Looking for a new mixer

[RandyW]

I hope to update my mixer in a couple weeks maybe sooner.
I've been doing some searches and checking out the Mackies,
Allen & Heath Wizard 16.2 and the Soundcraft Spirit FX16.

From the reviews it sounds like the Wizard might be the
best in the grand range. But I would really like something
a little least compact. That is the main reason for abandoning
my "B" word MX3242X the pots are just to close together
for a old fart such as my self to find quick enough, other than
that it really has all the features of the afore mentioned mixers
except quality.
I also have an old Fostex 450 8 channel which is really alot easer
to find my way on. I like having over a 1 inch span between the
faders and pots.

My main requirement is direct outs on each channel and preferably
non chinese may take Soundcraft out of the picture. I bought one
of their Gigrac 1000st's for my PA and found out they are Chinese.

Any way are the wizards controls as close and cramped up as they
appear? If so are they any good alternatives performance wise
else where. I'd really like to buy new but I'd consider some used
but pristine.

Any ideals?

[heroics321]

Originally Posted by RandyW

Any way are the wizards controls as close and cramped up as they
appear?

The pictures make it look a lot worse than it is. You won't be hitting and turning knobs that you don't want to, I like mine, it's really a fun board to work on. I think you'd be happy with one, and you can find the older WZ16:2DX for around $600 or $700 bucks in mint condition.

[RandyW]

I see the Allen Heath is now being made in China also. Looks like you have to get up in the 3K plus range to get one made in the UK.

Who makes a mixer these days that doesn't come from China in the 1 to 1.5k range? I haven't heard any good reports on Carvin but I think I check with them.

[ofajen]

If you're anywhere near Athens, GA, you could help me find out if my Auditronics model 110 console (16 mono ins, 2 stereo, 4-buss, balanced sends on each channel, IIRC) is still in the storage shed along with the rest of the more worthy stuff from Otho Wilburn's old studio. He said he was going to pay me for it, but he never did, and we had a mix up on communication and Mitch Easter delivered it before I got paid, when he was dropping off a tape deck for service. Anyway, there are people who pay for the storage who Mitch and I need to contact again to remind them that our stuff is still there and we want it back.

I would be happy to sell that console for $1000 or so, if we can lay hands on it, and nothing you have mentioned is even remotely the console that Auditronics board will be once you wire up the patch bay. Long throw faders and plenty of room for your fingers on the eq modules, etc. I bought it from Harvey Gerst some years back, did some of the rehab it needed, including a complete rebuild on the power supply, then sold it to Otho, since he was really into the Auditronics boards, only to be stiffed on payment. Big mistake, but you live and learn (and then die and don't get to take advantage of it.)

By the way, that offer extends to any reliable person in the area who would be interested in that 16 channel Auditronics board. Just send me a PM and I'll see if we can light the appropriate fires under the appropriate back ends.

Cheers,

Otto