Need help choosing a mixer

[Rickson Gracie]

...for my 8 track analog setup

I have access to a mid-90s Mackie 1604 VLZ. Its not a -Pro or the latest -VLZ3 its the first version from the 90s. Im getting it for $495 in decent condition.

For under $1000 is this a good way to go? I will be using my own nice mic pres for almost everything but I am afraid that the fact that it is an older model and not the newest versions will stop me from getting the most fidelity in my mixdowns. Or do i neeed not worry because I am bypassing the internal pres?

Any other sub $1000 mixers you recomend? How do u guys feel about the Allen Heath Mixwizard?

thanks.

[LP2006]

In my opinion, and based on what I see go on ebay, $500 for a mackie vlz series mixer is terrible.

The Mixwizard is much better. More I/O options, better preamps, and 4 band EQ with 2 sweepable mids.

The good news is that there is a few good options out there for under 1K.

Take a look at:

-Mackie Onyx
-Allen and Heath Mixwizard
-Soundcraft M series.

I've owned the Onyx and the Mixwiz.

The Onyx and the Mixwizard each have 4-band EQ. Both EQ's are pretty good. The M-series has only 3 bands of EQ. I liked the layout of the Onyx. It was equally useful for recording and live sound. There was selectable Pre/Post Fader listening. The Allen and Heath only has Pre Fader listening. The EQ can be switched out on the Onyx, but not the Mixwizard.

You can get the Onyx 1620 for $850 brand new, $750 Open Box, and probably around $600 used. That gets you 8 mono channels and four stereo channels.

I noticed in the process of writing this that soundcraft has released a new rackmountable version of their newer GB series. Both models available are around 1K new, and have some very good looking features. You might also want to look into those.

[bigtoe]

i used a mackie with my otari 5050-8 for years. it was good...i had the original without the busses. i would have liked the busses but i worked around it.


you should be able to find the mixers you are talking about for like 300/350. the mackie seems like a good deal to me even if it is a little high. i mean i paid a grand for mine back in the day.

if you are not a mobile guy - you could get a hell of a board for uner a grand that would crush the boards you listed. a topaz, a studio master, a soundcraft...there are tons.

Mike