Passive Summing Mixer - coinmuki/summingmixer GitHub Wiki
Passive Summing Mixer worth it?
https://vintagemaker.net/products/
The mixing technique has shifted mostly to the passive summing part (Grammy-winning producer method) because it's easy to switch between different external amp like Neumann, Neve, Lawo, Avalon, API, Focusrite and so on.
If you do not have them, You can use for gain make up Your DAW Mic Preamps or instrument inputs with GREAT success.
(read more below about custom built summing mixers designed for your DAW mic preamplifiers or external amps)
Simply boost up your DAW output Level (master fader) – and you get some “nice” distortion because you’re pushing the summing passive side quite a bit over its nominal level.
1U - 2U Rack Passive Mixers:
https://vintagemaker.net/passive-summing/
Desktop Passive Mixers:
https://vintagemaker.net/littleone/
Why Passive Summing mixer gain loss?
Roughly, the passive summing network have summing resistors placed on each channel input. This resistor (Vishay Dale) provides load isolation and improves channel to channel isolation.
Since the voltage gain of the amplifier and the signal loss across the summing resistor compensates (cancel each other), the gain across the summing buss and amplifier is 1 or unity gain. https://github.com/coinmuki/summingmixer/wiki/Analog-Summing-Mixer
VintageMaker Passive Summing mixer come by 3 type of gain make up requirements
LOW: -15dB gain up ideal for entry level preamps or DAW mic pre or instrument input
MID: -20dB gain up ideal for mid range preamps or DAW mic pre or instrument input
HIGH: -25dB (or more) gain up ideal for high range preamps like Neve, Api, Avalon or DAW mic pre
By prior consultation the mixer will be designed for your DAW mic preamp working range, so you can use your DAW interface mic preamp without any compromises.
You can customize your desired summing setup on: https://vintagemaker.net/contact/#customorder
Passive Summing Mixer Customer review
Herb Belofsky Drummer · Austin, Texas
I plugged it into my studio, 1-24 Pro tools (Outs) and found the Neve 1272s to be the best sounding pre amps for the 2 buss on the mixes I was working on. the TubeTech MP1A also sounded great, the Focusrite was nice and the APIs were ok, too.
My REVIEW:
Clarity and Glue. It clearly sounds better than ITB in the box, but you all knew that would be the case. It also sounds better than the AMEK console that I had been using for summing mixes. I had sold the console and this was one of the replacement parts. I am Very Happy. I would highly recommend Paul Taylor's custom built products. he was easy to deal with, great communication and ultimately a great sounding box that let me interface the preamps I already have as the 2 buss. A serious upgrade for a box that is reasonably priced for what it does. I would love to hear the other active summing mixers that he makes, but for now, I am a happy studio owner with the box he sent me. Thanks, Paul.