The Top 5 Cheapest Ways To Get Lots of Synths Connected To Your DAW 

Finally a video that’s actually NEEDED! Awesome job! There are so many videos out there like “is so and so still worth it in 2024?” or “top things you never knew your daw can do” and it’s just the first ten basic things in the manual 😂 Home studio owners need more vids like this, so thank you.

Back in the late 80's, I had my keyboards and modules connected with MIDI, going into a 12 channel mixer, which was connected to my 16 channel Tascam mixer that output to my Tascam 246 recorder. Lot's of FUN...

Patchbays are essential. Once you have all the ins & outs connected it makes life a lot easier...just don't forget the hookup diagram.

The problem with mixers is that they usually just have a limited number of inserts for external effects and the integrated effects are usually just of basic quality. I decided therfore to go another way. I bought a USB-controlled patchbay (XPatch-64) and can now use all my synths and external effects in every configuration, I can even switch between true analog insert effects for tracking without any latency and use my hardware effects as sends in my DAW like a VST for mixing and mastering. And I can save and recall each configuration with a mouse click. These USB patchbays are quite expensive, but offer you the greatest flexability.

Adat is also ideal as more inputs are required. I use an RME Fireface 800, which allows x3 ADAT cards, so i have 26 inputs. Great conversation btw as this is something that all us studio owners ponder on, a lot! 😊

Finally, the video we have been waiting for. I have the Mackie Onyx 24 and love it! It allows me to hook up my synths and allows me to go directly to my PC, DAW setup. Thanks Scott!

I have 16 hardware synthesizers going into 2 Behringer 1602 line mixers. I stereo out from each of those into a Focusrite 1802. I also use 2 MOTU 5x5 midi interfaces and the USB midi on a few of the later model synths. It's not the greatest setup but it does work and each synth can be recorded without repatching anything. I love this stuff!

I recently purchased an Arturia AudioFuse 16rig and they just released the AudioFuse 8x in/8x out expanders. I also purchased the iConnectivity MioXL for the midi routing. Absolute game changer for my studio!

I am also spoilt with loads of synths and while I love the idea of a desk, I do not have the room now (and found that it didn’t fit with my workflow). So I bought three MOTU 24 IO audio interfaces giving me 72 analogue ins and outs so I can now have all of my synths hardwired into my Cubase mixer. Perfect solution for me.

Great video! I’ve had lots of challenges attempting to get multiple pieces of gear synced and recordable at the same time. Lots of good ideas etc. Thanks! And I have that same t-shirt, in black 😊

Scott!!!! Your video is desperately needed by many!!! Thank You.

My life definitely changed when I discovered Samson patchbays and Iconnectivity MioXL and the Midronome or ERM Multiclock. There’s so many ways to hook all this gear up but the patchbays definitely make connecting everything easier. Great video man.

Great timing! I'm about to redo my mini studio and was wondering what options I had. So much great info and explanations, great job! Note to self "Figure out how to control my studio lights with the super knob on my montage..." 😂

ADAT has got to be among the best options for getting a large number of analog inputs separable into your DAW, especially now that relatively inexpensive interfaces are starting to support ADAT expansion

"You managed to sneak it into the house past your wife"... I have no idea what you mean, Scott 😆😆😆

Ah….the Mirage…love Ensoniq!!

Thank you! Great video. Next i sant to know how you connect midi with so many synths?

Great information Scott... thanks for sharing!

I went with the Presonus Studiolive 32s Series III mixer for my multikeyboard setup in my studio. It's more expensive than the Behringer, but integrates well with Studio One. It also allows you to apply Fat Channel compression and EQ while tracking, then in Studio One you can call up those effects and adjust further if you want to for mixing. To me, a digital mixer as an audio interface is the only way to go for those who want more than 8 inputs.

