I need a mixer with at least 24 channels- please help

[mncheetah]

I'm looking for a studio console/mixer that I can use with a 24-track multitracker. It must have Direct outs. I plan to use this for mixing the 24 tracks, therefore I need at least 24 channels. I am looking to spend about $1500. I am leaning toward the Mackie 24/8 but I have read alot of negatives on this mixer, such as crappy Preamps and EQ's and general electrical problems.

I have read good things about:

-Allen & Heath but they don't seem to make a mixer specially for recording.

-Soundtracs Topaz but they don't make them anymore

-Soundcraft M series but they max out at 12 channels

-Soundcraft Spirit Live but I cannot find this model anywhere, even on Soundcraft's site.

-Soundcraft Ghost - more than I'm willing to spend

So can anyone recommend a good mixer that will fit my needs that is superior to the Mackie 24/8?

Thanks in advance.

 

[plexi]

$1500.........

Your`re going nowhere,bro.....


There isn`t any good enough quality mixers to be had in that price range....

Sorry.....

 

[TexRoadkill]

You might be able to find a used Ghost LE for a little bit more.

 

[Middleman]

I'm looking for a studio console/mixer that I can use with a 24-track multitracker. It must have Direct outs. I plan to use this for mixing the 24 tracks, therefore I need at least 24 channels. I am looking to spend about $1500. I am leaning toward the Mackie 24/8 but I have read alot of negatives on this mixer, such as crappy Preamps and EQ's and general electrical problems.

I have read good things about:

-Allen & Heath but they don't seem to make a mixer specially for recording.

-Soundtracs Topaz but they don't make them anymore

-Soundcraft M series but they max out at 12 channels

-Soundcraft Spirit Live but I cannot find this model anywhere, even on Soundcraft's site.

-Soundcraft Ghost - more than I'm willing to spend

So can anyone recommend a good mixer that will fit my needs that is superior to the Mackie 24/8?

Thanks in advance.

Soundtracs Topaz is what Harvey Gerst is using in one of his studios and he rated this a fairly good sound for the money.

I have one of the Spirit live modules circa 1994 and it has excellent EQ but rather average, not bad, pres.

The M series has very good preamps but the EQ is rather lacking.

If you can find a ghost under $2K, that is your best bet or the Topaz.

 

[ausrock]

The Spirit Live was designed for ...........live mixing.

You would be better off looking for the Soundcraft Spirit Studio 24 channel, 8 buss...........which was designed for recording. Obviously a Ghost is a step up from these consoles, but you can find them on ebay reasonably priced.

Re the pre's and EQ...........both are much more useable than those on a Mackie.

 

[Middleman]

Just as a side......

The Live and Studio boards from Soundcraft used very similar channel modules. The key difference was expanded EQ on the Studio version. The Studio also has the better routing for recording, monitoring and mixing purposes but internally, or should I say externally, the sound is very similar. If you check the specs for each board all the ratings are almost identical, in some cases the Live version is quieter on some of the buss noise ratings.

I don't think you would want to use the Live for any serious mixing though as Ausrock points out. It's too limited for routing.