Sub $2k 24/8 Mixer "Shoot Out" (Board on the Job)

[Nate74]

Has anybody ever assembled a list of 24/8 mixers in the sub 2k price range (new and used) that includes the pros and cons of each, or is that generally left to the individual researcher to do?

I've been toying with the idea of a different mixer and thought I'd share my general findings thus far:

- First Hand Experience -​

Mackie 24/8 - Reputed to have poor EQ, nothing preamps, and reliability issues. Seem to be all over ebay and craigslist from 800 to near $2k. I had mine just shy of two years and never had reliability issues, and didn't know I didn't like the preamps or the EQ until I bought a...

Soundtracs Topaz8 24-channel - Seem very hard to find, reputation of good preamps (I like them well enough), very good EQ, "poor man's Soundcraft", impossible to find replacement parts for(?)

- Others I haven't Owned -​

Behringer MX9000 - new price about what a used Soundtracs or Mackie might cost, stigma of being a Behringer...

Soundcraft Ghost - I've not seen a lot of these under $2k, but man I'd like to...

Tascam M2524 - RCA connections on some things, never seem to come with meter bridges, reputation of beeing pretty good sounding and solid...

Tascam M2600 - similar to M2524... not real clear on differences, seem to go for about the same money on ebay

Older Soundcraft boards - not sure which model(s) work in studio (tape returns, line outs, "Mix B", etc.) or that fit the criteria but would like to

Well I killed 18 minutes typing this...come on 5pm!!

 

[pandamonk]

I'll go for the Behri, just 'cause noone else will haha.

 

[tmix]

I am curious to hear folks thoughts too.
I have a Mackie vlzpro, did not like it.
Went to stand alone pres which sounded good , but was a mess to construct headphone mixes. Recently bought a Topaz Project 8 (with a meter bridge) modded to the +4 internal levels, and am pleased with the sound and EQ, but the board's routing has a steep learning curve. I hate the way you can't use all 6 auxes on the mic channel OR the mix B channel. Aux 1 is for the Mic/line, Aux 2 is for the Tape input alternating that way.
So far I have recorded only drums through it an haven't got my settings just right yet.
I missed getting a Ghost by 2 days from a guy moving from my area so I guess I'll never know if It sounds better , I also picked the Topaz over the local offerings of Allen and Heaths because I wanted an 8 buss board.

Anyway I am just interested to hear others experiances as well.

 

[kid klash]

You know, Behringer gets a LOT of stick for poor quality/poor sound/copying other designs, so maybe I'm just lucky, but I bought a new MX9000 about nine months ago to use for mixing a project recorded on three blackface ADATs synced together, and I'm more than impressed with this mixer. I find the pres much better than the rumor mill has them; the EQ is very usable, the meter bridge is a lifesaver, and the routing is super flexible. Brand new, my MX9000 only cost me $750 (through GC). Granted, I take care of it, I don't haul it around, and I'm the only one using (not abusing) it, but I'm more than happy with it. It more than meets my needs for a good 24 x 8 mixer.

Alright, fire up those flamethrowers.

 

[pandamonk]

I am curious to hear folks thoughts too.
I have a Mackie vlzpro, did not like it.
Went to stand alone pres which sounded good , but was a mess to construct headphone mixes. Recently bought a Topaz Project 8 (with a meter bridge) modded to the +4 internal levels, and am pleased with the sound and EQ, but the board's routing has a steep learning curve. I hate the way you can't use all 6 auxes on the mic channel OR the mix B channel. Aux 1 is for the Mic/line, Aux 2 is for the Tape input alternating that way.
So far I have recorded only drums through it an haven't got my settings just right yet.
I missed getting a Ghost by 2 days from a guy moving from my area so I guess I'll never know if It sounds better , I also picked the Topaz over the local offerings of Allen and Heaths because I wanted an 8 buss board.

Anyway I am just interested to hear others experiances as well.

Sorry, I just don't have much experience with 24/8 mixers.

 

[Nate74]

I am curious to hear folks thoughts too.
I have a Mackie vlzpro, did not like it.
Went to stand alone pres which sounded good , but was a mess to construct headphone mixes. Recently bought a Topaz Project 8 (with a meter bridge) modded to the +4 internal levels, and am pleased with the sound and EQ, but the board's routing has a steep learning curve. I hate the way you can't use all 6 auxes on the mic channel OR the mix B channel. Aux 1 is for the Mic/line, Aux 2 is for the Tape input alternating that way.
So far I have recorded only drums through it an haven't got my settings just right yet.

I hear you on the learning curve thing... I still can't seem to have more than one mix when doing overdubs. I can't seem to get my effects on AUX3 to show up on the headphone mix on AUX1 so I end up sending the Monitor Mix to the phones and the control room... dumb I know but after almost 2 years still haven't got that figured out

 

[tmix]

I just return my effects to a regular channel if I want them to show in the headphone mix.
Aux 1 and 2 are considered the sends to use for "monitors" because they are pre fader, so the effect can only be shunted from the effects returns to aux 1 and 2.
If you are using aux 3 thru 6 for other headphone mixes (as well as effect sends) you cant route them to aux 1 or 2 unless you return them to an open mic channel.
What THEY call a "monitor mix" on the Topaz is all the signals routed to the tape returns (or some call it mix B) you can cascade the monitor mix to the main mix (for a total of 48 channels at mixdown) but that wont help you with the auxes. You can only use an aux for either the tape return or the channel strip.... bummer.....

 

[Nate74]

I just return my effects to a regular channel if I want them to show in the headphone mix.
Aux 1 and 2 are considered the sends to use for "monitors" because they are pre fader, so the effect can only be shunted from the effects returns to aux 1 and 2.
If you are using aux 3 thru 6 for other headphone mixes (as well as effect sends) you cant route them to aux 1 or 2 unless you return them to an open mic channel.
What THEY call a "monitor mix" on the Topaz is all the signals routed to the tape returns (or some call it mix B) you can cascade the monitor mix to the main mix (for a total of 48 channels at mixdown) but that wont help you with the auxes. You can only use an aux for either the tape return or the channel strip.... bummer.....

Thanks for the suggestion. I've been assigning the AUX3 to MON and wondering why it isn't showing up there... but with your way I think it should work and be a little clearer in my foggy brain.

Thanks TMIX, I appriciate it!