choosing a console

  • Thread starter Thread starter pinc666
  • Start date Start date
P

pinc666

New member
Hei!!!

I'm trying to setup a nice studio, I already choose the alesis hd24/with 96khz (v2) hardisk recorder.

Now what analog mixer should I pick?
How to connect mixer to alesis -> direct outs or busses?
I need 8 channels, 'cause I'll be also recording drums...

any suggestions? (price range around 1000€)
Behringer, Mackie? or what :D
I don't need amazing preamps on the mixer since I have external preamps from focusrite and dbx...

re,pinc
 
8 outputs :D I guess I need more input channels around lets see 8 input for mics(instruments),8 direct outs, another 8 inputs to connect alesis back to console :)

re,pinc
 
oh and with talkback function(built in mic) -> does mackie 1604 vlz has that? or behringer eurorack stuff?
what are other options?

re,pinc
 
Try to find a used 24-32 channel 8 buss board. I personally would avoid Behringer.
 
SonicAlbert said:
Try to find a used 24-32 channel 8 buss board. I personally would avoid Behringer.
Click to expand...
Excellent advise. Soundcraft Ghost would be cool. I found a Tascam M-3500 from someone from this BBS for around $1200 that I use with my HD24. What ever console you pick up, I'd route the direct outs and the buss outs to a patch bay for maximum routing flexability. With a setup like a 24 track recorder and analog console, a patch bay is a must have item.
 
what about this one?
click here ->
Mackie 8 bus
It's new, it's around 2000€ and it has all the things I need... waht do you think.
I'm trying to get a new stuff, I'm sceptic about use equipment and other thing -> I have to pay immediately if I buy something used, but I can pay monthly if I buy a console new.

any other suggestions?

re,pinc
 
ok the thing with the console is not that important at the moment, I will find a nice one for me...

There is another thing bothering me -> How good are pre-amps on a console??
I was trying to buy an avalon mic preamp and one dbx channel strip, how to connect preamps to a mixer??
are external preamps better than the ones on a console??


re,pinc
 
pinc666 said:
ok the thing with the console is not that important at the moment, I will find a nice one for me...

There is another thing bothering me -> How good are pre-amps on a console??
I was trying to buy an avalon mic preamp and one dbx channel strip, how to connect preamps to a mixer??
are external preamps better than the ones on a console??


re,pinc
Click to expand...

depends on the console,, Behringer NO, Mackie...no not really...you can use them if you have to. Older boards like the above mentioned Soundcraft Ghost, YES. Older Allen & Heath boards, YES....there's a lot of good old analog consoles out there with useable pre's.

As for connecting your external pre's to a mixer.....you're gonna put your external pre through the pre on the board. Connect your external pre directly to your recorder and if it has another output (most do) connect that back to the console for monitoring while recording.

Money is always a stumbling block but your console will be your centre piece in your studio. Save, save and save more and hold out for what you really need. You know the saying...."buy cheap and buy twice"

Hope that helps

Alec.
 
what about if a buy a new soundcraft ghost 24channel LE(without midi option) since I will add midi on a computer when making a mixdown -> then I just need some compressors, gates, effects -> it seems strange 5000€ worth avalon preamp agains 5000€ console from soundcraft it just doesn't make sense ...

re,pinc
 
Those boutique preamps are expensive, but that's because of the quality of parts in them. And good ones do sound amazing.

However, it's not about having just the best of this or that individual item, but of having a total system in your studio that does what you need. At this point it seems like what you need *first* is a board, then you can add the fancy stuff later as finances allow. You've got take care of the meat and potatoes before you can have dessert.
 
