Sonar X2 Producer and Mackie ProFX12 mixer help

Good morning all,
 
If this post is in the wrong forum, please forgive me. 
 
I just purchased a new mackie ProFX12 and I have NO clue how to use it with Sonar X2 Producer.  I have always used the mixer within Sonar so I was unsure if this was an advantage or disadvantage.
 
 
My main question is what would be the reccomended way of putting it all together. (Please be gentle...I'm a newbie but not to this forum)
 
 
My setup is simple really.  I am using a PreSonus FireBox for my MIDI interface with my M-Audio Keystation 61es.  I am also using the ASIO4ALL for my audio driver with Sonar X2 Producer. The PreSonus uses firewire to connect to my PC running Windows 7 64-bit with 8-gigs of RAM
 
 
How in the world would I add the Mackie ProFX12 mixer to this?  It does have USB from the mixer to the PC but this only allows 2 channels to be used.  Anyone have ANY reccomendations for a rookie like me?   I have learned so much from these forums but THIS ONE is beyond me.
 
Please Obi Wan.....you're my only hope!
 
 
I cannot thank you enough for taking the time on this one and thank you very much in advance.
 
 
 
-WillyWonka71 (In Memphis, TN) 

CJaysMusic


I would return it. There's no need for it, as you have a presonus sound card already.

That depends... There are a lot more inputs on the Mackie, but I guess no midi.
 
 

I'm not familiar with that device but you can use console mixers to route more stuff in/out of your interface. Like let's say you have multiple monitoring set ups and the mixer has options for more than one set of outputs. You can then have the interface send its outputs to a stereo pair and then route that out to your various monitor set ups. You can also plug multiple instruments into it and route the outputs of the mixer to the inputs of your interface so you don't have to constantly plug things in and out all the time. If each track on the mixer has dedicated line outs this becomes much easier. You can also use it for input trim. Essentially if your input levels are too hot having the mixer in between allows you to turn stuff down. You can also EQ your input signal.

However as CJ said mixers tend to add color to your sound and in a digital environment that is generally frowned upon. But some people like that color and we now have Console Emulators in Sonar which is kind of funny after all the years engineers tried to get away from that stuff. Some mixers do have the option to bypass their faders though which mean pretty much all of that coloring goes away. It's like plugging directly into your interface. My old Mackie CR-1601 has that option. One more thing is some mixers have very nice mic pres so that is something else to consider.

Just play around with it for a bit and read the manual to figure out the routing options. If it adds to your set up, cool. If not, junk it.

Cheers.

aaaand I gotta ask, why are you using ASIO4all?

With the stuff you've listed you should be able to use regular ASIO which is probably the best setting to use. Cheers.

Sorry for the multiple posts. Just taking a study break and saw this.