A&H vs Souncraft Spirit M

[Magpie99]

As I move forward with my Gear Aquisition Syndrome, I'm looking to replace
my little B 802 mixer with something with more channels and better mic pres.
My choices have been narrowed down to the A&H MixWizard 16:2 and the
Soundcraft Spirit M12.

I'll be recording mostly band stuff, either independently or all together. I
play drums, and will use between three and eight mics on my kit. The only
outboard gear I'll have any time soon will be an RNC or two, and I'll be
recording into a four to eight track breakout box into a PC based DAW.

The prices of the two are close enough not to matter. I've googled and
deja'd, but most of what I found in favor of these choices says buy either
of these two, just avoid the M and B.

Rather than just recommendations, can anyone point me to or provide
comparisions of features and benefits?

Thanks,

Glenn D.

 

[alba359]

I'm not qualified to recomend either, I'm new to recording and was looking at the same two mixers. After sleeping on it, (the issue) I ordered the A&H Mix Wiz 16. It cost a little more but the 16 mic pres and built in FX pushed me to the decission. Plus I got a great deal on a new one. I'm not recomend you do the same , just stating my decission. Good luck, Don

 

[Krystof01]

Well I'm also looking at these two; what are you planing to record to?

-The A&H has the effects and the soundcraft has the digital outs.
-Very similar pricing, the A&H a little more (from what I can find).
-The preamps and EQ are both well reviewed on each model but the A&H are marginally better (subjective of course).
-The A&H range extends to 16, M series only 12.
-If you want effects you could buy the soundcraft spirit fx8 or 16.
-Lexicon effects are IMHO better than the digitech found on the A&H (I think there digitech on the A&H).

For my needs I want the digital out option really so I can bypass the preamp section of my Korg D16, effects aren't that crucial as I think neither board offers great quality effects (so in which case you have to argue that your paying for something that your not going to be using).

I think the M12 is the one for me. It's a very close call and what it comes down to really is teh application that you are using it in.

 

[alba359]

Hi Kristof01, I am planing to record to two ADATs. Mostly Rock and Roll. The reason I didn't look at the Spirit 16 channel boards is because the Soundcraft M series alledgely has preamps designed the same or similar to the Ghost. I belive the preamps in the other Spirit mixers are Ultramike. According to an email sent to me by a Soundcraft rep., the Ghost pres are more" punchy and warm". The Ultramike pres were designed I think by the founder of the company. I have no experience with either mixer. I probably couldn't tell a good mixer from a bad mixer. That is why I rely on the good experienced people on these boards. Many of them can tell the hype from the fact. I think for my application the A&H is better. For your application A&H may not be appropriate. Sincerely, Don