Advice on a mixer

[Zobi]

I'm in the market for an analog mixer. I'm just putting my first set-up together - it will consist of MPC60, SP1200 and S950. I'll probabaly use the MPC60 as a main sequencer and will trigger samples in SP1200 and S950 with it. I'll want to record a bass guitar and possibly some vocals in the future.

I'd like to achieve that heavy warm analog sound similar to early/mid 90's hiphop recordings.

There are 2 Tascam mixers for sale in my area. M2524 and M320. How would you compare these 2 sound-wise? Are they similar? Are there other Tascam mixers I should consider?

Any help would be much appreciated.

[A Reel Person]

I'm not as familiar with the M2524, so forgive me for making a few assumptions,... but I think the M320 is a better mixer. I know, that statement, in itself, lacks credibility, but I don't have a clear reference on the M2524. Take that answer for what it's worth.

Maybe, if you could throw us a reference on the M2524, then we could compare features better.

Either way, for your stated purpose, I think either mixer would be fine.

[Zobi]

Unfortunately, I have no references for either. This will be my first mixer and I really have no experience yet.

I was told that older Tascam mixers are well built and might fit my sound needs. I searched Craigslist in my area and these 2 mixers came up. That's why I was asking. If there is any other model that you think might be a good choice, I'm open to any suggestions. Is there a big difference between 320 and 320B?

Thank you for your help......

[A Reel Person]

then the "B" model is the one to have.

The differences are not huge, but the "B" model supplies phantom power onboard,... a real hot selling ticket item these days,... plus, the "B" model has 4 more VU meters to monitor all the AUX's.

That's not a huge difference, but for even-dollar, the M320B is worth having over the M320[std].

As for myself, I have the M312[std]. It's roughly equivalent to the M320[std], less another 8 channels.

[A Reel Person]

...............

[A Reel Person]

I'm in the Los Angeles area.

[Zobi]

It's not between 320 and 320B. I'm not even set on 320. I just saw both names mentioned here on the forums. Do you think it would be worth waiting for the "B" version or some other Tascam mixer to turn up? What would you consider a good price for either model (320 and 320B)?

I'm in the SF Bay Area......

[A Reel Person]

A good price is ~$475.

Uh,... you haven't been specific about what you're mixing to and/or for what. What output device, what destination, what purpose. That would make a big difference of what mixer you would need. I presume it's to a recorder, but what? Maybe patched to a computer in-box?

Plus,... as I read it, you have 3 synthesizers: a groove box, a module and maybe a rythm unit/drum machine. Depending on what your further production would be, maybe you could get along on a lot less than 20 or 24 channel mixers. Ever consider, maybe 8? The Tascam M-30 is a super mixer that you can often get in the $50-$75 range, but it's a much nicer mixer than you'd expect, for that little $.

The M-308 is a different 8 channel mixer, in the same design family of the M320, which is far less $ than an M320, but you'd probably pay higher than for an M30.

There's another lesser seen mixer, the M-35, which can also be found for ultra-low dollar, and they're fundamentally the same as the M-308, 'cept a generation older. The M-35 and M-308 have very comparable features.

The M30 and M35 are what I'd consider "sleeper" deals, on Ebay, going for pennies on the dollar, as used equipment.

The mixers you consider would vary widely on your intended application, and that's the issue, that determines what mixer is suitable. How many mics or inputs do you foresee needing, and how many feeds does the output device or recording device you're using need?

If you want a really pro mixer, there's the M512 and M520. They're a cut above the 300-Series. Be prepared to pay a bit more.

Keep in mind, that mixers like the M320 and M520 are appreciably large. They don't make 'em like that, anymore. That's for sure.

There's a vintage Tascam mixer out there, for practically anything you want to do, for however big your vision is, or for however much money you want to spend.

[Zobi]

I'm just putting my first set-up together and I don't even have a recorder at this point.

The 3 units I have are samplers/sequencers. Each has 8 outs, so I'll be able to keep the tracks separated. The only live instrument I'll be recording will be a bass guitar. I'll also run a turntable through my mixer.

Is there a difference (sound-wise) between 320 and 512/520?

Thank you so much, you've been very helpful.

[A Reel Person]

That's a heck of a lot more outputs from the sequencer devices than I thought! 8-outputs each? Will they be running separately, or simultaneously?

Plus, bass & turntable. The M30 is the only one with Phono-preamped inputs. Maybe, might I suggest getting [2] M30's and running them in parallel, by patching them together. You would have ample inputs for your 8-output synth devices, plus extra for the bass, or whatever,... and 4 sets of regular Phono Inputs w/preamps.

