Mixers

[securingsincity]

i just bought a delta 1010lt and i was looking to buy a nice mixer with direct outputs for each track. i dont need a lot of tracks on the mixer,16 at most... but im also not looking to spend a lot of money (what a surprise).

any suggestions?

 

[Cloneboy Studio]

Mackie CR-1604... 250.00 bucks. Personally this mixer is almost unbeatable in that price range. Another good one is the Soundcraft 200b around 500 bucks. Mackies get bashed on a lot (from me even), but are generally decent choices for a sub-1000 dollar mixer. Don't expect audiophile results though--it will be good but the EQ sort of stinks and the preamps are a little bright (the VLZ's are even brighter).

 

[Ronan]

I totally second Cloneboys comments. The Mackies leave a lot to be desired, but they are really great tools for the money. Hell, I have done major label work on Mackie mixers and no one seemed to mind the results. I do not use Mackies any more but in a pinch I would take an analog mackie over many other choices.

 

[Cloneboy Studio]

I've also had good results with Mackies--but I would *not* shell out for a 24*8 because for the same money you could get a better board (I picked up an A&H System 8 24/8 for 960 bucks). However, if you have less than 400 bucks to spend the CR1604 is very, very nice.

The Soundcraft 200 and 400b are also pretty good for the money. Only 4 buss though.

 

[deepwater]

You can get a used Soundcraft M series for arond 400.00 on Ebay. Pres like the ones in the Ghost and direct outs

 

[dnl88]

The mackie seems good, but it only seems to have 6 mic inputs, this would be a problem for recording drums or live wouldn't it?

 

[securingsincity]

thanks for the input guys so the mackie CR-1604? that definetly has the direct outs as well? thats what i need the most

 

[dr.colossus]

i wouldn't get too hung up on direct outs, you could probably tap into the channels inserts, however in most cases this will be pre-eq and pre-fader, so all you control is the gain from the pre. in most cases should be sufficient. i doubt you'd need to very often but if you want to e.q. a few channels you can usaully find a way of getting 3 or 4 post fader signals out of most mixers (aux, subs etc.).

 

[Cloneboy Studio]

The mackie seems good, but it only seems to have 6 mic inputs, this would be a problem for recording drums or live wouldn't it?

That can be a problem admittedly.

 

[manning1]

securing as an option you can build a mic pre diy for about 20 bucks a channel. which is what i do. lots of schematics on the net.
but for safety reasons its best to take a short electronics course in fets,transistors,and op amps. particularly the latter.
not much difference than using a high end studio console if you do it right.
for example at soundclick.com/bmanning the song take my love used a high
end studio and console. the song i'm too old to rock and roll used a diy mic pre i used and many other songs.
another alternative would be the behringer mic100 preamp at 40 odd bucks each but i dont know how good they are. i saw one review of happy happys but only one.
just an idea.