Yamaha MG24/14FX -- opinions?

[JeffBauman]

I'm looking to add a mixer to my home studio. Truth be told, I'm more interested in it for signal routing capabilities than mixing, with maximum "mixer outs" (so, lots of busses.)

I'm looking at the $1k range (i.e., $899-$1099); I believe in Mackie but think they're overpriced. I love Behringer's pricing (who wouldn't?) but believe they're unreliable. [check out how many posts you can find here and elsewhere referencing such comments as, "one 'x' never worked', "one 'x' died the first week", etc. -- so, maybe you get a good one, and it works wonderfully, and you have a great bargain -- but what if 'x' stops working too damn soon???]

I like the layout and price of the Yamaha MG24/14FX but see it listed as introduced in June of 2003 (i.e., relatively new) and can't find user history comments.

Folks, I've got enough explaining to do around the house already about spending [yet another] $1k on a hobby; I want to get it right!

Anybody out there have hands-on experience with these Yam mixers (the 32 is the same as the 24 apparently, just 8 more channels and a few more inches width.)

Your expert and strongly opinionated input is needed and, in advance, appreciated!

Just-another-home-recording-junkie...
JB

 

[seryozha]

Yes....

Well, I can't tell you so much about the MG 24. I actually JUST got it to upgrade my Behr crap. I am impressed with it so far, i have not gotten to use it yet so its operating attributes i havn't experienced.
The only possible downside is that it uses different language on some of the labels. Like instead of Main out it says ST out (Stereo). And lack of direct outs (but 6 AUx make up for it) might be useful for certain applications. But the quality from my beh is just suprurb. The sliders don't feel cheap, the Mute buttons actually light up (how cool is that), just feels way better built then behr.
I was in the same position as you, Mackie or Yamaha? I went with the yamaha mainly because of the price and the Mono out.