Mackie Digital 8 Bus

  • Thread starter Thread starter Craig Raymond
  • Start date Start date
C

Craig Raymond

New member
Looking for any practical information on the Mackie D8B from those of you that have had the chance to play with it. Starting to change my mind about the way I'm going to go (From VR2480) to Mackie. I know the price, But I'mlooking for something to stay upgradeable, be state of the art, and enable me to bring in a higher class (by that I mean More $$$) client.
 
I know this is just an opinion...and Im sure the flames will follow. Ive heard comments about problems with the Mackie Digital console..search here for more info: http://www.nthelp.com/mastering/welcome.htm

I imagine for the cost of the digital you could find a really nice "used" analog console, which are not prone to software upgrades and patches. There are alot of big studios still using analog MCI, API, NEVE and others Im sure that are better than the Mackie. If you like digital consoles, Soundcraft has a new one, but My tendancy is to let some bugs get worked out by other people. Alot of the cost of the consoles depends on the channel strips, 3 band or 4...gates..you know the things you like. How many tracks? I see quite a few nice consoles for around 12 grand that would make you wet your pants... Vintage is better than state of the art for somethings...

Peace,
Dennis
 
Do you notice a considerable improvement in sound. I hear that in LA Studios equipped with this piece are solidly booked.
 
you might want to see what else these la studio have cus i doubt it's the D8B that is attracting everyone. the O2R is a well respected desk which you might want to try.

there isn't really a huge difference in sound. i prefer mixing on an analog desk myself. it's just stuff like automation, eq, plug ins. that stuff. it only has 12 xlr ins which aint much.

note...you are not going to get loads of customers just by buying this desk. i know someone who has one of these, but the rest of his gear is not that good so it doesn't weigh out properly. mind you, he doesn't know that much either, well nothing about the theory of it all!

-Romesh
 
I've used the D8b a fair amount, and I would say it might have some "wow" appeal on your clients if mount in an Argossy console or something like that. It is limiting with 12 preamps, but of course outboard pres can help...but the preamps in the Mackie are VERY good, imo. Personally, I would take an older analog desk for the same amount of money over the Mackie, at this point in time. UNLESS you gotta have moving fadars, recall, and that kinda stuff. The [additional (2?)]monitors are the ONLY way to go with this desk btw. It is a nice desk, but I fear it actually might go out of date quicker than a good analog board actually...if that makes sense...:)
 
like i said before, i MUCH prefer using an analog,. why? mainly for the eq. i cannot stand going through menus to sort eq out. i much prefer to reach for a knob and tweak that way. also, analog desks have that certain something in their sound that the D8B doesn't have.

i agree with mxrmkr, i think it will come very outdated soon. it'll probably become the Yamaha ProMix01..if you remember it.

12 pre's?!!! it's ridiculous.
 
Guess I need to clarify just a bit. I'm not considering this piece for the wow appeal, after requesting the additional info from Mackie...(The usual Gloss treatment) I needed to find people that have used this in practical applications.

Right now ANYTHING is better than the VM3100Pro for session work. Not that this is a crap piece, far from it for theprice. I just need to get the Studio equipped with Expanadable, depenable pieces.

I'm starting at the board and working from there. Money isn't a huge object, but I still am not going to just throw the shit away for the sake up keeping up with the joneses! Hope to be completed by late summer.

Anyway, thanks for the feedback so far.
 
I used the Mackie often, because we use one at my school (music conservatory).

I have quite a bit experience with it? What do you want to know exactely? Never had some complaints with it.

sorry , I haven't got much time to reply right now, Ill come back later, cu
 
OK, I'm back

I think the MAckie would be a good upgrade, but keep in mind you'll also have extra costs with buying a multitracker (I use it linked to a Fostex 16-track). The inbuild effects of the Mackie are ok
.

You have 10 Pre's, and keep in mind that everything (sends, returns, effects) are in layers, but when I see u used the roland one you'll be familiar with that concept.

I can't really compare with other machines, because I am only really familiar on this mackie:)
 
the mackie has 12 pres, not 10

i like the O2R aswell, maybe better than the mackie.

you should check out the DMX100 from Sony too.
 
you're right, 12 not 10, I got kinda confused. The Multicable I use it with has 12 ins and 4 outs, so it should be easy to remeber for me:).

I only used the O2R live, and not yet in a studio. I think they are equal to each other concerning the possibilities, I think it's just a matter of getting used to.
 
thing is, mackie should have put a lot more pres on the board. for that price, i was expecting at least 24 pre's. that's why i also got the 24 : 8 console.

the O2R is a worldwide recognised desk, more than the mackie. if i were you, id buy a nice O2R, and keep the change for some nice pre's.

-Romesh
 
The O2R is great. It's the studio version and little brother of the PM1D which is also great. Only a person could get an O2R for the price of a decent used car and the PM1D's price could buy you a house. I only know they are based on the same concepts because it uses the same software and excepts the same upgrades. I know the PM1D is live and the O2R is studio, but both are plenty good enough to do both.
 
The O2R is great. It's the studio version and little brother of the PM1D which is also great.
Click to expand...

That isn't correct. The PM1D was introduced several years later. So it can't be a little brother. The PM1D is a console designed for really heavy pro-use in theaters and FOH. There is no way to compare it with a 02R. It uses a totally different concept than the 02R.

Buying a (secondhand) 02R makes your wife go like ....aaarrggghhh
buying a PM1D makes your wife go like.....DOORSLAMMMMMM (footsteps...starting car...divorce paper)
 
Downside Studio said:


That isn't correct. The PM1D was introduced several years later. So it can't be a little brother. The PM1D is a console designed for really heavy pro-use in theaters and FOH. There is no way to compare it with a 02R. It uses a totally different concept than the 02R.

Buying a (secondhand) 02R makes your wife go like ....aaarrggghhh
buying a PM1D makes your wife go like.....DOORSLAMMMMMM (footsteps...starting car...divorce paper)
Click to expand...

Oh yah. My bad. It's the YM2000 I'm thinking of. I think. It's MUCH more than the O2R and is MUCH more powerful. That would also make the wife go like......DOORSLAMMMMM(footsteps...starting car...divorce paper)

Though it is 20,000 to 100,000 it's still insane!

Plus, the PM-1D can be used in studios, as my church has a pro tools setup under their stage using a PM-1D(hard to believe, but I've seen it and touched it and it's true!)
 
Downside Studio said:
Haleluja.
Click to expand...

And amen?

Oops, that exclaimation made me look a little too exited. Not really that big a deal, just hard to believe at first. Edit post here I come...
 
If I had that kind of money lying around, I think I'd spring for a Soundcraft Ghost. The Mackie is a decent desk but I'm never floored with what I hear coming out of it.
 
If you already have the VM3100 I would get an anlog board to go along side it. You can use the Roland as a digital FX unit and router and for smaller automated mixing chores. Use the analog console for the main mix and any large tracking duties.

I would love a 1604 or larger along side my VM3100.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top