interface for Ableton? The reason I ask is because I would like to capture individual mix or group outs for recording purposes simultaneously, and I have a feeling it’s probably easier and more time-accurate do that through the Qu, but I can’t be sure haha.
Any and all help would be appreciated!!
-leaflet