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
SX vs. FX

Paul881, The Spirit Folio SX is a nice small recording/multi purpose mixing desk, with 12 mono mic/line channels, 4 stereo channels, 3band EQ with midsweep, 100mm faders, 3 auxes, 8 direct outs (pre/post switchable), but no onboard effects.
The Spirit FX8 and FX16 have both the same specs, (3 aux, 8 direct outs -FX16 has 16....dûh!-,100 mm faders, etc.) as the SX, but they have a built in Lexicon effect.
Which I wouldn't want to use, unless you like having your vocals, guitars, cymbals, snare and synths run through the same plate reverb....
And besides, the Spirit FOlio SX is pretty cheap ($350-400)!

cheerz
 
Thanks speeddemon, I canappreciate the difference between the sx and fx, but I would still need to use reverb for my guitars so it would seem that the fx might be the way to go.

But what about the M series? Whats the pros/cons with that range over the sx/fx?
 
Well buddy, The M-series are quite a step up, with their Ghost-pre amps. If you can afford the M8 or M12, go for it! But consider the A&H mixwizards as well, when talking about the >$1200 budget! Mixwizards have EQ-out buttons and 2 mid sweeps!

About the reverb, I would use a stand-alone dedicated guitar reverb, or use a spring reverb in an amp. The kind of reverb you create with the inbuilt one of the FX-es are more suitable for vocals and ambience for drums...

cheerz
 
My first "real" console was a Mackie 1604 and I found it was serious bang for the buck. Sure beat the Spirit stuff in the same price category in terms of sound. I later owned a newly bought 24-8 bus Mackie, and in hindsight I find you can't justify it's price tag. For what it is, it's expensive. Also, for some strange reason the "solo" function went completely DEAD on all channels on my console after a few months, and had to be fixed. I have to say the preamps were very quiet, and the routing possibilities very good. The EQ on every $ 1K+ Mackie I heard so far is kind of "sweet" and gives very musical results. Overall I do find Mackies to "color" the sound more than other consoles. On the downside, I think the meters *sucked* and were slow/sluggish. I did work with Mackie gear for a while so I just added my $ 0.02 here... not that I'm "for" or "against" them... I just don't think they're the best buy when you're on a budget.
 
A tad bit more expensive than a Mackie, but barely.
Click to expand...

They're all about the same price, aren't they? MF has Mackie 1604 vlz pro for $999, Soundcraft M12 for $899, and Allen & Heath Mix Wizard 16:2DX for $999. Or am I comparing apples and oranges?
 
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.
 
BTW, if anyones interested, Im selling a spirit M4 I picked up recently to augment my M8. I use outboard pres when I need more than 8 pres so the M4 is unnecessary. Its new an unused.
 
Mackie will do but....

Eventually, I would be happy to dump the Mackie and go for the Sony DMX R100. I am going to be recording, hopefully, for the rest of my natural life and I think that that would be about the last board I would need for home recording. So, rahter than spending 20k over the years on various inferior boards, preamps, and assorted dodads to "spruce up" the sound, I might as well hang with my mackie, save my pennies, nickes and dimes and then simply get the best. think of it this way, if you were shopping for a car, you would not think twice bout spending 20k and cars wear wear out way faster than a good board. One could easily get 20 good years out of the Sony and, compared to a car, it retains its value way better. Therefore, since I live in New York city and don't need a car, I am going to save for the Sony board. On the other hand, its pretty hard to drive the sony to the beach in the summer though parking the Sony is easier.
 
By the time you've saved up enough to buy the Sony, it will be outdated, obsolete, worthless junk - unless you're able to buy it within 2 years.
 
RADIO SHACK 4 CHANNEL MIXER.

forget the EQ, you dont need it!!!!


..LOL..
 
LongWaveStudio said:
RADIO SHACK 4 CHANNEL MIXER.

forget the EQ, you dont need it!!!!


..LOL..
Click to expand...

Hey! That would match my mics and monitors!!!!

Christopher
 
hmm....

Sony DMX-R100.... Now THAT's a mutha!

But I couldn't let it interfacing much with my Korg D16 now, though... :D Damn. Well, then I'd have to settle for a Mixwizard or a Spirit Folio SX, or save up for the Ghost. Fuck the Mackie 24/8.
 
The s/craft sound "warmer" with a VERY LOW noise floor.
I have had a Folio Notepad for about a year, and its just been superb.
Last Saturday, I took the plunge and went for a Spirit Studio
24-8-2 desk.......and well.....words fail me. It is the SWEETEST mixer I have ever used.
Why on earth didn't I buy one years ago?

Ivor

PS I know why....I had no money........
 
I also have a folio notepad, and it is great for what I am doing now. I will eventually upgrade (after a fight w/ the wife) to a bigger board, but it sounds great.
 
I missed this thread when it came around the first time, but I hope I'm not too late...I'm considering a spirit M12 to be the front end of a MOTU 1224/Mac G4 system. Any thoughts on whether this might be a decent choice or not? Also, what are the differences between the Spirit "Digital" mixers and the "Analog" ones? (sorry to ask such a dumb question, but I really don't know why I would want to get a "digital" one when the M12 gets nothing but rave reviews). Thoughts, anyone?
 
I decided on the M12, great value for money and with a digital interface too. Superb Ghost pre's, looks the business and sounds great. Question is really why you wouldn't want to buy it! Pick mine up in two weeks time. Can't wait.
;)
 
Chris F said:
I missed this thread when it came around the first time, but I hope I'm not too late...I'm considering a spirit M12 to be the front end of a MOTU 1224/Mac G4 system. Any thoughts on whether this might be a decent choice or not? Also, what are the differences between the Spirit "Digital" mixers and the "Analog" ones? (sorry to ask such a dumb question, but I really don't know why I would want to get a "digital" one when the M12 gets nothing but rave reviews). Thoughts, anyone?
Click to expand...

If you've read this entire thread then you've seen the amount the ghost pres on the M series is praised. Go for it, you won't be let down.

Christopher
 
Another vote for Allen & Heath. Kick ass board, I wouldnt trade mine for anything.
 
Give Joel Pare at Full Compass a call if you're looking for the M series. He quoted me the best price on an M12 I've found by almost $100. 800-356-5844 ext 1116.

Sorry for the spam, but this is a seriously good deal.

Glenn D.
 
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