How many channels should a semi-pro mixing console REALY have???

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pisces7378

pisces7378

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I am going to be buying an analog mixing console soon. I have narrowed the decission down to two models.

The Mackie 32 channel 8 bus analog mixer
The Machie 24 channel 8 bus analog mixer

There is about a $700 difference between the 32 and the 24 channel mixers from Mackie. Now I know that having 32 channels is always cooler than 24... if not just for the massivity that "looks cool". But in practice, I am not particularly dying to dole out $700 more for 8 channels that I will never use.

Now, I am planning on setting up a 24 track studio. Actually, using Logic Audio it is a basically unlimited track studio... but I am looking for 24 simultaniously recorded tracks... you never know when that orchestra might stop by.

But I will also be using this mixer for live sound. Not really for live sound as in working concerts etc. but I will definitely need to record a band playing live some day. So I have worked out a "worst case scenerio" type thing here and I want you guys to read it and see if there is anything I have left out or if you can think of an obvious hole. I mean... don't bust me because I forgot to prepare for the guy playing the jews harp along side the 13 piece african hand drum ensemble. Just point out any obvious gaps in my plan.

Channel...
1 = Kick Drum #1
2 = Kick Drum #2 (remember this is worst case scenerio)
3 = Tom #1
4 = Tom #2
5 = Tom #3
6 = Tom #4
7 = Floor Tom #1
8 = Floor Tom #2
9 = High Hat
10 = Snare
11 = Crash #1
12 = Crash #2
13 = Ride
14 = China-Boy
15 = Special Effect (i.e splash or whatever)

16 = Guitar #1 miked amp
17 = Guitar #2 miked amp
18 = Bass miked amp

19 = Lead vocal mic
20 = backing vocal mic #1
21 = backing vocal mic #2

22 = keyboard/piano #1
23 = keyboard/piano #2

24 = Moderator mic (for announcing the band)

This seems to be honestly the worst case scenerio for a monster drummer/guitar/80's keyboards/motownbacking vocals band.

Now, I know that there MIGHT be a time when I might want a few more channels, but I could probably rent a little mixer for $70/night to fill that need for one night. I KNOW that I will never be recording more than 24 tracks simultaniously in a studio situation.

But perhaps I am just naive having never done live recordings before. Hell I have never recorded anything that needed more than 9 simultanious tracks.

What do you guys think? Is the extra 8 faders on the 32 channel Mackie really worth the extra $700 for me?
 
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Waouch!!!! You are gonna mic each cymbal seperately?? Even with such a monsterdrum, I think you'd get by with 3 overheads...

And he's got 6 toms... You are really talking worst case aren't you. hehe.

Well, for live-sound itself, 24 is enough. No problem for doing live sound with 24 channels normally. The moderator can talk to the main vocal mic, but you forgot a huge horn-section and the backing vocals (Only 2 mics??) in your monsterband, let alone the string section, and piano grand and percussionist. :rolleyes: But in my years of live-mixing, I've never used over 24 channels. I've used over 16, alot. But never over 24...

But you're talking live recording, then 24 tracks might be a close call. We did live recordings once, and had to plan a break to reroute stuff... This is because, for live sound with such a monster band, the keyboardplayer will provide you with a submix. For live-recordings, he can't do that, every expander, synth or keyboard has to be recorded on a seperate track... Completely different situation. Requires a rather extensive soundcheck too... But if you're not planning on having more than 24 tracks to record on...

And we aren't even talking about snare top/bottom, 2 mics for each guitarspeaker, multiple amps...

I don't know. Do you see yourself working with such a monsterband? I haven't seen alot of them lately...
 
Recording

What are you recording to? ie how many (simultaneous) tracks do you have?

Just curious.

I'd personally like to have at least as many channels as tracks.

But if you're mixing everything to the recorder, I can't see that you'd realistically need more than 24.

Just a thought, why is this in the computing section? Might be better in recording techniques.
 
15 tracks of drums?????????

The most I've ever used was 7, and I thought THAT was being extravagant.....!

:eek:
 
Blue Bear Sound said:
15 tracks of drums?????????

The most I've ever used was 7, and I thought THAT was being extravagant.....!

:eek:
Click to expand...
Amateur!:D
 
Spend the Extra Moolah and get the 32.

You'll be happy you did.

When I had my 3 Adats... I used 1-24 for Mixdown and never had to touch them for anything else....

Then I had 24-32, as inputs with all my instruments patched through... I never had to touch or change a thing... Never had to reach behind....

Man I was set....

Then I bought my Pro Tools and sold the mixer altogether, but thats a whole different story..

Joe
 
I'm going through the same choices right now. The main advantage to more channels is more flexibility for effects returns with EQ, more simultaneous playback and record channels, less patching and more is always better, right?

If you are going to be doing a lot of DAW mixing and using a patchbay than some of those points become moot. But if you are doing your mixes completely on the console than you may wish you had those extra channels.
 
I thought Mackie 8 busses are inline? If so, that's a lot of mixer if you get 32 channels. Personally, I'd go 24 and spend $700 somewhere else. If I needed more channels, I'd get an extension cart or another smaller mixer later on.
 
...Jesus Christ !!!!
15 channels for drums things, and only two for guitars ? What the... ?
Worst case is you route three guitars into split box to get their clean and distorted at once, that would be six output not to mention stereo signals... How's the acoustic guitar? BTW, 32 channels and 8 bus is pretty cool for semi pro to pro for general...:cool:
 
You forgot reverb/FX returns - that can take up 6 channels if you use three units, yeah I know there are returns built in but I always bring them back on faders so I can automate them and EQ if necessary.....CD playback for in between sets that's another two ....I'd go for the 32. :)

cheers
John
 
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