Get a Behringer UMC1820 8 channel audio interface. Throw in a couple of Behringer rack mixers RX1602. Each rack mixer will give you the opportunity to connect 8 stereo instruments to two inputs on the audio interface. So one audio interface and 4 rack mixers allows you to connect 32 stereo inputs and have 4 stereo inputs in your DAW. This of course means that synthesizers share the same audio inputs. You can then add an additional ADAT interface like Behringer ADA8200 for 8 more audio inputs. The draw back is that sample rate will be limited when connecting the ADA8200 to the UMC1820. I have 2xUMC18020 and 2xADA8200 as an aggregate device on Mac giving me 32 inputs. I have two RX1602 and an additional analog mixer. Some synthesizers are directly connected to the audio interface and some via one of the mixers. A combination of both mono and stereo synthesizers.

Those Behringer mixers are awesome. Built in effects (including sidechain) AND those inputs are actually ins/outs. I've got two of the XR18 since it's so affordable and takes up such little space. I got one, liked it so much, got another, and 2x is actually quite manageable. I may very well go to the 32 at some point since it can snake to another input box, but not sure it's worth the extra cost really, especially since a simple stage box costs way more than an XR18).

Exactly this is what I needed to watch. Thanks for sharing

Love your happiness. It's refreshing. Thank you for the tips. I ended by buying an Arturia Audiofuse 16Rig and A Ferrofish Pulse 16 connected in ADAT. I have 32ins and 28outs in a very very beautiful quality for 2200€. It's quite cool.

Hello Scott. Once again, a great video from you, in which you also show the possibilities of how to connect many devices inexpensively. Not everyone can afford expensive studio mixers (whether analogue or digital) and this is often forgotten on many RU-vid channels, that not everyone has a well-filled wallet. A big compliment for that. I am lucky that, like you, I can call the Behringer X32 my own. Yes, it is one of the expensive solutions, but it is the cheapest of them. The Behringer X32 is currently priced at EUR 2199 in Germany (they reduced the price from EUR 2500 about 2 months after I bought the X32...(annoying). The price in the US is currently $2999. I don't know if the price has always been like that. I also have to "count" my money and thought long and hard about whether to get a smaller mixer. But then I said to myself "Do you want to change the plugs and sockets every time? Set the gain every time because every device has a different output?" I made my decision quickly and went for the X32. With the 32 XLR inputs you have peace of mind for a while. I also have 4x DI-800 8-channel DI boxes from Behringer for all 32 inputs, which luckily aren't that expensive. These DI boxes can also be used as a "patch bay" if necessary ;) And the nice thing about the X32 is that I'm not "at the end" when the 32 inputs are full. The ability to expand the X32 with additional inputs using the Behringer Stage Boxes means you don't have to buy a new mixer straight away. And cascading the X32, X32 Rack, Stage Boxes etc. really solves the problem very well. I can recommend this to anyone who wants to buy "expensive" synthesizers: Think about whether you need the 1 or 2 new synthesizers for € or $1000-2000 each. Perhaps you can wait a little longer to buy one (yes, I know. That's very hard) and invest the money in a future-proof mixer first. But for anyone who doesn't have a lot of money, Scott's solutions are a great alternative that works well. I started out that way too and there's no shame in working that way. And the "normal" consumers of your music probably wouldn't even notice the difference. Everyone does it as they can. The main thing is that you have fun with what you do and people can enjoy your music. Have a nice weekend everyone And Scott. Keep it up. I love your channel. :)

May I request a video on how to keep all your gear clean? Especially mixers. You won't believe how many videos I see on YT with studio gear, and it looks like they never clean their gear. Dust everywhere and that only ruins gear in time. Maybe include room temp and carpet or Hardwood for other reasons of dust and cleanliness. Also maybe add the best way to use power strips to connect your gear. I have my strips mounted on the rear of my stands for each 3-4 tiers and then several others on the wall at desk height. Hope Scott reads tis and comes up with something on the "How to keep your studio gear clean and connected" :)

great video! now I am using a Tascam Model 24 and it is working fine for me.

