Digital Mixers

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polarity

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I'm sure someone here is using a digital mixer or has figured out why not to.

Basically I have a couple things I'm trying to decide. I've recently joined a band and we are going to need a mixer for gigs. I found the YamahaMG166CX-USB which also has USB out so I was thinking I might be able to use it in the studio as well especially for phantom power on mics for the drums, etc.

Anyone used that mixer or would I be better off just getting a mixer for shows and 12 channel phantom power and interface for the pc?

thanks
 
I think digital consoles give an easier feel to the whole process. I only wish they would make them more like the analog boards for more options when sound checking.
 
Some are laid out pretty straight forward. Guess it's like anything once you get use to it.

But I see what you mean ..... anyone familiar with the workings of an analog console can walk right up to any analog and operate. ;)
 
Ahh I saw USB and assumed (always a good idea to assume things) that the USB was used as an out.

Just from reading this forum I've never seen anyone say anything good about Behringer, is that changing with this new line of mixers?
 
Maybe I even have the term wrong, maybe I shouldn't be looking for digital mixers. The idea was a dual purpose mixer that would have more than stereo out (I would like to record each input on the mixer to it's own track in my DAW), that could also be used as a mixer at live shows. I don't know if this is practical or possible so I came to you folks.
 
polarity said:
Maybe I even have the term wrong, maybe I shouldn't be looking for digital mixers. The idea was a dual purpose mixer that would have more than stereo out (I would like to record each input on the mixer to it's own track in my DAW), that could also be used as a mixer at live shows. I don't know if this is practical or possible so I came to you folks.
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Note that many mixers that say 'for recording' with USB output, in fact only have stereo (2 channel) USB output.
 
As others have said, that's an analogue mixer with a simple 2 channel A to D and USB out for recording. However, like many other mixers with USB, it only provides the main stereo out on the USB, plus a simple 2 track return to the mixer.

True digital mixers are, alas, not in the same price range as that analogue mixer. However, I can say that I've been using digital for both studio and live stuff for more than a decade and really, really recommend it for all sorts of reasons. In a live situation, the scene presets, internal effects eliminating racks and (with some) the ability to remote control them from a laptop, tablet or even a phone can allow you to walk the room and check things while still having control. In the studio, lots of different options open up to interface with your computer via things like ADAT or even fairly simple networking. Some can even record directly to memory sticks or HDDs.

Moresound has linked to the long awaited Behringer X32 which many people are anxious to try--but there are offerings from Allen & Heath, Soundcraft, Yamaha, Digico, Midas and others that are worth a look too. The price tags are much higher than the prosumer analogue mixers but most are built to a professional spec (so will last many years) and they also replace many racks of outboard gear.
 
musicmachine said:
Presonus StudioLive might work for you but they are firewire.
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Fun board to work with. Pick whatever will get the job done and has a reasonable learning curve you can manage. The Presonus is nice and quick to pick up and makes a lot more sense than say, Yamaha LS9 or something.
 
Beware. The Presonus, in a cost cutting exercise, lacks motorised faders which pretty much nullifies one of the big advantages of digital mixers, the ability of scene presets to also put the faders where they should be. On those grounds alone, I decided the Studiolive didn't have any application with me no matter how attractive the price. (That objection is mainly for live work--purely in the studio you might get away with it, though it would still be a hassle.)

In what way does the Studiolive make more sense than an LS9? I find the LS9 a board I can just walk up to and use because it's so simple. I might not say that about my DM1000 though!
 
The LS9 kills the Presonus in terms of features and work flow. No doubt about it.

Too bad both desks sound terrible.

Cheers :)
 
Agreed.

The mic pre amps in the older DM series and the PM5D are actually pretty nice so I don't know what Yamaha was thinking with the ones in the LS9.

If I was buying a new digital mixer now, I'd probably be looking at some of the newer A&H, Soundcraft or Digico ones--or maybe even a Midas Pro 1. (Or, of course, the Behringer x32 if it turns out to be as good as the reviews say.)
 
polarity said:
Just from reading this forum I've never seen anyone say anything good about Behringer, is that changing with this new line of mixers?
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I asked the same question once. I found that many people see them as copies of more expensive gear. In practice, I've found there's nuthin' wrong with Behringer - just cheap and cheerful. I have one friend who bought a Behringer effects pedal for his guitar. He hated it because he found it was wired up back to front (according to him). Some people report noise issues with some Behringer stuff. I have a UB1204FX analogue mixer and I love it. I don't know what else to say. I suppose it's like comparing Ford and Alpha Romeo? I do know there's one speaker company in particular I choose to stay away from and that's Bose.
 
Behringer have always made gear that's good value for money. That's the key phrase though--value for money--and Behringer stuff is dirt cheap. This means that, in terms of audio quality, build quality and longevity it's not all that good--but you're going to have to spend more, often a lot more, to get something better.

Beyond that, there's a lot of rubbish talked about Behringer ripping off designs from other companies. As usual, there's an element of truth to this but there are also many urban myths floating around as facts. Last I heard, Behringer had actually sued more people for copying them than the other way around.

As for the future though, it's going to be interesting. The holding company that owns Behringer has recently purchased a lot of companies that make high end gear: ones like Midas, Klark-Technik and Turbosound. The x32 digital mixer has the industry in a real buzz because it has a price tag at the Behringer end of the market but seems to have a lot of Midas technology incorporated. So far the reviews are great--but deliveries only started a few days ago. Interesting times!
 
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