mixing and recording consoles

[Magnum Pi]

Ok...bottom line: I have right at $1000 to spend on a console and I want to know what you all think is the best for the money. Just so you know, I'll be recording onto 2 ADAT LX20s. Please, I beg of you, do not tell me to do a search...please tell me what you think.

[Wallycleaver]

Thats asking a lot for so little, look used. Alesis 32 is $899 but it will limit you alot.

[drstawl]

The A&H MixWizard 16:2 has nice pres and 16 direct outs. Perfect match-up. $849 as a factory refurb.
But also limited in that you don't have any other channels to work with past 16.

[Magnum Pi]

Ok...so I've narrowed it down to the following:

Mackie CFX 20
Mackie 1604 VLZ
Allen & Heath WZ16
Alesis Studio 32
Carvin C2440

I am going to buy one of these boards and use it for the sole purpose of recording. I know that the CFX is not really a recording console, so should I eliminate it automatically? Also, I won't have a lot of money for a top notch mic-pre for quite some time. Let me know what you guys think...

[kristian]

I saw a mackie 16*8 going for $900 on harmony central.. thats a good one. mackie 1604VLZ, a used spirit studio or something, a mix wizard. In hindsight i wish i had go atleast 24 channels for my 16 track reel to reel. i will one day in the next 2 years. but not for now. its a real help with monitoring, and using independent channels for FX rather then aux sends.

[jamiecer]

In an ideal world you would have atleast 2 times the number of channels as tape tracks. I would wait a bit longer until you can get a 24 channel board.

If this is just not an option go for the 1604vlz. The mic pre's sound good and the board is very flexible. Another idea may be to get a used 1604, then but a mic pre with the cash that you saved. Just a few ideas.

Best of luck,

Jamie

[JAG]

Greetings. I have been using an old Studiomaster console. Bought it used for $500. It is 16 channels with 4 subs. Am using it with a TSR8. Am splitting it: 8 channles for recording, 8 for playback.

Am not sure I am getting the most out of it since it did not come with a manual when I bought it. Any thoughts on the console? is it a decent recording board? Does it compare with the other consoles talked about here?

Thanks.

[SN115]

Just curious.........why is the Mackie CFX-20 not considered a recording console compared to the others?

[Wallycleaver]

THe mackie lacks the tape outs inputs and busses that the others have. You could use it to record, but there would be lots of repatching and headaches with it. Compared to others in the same price range, the CFX doesn't cut the mustard for recording.

[Magnum Pi]

Wally...

What mixer would you suggest?

[Wallycleaver]

I like the Allen & heath. Also check out spirit by soundcraft, they make some good stuff too.

[SN115]

Because I have a Mackie CFX-20 mixer (not the best for recording)that our band uses , can you recommend best mixer/recorder/CD Burner set up I can find to make quality recordings of our band, and burn them to CD's..(I do have a computer with CD burner, but would consider a stand alone unit if there were any benefits, either in terms of time to burn CD's or backing up data?)

Budget------$2000 or less.......Thx

[Wallycleaver]

Have you thought of recording on your computer? A good soundcard and lots of ram along with a program like n-tracks will do great. My band is currently recording on n-tracks and I really like it.

[Magnum Pi]

Ok...now it comes down to the following:

Mackie 1604
A & H WZ16

Would you guys please argue about which of this is the better unit? I am heavily leaning towards the Mackie based on all the research I've done. The problem is, where I live it is impossible to try things before you buy them; therefore, I must research the heck out of this stuff.

So...please argue the merits of each (and if someone wants to argue the Spirit, please do so).

Thanks Everyone!!!

[TeyshaBlue]

Do what ever you can to get a dedicated recording console!!!
You can find some used SoundCraft Spirits 24x8 for $750-$1000. Listen to each strip first tho...the pre's can be ummm variable from channel to channel. Decent little console for the money and a great one to learn on.
Good luck!