CREATING MORE DESK-SPACE AND ADDING A MIXING CONSOLE
First of all:
I bought a used mixer.
It is the Behringer Euro Desk MX 9000.
I will probably not use it for professional recordings, but for me it is ideal to practice in my home-studio the signal flow, from microphones and instruments via the mixer into DAW (Ableton or ProTools) and how these work together.
The specifications (Text from a Behringer brochure)
The Behringer Eurodesk MX9000 delivers the inputs, channels and routing capability synonymous with analog consoles at more than triple the cost. A guaranteed work-horse for recording and live sound reinforcement, the MX9000 delivers 24 input channels and 24 in-line channels for returning multitrack recorders, monitor mixers, keyboard instruments and much more. The standard input channels provide balanced line and microphone inputs, the in-line channels feature balanced line inputs only.
8-subgroups enable multiple input channels to be routed to multitrack recorders, monitors, etc. Inserts on all input channels, subgroups and main outputs provide routing to external signal processors. All input channels feature a dedicated 4-band EQ, dedicated 2-band EQ sections are located on all in-line channels. Overall the MX9000 proves to be a cost effective solution for engineers who require maximum routing and signal quality on a budget.
24 Input & 24 In-Line Channels
The MX9000 features 24 microphone / line level inputs and an additional 24 in-line inputs for keyboards, multitrack recorder returns, etc.
8 Subgroups
The 8-subgroups enable grouped or single channel routing to external recording devices, monitors and more.
6 Auxiliary Sends
The 6 Auxiliary sends provide plenty of routing to external effects and monitors.
24 Direct Outputs
All 24 inputs provide 24 direct outputs for routing channel signal to external monitor consoles, recorders, etc.
Inserts
All input channels, subgroup outputs and main output features inserts for in-line routing to external signal processors.
Meter Bridge
The intergrated meter bridge accurately displays main, in-line, subgroup and stereo output level.
EQ On Input & In-Line Channels
A parametric 4-band section is featured on all input channels, a 2-band EQ is provided for all in-line channels.
Plenty of Stereo I/O
The stereo output section features dual stereo main outputs, control room output, studio output, dual headphone outputs, 2-trk input, mono (summed) input and much more.
Problem: not enough desk-space.
Solution:
Move the piano to the other side from the office, buy 2 new desks and re-organise all the equipment.
The desks are great. Solid steal and cable-management included.
With the 2 desks placed it looks now like this:
Already a step in the good direction, but still not ideal.
I will put-up a shelf against the back-wall, where I will place the monitors and the audio-interface.
Update will follow soon.