Mixer dilemma

  • Thread starter Thread starter Zobi
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Zobi

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Hey everyone,

I'm in the market for an analog mixer. I'm just putting my first set-up together - it will consist of MPC60, SP1200 and S950. I'll probabaly use the MPC60 as a main sequencer and will trigger samples in SP1200 and S950 with it. I'll want to record a bass guitar and possibly some vocals in the future. I've got some advice from different people, but the more info I find, the harder it seems to make the final decision.

I've been looking into Mackie, Allen&Heath, Soundcraft and Soundtracs mixers.

Some mixers I read about and considered - Mackie 1604 VLZ PRO, Soundtracs SOLO Logic or TOPAZ, A&H GS3000, A&H MixWizard series, Soundcraft Spirit Studio, Soundcraft M series.

I'd like to achieve sound similar to early/mid 90's hiphop recordings. I know they used 2" tape, but I think the mixer is also an important part.

Any help would be much appreciated.
 
How many channels do you need? There are brand new, old stock soundcraft spirit F1s for sale on ebay right now for $219. They are rebadged with a JBL logo, but it's the real thing. Great deal for a 12 channel soundcraft mixer. Mine just came the other day and I can't believe that got such a nice mixer for that price.
 
Mackie

Mackie 1604 VLZ pro...........The industry standard. It's the mixer used to mix CSI on TV and a lot of the other TV shows that you see. :)
 
Thank you everybody for your advice.

Sorry, but I don't know what SE-1 is......

Regarding the Soundcraft Spirit F1, I'm not sure if that's enough channels. I have MPC60, SP1200 and S950 (each of these has 8 outs), but I don't know if I'd be using all outs at once - I really am very new to all of this stuff. I would also run my turntable through the mixer.

I read that Mackie lacks the "warmth" that Soundcraft, A&H and Sountracs mixers have - is that true?
 
If you can find one in good condition, the Soundtracs Solo Logic is a wonderful board for the money (less than a grand used)
 
Revmuddy said:
Mackie 1604 VLZ pro...........The industry standard. It's the mixer used to mix CSI on TV and a lot of the other TV shows that you see. :)

just be mindful that the 1604 isnt the only tool used to mix the sound on those shows.

i've seen many "well to do" kids that cant play worth a shit but show up with a 800+ les paul and a mesa triple rectifier. these kids get the "industry standard" equipment and play well enough to make people leave. i'd like to see drunk drivers sue the band for sucking so bad that it made the person want to go home and the only way to get out of there was to drive drunk.

punk ass teenagers and there rich mommies and daddies.




Bitter!? party of one.
 
Ronan said:
If you can find one in good condition...

That's the thing. I'm very new to this stuff and can't really make a qualified decision (other than cosmetic condition). If something goes wrong later, I have no clue how to fix it (I imagine having it serviced would be fairly pricey). Should my inexperience be a reason to stay away from older mixers? Could getting one and having to fix it become expensive in the long run?

How does "Mackie+outboard EQ" combo sound? Does anybody use this solution to get a "warmer" sound out of a Mackie mixer?
 
If thats the sound your looking for,, then its gonna be hard to get around a 2" multitrack recorder. The way the market is now, if you dont have the big $$, you need to really look into your gear before you buy if your looking for really good analog sounds. You could Ebay, but remember that the gear may need servicing one day.

On another note, keep im mind that todays radio stations may not play Hip Hop that has a mid90s sound to it. It's just not hot enought for their rotation with Hip Hop,,, trust me.

One more note, People like Dre and them used analog instruments back then. I think if you get a good moog softsynth, live bass, live Wah guitar and track it to digital with the same feel of the mid 90's,,, that may be the way to go for these days. IMHO

Malcolm
 
Malcolm, thanks for your reply. I'm not really concerned with what's playing on the radio these days. I agree with you that it will be hard to achieve that sound without expensive analog gear. At the same time, I don't want to exactly copy it, I want to make something SIMILAR.

From what I understand, if I get some good A/D convertors and some additional processing tools (tape saturator), it might be possible. I thought that an analog mixer would still be a helpful part of the set-up and would give the sound some "color".

I might be wrong though, I'm just starting and these opinions are based on the "research" I did.
 
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