Thanks Scott for a great video. I always follow your videos and it gives me great pleasure. I had the same problem a few years ago when I started building my studio. Too many synths and very difficult to sneak them down to the studio without my wife discovering 🤣I solved the input problem by buying 2 Ferrofish Pulse 16 for 32 channels. I connected these to an RME Digiface USB. It costs a lot, but god it's nice to be able to have everything connected all the time. I have heard that you can connect 3 Digiface and 6 Ferrofish to the same computer (Mac) for a total of 96 channels. Of course, the wife is told that it will never happen 😇 I agree with neatfreak 2180, iConnectivity MioXL is incredibly good for the MIDI side. I have two of them.

I have a A&H SQ-5 mixer with MADI interface to connect to my outboard effects (H9000). Works great!

Good video! I only have a couple synths and a line 6 pod go for guitar. Just a hobbyist and I only had to spend $150 US on a Mackie 12 channel mixer. I got a 4 channel interface free with credit card reward points.

It's true - the Mac has an "aggregate audio device". There's a caveat though. The reason for Windows allowing you to using only one is that you need to sync to the audio interface/synth (in this case - the Montage) audio clock. Obviously it can't sync to more than one and one synth's clock might be not run at the exact same frequency as the other one (i.e. one might be somewhere around 44101Hz, another one at 44098). Mac circumvents this via... resampling those synth outputs to its own clock. Yup. If you use an aggregate audio device you forfeit the sample-accurate audio. I hope this is clear?

Welcome to my world. Been working with a live setup since 1996. Enough MOTU MIDI Express 128 interfaces (10x) and five Behringer X32R/S16 and an Yamaha LS9-32 working with DANTE to my Mac. Total control. :) Btw.. You won't get Midas components on the X32, then you have to get the M32 FYI. With Macs you can create an Aggregate device using multiple interfaces.

Talking about gain staging you made my day. 😊

man great video got some great ideas

I use Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen USB, with Analog Mix with 16 Keyboards, with DAW using the Keyboards USB interface, it works for me on Studio 1, very Cheap and low noise mixer, Behringer RX1602 V2(This works great you chain them). He did not mention MIDI, use iConnectivity mioXL 8x12 MIDI Interface, which is great for connecting lots of MIDI devices.

That intro..... :O

Thank you for the great amd informative video! I had the same issue and went slightly a different road. I have 5! Behringer RX1602 line mixers. One of them gets all the outputs of the other 4 and from there I go to some speakers (for rehearsal purposes, not recording). I guess I could have used a patch bay too. I also have a Arturia 16Rig where I connect my keys I record mostly. It’s not an ideal situation but it’s ok. I recently bought a Radial Key Largo for live purposes so I can connect my laptop to it without having to bring an Audio Interface and it’s fantastic. It also solved a grounding issue I had in my room which I was never able to solve. It’s not the cheapest but worth the investment for me. I play more live than I record but I’d love an X32, it’s just a bit too pricey for my situation.

On windows you can use asio4all driver to use multiple interface together. And I think for the first audio interface, get one with midi is a good investment, and those come with midi will most likely more then 2ch input.

On the Mac it is called creating an aggregate interface.

Big yes on the patch bay. Also useful is a MIDI patch bay such as the Ensoniq KMX-16. You can connect 16 MIDI devices, which is useful if you want to control a synth that has very few keys (or none), with another synth that has a better keyboard such as an 88 key hammer action controller. Also, you can take a MIDI track in your DAW and route it to one synth or another and then record the audio out.

Great video as always Scott. I do have a couple of suggestions in addition to what you mentioned. One is the older Mackie Onyx Firewire mixers - still really good, you can get them used in really good shape for not much money and you can get firewire cards for PCs pretty cheap. Ironically, since Firewire was first for Macs it's actually easier to hook up firewire mixers to PCs that can take firewire cards. It can be done with newer Macs but takes several steps of adapters. The other thing I'll mention is that some fairly basic 8 channel interfaces can be expanded via ADAT to 16 or even 24 channels. Once you have a USB interface that has 8 channels input plus ADAT you can buy older interfaces for firewire that work perfectly fine for ADAT and instantly expands you inputs pretty cheaply. A studio I helped a friend put together has a Behringer USB 8 channel interface and an older Presonus firewire interface ADAT connected - the two interfaces cost about $600 all in.

