I'm buying a mixer. Soundcraft or Mackie?

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lockesilver

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More precisely, the mixers in question are:

Soundcraft EFX12
Mackie PRO FX 12

I'd use it exclusively in a stationary studio, never outside.

They both have similar characteristics.
Mackie looks way cooler (I know it may sound stupid but hey, I like my equipment pretty) and it has a built in audio interface.

The soundcraft lacks the looks (ok, I can live with that) and the audio interface but I've been told that in this price range you should buy soundcraft or nothing. I'm not sure why is that so, either.

The audio interface is not necessary, as I already have one, although it is a 100$ cakewalk ua-1g and I'm not sure whether it's that professional and suitable for a studio. And still, I'm tempted to buy something with USB capability because it somehow seems more... modern to me. I wouldn't like it if a month after me buying an analog mixer all the studios in the world would switch to digital mixers and mine wouldn't even have usb :).
 
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The sound craft will have much better micpres than the mackie.






:cool:
 
Jeff_D said:
what are you using it for?
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I've been doing some voiceovers as far, but now I'm planning to go towards semi-professional and be able to produce some music (I've got a bunch of guitars and a keyboard, in the future possibly more instruments) for my jingles and occasionally record some local bands.

I'm not even 100% sure I need a mixer but I want one to have my cables plugged in permanently and have a channel for the talkback (I'm planning a ctrl room).
 
lockesilver said:
I've been doing some voiceovers as far, but now I'm planning to go towards semi-professional and be able to produce some music (I've got a bunch of guitars and a keyboard, in the future possibly more instruments) for my jingles and occasionally record some local bands.

I'm not even 100% sure I need a mixer but I want one to have my cables plugged in permanently and have a channel for the talkback (I'm planning a ctrl room).
Click to expand...

Well that is one way or you could just have an audio interface and a headphone distro.






:cool:
 
Of the two, I'd say the Soundcraft. Mackie boards aren't bad, but when given an option between a Mackie vs. Allen/Heath, Soundcraft, Soundmaster, and a few others, Mackie boards are a little on the low end side of that area. I think most people would agree that a Mackie is much better than a Behringer though.;) Every manufacturer has something that is a little different and/or a little better than the rest. You just have to know what you want out of a board and find the best one that suits you.:cool:
 
Thanks, so I guess the soundcraft is a better choice.
Now, (if seeing ignorance hurts you, now close your eyes for a moment), I discovered some mixers have direct outputs for every channel and some have like only one master output. So, as far as studio recording is concerned, does buying a mixer without direct outputs (like the two i mentioned) ever make sense?

I mean, please, talk me into it. I'd really like to indulge myself with one of those babes but don't want to spend cash pointlessly... :cool:
 
Having direct outs (among other in/outs on some mixers) is kind of a double edged sword. Personally, I don't think any mixer could have too many ins and outs. Direct outs might benefit you if you are patching to another piece of equipment and don't want to send the particular feed to the buss. It's little features like that which make those types of mixers VERY flexible. Yes, there is a chance you may never use it, or it might be something that you tap into a few months down the road.
 
lockesilver said:
Thanks, so I guess the soundcraft is a better choice.
Now, (if seeing ignorance hurts you, now close your eyes for a moment), I discovered some mixers have direct outputs for every channel and some have like only one master output. So, as far as studio recording is concerned, does buying a mixer without direct outputs (like the two i mentioned) ever make sense?

I mean, please, talk me into it. I'd really like to indulge myself with one of those babes but don't want to spend cash pointlessly... :cool:
Click to expand...

moresound said:
Well that is one way or you could just have an audio interface and a headphone distro.
:cool:
Click to expand...

Maybe I'm on ignore... on this one.

I guess if you really want to have the hybrid set up with an analog mixer then into your computer that's fine, many like to have their set up that way.

Or you can do everything *in the box* ;)






:cool:
 
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The Mackie does not have parametric EQ. The Soundcraft does. That should seal the deal right there.
 
I've learned that if a device has a feature that sooner or later you'll find a use for it. Always go with the most versatile and flexible unit!
 
Chibi Nappa said:
The Mackie does not have parametric EQ. The Soundcraft does. That should seal the deal right there.
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I don't think so. It does not have parametric eq, it has fixed on hi's and low's and sweepable mids. Sweepable mids is not parametric.

Parametric eq only comes on expensive desks and some digital desks.

Cheers

Alan.
 
witzendoz said:
I don't think so. It does not have parametric eq, it has fixed on hi's and low's and sweepable mids. Sweepable mids is not parametric.

Parametric eq only comes on expensive desks and some digital desks.

Cheers

Alan.
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Alright. It's missing the Q button. Still, the eq is about a billion times more useful than the Makie's fixed EQ.
 
lockesilver said:
Thanks, so I guess the soundcraft is a better choice.
Now, (if seeing ignorance hurts you, now close your eyes for a moment), I discovered some mixers have direct outputs for every channel and some have like only one master output. So, as far as studio recording is concerned, does buying a mixer without direct outputs (like the two i mentioned) ever make sense?

I mean, please, talk me into it. I'd really like to indulge myself with one of those babes but don't want to spend cash pointlessly... :cool:
Click to expand...

I have the EFX12 and I use the inserts as direct outs. I had to modify the cables so it didn't break the chain but it's easy to do. Of course if you need to use the inserts that may not be an option.
 
I own a Mackie 1604 VLZ Pro and like it, but if I had the chance to go with a soundcraft ETC I would love to.
 
TetraFish said:
I have the EFX12 and I use the inserts as direct outs. I had to modify the cables so it didn't break the chain but it's easy to do. Of course if you need to use the inserts that may not be an option.
Click to expand...

Most boards don't need a cable mod. Just use an unbalanced 1/4 inch and only insert to the first "click".
 
TetraFish said:
I have the EFX12 and I use the inserts as direct outs. I had to modify the cables so it didn't break the chain but it's easy to do. Of course if you need to use the inserts that may not be an option.
Click to expand...

Good to know. I don't think I should ever use the inserts so the possiblity to use them for outputs is a convenience and added versatility.

Since you own the EFX12 - any reviewish comments on it? Does it do it's job? Any particular problems? (I already know about its advantages so now i'm more interested in drawbacks)

Additional little question: how important/useful it is that a mixer should have built in effects? I mean I prefer to add them later than to have them recorded into my tracks without the possibility to tamper in them or undo stuff.
 
lockesilver said:
Good to know. I don't think I should ever use the inserts so the possiblity to use them for outputs is a convenience and added versatility.

Since you own the EFX12 - any reviewish comments on it? Does it do it's job? Any particular problems? (I already know about its advantages so now i'm more interested in drawbacks)

Additional little question: how important/useful it is that a mixer should have built in effects? I mean I prefer to add them later than to have them recorded into my tracks without the possibility to tamper in them or undo stuff.
Click to expand...

I was using mine for our practice sessions. So I'd run everyone into the mixer and use the inserts to connect to my recording interface. Then the mix we all heard was coming from the mixer and I recorded the dry ins. I only used the FX on the vocals only and it worked fine, nothng to complain about that's for sure. In a live situaion It could be a problem that it only has 1 aux send (2 if you count the FX send) so if you needed a bunch of different monitor mixes you're screwed without more equipment.

I've never used a lot of other mixers, only old pieces of crap and this one, but I think this one is fine. From my research the pre amps are some of the best for the price. Again the only complaint is the single aux send.
 
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