Buying a mixer

[YesZep Lick]

I am looking to get a mixer for both homestudio recording and possibly some live use as well. My budget is up to $700 and I am looking for at least 12 channels. My questions are:

1) What is the best mixer out there for this value?

2) When buying a mixer, is it better to get a mixer with good pre amp or buy a separate pre?

Thanks,
YZL

 

[Chris Fallen]

Get a mixer with good pres. Costs less $$$.

Included in 12 channels what do you want? Do you want one output per channel? If you do, I'd check out the Soundcraft M12. They have an input, insert, XLR pre, and outputs for ever channel. I've heard rave reviews about soundcraft's EQ and pres.

Another solution, an easier find, would be a Mackie 1604 VLZ Pro. Lots of people use them, and they're easy to find on ebay for 500-700 bucks.

I'd check both of them out.. Some other good brands to check out that I've heard good things about are Allen/Heath and Behringer. Haha. Just kidding about that last one..

Christopher

 

[YesZep Lick]

Christopher,

Thanks for your feedback. This may be sort of a dumb question, but I don't understand outputs for every channel . Can you explain the benefits of having this or what you might use this for?

Thanks alot,
YZL

 

[Chris Fallen]

Well it depends on how you're wanting to record. If you're going the path of the computer, then that's a completely different picture. I'll try and explain both to the extent that I know (which isn't that great)..

Going the computer way, you'll be needing a soundcard. If you have a mixer that only has stereo or rca outputs, then you can only put one signal to your computer (a stereo mix, left and right). If you have multiple outs on your mixer, and multiple ins on your soundcard (like a delta 1010 or an aardvark q10) then you can record track to track to your computer instead of just a mix of all of the tracks recorded through your mixer. That way you can modify and work with your music track for track on your computer. The other way to work this is just recording one track at a time, in which case you can still get multiple tracks on your computer, but you'll have to do them one at a time.

The computer way costs a lot of money. hah.

If you're not using a computer, then I'm not exactly sure what multiple outs could give you.. heh. I have really researched on it yet.

Let us know a little more of what you're doing.

Christopher

 

[TexRoadkill]

Before you buy you need to decide:

1. How many mic pre's do you need
2. How many line level inputs
3. How many seperate signals you want to send out at once i.e. Busses and Aux sends
4. If you want to use outboard processing you need to add that number of outputs to the list above and also make sure you have enough spare channels or Aux/FX Returns.

The Roland VM3100Pro will give you 8 digital outs through the RPC port and and a few more analog outs but only 2 real mic pres. You can get them in different bundles all under $700.

The mackie's are a great investment.