I went with Motu AVB interfaces. As soon as you need more than 18 inputs. You buy a Motu 1248 or any other Motu interface with thunderbolt interface, AVB and the set of audio inputs you need (they have a lot of models with various type and number of I/O). Then on your synth rack you buy Motu 24Ai that give you 24 line level inputs that you can send through AVB with a CAT6 cable to the other Motu interface connected to the computer through thunderbolt. In my case, I have one Motu 828 ES with a Motu 24Ai and it gives me a total of 32 line level inputs, 2 microphones inputs with phantom power, 8 line level outputs, 4 monitors outputs, 2 headphones outputs. All this for about $2000. And I have 5 sets of ADAT input and outputs so I can potentially add 40 analog inputs and 40 analog outputs by using ADAT preamps and output modules. I also have the possibility to add an AVB switch and add more Motu 24Ai.

I use a Focusrite scarlett 18i20 audio interface and expanded it with Adat and another behringer preamps. Because its controlled over software I can control it over midi. Means with one switch or button I can change my entire routing. Effects and Synths can be chained in different order with one click. My Setup contains a Casio WK3000, BossRC505, Circuit Tracks and Rhythm, Guitar Multi effect Pedal/Preamp and some mics. I have a lot of stereo channels to fill. 😏 Because I do Live Looping I often wanna change the order of my devices. Sometimes I wanna sample something from the Rhythm into the loopstation and sometimes I wanna sidechain my loopstation through the rhythm. So with one click I can change the order what is awesome for live performancing and its far less expensive then getting a big digital mixer.

Im still have this Emu Interface. Its still pretty good. I connected a Korg 168RC Mixer over Adat to connect my Synths to my DAW.

Scott, one thing why I'am also using a digital mixer (X32) is the option to record/monitor all of my synths seperately at once at different tracks in my DAW and apply (real-time) effects etc.

And the lights go down.. 🤣in the city😄 funny

Behringer rx1602 v2 can also be a good option for 110€/120$... - 8 Stereo inputs - stage gaging @ each stereo inputs + Mute / pad... No eq but 8 synths can be pluged an take only a stereo input on your harware audio card. Got a studiolive 16/4/8 but never inputs enough ;)

good info, i use (2) Scarlett 18i20, (one in slave through ADAT). I also use that in conjunction with a second laptop with identical setup, 32 live channels for $1600. i plan on getting a patchbay and a mixer, but for different experiments..

I wish you’d mentioned submixers, I’m on a really small space experimenting with “Moukey” 6 channel mixers feeding in to a rx1602. The 1602 provides a headphone out that goes to my bass amp, ( zero latency monitoring is key) and also an effect return for a reverb pedal, as well as the main out to the interface. So I can play the hw synths + iPad synths Dawless, that is very important for me.

Thanks for great input. I believe one option - with great price/performance - is missing for the purpose of having a lot of synths connected to the audio interface (and the computer/DAW) and to always be ready-to-record: simply use one, two, three or more rack line mixers, such as the clean Behringer RX-1602 V2. Each mixer provides 16 inputs. Your main outs (L/R) from your last mixer in your chain goes into two of these inputs on the second mixer (and so on); and the last mixer main outputs connects to your audio interface. Cannot think of any cheaper and yet such a good/clean way of connecting multiple synths 👋

Get a Yamaha O2R second hand. They’re 200 quid used, make sure you get one with a meter bridge though as you can see all your levels. Get a couple of ADAT cards with optical outs and run those digital outs into a couple of linked USB motu 828 mk2’s. You can run one of the motu’s via FireWire to your computer for 16 digital channels in real time. Enjoy!

