best 24 channel mixer for OTB mixing

[ardy77]

OK ... I'm looking to setup my studio with 24 a/d-d/a converters going into my computer...I want a 24 channel hardware mixer to do all my mixing on...it would be awesome if it had nice pres on it too...

is there a way to chain together two soundcraft M12s??? otherwise I'm looking at the A&H GL2400-24 and Soundcraft LX7ii 24 although those are near $2000...

I was hoping to go $1500 max.

The yamaha mg24/14fx has some potential with all those channels and effects...how are the pres on it?

too bad they dont have a soundcraft M24

well thanks =)

 

[Ford Van]

I gotta tell you the truth man, for your $1500, you would be better off staying in the box.

What you haven't included on that price is effect processors, dynamic processors, cabling, and patchbays. Just cabling a patch bay in would set you back another $300-500!

Then, even going with inexpensive hardware compressors, gates, effect processors. Call it another $500, and you STILL are somewhat limited in how much processing you can do.

Now, if you just feel like you HAVE to grab knobs and like to be able to work MUCH quicker, than I believe the stemming out to a mixing route would be good for you. But, you DO miss out on a LOT of capability.

I have used both consoles you are looking at, and while both are "decent" consoles for live mixing, neither stikes me as being a "great" mixing console for recordings.

You might really consider using using that money on a UAD-1 card, and maybe making your CPU the fastest you can get!

Only warnings. You can't "save" you mix on consoles like that. If you decided later that you wanted to make a few tweaks to a mix, there is no way you can get your mix back sounding very close to the way you had it before trying to reset the console and hardware processors.

Think it through.

Now, if you were talking about going with an Amek Angela, and had a budget for some decent outboard gear, THEN I would say "I envy you!".

 

[ardy77]

awesome reply man!!! i didnt even think about that other stuff....I do want physical fadars though...how about something like a midi-driven control surface with motorized faders??? Also, I only started thinking about this whole idea because of summing...perhaps there's an easier way to sum OTB rather than buying an entire console?


Thanks again

 

[Ford Van]

I think you are going to need a MUCH better console than a low end Allen and Heath or Soundcraft to sum "better" than modern software. Two years ago, I wouldn't have said that. But now, I do.

It IS much easier to grab a fader though!!!

We have a Manley line mixer at the studio, and indeed, we like the "difference" between summing on it and summing in the box. But, I can't say that in the box is worse, just different. I notice FAR more difference in the stereo imaging between the two!

There are some control surfaces with motorized faders available to control software. Mackie, Behringer, SAC, etc....all have offereings. Take your pick.

There are also products coming out now that will give you knobs to control your plugins.

 

[ejfaulkair]

24 channel analogue

I've got a Soundtracs Solo Midi console I need to sell. Just picked it up recently but can't afford to keep it. This has the high end pre's from their Megas line and has onboard or outboard midi muting. It had been siting in Austin for a number of years and seems to be fine except for needing a good cleaning which I've got happening this week end. I only want $1000 plus shipping.
If things keep going this bad I may have more gear to sell. (I'm almost at that "f*ck this sh*t", stage)
I could add a MOTU 24i / PCI324 w/ a sony P4 computer with cubase SX 3.0 cheap. Or you could add 3 old 2408's and get the 24 I/O you were looking for.
Just a thought. (be it a long one)

 

[Carter]

There are some control surfaces with motorized faders available to control software. Mackie, Behringer, SAC, etc....all have offereings. Take your pick.

There are also products coming out now that will give you knobs to control your plugins.

The Mackie MCU is a great control surface, it has rotory knobs to control all of the parameters of your plugins, motorized faders and it just about controls everything in your software, (I run Cubase SX3) great bang for your buck IMHO!