I know and I totally agree with you, but since I have been working in studio but a digital one with yamaha 024 and alesis hd24 and some focusrites avalons and this stuff, but I'll record mostly rock,punk,metal, alternative maybe even pop and dance, the main thing is to record instruments so I need a decent gear to start with. My budget is around 8-9000 €.
so with alesis hd24 and soundcraft ghost 24 le this costs around 7000€, then I'll pick dbx160a compressor, akg 4000c , sm57 shure, d112 akg, not the best but nice mics and some external effect like lexicon mpx550. some other mics for recording drums, this will be my main and starting gear...I have experiences with recording and sometimes I am totally sceptic about things, so I want to choose gear that will sound nice to do upgrades on it...what do you guys think about this setup?

re,pinc
 
I know and I totally agree with you, but since I have been working in studio but a digital one with yamaha 02r and alesis hd24 and some focusrites avalons and this stuff, I am sceptic about things!!!

re,pinc

(damn english :))
 
You say you already have preamps, so you really dont need a mixer. I would take all the outs on your pre's and go into the alesis, then use the line outs on the alesis into the line in's on something like a mackie 1604. Since preamps are not an issue, all your using the mackie for is routing, and it shouldnt effect the signal at all. Main output bus on the mackie to your monitors, and you should be good to go. Then you have money to buy good mics and dynamics, and save for a big soundcraft board.
 
Just to throw a spanner into the works, I PRESENT YOU WITH THE MIDAS VENICE. Killer mic pres, incredible EQ, and though it only has four busses, it also has direct outs on every channel, which is all you really need for recording drums to a 24 track recorder (or at least, all I really would need, and if I can do it, so can you). Truly, for what you are doing, I would not feel significantly limited with a Venice, though I would much rather have a Neve or SSL, of course. Strictly for sound reasons, I would rather have a Midas than anything else which has been mentioned here, and if I have to give up a few busses that I would seldom use anyway, I want the sound. It may not be a Fern or anything, buy you could quite happily get by with no external mic pres, if you have the Midas pres.


Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi
 
look guys, I don't have the preamps yet, when I opened this thread I was shure I needed preamps, so I search for some. But know I would rather have a killer mixing board with extra compressors, gates,effects... with the recorder...

I'm now comparing Midas, soundcraft and Mackie, but on their sites everything is similiar especially the specifications.
They all say that they have the best preamps, best eq... how the heck can I man know what is really pro and what is amater pro?

re,pinc
p.s.: some nice posts here, thank you!
 
ok I think we missed a huge factor here -> I'm trying to do a real recording not just demos.
Seems to me like Ghost was a response to Mackies 8bus and then Midas created Venice to be on the market... I don't want that!!
I rather spend my money on Allen ˛heath or Neve Api or something!

re,pinc
 
pinc666 said:
ok I think we missed a huge factor here -> I'm trying to do a real recording not just demos.
Seems to me like Ghost was a response to Mackies 8bus and then Midas created Venice to be on the market... I don't want that!!
I rather spend my money on Allen ˛heath or Neve Api or something!

re,pinc
Click to expand...

Yikes! Real recordings on a 1604? I have one, but geez.....
I think Neve or API is gonna be a little more than the others listed here. :)

Myself, I like old Soundcraft. I'd like to find a Ghost or 6000 series. But if you want new......

The Ghost is in a completely different league than the Mackie. Midas has a long history of world-class consoles. Allen and Heath built and still builds great warm fat sounding consoles. All three will provide an excellent platform to make great quality recordings. Buy one of them already, and stop talking to yourself. :)

ps. welcome to homerec.com
 
ok here's the thing ->
I'm going to use preamps (avalons focusrites) some other compressors, gates and stuff...
So I really don't need such a quality console, 'cause I'll be only monitoring on it from what's going on on alesis hd24.
Mackie onyx seems fine to me, 'cause of capability of connecting it to firewire and control your software(I'm going to send the files from alesis to a computer for a mixdown)?

I think this is a much better solution -> because of external preamps and gear...
I don't want to spend money on some not totally high class consoles, because If a take for example a avalon m5 preamp which is 1555€ I can use it on every channel I want, but the preamps on GHOST-> 24 of them and the whole thing costs 5000€?
No I don't think so...

I know this is a homerecording board but, I'm posting things on various numbers of boards to get the infos I need!!!

tnx! re,pinc
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top