My issue is space. Not that our house is small, but I have my synths in the living room, which is also my work-from-home space. I found out that this works better for me than some other, dedicated room. In the 1990s I bought a Yamaha AN1x, and Yamaha EX5, and a Yamaha 01V mixer. The latter didn't work out as planned. It's big, it was very quickly superseded by the more capable 01V96, and its value is a now a fraction of what I paid for it. I still have it, though, because of the sunk cost fallacy. Because of the space limitation, all my other synths are 19 inch rack modules. And I think I'm not the only one who thinks this way, because the modules are often more expensive than their keyboard counterparts on eBay and Reverb. One of the few where this isn't the case is the Jupiter 8 and the MKS-80, although they're not identical. I ended up with a MOTU 24Ai, and recently acquired another one. All second hand, or new in box. This gives me 48 analogue inputs in a mere 2U of rack space. It also uses proper IEC C14 connectors, so you don't have to muck around with external power supplies. And it's a universal power supply, so you can buy them from wherever they are cheapest. The second one comes from Canada, while I live in Europe. The downside is that you need special DB25-to-eight-TRS-jack snake cables, and those are pretty pricey. But all in all, including import duties, value added tax, and snake cables, I think I spent about €2000 for those 48 inputs. There are audio interfaces out there that cost a multiple of that, for fewer inputs. I've considered a lot of alternatives, including the rack version of the Behringer X32. Eventually, after literally years, I decided upon the MOTU. There was a problem for a while to actually get these units, due to the global chip shortage of a few years ago. Plus, I ran into the ASIO problem. There is a tool out there, which you can find in the Microsoft app store, called DS WASAPI ASIO router, that will solve that. If nothing else, I need it because I also have a Roland TR-8S, and I don't want to waste precious audio inputs, when this thing has USB audio. This DS WASAPI ASIO router is not free, and costs €25 here in Europe. The evaluation period expired before I had a chance to fully test it. But the point is that there are ways to get around Windows' quite frankly rubbish support for professional audio.

The second I started watching this brilliant and needed video, I recognised the first note played on the first synth at the beginning. I racked my brains knowing it was the intro from a JMJ album track. Finally I found it. It's the exact key he uses.... The track and album... (check if you like): Oxygene 7-13 Track 7.

...started with a cassette recorder either when I was a 4year old boy. Later, in the middle of the nineties, I got me a Behringer mixing desk for my first synth stuff still recording with a cassette tape deck improving to an audio cd recorder a few years later 😜 ...as time goes by 😇

I have been waiting for a video that talks about hooking up multiple synths at once. Thank you! I would love to see a video Midi. You mentioned that you send things through Midi to multiple keyboards. Are you just using Midi Through, and of course assigning a different Midi address to each synth? Again. Thanks!

You managed to sneak it into the house past your wife

For any on a budget (like me!), check out the Allen & Heath CQ-20B. I bought one for my blues band (now rip) as a live mixer/recorder, moving up from a Soundcraft 12Mkt, which still sounded good for live use as a bar band. The CQ, being digital, sports a 24x24 (@48kHz), or 16x16 (@96kHz) USB. It's awesome. I'm supporting a Modx+, BARP GM2600, Korg Wavestate, Arturia Analog Lab and a bunch of East/West symphonic samples. Great mixer & interface.

Buying second hand older professional audio interfaces is also a way to do this. Mostly the older firewire stuff goes for pretty much nothing, firewire is old sure, but as a IO device that has 32 channels or more, it still will work fine. Would need to be a bit computer sawvy though, firewire is a problem in newer os'es so you might need to get your hands dirty and do some research. I remember i got a focusrite liquid 56 interface a few years back, it worked perfectly, I expanded inputs with a digimax d8 via adat which gave me an additional 4 stereo inputs. I've later upgraded to a new focusrite 18i20 card which is amazing and is priced reasonably, also works great with the digimax d8.

I have a pretty simple setup for my little "home studio" that is reflective of my needs. Unlike you, I only have two keyboards, both Yamaha. I have my MODX7 and a CS1x. There is about twenty years separating them in terms of technology and connectivity. I got the MODX in 2019 from Pro Music Alaska, a music store here owned by an old college buddy. He helped me with everything I needed to get my keyboards set up. I have a Tascam audio interface and an eight-channel mixer. The MODX was much easier to connect because of the USB connection, but I had to use a MIDI connection for the CS1x. I had another old friend of mine build a two-tier keyboard/music desk. The two keyboards are on platforms that pull out, one on top of the other, and the top of the thing has my monitors and the small dedicated computer for my music production, along with the monitor for that. And there is a whole spaghetti pile of cables and connections going this way and that on the top of the stand. But it works for me, more or less. Anyway, this was a great video as always!

