"Best" Mixing Console for Three Grand?

  • Thread starter Thread starter crawdad
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crawdad

crawdad

Dammit, Jim, Shut Up!
I have been looking at everything--analog mixers, digital mixers...man...there are a lot of products out there. Due to budget restrictions, I am reluctantly leaning toward the Mackie 24 or 32 8 buss. I'd love a Ghost, but I'd have to buy a used one and get lucky. The digital mixers, while incredible for what they are, lack features like many outboard sends, inserts, busses and such. For me, they don't provide the flexibilty or number of true inputs for my needs--at least until you get up there around $10,000.

Am I making a mistake with the Mackie? Am I missing an obvious choice? What would you buy instead if your budget was $3000? Or would you lean toward the Mackie as well.
 
If you have 3 grand and can get by with 4 busses, check out the Crest XR series which you can get for under 2 grand street price. The build quality seems superior to the Mackie, which you will immediately notice by the quality feel of the faders and pots. I'm guessing you will also be a lot happier with the preamps and EQ.
 
if you are leaving used consoles as an option to you, you can always check out the list for sale that Odyssey Pro Audio has... there are some consoles that fit your price range there...

can take a look at:

http://www.odysseyprosound.com/used.html#con

dunno how good any are that are in your price range, but it gives u some options.
 
About a month or so back, I got a used 24x8 Ghost LE (no automation) for $2300. Then a couple of days later, I was kicking myself, because another ad turned up advertising the same thing for $2000. I don't think you have to be all that lucky. A little patient, maybe. I found both listings in the LA Recycler, btw. http://www.recycler.com
 
Hey, thanks everybody, for the ideas. I'm learning that there is a pretty big jump between consumer boards and the pro stuff!

Littledog--does the Crest XR have tape returns in addition to line ins and direct outs? I definitely want to be able to flip from one to the other without having to repatch. The Crest stuff looks well built.

jdechant--thanks for that link! It was an eye opener! Now I'm thinking more like $5000!

Herman P Willis--that is VERY good news. Patience is one thing I have. I probably won't purchase the board until 2003, but I am getting all my research done now.

C9-2001--Have you ever heard the mixer or known anybody that uses one? I am not familiar with it at all, but it looks like a lot of mixer for the money. Thankd for that link. I'll investigate that one in more detail.
 
E-bayE-bayE-bay!. Among other places.

There are some really good deals on pro level mixers there if you have the bucks and the patients.

Do your homework first, and ask some qustions before you bid.

Less bucks though that buying new.
 
crawdad said:
jdechant--thanks for that link! It was an eye opener! Now I'm thinking more like $5000!
Click to expand...

you saw the couple ghosts on there for $5000 eh?? I was gonna say something, but thought I'd let you look and decide if u wanted to adjust your budget accordingly... :D
 
Recording studio rule #1:

No matter how much you spend, you can always spend more.

Rule #2:

Theres always something else to purchase. :D
 
i emailed the company about the board.. they said they didn't wanna blow smoke up my ass.. the console is a very good console.. plenty of ppl compair it to 32.8 mackies and actually get a cleaner sound and have more head room with the avlex console.. i was about to buy it, but i don't have all the cash...

i think i'ma get a Tascam m3500 or m3700..i've been seeing them on ebay all the time with the meter bridge for like 1200-1700

here's a ghost LE ending in the next 2 hr's for under 2500
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=903217894
 
crawdad said:

Littledog--does the Crest XR have tape returns in addition to line ins and direct outs? I definitely want to be able to flip from one to the other without having to repatch. The Crest stuff looks well built.
Click to expand...

You're right C-daddy, I wasn't thinking of an inline console. The Crest has direct outs and insert points on every channel, but it doesn't have a second tier of faders on each channel with a "flip" switch, or a seperate tape return jacks, which is what I think you are looking for. Looks like you'd be better off with something else.

