which mixing console.

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kristian

kristian

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okay, im building a 16 track studio... what are some opinions on mixers. 24 or 32 channel? new or used? brand/model? give me some specifics from experience, thanks.
 
A Soundcraft Ghost would be cool. Just seen a 24 channel one in the paper for $3500. You could probably talk them down to about 3k. Anything else below 10k is a comprimise. Why do that?? :)

Ed Rei
Echo Star Studio www.echostarstudio.com
 
What will you be recording to? If it is a PC, then what is your interface?
 
whoops, i think i forgot a key word... 16 track HOME studio. i was thinking more in the range of a CFX20, Studio 32, 1604 VLZ-pro... or something along those lines.
Fishy: im recording to a Fostex B16.
 
Lind of like asking "which is the one true religion", but here's my opinion.
If your budget is under 1000 bucks, the 1604vlz is a fine mixer. The 4 groups allow you to submix to conserve record tracks, and the aux sends allow you to put FX in the headphones without committing to them till the mix. Inserts on all channels and groups and direct outs on 1-8 plus all 4 groups give you plenty of routing flexibility. Excellent manual, built like a tank, rack mountable, and, if you're going mobile, SKB makes a pop up case for it.

[This message has been edited by Larry Sheehan (edited 12-16-1999).]
 
I second Larry Sheehan! But he forgot to mention the great sense of humor Mackie has in their manuals.
 
Ive heard that mackies have their own "character"... being that they will dictate the sound a little. is this good, im supposing it is. which of these have solo and mute buttons? i cant tell from the pictures. =)
 
Kristian,

Regardles of what anybody says--all mixers have their own "Character"!!! This is what makes one preferable to me that 100 others think suck. It's kind of the digital vs analog debate. Is it that anolog is warmer and more alive or that digital just needs a little more eq and a tube preamp (which would still be recorder in digital)? All the Mackie lovers will tell you that Mackies are awesome and transparent. Everyone who hates Mackies will think they have nothing but noise to offer. Decide what you want to spend and trust YOUR ear.

RE--You are absolutely correct. Those Mackie manuals are some of the most humorous in the show and worth buying a Mackie board for by themselves.

Peace, Jim
 
For around a $1000 I like the new Peavey RSM. I have one and it has a lot more
pratical functions than does the Mackie. Sorry, the manual is not comical.
You'll just get straight, technical and useful info in it. You'll have to buy a comic book
to get your laughs. However, when you want to record, the RSM manual shows some
great hookup diagrams with explanations at the bottom of each. More of what
someone getting started in recording could use. Good luck......pete o
 
I don't think you can beat a Mackie in the VLZ series. I'm on my second (larger) one...I shopped and listened to a lot of them before I settled on Mackie. If you want to be convinced, compare Mackie to others using a GOOD mic and headphones. The noise level on the Mackie is almost non-existent compared to any other mixer at up to twice the cost.The VLZ series is even quieter (VLZ=very low noise)and the sweepable parametric mid EQ is an AMAZING addition-with the already excellant low and hi EQs that Mackie gives, you have great control in shaping a sound...(I have four 31 band grahic EQs and I'm using them less and less and the Mackie EQ more and more!!) and what a tool for zeroing in on kick and bass!!I am using a 1604 VLZ and for our 8-track use, in that application you can split the board- 8 channels going into the recorder and 8 coming out of the recorder-mix going in, and mix to monitor in stereo on the way out. Overdubs are easy with this setup also.This is an easy board to use...and lots of great features that I haven't mentioned!!
I 'd suggest that you get some product brochures about the Mackie gear and check out the specs,then do the mic/headphone test at a dealer and use it as your benchmark...compare any others to the Mackie....I think you will agree.
Good Hunting, and Good Luck!!!
 
anyone know if the 1604 vlz has balanced direct outs ? thats one thing i dont get about mixers..whats the point of a 4 or 8 track when your mixer only has one master bus... im assuming that means you can only record one intstrument at a time if you want one instrument per track.. the 1604 vlz is a 4 bus console , so im assuming it has 4 outs , at least this way you can get 4 instruments at a time , if you submix the drums.. but if you dont want to sub mix the drums ? i think the 1604 vlz has direct outs , but i dont think they are balanced.. which really sucks for the guy like me who records via computer and wants a TRUE 16 track studio .. and me being picky , i want EVERYTHING balanced.. ive rambled enough...

- eddie -
 
what? you mean you cant record 8 tracks at once?! or more? so long as their are 16 outs and ins that would mean 16 tracks simultaneous right?
 
If your studio is going to be 16 tracks, then I would get a board that has 16 mic-pre's on it with balanced direct outs for each channel. Otherwise, you will not be able to take full advantage of having 16 tracks.
 
as long as you have 16 channel inserts/direct outs ( which the 1604 vlz has )you can record 16 channels simaltaneously.. but... im just not sure if they are balanced outs.. if you arent sure what balanced is check out the " balnced vs unbalanced " thread in another forum on this site... ( i would post the url , but my comp is going wacky )

- eddie -
 
i know what balanced and unbalanced are.. so i guess that means i gotta look for a pricier mixing board?
 
im back to save my ass before the pro's reem me..

channel inserts and direct outs are 2 different things.. channel inserts are for effects sidechains , and direct outs are for exactly that , direct outs.. the mackie 1604 vlz has 16 channel inserts and 8 direct outs.. but the brief product description i read didnt say if they were balanced or not.. that sort of info would be on the mackie site...

- eddie -
 
anyone off handedly know the price of the alesis studio 32 ?

i dont know why im being so anal about this...i cant imagine using more that 8 mics at a time in a recording session.. not to mention my obsession with having everything balanced.. and to add insult to injury , my soundcard only has 8 inputs.. but noo.. i MUST have 16 balanced direct outs.. :D

- eddie -
 
Eddie N:

You're right. Due to the nature of TRS, the "Send" and "Return" of an Insert/Sidechain are unbalanced. However, this does not affect most of us condidering most of us don't have much more than 10' of cable running to our multitracks or compressors/limiters/gates/EQs/etc. Although, I do have nearly 20' of cable running to my Tascam TSR-8 reel-to-reel 1/2" 8-track, but I've never had any interference problems.
 
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