Mackie, Soundcraft, or Other

  • Thread starter Thread starter Chris Fallen
  • Start date Start date

What's the best mixer overall (IYHO)?

  • Mackie

    Votes: 81 25.5%

  • Soundcraft

    Votes: 149 46.9%

  • Other

    Votes: 88 27.7%
  • Total voters
    318
I'm new to recording and I had a quick question about the soundcraft m-series boards--- Does the "direct out" located above the mic XLR input bypass the eq etc, or just act as a seperate channel out (if you know what I mean?) sorry if this is unclear I don't know much mixer slang...I'm asking this because I'm wondering if the pre's can be used alone if desired. Thanks for your time and this was a very helpful thread to me.
 
It doesn't say in the manual, but I'm almost positive that they're pre eq and such.
 
what about Behringer

I hear bad stuff about the Behringer mixers
but they are so damn cheap you cant afford to overlook them

when it coimes to "bang for the buck" are they in the running?

I have ADAT machines and HD-24 hard disk recorder and
need a 24 "direct" channel mixer. I am currently running
a Behringer 24 channel using the "inserts" and need to upgrade
to "direct outs"

choices for "direct outs"are; Mackie 32/8, Mackie 24/8, Behringer mx9000, (not sure what soundcraft models are direct outs)

what other boards am i overlooking
 
Make sure to check out Soundcraft and Allen/Heath stuff.
 
Another vote for Allen & Heath

I learned how to multitrack on an A&H GS1. It was a great little board with a lot of features. I've used a lot of boards since then including soundcraft, Behringer, and Mackie.

I recently bought a used largeframe Allen & Heath Saber 24/16/16/2 and I've yet to come across a better board sound and routing wise. It's a dream to use, easy to make things sound good but very difficult to make things sound bad.

Alec.
 
Another vote for Allen & Heath

I learned how to multitrack on an A&H GS1. It was a great little board with a lot of features. I've used a lot of boards since then including soundcraft, Behringer, and Mackie.

I recently bought a used largeframe Allen & Heath Saber 24/16/16/2 and I've yet to come across a better board sound and routing wise. It's a dream to use, easy to make things sound good but very difficult to make things sound bad.

Alec.
 
I picked other because I would opt for a Neotek Elan over those choices.
 
Behringer = garbage
Mackie = bang for buck, but watch out for ribbon cable probs.
A&H = long term reliability

I use a Mack 32x8, had probs, but fixed and rockin.
J
 
behringer gets the job done. it may not be the most expensive but how much did you want for those prices?
 
Bass Jas said:
...Mackie = bang for buck, but watch out for ribbon cable probs....I use a Mack 32x8, had probs, but fixed and rockin.
J
Click to expand...

Ditto. Got mine used a year ago for $1600 with meter bridge. Had ribbon cable probs too. It was under warranty and Mackie paid for everything. Tracking, monitoring and number of channels is a no-brainer. 32 direct outs give me a great deal of control...And talk about 'wow' factor with people looking to record with me. This thing still impresses lay people and I've more than covered its cost.. :cool: .
 
SOUNDCRAFT.....2 reasons why I bought one over MACKIE or A & H
On the FX16 it has 16 DIRECT OUTS CAME IN HANDY FOR RECORDING ON MY 16 SIMO TRACK RECORDER.1 direct out per track on the recorder.
LEXICON EFFECTS......Sure outside sources are better but if you do not have the money right away to get extrenal effects they more than do the job.

I am not sure if MACKIE has as many direct out and I know the effects are not close.
A & H very good but I I found on the board I used was not up to par but then again I only spent a few hours with it compared to the 1000's of hours with the soundcraft.
Another option....DIGITAL is the way to go.
When playing live how many sub mixes do you want the FX 16 only has 3
I prefer to have more but you can't get everything.
 
JuSumPilgrim said:
The EQ on the m-series is the best EQ Ive heard on any mixer under $5k. The pres are good although A&H may have an edge. Mackie isnt playing ball in either category, certainly not as far as EQ. So its a toss up bet soundcaft and A&H.
Click to expand...

My A&H 32 channel is a GL2200-32 new (last year) and the pre-amps sound exactly like the DMP3. I have a DMP3 and the sound is totally identicle. I love the "punch" that the pre-s give on the A&H! Also great EQ. The routing options are limited for recording, but, I don't care as the pre-s, EQs and most importantly, the summing bus is fantastic. I did have a Soundcraft on loan before I bought the A&H and was not as impressed. But, that is just me.
 
well what about the soundcraft spirit E12? how does that compare to the M series and mackie and A&H? and as for that DMP3 and A&H similarity....thats an interesting point that they sound the same....do i hear a retort comming?
 
I have both an E8 and M8 and they sound very close. The M's pres are about 5% richer. But when everything is mixed and reverb is added you really cant tell the differance. The Soundcraft E and M blow the Mackie away. There is no comparison. The Soundcraft and A&H are about the same. The Soundcrafts's EQs are about the best there is.
 
so if i buy the E12 the pres are better than the dmp3?
 
Yes the Soundcraft E series pre's are better than the DMP3. Plus you get a great EQ
 
Now that i own a Ghost and a Mackie, ive realized that the Mackie preamps are quite inferior to the Ghost. I am really really impressed with the Ghost preamps. However, last thursday i might have snagged a Mackie 16x8 for $200. Much easier for on-location recording instead of hauling around a 100 pound Ghost.

Danny
 
I got lucky and found a Soundcraft Spirit on ebay, it's called a Folio 4 and I think everyone ignored it assuming it was a 4 channel. But it's a 4 bus, 20 channel with 7 aux sends/returns.. and tons of other knobs I am unsure of.

Coming from someone who never had more than 2 track mixer, I have a seerious learning curve,, I am WAY impressed with the sound of it but do not have enough knowledge of the others to comment on which is best. I guess I'm just happy to have a good mixer.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top