SOUNDCRAFT 6000 (24) vs MACKIE VLZ 1604?

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robin watson

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Afficionados will say "no brainer.' I've 'reserved' a mint 24-track Soundcraft 6000 for sale ($1100). I already have the Mackie and am happy enough with it, although I can't make full use of the 24-track Alesis HD24 I've upgraded to. The Soundcraft is big, heavy and the most georgeous looking mixer I've ever come close to owning. I've fallen in love with it, basically, but at the end of the day, am I wasting my time? There are dozens of features on the Soundcraft I won't use. However, if there really is a difference in sound between the Mackie and the Soundcraft, can someone explain what it is? Main things for me are:

1. I assume the mic pres are at least as good as the Mackie.
2. The 4 band EQ. What is 'British EQ' anyway?
4. 24 track capability for the HD24 recorder.
5. All the controls 'feel' right - compared with the cramped Mackie.
6. There is no 6th thing.
 
The Soundcraft is better all round.
IMHO the pres are better than the mackie.


OK...
6. 100mm faders
7. Better build quality. (My mate constantly has his soldering iron out fixing the Mackie.)
8. MACKIES SUCK!!
 
Soundcraft/Mackie

I see.....You mean Mackies suck in terms of reliability? (Never had a problem with either Mackie I've owned.) And having an extra 40mm of fader throw still doesn't tip the balance for me. Thanks for the reply, Mark.
 
If that is really a Soundcraft 6000 it is worth waaaay more than $1100. If it really is, and really is mint, you would be a fool not to. Especially if you don't have to move it. You could keep it for a year and sell it for double that, easy.
That thing will eat your Mackie for lunch. It's not even close.

I found this on the web:

16ch, 6 aux Souncraft 6000 $2100US

30XLR in, 54 line in, 400pt. patchbay $8500US

Or you could sell it to me :D :D :D I'll give you $1500 now!
 
robin watson said:
I've fallen in love with it, basically, but at the end of the day, am I wasting my time? There are dozens of features on the Soundcraft I won't use. However, if there really is a difference in sound between the Mackie and the Soundcraft, can someone explain what it is? Main things for me are:

1. I assume the mic pres are at least as good as the Mackie.
2. The 4 band EQ. What is 'British EQ' anyway?
4. 24 track capability for the HD24 recorder.
5. All the controls 'feel' right - compared with the cramped Mackie.
6. There is no 6th thing.
Click to expand...

All this and more. You will find that once you get the Soundcraft and have those features available, you will indeed start using them. And probably soon wonder how you got by without them. The only reason you think you don't need those extra features is because your current Mackie doesn't have them, so they aren't part of your work process. Once you get the 6000 in your studio, I have no doubt that you will begin to put the extra capabilities of the board to use.

At $1,100 it is a totally no brainer decision, assuming the soundcraft is indeed working properly.

Incidentally, I have owned a lot of Mackie gear and have had to send a fair share of it in for work.
 
robin watson said:
I see.....You mean Mackies suck in terms of reliability? (Never had a problem with either Mackie I've owned.) And having an extra 40mm of fader throw still doesn't tip the balance for me. Thanks for the reply, Mark.
Click to expand...

The Mackie XDR preamps are CRAP. Nasally mid range when you compare them to a truely good preamp. The EQ on the Mackie VLZs are almost unusable too. And don't get me started on crosstalk :eek:
And you'll be amazed at the extra control that 40mm of fader travel will give you. :D

Good luck. I hope that Soundcraft is indeed mint. You're gonna love it!
 
I had a Mackie and then I got a Soundcraft. Now I have a Soundcraft. I could even tell a hugh differance when I used my Soundcraft for live applications over the Mackie. The Soundcraft is much warmer and the Eqs are natural. Soundcraft makes the sound sound like what you try to get with everything else. You will find that the EQs are great.
 
Thankyou all for the replies!

Well, all I can say is thanks for the positive feedback, and thankyou for steering me in the direction of a great desk. SOLD.
 
I use a 16 ch. Soundcraft 6000 every day. And would NEVER in a million years consider downgrading to a Mackie.

The pre-amps are several very noticeable steps up.

The signal flow options (you're getting the TT patch with it I imagine?) are greatly greatly increased.

Quality of componants and fewer trips to the audio tech dentist are an extra perk.

You will not be disappointed.
 
Wow, this is a very old thread indeed! Still, for the record, the Soundcraft 6000 still resides in the studio and is the best purchase I ever made. I've learned to do a ton of things on it, and what appeared complicated to begin with (compared to the Mackie) is actually a lot more straightforward in the long run.
 
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