Nice sum-up, but I miss the Midi and Master keyboard part which is also a very difficult topic to get the correct routing done.

hi scott great video and a great insight to this subject, my current set up is i use a behringer u phoria umc1820 interface and a behringer ada8200 connected via adat so i have 16 inputs to allow me to plug in all my synths and guitars and microphones and i have then set up a template project in my daw so that everything is all connected midi wise and audio at the same time ! i find this works great for me and also may be a solution for others too! what do you think of this type of set up? thanks in advance brett

I love the X32, the final solution for my little studio too after nearly the same history like you had. Your next video about midi? 😂

I currently use an old RME Fireface with a Creamware A16 ADAT, it works like a charm...as long as I have access to Firewire/thunderbolt 3 😁 Oh and patchbays are great, I want a second one!!

X32 is a great sound board and is worth every penny. You can find it for less than $2k5 brand new. Which I can't call it expensive. Look at a Sony SSL 500 and tell me X32 is expensive. Or DigiCo.

I lost most of my life thinking to be an engineer, so I didn't play for years and I didn't buy keyboards anymore. Now that I am back on stage (too much fun) I use a full vst solution. Computer on stage included. This means only midi controllers (cheaper) and dozens of plugins, two stereo outputs on an audio board. A nice host (GigPerformer) and you are done. The ruoting, gainstaging, midi patching, playing, recording is purely software. I know, this way I lose control on real pots and sliders. True. But I play live with a mellotron, a moog modular, a hammond and a Jupiter8 (and many others). Things that I couldn't buy today.

I use an 02r96 into a fireface 800. Plenty of inputs plus more analog & Adat options. Mine sits in an Argosy console and 14 synths are permanently connected. Plus also 2track DAT & Cassette (!). Not forgetting outboard returns into channels, for recording into logic/PT. It’s a great system that really works well. The RME provides master clock to the 02r96. These desks are often criticised for their hard eq. On the original 02r, I’d have to agree. But not so with the 24bit 96k mk2. That’s said, I belive in clean unadulterated sound. I can’t recommend these old Yamaha desks enough because they are astonishingly cheap these days. I’ve seen original 02rs selling for £150 ($200). It’s worth it for the noise gate and compressor on every chennel !!

You didn't mention 'digital stage boxes', which could be flug in a far corner of the studio. The X32 is equiped with swappable expansion cards for connecting to other multi-channel audio networking via USB, ADAT, MADI and Dante protocols, in addition to the onboard ULTRANET and AES50 connectivity.

I picked up the rack mount Presonus 32R. 32 In and you get 16 out and Main out. You can control it from an iPhone or iPad. I also use a $128 Behringer rack mixer for random extra stuff. Total of 48 In. Solved my issues.

Very enlightening, thanks! You talked about maxing your mixer inputs out with stereo keys, what about vocals? And on a different subject, on your multi-channel mixer going to interface and DAW, do you use the EQ or keep it flat?

Great video! I just upgraded from the Yamaha MG10UX to a Onyx 24 for the reasons you mentioned. Have you done a similar video showing how you route all the MIDI to your synths in a similar way you explained the audio strategy?

I had a similar journey. Started with a Fostex X15 4 track cassette and gradually moved up through an analogue mixer to my current Clarett 8 pre with an extra 8 channels via adat (Behringer add on). I’m Mac based so I can have some of my USB based synths in a composite audio interface. Only issue is some synths - like my Roland Jupiter XM don’t like USB hubs if used with the proprietary driver. Would be good to have a video on how you link all the midi side up. Great synth collection by the way.

