Behringer SL3242FX Pro mixer?

  • Thread starter Thread starter johnthefilmer
  • Start date Start date
J

johnthefilmer

New member
Objective: To get a thick, strong, professional sound for my rock band's album.

Current equipment: Apple Dual 2.5GHz G5 computer, Akai GX-280D-SS tape recorder, Parkey Nitefly guitar, Fender J-Bass, Sonor Force 2003 acoustic drums, voices, talent, Boss pedals, 30-watt Marshall Valvestate 2000 amps, Shure and Sennheiser mics.

I went to Guitar Center today and saw the Behringer SL3242FX Pro mixing board for $559. If I bought this board, plugged all my mics into it (that I wanted to be on one of the four analog tape tracks), worked the EQs, added the desired effects, etc., would I be satisfied with its product? If you've heard the band CKY, their sound is probably the closest to what I want to achieve: thick, heavy, sharp, strong. Any information or opinions on this board (or reccommendations over this board) would be great. Accordingly, I'm concerned that its "invisible" preamps won't satisfy my thirst for "holy cow that guitar sounds awesome!" Will this do it for me with the right player, guitar, pedals, and amps? Thanks.
 
Why would you buy then ask? There are tons of posts regarding Behringer mixers on this board. I would have to say that the mixer is going to have little to nothing to do with the sound you are trying to get.

If you are going after a certain sound make sure you can replicate that sound before you ever record it.

I only say this because I have heard folks on here accomplish "almost pro" sounding recording on a 6 input mixer.. But the talent behind the instruments is what made it.. JMHO
 
scottboyher said:
Why would you buy then ask? There is tons of posts regarding Behringer mixers on this board.
Click to expand...

I didn't buy it yet.
 
I know I am going to get burned for this but my belief is...



10% Equipment
90% Raw Talent (Playing and Engineering)

I think Behringer will do fine if you can play the stuff you want to sound like.
 
Ok, dude to answer your question IT IS NOT THE MIXER...

You need to read up on recording in general.
 
scottboyher said:
I know I am going to get burned for this but my belief is...



10% Equipment
90% Raw Talent (Playing and Engineering)
Click to expand...

i think thats almost right...i'd say 10% equipment, 60% dedication and 30% talent. i don't think i have any talent at all...so mine would be 90% practice and dedication. as a musician..i think its 10% equipment and 90% talent. but then again...i sucked at playing guitar too until i knew what i was doing and then people considered me talented....all i say is that i just practiced.
 
Behringer SL3442FX

I totally agree with scottboyher and distortedrumble. You need a good sounding band with some well written tunes, then some good recording experience. Equipment is important, but it's way on down the line. A $100 Squire can sound pretty good in the right hands. And think of all the time it's taken you to get good on your instrument. Do you think it takes any less time to develop good tracking and mixing skills?

I do have (to answer your question) a B. MX3242X which I sometimes use. It is a lot more recording-oriented than the SL3242FX you mention. I use the the 16 "b-mix" channels as returns from the DAW. The Behringer pre's are great for the money. You'll still want a tube preamp or channel strip to get something like Deron Miller's in-your-face vocals on top of the mix.

One other thing you said may need some adjustment. You mentioned "...four analog tape tracks...". While recording on 2-inch analog tape in a studio with an experienced engineer is a cool thing, it probably isn't going to happen for your first project. You should put that Apple to work and buy a copy of Logic (Express about $300 or Pro about $1000) and an AD/DA interface. You can write and thank me on your 10,000th listen to re-eq for that thick, strong, professional sound.

All God's best to you,
martin
 
Thank you very much for your information. While I agree that I need experience with mixing and production, I'd rather buy a mixer that will be good enough so that at ANY point in my mixing career, if there is something I'm dissatisfied with, it would be my fault and I can use my experience to improve it, as opposed to getting a cheap mixer, growing out of it, and getting five bucks for it on eBay in a few years. The mixers that look the most interesting right now are the Soundcraft Spirit M12 and the Mackie ONYX 1620. The Mackie has the firewire feature that would replace an AD/DA, but that's an extra $400 and I've heard that the Soundcraft is higher in quality. Input?
 
scottboyher said:
Ok, dude to answer your question IT IS NOT THE MIXER...

You need to read up on recording in general.
Click to expand...

I realize that I need some experience, but regarding that particular clip, I know it's not the mixer. Because there was no mixer. The microphones were plugged into the mic jack on the back of my computer and recorded in GarageBand.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top