Running [2] M30's in parallel, depending how you patched it, would give you an effective 8-buss-subgroups,... or 4 if you patched them together. Busses are something we've not covered yet, in concept, but Busses are the sub-group-assign capability of the mixer, to assign individual channels to groups. Anyway, running [2] M30's in parallel has you on two mixers, that may be patched together for whatever use you want, PLUS it keeps the budget down.

The M520 probably sounds a bit better than the M320, by virtue of it having 3-Bands-Sweepable EQ, and the M320 has 2-Band-Sweepable and 1-Fixed EQ. PLUS, a BIG difference is that the M520 is an 8-BUSS board, and the M320 is a 4-BUSS board,... so the M520 is just MORE mixer, all the way around.

[Zobi]

I will be running the samplers simultaneously, but I probably won't be using all 8 outs on each unit.

I was trying to find some info on sweepable EQ, but didn't have too much luck. What exactly does it mean when you say 3-Bands-Sweepable EQ, 2-Band-Sweepable and Fixed EQ?

Do you think the difference in sound between those 2 mixers would make it worth waiting for a 520, as opposed to getting the 320 now? Oh, I emailed the seller and it's the standard version, not "B".

Thanks again.......

[A Reel Person]

The M320 is 3-band EQ, with 2-bands sweepable and 1-band fixed EQ. The M520 is 3-band sweepable EQ.

The 3-band sweepable EQ is better, and the 500 Series boards are more high tech, better board than the 300 Series.

If you have 3 synth devices, with 8 outputs each, and you want to run EVERYTHING simultaneously, then you'll need a 24 channel board. If you may not run everything simultaneously, you'd be well set with a 20 channel board.

The dual M30's might not be a practical solution for you, being 8 input mixers. 16 channels might, or might not, be enough inputs.

The recorder or destination device is important. You have to consider that, in the mixer decision, because that would influence the number of busses, or subgroups, you'd want.

I would not want any novice to run out and buy a huge mixer, before he'd considered all his mixing needs, very closely.

Consider the recorder. Is is a 'puter? Is it analog? How many tracks is it? How many tracks will it record, simultaneously?

Are you just intending to do DJ parties with a monitor feed into a PA? Then, I'd say get a Mackie 2-buss stereo mixer. If you want to record, I'd say get the Tascam recording mixers, as I've mentioned above.

Ever consider the 388? It's an 8-track in-deck reel/reel tape drive, and onboard 8 input, 8-buss mixer. Basically, an analog, reel, 8-track Portastudio format recorder. Now, the 388 gives you full 3-Band Sweepable EQ, and 8-buss, where the 300-Series mixers don't. The 388's mixer section would be more sophisticated, w/EQ and buss count equivalent to the 500-Series mixers.

MIX? MIX WHAT? MIX FOR LIVE WORK? MIX FOR RECORDING? WHAT RECORDER? RUNNING HOW MANY INPUTS, SIMULTANEOUSLY? WHAT'S YOUR BUDGET? [LIKE MY CAPS?]

Those are unknown factors, to me, and something I' cant decide for you. Otherwise, I could keep recommending and reviewing mixers, endlessly.

There are many other Tascam mixers, but when you say "vintage", I assume you're talking about the M30, M35, 300-Series & 500-Series mixers. These are the VU-meter vintage 80's mixers. If you consider some LED meter mixers vintage, then there's a whole number of 90's Tascam mixers I've not even mentioned.

[A Reel Person]

Sweepable EQ means that you can tune the frequency of boost or cut, with a second rotary control. There's one rotary control for boost/cut, and one for frequency sweep.

A Fixed EQ, means only one control, for boost/cut of one single, fixed frequency. Like a fixed, 10K or 12.5K "Treble" knob.

The M320, f/i, would have a LOW-Sweepable EQ, a MID-Sweepable EQ, and a 12.5K Fixed High EQ, onboard.

The M520, on the other hand, would have a HIGH-Sweepable EQ in place of the [320's] 12.5k Fixed High EQ. A relevant, but relatively minor difference.

Sweepable EQ gives you a lot more flexibility than Fixed EQ.

EQ is a consideration, as are other features, such as Aux's & buss count.

The 388 has 3-band Sweepable EQ, 8-Buss operation, and 8-track-simultaneous tape recording, in one sleek package. On it's own, the 388's mixer is not too shabby, by any standard. Onboard 8-track recording is cool, too.