My FW desk no longer works the way I would like so now i have to purchase either another mixing desk or audio interface for MULTI TRACK RECORDING.
Are all USB mixing desks that have multiple outputs compatible with Cubase 11 pro.
So if desk has 10 outputs then am I going to see and be able to set up 10 audio inputs in Cubase
Just to confuse the matter further I need to have a desk or interface that has 5 pin midi din in and out.
So on initial search it woul appear that audio interface would be the least expensive route to go but I prefer to eq and set compression on a desk.
I know that I can also put something like Kenton midi to usb box into the equation.
Any advice would be great 
The mixer needs to have multichannel usb capability. Cubase will see all the ins and outs that the mixers ASIO driver makes available.
Be aware that many small budget USB mixers may have 8 or 10 mixer channels but are only 2 channels in/out over usb.
Thanks Grim,
Would it be possible for me to use an analog mixer with outputs and route the output channels to the inputs on a multi channel audio interface and then connect to pc via usb
Sorry if these are basic questions I’ve just been using FireWire for years not had any need to look into the modern world 
Yes exactly.
Why do you want to stop using the firewire? Also, depending on who made it, your firewire & USB might be able to co-exist. I think (???) RME will do that.
Sure…if you have an interface with enough line level inputs.
For higher line level track counts people often split the interface from the convertors…something like rme digiface usb and a Ferrofish Pulse 16 gives a lot of good quality i/o, good driver performance and expandability or option to run at higher sample rates.
I don’t want to stop using my Yamaha n series FireWire desk it has stopped working and I can’t load the drivers with windows 10 anymore.
I thought I had it sorted but unfortunately not.
It just stopped working.
I reinstalled windows 10 and switched off updates, I have installed Microsoft legacy drivers for 1394a FireWire card.
So there are 4 devices showing in sound controllers in windows 10 device manager.
Yamaha n series FW shows but not installed.
Yamaha FW Bus shows as installed.
Yamaha WDM audio shows as installed
Yamaha WDM Midi shows as installed.
It’s a shame as I had multi channel midi recording and playback from external arranger keyboard working a treat.
I phoned Yamaha tech support, the support said that the Yamaha n 12 didn’t support windows 10, but I have used the official Yamaha windows 10 64 but drivers for years without a problem.
When I reinstalled Windows 10 I did it offline not connected to internet.
The 1394a FW card also shows in device manager.
I thought that reinstalling windows 10 without updates would have done the trick but unfortunately not.
It’s bizarre, got me beat 
Well I’ve got 24 in and out so yeah its possible… (will be 32 on Friday when my order from Thomann gets here)
Quality 
Keep in mind though, I have an audio interface and have a 16 channel converter hooked up to it to achieve that, and A LOT of cables, so it’s not necessarily ‘cheap’ hah.
Have a new interface and a second converter on the way from Deutschland as we speak too.
I’ve just been looking at adat madi, Dante, mind blower, I think I like the look of adat , it must be good to be clever lol
That’s what I’m using sort of. MOTU 828x is the interface (8 in/out), and the Ferrofish Pulse is connected to the MOTUs two ADAT ports for another 16 in and out. The mixer is inline, so it’s 24 direct outs go into the computer, and the 24 outs from the computer go back into the mixers “B” tape inputs. If I really want to I can do a 24 track mix from Cubase on the mixer. I have two samplers that take up 16 inputs, the rest are synths. When my Digiface and second Pulse get here, the MOTUs gone and my hardware effects returns are going into the extra 8 I/O I’ll have.
That’s sounds very good but it’s a bit above my knowledge, my Yamaha n 12 desk was a Yamaha Steinberg product so it was great.
I could easily get 16 mono inputs or 8 stereo inputs or combinations of both.
Plus it had two 5 pin midi dins in and out which is a must for me as my keyboard has the 5 pin midi din connections.
I’m trying to figure out how best to replicate this set up in the modern world at a price that won’t break the bank.
I don’t enjoy trying to set up up eq,compression,reverb using a mouse and plugins,I’m too old ( over 60) I just don’t feel it the same as hardware.
Thanks for your input.
Well N12 was a digital desk…there are options for similar with USB nowadays…A&H Qu series, Midas M series, Behringer X…or if you want an analogue desk but with usb something like Tascam Model 24.
Don’t get too hung up on 5 pin midi being a must…easy and cheap to add this functionality with a separate box.
Good point about seperate midi box,
I take it that Cubase will pick up two separate usb connections into my pc, one from usb desk and one from midi to usb box.
I’m going to put one final post on the forum to see if anyone knows of a workaround to get Yamaha n series driver working with windows 10, failing that I it will be a usb desk and separate midi box.
Thanks for your wisdom.
Yep…two audio interfaces can be problematic but midi plus audio or multiple midi connections is not a problem.
Also have you seen this…it’s from a few years back but it is N12 on W10.
Thanks for the link, I’ve used all those updates and drivers over the years and they all worked great.
Good to know I can use separate audio interface and midi to usb.
If two audio interfaces can be problematic how on earth does the likes of Dom Sigalas and Chris Selim rig up all that gear to one interface. I looked at their studio tours videos last night,very interesting, and lots of money as well.
In my pic above, my MIDI interface is the blue 8 channel AMT8 in top of the rack on the left. Along with that, the MOTU also has its own MIDI I/O that shows up (thats where the Ferrofish is connected so I can remotely mess with the front panel), and aside from the 5 synths going into the AMT8, I have 3 or 4 connected directly with USB. Even my Novation Launchkey shows up as an in and out.
Cubase was born speaking nothing but MIDI, it can handle any of it heh.
Great to know,thanks for the info 