What makes and models of analog mixer consoles are you using for your DAW?

[gcapel]

I am software summing as of now. I plan on bussing out from cubase to an analog console in the near future. I was hoping to open a discussion on the matter in this thread, like which boards have the better features, functionality, or sound quality.

I was looking at the Mackie 24x8. So far no others strike a chord.

What are some consoles you guys are using? and why?

 

[LemonTree]

I've been using cubase to track and bussing out for years.

I currently use a Soundtracs Topaz Project 8, 24/8/2 It's quite a crisp & punchy sounding desk ideal for my purposes. I never could get a mix to sound right mixing in the box, everything always seemed to sound a bit crowded, digital eq was fiddley to work with a mouse and it's a lot easier to just stand up and look at your board to get a good idea of what's going on in the mix without pulling up endless menus and sub menus.

Before the soundtracks I used an old Allen & Heath SABER 24/16/16/2, now THAT was a splendid summing machine but lack of space forced me to downsize.

 

[bigwillz24]

I've been thinking of getting a summing box to do almost the same thing.

 

[xstatic]

If you just need a mixer for summing, I would consider looking into an older console that provides some character. In my opinion, summing is one of the definate weakpoints of Mackie consoles.

In my studio I use a D&R Merlin. Inevitably though it is probably out of your budget range if you are looking at Mackies.

 

[Mindset]

Either an older SSL 6000 console or a Neve console... However I fell in love with the DM2000 digital console.

I use the DM2000, cause it's easier for me to mix things down with. The Neve has great sound, and so does the SSL. I like these consoles because of their routing capabilities, and of course their sound.

 

[SouthSIDE Glen]

If you just need a mixer for summing, I would consider looking into an older console that provides some character. In my opinion, summing is one of the definate weakpoints of Mackie consoles.

In my studio I use a D&R Merlin. Inevitably though it is probably out of your budget range if you are looking at Mackies.

I agree down the line on this one.

While xstatic and I often disagree when it comes to Mackie (I don't in general think it's quite the awful brand that he does, I have a good history with them myself), their summing is really not much to write home about. If you wanted to really take advantage of analog summing, there are better ways to go for the money than Mackie, IMHO.

And of all the Mackie models, I have always had the very worst sonic experiences with the 24*8; lots of noise. Why that model is so much worse than it's big brother, the 32*8, perplexes me to this day. Even the 1604VLZ is superior in sonic quality to the 24*8, IME.

But if you are really looking for that analog summing sound in the form of a mixer on a budget, I agree that searching the used market for some classic consoles is a great way to go. You get great sound and great bang for the buck; it's not unheard of to find stuff at 20-30% of it's original cost.

The caveat is you want to make sure you're getting one in good physical and operating condition, and one that isn't so old or weathered that its electronics are all dried up or oxidized to the point that you have to perform major restoration to get it back to original condition.

G.

 

[gcapel]

thanks for all the great info. I am convienced that mackie is not going to be the way to go on this. Thanks to Glen's advice

SSL and Neve are going to be out of my league of price.

Can anybody shead any light on some older consoles? I;ve seen some yamaha and tascam.

 

[mixsit]

...And of all the Mackie models, I have always had the very worst sonic experiences with the 24*8; lots of noise. Why that model is so much worse than it's big brother, the 32*8, perplexes me to this day.
G.

Wow, that is an odd one. I've had enough bugs here and just enough sonic 'bagage' with my 24-8 to warrant booting it completely out of my main chain. But you'd expect 'biger would add up to 'more of the same' x 30%.
Go figure.

 

[SouthSIDE Glen]

Wow, that is an odd one. I've had enough bugs here and just enough sonic 'bagage' with my 24-8 to warrant booting it completely out of my main chain. But you'd expect 'biger would add up to 'more of the same' x 30%.
Go figure.

I can only speak to my own experience on this one, but I have worked at myself and known others that used several different 32*8 boards without issue or complaint (other than the fact that they aren't neves ). I have also worked at three or four different 24*8 installations, and at every one of those I was very disappointed with the board's performance in similar ways; every one of them had noise issues either in the form of a high noise floor or a grounding hum on one or more of it's outs or both.

Now, ten or so different boards (not counting the innumerable 1604s and smaller I have worked with at various locations over the years) total is not a huge test sample, I admit. It's entirely possible that was just the luck of the draw. But I was left with a very strong impression that there was something about the 24*8 that made it feel like an entirely different board. I don't know whether it was just bad luck, like I say, or that they're built in different factory lines or from different parts supplies, or maybe the 24*8 was just born under a bad sign .

 

[xstatic]

Glenn, I do not really think of Mackie stuff as "that awfull". I have my reasons why I do not care for them, but I also occasionally reccomend them when the situation seems to fit. Cost to value, I find them to be "decent". In a lot of ways I am spoiled because I hardly ever have to work on a Mackie and frequently work on much nicer consoles. The D&R I use in the studio functions better in every sonic category than any Mackie I have ever used, and truthfully, the difference is severe, and not even close. However, the D&R also cost more than my house so it better perform

As far as older consoles go, there are acouple of Decent Tascam models, but sonically I would avoid most yamaha's except for the PM1000 and maybe even the PM2000. Older Soundcraft boards seem to age fairly well and are easy to get repair work and mods and upgrades done on. The Series 200, 400, 500, and 600 all sound pretty decent, and the TS12, TS24 and series 6000 are all pretty good values and are set up in a way that they can be the focus of both your tracking and your mixing. Older TAC Scorpions are also excellent bargains on todays market, as well as some of the Otari consoles and the MCI 600 series. The prices will all vary and can be drastically different based on age, location, and condition. Be aware that older consoles certainly require some TLC, but sonically smoke most of the newer stuff.