I am “down to” 12 synths (currently; still selling and buying to refine the “perfect set”!) but also use a lot of outboard gear and need room for folks to plug in their instruments, microphones, &c. My solution (in addition to the MioXL ;) is a 32-channel passive summing mixer for most of the synths (since I can gain-stage the volume controls and then mix via MIDI volume) but then be able to patch in my “special children” when I need outboard processing or a full mixer channel or whatever. I do not understand why passive summing mixers are not wildly popular for this application, but I plan to build more since they seem to be so rare!

I use a UAD twin with an 8 channel digital break out box. pretty cost efficient and sounds excellent

I liked this video alot. Thank u Scott. I think its the only video packing all alternative solutions and alternatives at once. I would like to learn your opinion about Mpc products. I have an mpc one and connected my jdxa, fa06, modz6, streichfett,model6 via usb and manipulate them all through Controller mode option of mpc one from moc 's daw. I think it can be a kind of another way to do it. But it has two ports unfortunately.

If you also want everything connected via MIDI, you can use Kenton MIDI splitters for that. You don't have to daisy chain your gear and have it turned on unused to transmit via MIDI.

While I have an expensive multichannel audio interface (Steinberg AXR4U), there are cheaper [than $3k and $4k] options. For example, the Steinberg UR816C (16 ins/outs) costs about $600.

Great video. I had the same problem but I went from a 48 channel mixer back to a multi-channel interface and only 1 or 2 synths connected at a time and the others on shelves....why? I find if I concentrate on one, I value it more and work with it better than jumping from synth to synth. But that is of course a question of workflow and personal preference. But since I do this (about a year now) I am more creative with each individual instrument.

Thank you for the video quick question. How would you connect 2,3 synths and drum muchine together maybe with a Yamaha mixer?

I use a Mackie32x4 for all analog outputs. The mains and control room go to the speakers and twin subs. I use the send 1&2 to the SSL2+ that then goes to my mac. MIDI goes to a 8 input MIDI Man ( I think, its buried under the table !!) so the master controller MIDIs to the SSL then to all keyboards and such MIDI connected. DAW is either REASON, Live 12 or Steinberg depending on my mood.

Admittedly a much smaller scale than you are talking about, but I think my Zoom L-12 deserves an honourable mention 😀

My setup is still using FireWire with 2x TC Electronics “Studio Konnekt 48” AD/DA rack units, with a Focusrite “Octopre” over ADAT.

What do you recommend for stereo out from synths to mixer input ? Do you go mono? I have a zoom L20 mixer and about 10 synths i am using a snake to for better cable management but i am using 2 channels for each stereo synth.

Thanks! Nice one! How do you deal with the power consumption side of it? How many sockets and extension leads do you have?

I use the standard Keyboardist way, Behringer RX1602 into my interface, a very cheap tried and true reliable solution, not the most hifi way of doing it but it does the job, I usually keep 6 synths connected at all times, and may add a couple of extra ones (work boards) if I have to some programming, if Uli came out with a bigger one like a RX2402, 2404 I’d buy it in a heartbeat, there are like the Ashly that is scalable but it’s 8 times the cost.

On Windows you can install Asio4All, which is an Asio Wrapper. In it you can combine several Asio devices to one. The con is Asio4All uses its own drivers which is of course not optimized with each hardware device. And afaik there is no way to do sample acurate sync unless you have 2 devices that can sync via an adat optical cable or coax wordclock.

I have an RME Digiface with 4x Behringer ADA8200. Sets you back around €1300 (or 1000 if you buy second hand). 32 in/34 out. All dedicated in my DAW.

I have similar multi synth setup and use yamaha mg series, but then i break my back powering on everything so i bought loads of alexa enabled power plugs, but mix everything down to 2 channels in the daw. Having separate channels for every keyboard input on the daw is more hassle than its worth. So keys one stereo in strip from a high input mix down analog mixer to middle audio interface like focusrite clarett 8+ then daw, every other instrument will be in direct to multichannel audio interface.

Closely following CME’s iWA wireless audio technology. I hope it’s going to be as good as their WIDI which I enjoy using very much.

