Help picking out new mixer

  • Thread starter Thread starter zbert
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zbert

zbert

In the swamps of Jersey
I need some help in getting my next mixer. I'm using an Alesis Studio 24 hooked into a DA38. I just got another DA38 for Christmas. Now I need a new mixer. I know Alesis still has (but not for long) the Studio 32 which is made for 16 track recording. Under $1,000 what other choices do I have. I looked at the new Mackie 1604 pro but it only has 8 direct outs. To get the 16 outs with a Mackie I guess I would need a 32 channel board. Am I wrong? As I'm going to "tape" I would think I need 16 direct out's. Any suggestions would be of help.
 
Time to step up to a dedicated recording console that has direct outs and tape returns on the same channel.

TASCAM, SoundCraft, Allen & Heath, are some of the consoles you should be looking at. Oh, and the Mackie eight-buss consoles.
 
Sennheiser said:
Time to step up to a dedicated recording console that has direct outs and tape returns on the same channel.

TASCAM, SoundCraft, Allen & Heath, are some of the consoles you should be looking at. Oh, and the Mackie eight-buss consoles.
Click to expand...

Any model numbers that you can give me?
Thanks
 
the soundcraft spirit was what i really wanted when i bought my 1604 years ago.

if i hadn't just bought an RNP i would upgrade.
 
They had two TASCAM PE-40's which are four channel, four band fully parametric EQ's at reasonable prices. God, I want one.

There is also two TASCAM RC-71 remote controls for damn near any TASCAM deck made for a "Buy it Now" of $80 each.
New old stock, still in the original wrappers and boxes. My knees are weak right now. HELP ME PLEASE.

32-2's galore at good prices, but I'm holding out for a 1/2" mix-down deck.

It's hell to be an analog head.
 
I've been looking at the same scenario (for 2 ADATs), and have found a couple of options if you're not wanting to go used (more bang for the buck in the used market, but it's always "buyer beware").

Soundcraft Spirit Folio FX16. 16 channel/4 buss mixer with direct outs on each channel. Does not have the flip switch to go from an input channel to a tape return/monitor channel. Has a built in Lexicon stereo effects processor. All for under $1000.

Allen & Heath Mix Wizard 16:2DX. Basically the same as the Soundcraft but only a 2 buss board.

Like I said, options to help make the choices difficult. I don't need a new mixer yet, but I've been looking just in case the 24 channel Yamaha I've been "storing" for my church gets sold with our building in the next couple of months.

Have fun!!

Darryl.....
 
He can't use either of those two mixers; they don't have tape returns. Where is he going to route the signal coming from the recorder if all 16 channels are used?

A two or four-buss board doesn't work well with a 16 track set-up.
 
Sennheiser,

I agree with you on the routing of the return signal, but he mentioned he was looking at the Mackie 1604, so I threw out those 2 as options to the 1604 to provide 16 direct outputs from the mixer in the same price range. The only 16 channel mixer I have been able to find new for under $1k that has the tape return inputs is the Alesis Studio 32 which doesn't seem to be a very popular board hereabouts.

And, in my case, I do all my recording remotely and just mix at home, so I can get by with one of these (but that's my situation not necessarily anyone else's). For me, since I tear it all down anyway when I go record, re-patching is not an issue.

Darryl.....
 
Sennheiser said:
Time to step up to a dedicated recording console that has direct outs and tape returns on the same channel.

TASCAM, SoundCraft, Allen & Heath, are some of the consoles you should be looking at. Oh, and the Mackie eight-buss consoles.
Click to expand...

All fine indeed consoles, but if you're on a budget, the 32 has both
Direct outs and tape-in's plus Group outs for bouncing. The 32 is a middle-of-road, average board with half-way decent pre's.
Take a look at a Topaz 24/8!
 
A lot of info so far. I looked up some of the boards mentioned. Seems the Alesis 32 has a lot of bad reviews by owners. Mainly, it breaks down. Shame as the Studio 24 has been a real workhorse for me. Best I can still tell the Mackie 1604 pro has only 8 direct outs. The 8 bus boards are way out of my price range as are many of the A&H mixers. The Soundcraft Spirt FX16 loks to be a choice. A couple of people said the 2 and 4 bus mixers are not good for 16 track. I need more explanation of that. I'm not that fimiliar on what the different bus mixers give me. According to the Souncraft web page the FX16 is made to do 16 track recording http://www.soundcraft.com/products/spirit_fx16.html
This board also fits into my price range. I read a lot of very good things about the pre's and EQ on the Soundcraft stuff. Am I going in the right direction now? Any other comments would be helpful.
Thanks
 
the FX16 looks very nice..

but I am concerned that the preamps and EQ are not as good as that of the M series - like the M12...

seems like a tradeoff for the effects/extra channels...

maybe I am wrong, but just the way I am reading it.
 
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