 

[SouthSIDE Glen]

In a lot of ways I am spoiled because I hardly ever have to work on a Mackie and frequently work on much nicer consoles. The D&R I use in the studio functions better in every sonic category than any Mackie I have ever used, and truthfully, the difference is severe, and not even close. However, the D&R also cost more than my house so it better perform

Well, hell yeah, there's a LOT of stuff out there better sounding than Mackie. Mackie is not *meant* to be the next D&R (I'm envious, BTW ). Sorry if I misuderstood you in the past.

As far as older consoles go, there are acouple of Decent Tascam models, but sonically I would avoid most yamaha's except for the PM1000 and maybe even the PM2000. Older Soundcraft boards seem to age fairly well and are easy to get repair work and mods and upgrades done on. The Series 200, 400, 500, and 600 all sound pretty decent, and the TS12, TS24 and series 6000 are all pretty good values and are set up in a way that they can be the focus of both your tracking and your mixing.
...
and the MCI 600 series.

I agree with each of these; I can't comment on the others as I have no direct experience with those. But I did want to metion for the uninitiated shopper, that there are lesser Soundcrafts out there such as the more recent (and usually smaller) Soundcraft Spirit series which I would not really recommend. These should not be confused with the superior vintage Ghosts and the x00's mentioned above, which I would certainly give a thumbs up to.

G.

 

[Adam P]

I track and sum through my Allen & Heath System 8 board. I couldn't tell you how good it is because its all I know. It does the trick for me though.

 

[Track Rat]

I use a Tascam M-3500 for mixng from the DAW. I don't use its pre's however as they are noisey (at least too much fofr my tastes). The board itself is very quiet and with 48+ inputs it has lots of routing possibilities.

 

[bigwillz24]

Being the cheap bastard that I am I keep looking at this phonic helix board that seems to have everything I need. But I've yet to find a review about it.

 

[Treeline]

Being the cheap bastard that I am I keep looking at this phonic helix board that seems to have everything I need. But I've yet to find a review about it.

Before you do that, check out the Mackie ONYX 1640. The pres are very nice - a big improvement over its older designs - and the eq is great for the price range.

http://www.musiciansbuy.com/MMMBCom/images/mackie_onyx1640.jpg

 

[michaelst]

I close mic all instruments and track live performances to an Alesis HD24 thru a Midas Venice 320. I had the direct outs modified to be post-trim, pre-EQ, post-insert and pre-fader. So, I can use comps and gates in recording and mixing the live show and my faders and EQ changes don't affect the recordings.

I then transfer the files to a PC and remix with N-Tracks, with IMHO, surprisingly good results.

 

[leddy]

I am software summing as of now. I plan on bussing out from cubase to an analog console in the near future. I was hoping to open a discussion on the matter in this thread, like which boards have the better features, functionality, or sound quality.

I was looking at the Mackie 24x8. So far no others strike a chord.

What are some consoles you guys are using? and why?

I'm ITB at the moment, but I plan on going the Folcrum route:
http://www.mercenary.com/rmfo16chpasu.html

All the benefits of a DAW but OTB summing, plus you can choose the preamps you use for make-up gain. The Folcrum is relatively cheap - it's the really good DA/AD I can't afford yet.

 

[bigwillz24]

I'm ITB at the moment, but I plan on going the Folcrum route:
http://www.mercenary.com/rmfo16chpasu.html

All the benefits of a DAW but OTB summing, plus you can choose the preamps you use for make-up gain. The Folcrum is relatively cheap - it's the really good DA/AD I can't afford yet.

Relatively cheap is the word.

I thought about getting one of these first then I though hell I could get a small format mixer for the same price.

 

[Fletcher]

Glenn, I do not really think of Mackie stuff as "that awfull".

Its a game of inches... and as far as I'm concerned the Mackie stuff is a good couple feet from the goal line... but I reckon its all relative to your personal experience/preference as to what is and what ain't good.

FWIW, I'm running an old 32 input Yamaha PM-2000 from the 80's... I bought the desk for $2,000 USD, spent another $250 getting the thing shipped up to Massachusetts from New Jersey... about another grand recapping the desk and changing the lamps on the mute switches to LED's instead of incandescent bulbs [LEDs don't burn out like bulbs can] and I'm good to go.

The thing has headroom like an API, 8 busses, 4 band EQ, 6 sends and sounds HUGE so I'm a pretty happy guy for not a boatload of money... the same size Mackie desk [32x 8] lists for just shy of $5k so even with the money I put into the old behemoth [it weighs 475 lbs... lots of nice transformers inside on a very sturdy solid wood and steel frame] ran me about the same kind of money the Mackie would have but sounds more like an API than any Mackie ever could.

 

[TragikRemix]

someone has to say it.


behringer! UB 2442 is best for that kinda shit.