My god...mixer...

  • Thread starter Thread starter XTREEMMAK
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XTREEMMAK

XTREEMMAK

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Ok,
For a while now I've been faced with a dilemma towards my hardware upgrade. Ever since I had a chance to work on an Amek Rembrandt Analog console, I've been fighting to create a setup that resembles it. You know, pretty good headroom, mono summing, reasonable amount of bussing, patching, ect ect. Problem is:

A. Like I have $50,000 laying around lol
B. Like I can maintain it...

So I've been looking for a new mixer recently and I need a choice before December. Mainly all I'd need is:
*16 in/out balanced or something like 16/16 4 unbalanced w/e
*Bypassable pre's on every channel (I've never hooked up or used a light pipe or ADAT peripheral so forgive me if my intention is a bit skewed..)
*Optionally control surface (not necessary but a plus if it's included)
*Firewire interface
*Anything at or above 48kHz recording quality
*A reasonable amount of Aux sends
*Mono summing
*Good if not sort a great onboard pres
*Reasonably good implemented world clock

That's probably the least I'd want. Trying to stay within $3,000.00 and not exceed $6,000.00.

Now it's also been brought to my attention that I may not need a mixer at all. Originally I was planning to get the RME Fireface 800. But then said why not get something a bit bigger that can at least give you some Aux sends for headphone mixes and higher headroom. Plus, I cant logically think of a way to hook up a patch bay without the mixer because I've never hooked up a patch bay before, though I know I will need one.

Please help, It's been a daunting problem that I haven't been able to find a real reputable sollution that wont break me in the long run. I've looked at the new Allen Heath models, the Yamaha N12, the Toft ....Idk...I'm trying to get away from my Mackie and Mackie all together....

BTW,
I've been staying away from Tascam for a while and what's bugging me is, what's the real gripe that people have with their units? I mean I just ran into the DM3200 and it looks pretty sick. I just dont see why people dont really like Tascam all that much...is it there pres? Hardware reliability? What? Are they like Behringer or Nady or something?
 
I love Tascam gear, I have had some problems, get no support in Australia (west coast), but the gear is basically good gear for the price.

I have:
M3700 console
MX2424 (with analog card) digital recorder
MSR16S 1/2" tape machine
M2424 console (road cased for location work)
M1016 PA console (for my bands PA)
and even a TEAC 3340S with dolby NR unit and remote. (not for sale)
and have owned a TSR8 which I had to sell to pay for the MSR16S

I Know the Amek, it's a fantastic console, I nearly bought one new when they came out, but it was over AU$90,000 (only 24 channel, 32 channel was over AU$120,000) and I got a new old stock Tascam M3700 (32 channel, full meter bridge) for $10,000. I know there is a big quality difference, but not $90,000. The bands coming in would still want to pay the same hour rate regardless. The M3700 has been a good work horse for me. You would now get one for under $1500 in the USA.

Cheers

Alan.
 
Hmm

Hmmm well,
I've been also discussing this situation on other boards as well. So far (though I have to check the options you listed above out), I'm down to:

*Allen Heath (Allen and Greif by some) ZED 4 Bus

*Tascam DM3200 : Noted as having very cold harsh pres. Fixable if you bypass but I'm kinda also looking for a reasonable out of box solution that I can use for a while.

*Toft ATB 16: Analog console w/ no firewire card or meter bridge. The console alone will set you back $6,000 ......
 
you might want to look into a sound workshop board. you can find a good used 34 for between 1-3K and, if necessary, have richee v 'the studio doctor' come to your place and fix it up for a couple K. he's an ex-soundworkshop guy and maintains these boards for folks all over the country.

i have spent about 5.5K on mine buying it, moving it and getting it in great shape. (the board was a little high $wise for the condition it was in but it had a cool modded power supply) i think it's worth way more than that and feel like i got a steal. amazing board and my friends/clients love it...aka it pays for itself.

i also wouldn't have bought it if richee weren't around restoring these. amazing dude.

for much less money and performance but still a cool deal - look into a studiomaster. 200 to 700 bucks.

Mike
 
Mackie Onyx would be a board you may want to consider

Sound Craft GB series consoles are very nice boards also
I Like the A&H consoles as well.
JM .02
 
I have the Onyx now. That's what I'm trying to get rid of. Someone recommended me the Midas Venice 320. Dont know how much work it would be to get it working in a digital setup though..
 
not that there is a right or a wrong...but with the $ you are talking you really might want to look into better sounding boards that don't necessarily have the fire wire option and buy that separately.

today is a great time to buy analog gear that cost tons when it came out. still sounds great. there are after market niches that support this gear too.

check into it. you'll get way more than you pay for. i went from a ghost to the 34. it's night and day. if you shopped around...you could get a board for less than half what i paid.

Mike
 
bigtoe said:
not that there is a right or a wrong...but with the $ you are talking you really might want to look into better sounding boards that don't necessarily have the fire wire option and buy that separately.

today is a great time to buy analog gear that cost tons when it came out. still sounds great. there are after market niches that support this gear too.

check into it. you'll get way more than you pay for. i went from a ghost to the 34. it's night and day. if you shopped around...you could get a board for less than half what i paid.

Mike
Click to expand...

I agree...Sound Workshop is a great option...so is the Toft. That's a great sounding board, and it'd get you in well under your max budget.

Frank
 
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