Please help me decide !! :(

[rockem]

Hey all,
well i had an impulse buy and i replaced my "unused" behringer (was 6 channels used it for headphone mix only) with mackie 1202 vlz Pro

I thought that it would be good to amp my drum machine and my very whick synth (jv1010) with something else rather then the VS pre's
and also to use it as DI for bass to through my behringer compressor rather then the RNC (which connect directly to the DMP3)

right now i don't really know if its the smart choice .. should i return it ??

maybe i can use this money more wisely ....

pls let me know your opinion ...
please help !

p.s - my main gear is the vs-1824cd

 

[SteveMcB]

So long as there aren't other gaping holes in your studio setup, the 1202 is a good choice. You have a decent recorder with fx etc. You have a decent input chain (DMP3->RNC). Do you have:
- Decent mics
- Decent monitors
- Decent headphones for tracking
- Something to mix down to
???
If not, you may want to reconsider your choice, because I think these are pretty essential, but if so, then there are great advantages to the 1202.

The mic preamps in the VS series (I have an 840) are a real weak link in the chain, and the mackie has 4 bread and butter decent preamps in it, as well as being able to monitor your synth/drum machine etc. I don't think they will be an upgrade from your DMP3 though. You don't say which 1202 - is it the original, a vlz or a vlz pro. The pro's are better than the vlz's are better than the originals are better than the vs series pres. I use a 1402vlz with my 840 and it works really well.

I'd suggest that you use the insert points on the 1202 as direct outs, plug that into your vs, turn your vs's gain pot all the way down (or at least as low as you can) and use the 1202's gain control to control your input gain.

I have used it for bass as a DI through a behringer compressor - not too bad, but I now much prefer using my J-station for bass. Small mixers add a lot of versatility to your studio as far as monitoring other sources, extra pre's and routing flexibility with less replugging, so I don't think you can go wrong with it if you're not missing the stuff I listed earlier.

Steve

 

[Toker41]

I would check out the Behringer UB mixers. A LOT less money and not really enough difference in sound to make the Mackie worth the extra. The IMPs in the UB mixers are a large step up from the lower Behringers models. IMHO unless you get into the large boards, the Mackie are just not worth the money. Besides, Mackie is getting it's parts from China now to increase bottom dollar profits without reducing the price to the consumer. "You get what you pay for" is not always a true statement. Sometimes, you just DON'T get what you pay for.