Looking for a new mixer, need some help

[ProductSteam]

Not a newb to recording/mixing, maybe mastering haha. Though, newb to this site. So I want to stray way from the whole mixing with my mouse. Also, been straying away entirely from digital recording, but that is a different story for a different day. So I am looking to get a new mixer soon. I want at least a 4 bus, nothing over 700, I will goto 800, but want to stay in a budget. I am not rich.

So i want to see some replies from other people. I looked at the Allen & Heath ZED 24, some Soundcraft stuff, Mackie and Yamaha. Though, Mackie doesn't make the boards they used to, but I could give it a try.

Please give me some good responses, as far as mic pre's, busses, inputs and outputs. Not just simple answers like ("Mackie sucks") and crap like that. I need some good input from us fellow engineers. Oh yeah, no Behringer. I know they are cheap, but that's exactly it, they are cheap. Though, I have a small 4 channel I use just to route from a 4 track, it does it's job. Haha. Get back to me please, Thank you

 

[gecko zzed]

It's difficult to know what to suggest without knowing how you intend to go about your recording.

As far as Allen & Heath goes, I can say that I am highly satisfied (I have a Zed428 which I use for live mixing).

As far as Behringer mixers go, I also have experience with those and have found them to be functionally excellent, but a bit hit and miss with regards to build quality.

 

[ProductSteam]

true, i thought about that after I posted. Well, I record all sorts of music, bands, my own compostitions, singers and songwriters. I guess I am just looking for a general idea. A engineer friend of mine said that for the money Allen and Heath is a good way to go these days. Do you know how many busses the ZED24 is? It does not say on the website and I do not see a buss section. I'd like an r16 but I can't afford that. maybe one day, but if I was going to spend that money, I'd save up for an SSL! hahaha

 

[gecko zzed]

I still don't know how you are going to record and onto what. I'm not sure why you need a 4 bus mixer. This info would be helpful.

 

[ProductSteam]

well to any medium. I record to Pro-Tools and Logic, also I want to start recording to tape again. So a mixer that is versatile.

 

[gecko zzed]

It looks like the Zed24 is only left and right channels out (apart from its aux sends).

A four bus mixer will benefit you if recording using Logic only if you have a four (or more) audio interface. Likewise, you would need a four track tape recorder of some sort to make use of a four bus mixer.

So you need to add the price of your mixer to the cost of an interface.

The ZedR16 gives 16 channels via firewire, but is markedly more expensive.