A used 24-track HD recorder (for instance TASCAM), with ADAT to an ordinary audio interface (with ADAT) can cover a lot.

If I were going to get a 32 channel digital mixer I think I'd get the PreSonus StudioLive 32SX over the Behringer. I like the FlexMixes and it looks beautiful besides. Though I think it's a tough call between that and getting two Arturia AudioFuse 16Rig interfaces chained together. The PreSonus gives you more for about the same price with its Fat Channel processing and a hands-on, physical interface. But if you're trying to save space then the AudioFuse would help you do that. Often you only need to set the volume levels and forget it anyway. The only thing that would bother me about the AudioFuse is that it apparently requires a software app to do the signal routing.

Whats your opinion on the studiolive 16 presonus or the tascam 32dp multitrack recorder

Wow, the Montage M superknob is more powerful than ever! 😉 I have roughly as many synths as you - but a very cheap connectivity solution. Having no space for a huge mixer, I use three cheap 19“ Behringer RX1602 Mk.2 going into a Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 audio interface connected to my Mac. The Behringers have volume & pan control plus FX send per channel; they are pretty noiseless for my old ears. I don‘t think that synths require full-fledged mixers with all those features useful for vocals, drums, guitars etc. The sound is made on the synth itself. The only minor problem is the position of outboard FX in the signal flow. I came up with this: RX1606 #1 and #2 => RX 1603 #3 (=> FX send to my main FX units in series) => Scarlett => Mac. I.e., on the audio interface I need one stereo channel for the RX 1602 #3 and one for the FX output. That‘s it. Not perfect but workable.

The best is RME Fireface with Ferrofish extension via ADAT and RME M-32 Pro extension via MADI for 60 channels but these days I'd probably go with that new Arturia 16rig with two x8 In ADAT expanders. That should get up to 32 channels in a nice compact space.

I am literally waiting for delivery of a Behringer pre-amp to expand the number of inputs on my Scarlett 18i8 from 8 to 16 using the optical (ADAT) jack. Fingers crossed that it will work as expected. But yes, unplugged synths do not get used.

I think there are other low cost options to connect many synths such as rack mount line mixers such as the Behringer ones, or making groups of keyboards with stage boxes

Still using an old Allen & Heath Zed R16 here with Focusrite Clarett ADAT expander, which gives me 26 simultaneous in and out over FW. The best thing about the Zed is that rack channel is switched individually between analogue in and digital return, which most multi channel interface mixers don't have. It's a good setup for both tracking and mixing on an analogue hardware surface, but FW is old and creaky these days.

Over the past few years I’ve moved over to networked audio (AVB) using MOTU hardware and CopperLAN for midi. Unfortunately CopperLAN, though it works very well and easy to setup, hasn’t been updated in decades I believe and has a cap of 32x8x2 midi channels to a single pc. I tried RTPMidi before but poor windows support is a limitation, and is a but of a pain to configure with large setups. I think these network-based setups make more sense in the long run if you plan on expanding your setups.

For a small 12 inputs audio setup Behringer x air 12 digital mixer is great plus you can record your live mix to USB stick and it's road worthy. You can get higher models but it'll cost more. What should be mentioned that quality cables will add up to be just as pricey as the hardware itself

I use two fostex 2016s bussed together with the sends going to a 2 channel usb interface. It's a cheap way to have all 12 synths connected and send what I want to the recording interface. 32 channels total. I can audition multiple synths performing midi, but can record only one stereo synth output at at time. the upside is that both line mixers were $95 cdn each. and I have level controls to the recording interface through the sends L and R. now when I add a cheap behringer patch bay I have alot of flexibility for not that much expense.

I'm surprised using something like a 8 channel audio interface didn't get a mention. I went with the focusrite and if i need more channels plan to try ADAT to add another 8 to it.

Tascam US-16x08 16 in 8 out rack interface, it doesn't blow the bank but the latency it not great (similar to the x32). Last couple of years the price went up from around 250 to 340 earth credits though.