Oh yeah, one last bit of advice. If anyone tries to sell you a used Alesis X2 console (only about 500 of them exist) RUN AWAY REALLY REALLY FAST!!! As a matter of fact, if anyone even tries to GIVE you a used Alesis X2 console RUN AWAY REALLY REALLY FAST!
 
littledog said:

Oh yeah, one last bit of advice. If anyone tries to sell you a used Alesis X2 console (only about 500 of them exist) RUN AWAY REALLY REALLY FAST!!! As a matter of fact, if anyone even tries to GIVE you a used Alesis X2 console RUN AWAY REALLY REALLY FAST!
Click to expand...

Littledog--Thanks for the heads up on that! So far no one has offered but you never know. I definitely want to steer clear of junk as this console will probably be the one I use for the next ten years.

As for the Crest stuff, it seems to be geared toward live mixing, as are many mixers I have looked at. I can't even count how many mixers I've been excited about until I see the actual ins and outs that are offered. Another thing--how many products are out there that are advertised as 24 or 32 channel mixers that are actually 12 mic ins and 6 stereo line ins or something. i have learned that you have to read the whole product description.

As much as I like digital mixers, I'm kinda screwed if I want a simple channel insert on some of them. Sure, you get built in EQ and compression, but what if you don't LIKE their compressors and want to patch in something else? Kinda hard to do with a lightpipe out.

My last mixer was digital--a Yamaha Promix1. The EQ is really excellent. The compressors Are OK for single channel but suck for a full mix. The effects are pretty usable, but there are no direct outs, inserts, sub outs, etc. My point is there is always a trade off with the digital mixers. Thats why I am going with an analog one. I'm even praying that down the line I can afford a 24 track tape machine and get away from digital all together, except for editing.

Anyway, its a challenge to find what I want for the price. Ebay and specialty vendors look like the best bet.
 
what's the deal with the X2 i've just read an old review of it and it looks the business, i saw one on ebay for $2000. please inform. it's got a bandwidth of 10hz-75khz that's Neve, Trident, MTA territory.am i missing something? :cool: :confused: :confused: :confused:
 
Herman P Willis said:
About a month or so back, I got a used 24x8 Ghost LE (no automation) for $2300. Then a couple of days later, I was kicking myself, because another ad turned up advertising the same thing for $2000. I don't think you have to be all that lucky. A little patient, maybe. I found both listings in the LA Recycler, btw. http://www.recycler.com
Click to expand...

Somebody's got a Topaz 32/8/2 in there for $500.
 
I went and bought the Alesis X2. it is one of the later models late '94. had absolutely no issues with it except acouple of crackly pan pots.

I thought the channel had died. took out the problem channel ( not too fiddly, al ittle tight but then try taking out a single channel for servicing on a Mackie, ghost, Toft ATB, Trident 8TB etc) took it to a technician friend at work and he just squirted contact cleaner into the pot. By the way the desk was still operational whilst the channel was out being checked. The channel works fine. the great thing is I can lift each channel out of the board without disconnecting and clean the pots as and when.

I love the sound of this mixer ( or should I say lack of it) very tranparent. I use a macbook pro running logic etc. and at the college where I work Pro Tools HD and Otari Status but in all honesty the sound of this desk running into Blackface adat converters is better. to my ears a very warm clear sound.
 
Whew, I've always wondered if you ever bought that mixer... now, after 5 years, I can finally rest. Thanks for the update. :D

Oh, and welcome back!!!
 
thanks for that. I've been too busy on the X2! mind you i'm thinking of selling now (very reluctantly) due to wifely pressure. I need to go to recording gear Anonymous or something. I don't really have a problem anyway...do I?:eek:
 
Why not check out a Peavey AMR 1600 or 2400. If you spend a little time and money on a good service you will have a Ghost killer of a console for about $1400.00. They are super servicable, built like a tank and sound pretty darn amazing for the money.
 
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