by csp » Sun Nov 14, 2010 11:43 am
John,
You didn't say if you actually have a d8B.
If you do not have one, but are considering purchasing one, then if it is only for live work --- I presume you mean "front of house" (FOH) sound, might I suggest that you go to e-bay and purchase one of the Mackie TT24 desks and if you can get the DS3232 snake even better. You will possibly need to get some extra cards. If going this way, send me a PM and I will give you all the details.
To answer your specific question.
Really any desk can be used as a FOH and the d8B is no exception, but it really is a recording desk
Since you have used the OV1 desk, you will realise that to find things, you have to go through various pages and menus and the same faders are used to undertake various tasks (I found this most confusing, especially in a live situation where you have to be thinking of a dozen things all at the one time!!!) This is fine in a recording situation where time is not all that important and a mistake not a major problem, BUT in live sound you often have to do things very fast and you do not have the time to sift through various menu's to get what you want and mistakes are instantly heard.
I have used both the 01V (latest version) and the TT24 for FOH sound and I found the 01V to be a right royal pain in the A, whereas with the TT24, everything is exactly where you need it to be.
The d8B in comparison to the 01V is in my opinion much easier to use, especially if you use the external monitor, keyboard and mouse (I would also suggest you use these for both the 01V and the TT24 as well, as the monitor does make things even better.
Hope the above helps you a bit.
David