Second try at a mixer question

Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 1:04 am

I originally posted this question here, and it was moved to the newbie section, which is fine except for two things:

1-I don't think it's a newbie question.
2-it got no replies whatsoever there.

So I'll give it another shot.

I'm looking for a mixer. My budget is $1K. My intention is to be able to go directly out of the pres, to my rack mounted version of the Delta 1010.

From what I've found so far, Mackie makes a 1604, Allen and Heath make a Mix wizard, and Yamaha make an MG series. All are ±16 channels under a grand.

So really I'm asking if anyone knows which of these is likely to have the best sounding pres, because the rest of the features will be secondary to that. If they all suck, then I may have to sell off a kidney and get something higher end, but this is a starting point.

Peace
Keith

Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 8:05 am

It's not clear why you want a mixer. I take it you are wanting to make multitrack recordings, but what are you going to do with the mixed output? The Delta 1010 has 8 line inputs, so you could connect these to the direct outs of an 8-channel mixer, or restrict yourself to recording 8 channels from a wider mixer.

If your main interest is in getting 8 good pre-amps, none of the mixers you mentioned stand out in that area, although the MixWizard is good. If you are looking at Mackie products, try to go for the Onyx range.

However, you may be better off considering stand-alone pre-amps, or even a new all-in one FireWire interface. There are lots of good ones to choose from at around $1K, some with built-in mixers controlled by software.

Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 11:08 am

Sounds to me like you plan on mixing out of the box or, you're going to two new channels in your DAW. Whatever you do, try to find something with direct outs if you can.

These look decent:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/1642VLZ3/

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/FX16ii

Not much else under a grand that's worth the money afaic.

I'd go with the soundcraft personally.

Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 11:39 am

Yes, I'm mixing in the box. My 1010 has 8 ins, 8 outs, and I'd like to go direct out from the pres into it.

Thanks for the info.

So what if one were able to spend up to 2K? or do you need to get to big bucks to get good pres?

Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 11:50 am

To beat a mixer's preamps, you need to be spending quite a lot per pre.
However cheap pres are available. Unless you want a mixer to do live sound then all you need is 8 preamps.

If you don't need to do 8 channel recording within the next month, get some now, and some later, when you need them. That way you could spend around $700 just now, and then an additional $700 further down the line.

Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 1:01 pm

If you are mixin In The Box...why do you need the mixing board. Sounds to me like you just need 8 pre-amps am I right?

If you are willing to go with the pre-amps of the Mackie 1604, why not go for an Onyx 800r?

How's about an Octopre?

I'm just not seeing why you need a complete mixer.

Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 6:41 pm

Sorry gents, not providing complete information.

I do need to be able to throw the thing in the car and go do the odd live gig, with a band. Otherwise, what you say makes sense, and I would just stock up on stand alone pre-amps.

I was hoping to be able to satisfy my recording habit and be able to do the live gigs as well, hence, multiple channels for live stuff, and decent pres for recording.

I understand they're not going to be fantastic, but I'd like to be able to get the best I can, given the budget.

So:

Am I completely dillusional thinking I can get pretty decent recordings through a $1K mixer?

Has anyone ever done a shootout that might tell the tale regarding which is the best in that price range?

Thanks
Keith

Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 6:43 pm

"Am I completely dillusional thinking I can get pretty decent recordings through a $1K mixer?"

Define decent. If I had a 1010lt I'd probably make something that qualifies as "passable" at least, through a mixer that is essentially about $1k in value.

Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 12:37 am

Ahh, to define decent...probably like asking 'how long is a piece of string...'

Okay, let's get back to comparisons, and simplify

You are spending ±900-1200 bones, you want to first and foremost record, and get the best sound you can for your money, and you'll do the odd live gig, hence the need for a mixer, tho the live gig thing is clearly secondary to recording quality

would you buy this:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MX508/

or this:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/1604VLZ3/

or this:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SpiritM12/

or this:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MixWizard312/

Thanks
Keith

Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 12:49 am

onyx 1620 or onyx 1640. get a firewire card.

works great for me!

Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2008 2:23 am

Why haven't you considered the JLM TMP-8?

I've got one, they were very highly touted here for a while, the soft limiters can be matched to your Delta's hard clipping limit, and they are cheap, sound awesome, and take up next-to-no space.

That gives you 8 good pres to go with your 8 convertors, and if you are mixing in the box, all the extra crap a mixer gives you - EQs, bussing, etc, is just that....crap.

Even for the live work, do you really need 8 channels of EQ? Or just 8 faders, i mean TMP-8 is dials, but still.

In fact, I just had a squiz at his website, only for 30s, but he has a new 6-channel mixer that looks amazing for the price, $495AUS.

I bet he'd custom build you something. It all fits into API lunchboxes too.

In fact, wow. JLM has some amazing new stuff. Excuse me for 30 mins and $3000AUS....

Posted: Sun Nov 02, 2008 8:34 am

took-the-red-pill wrote:

I do need to be able to throw the thing in the car and go do the odd live gig, with a band. Otherwise, what you say makes sense, and I would just stock up on stand alone pre-amps.

For emphasis...

That being said, of the options you posted, the Mackie would give you more flexibility for mixing the odd live thing, and decent enough to feed your recording rig.

Posted: Sun Nov 02, 2008 8:52 am

Was that aimed at me? I'd suggest compared to the JLM, the Mackie is utter, utter rubbish. Back to redpill....

Posted: Sun Nov 02, 2008 8:57 am

In fact, I have a Mackie VLZ1604 on a shelf, I don't use it. I'll take $300 for it and then you can buy the JLM too and still have $200 left.

Posted: Sun Nov 02, 2008 2:00 pm

Jeemy wrote:

In fact, I have a Mackie VLZ1604 on a shelf, I don't use it. I'll take $300 for it and then you can buy the JLM too and still have $200 left.

This is a GREAT deal.

And the JLM stuff is sonically superior to ANY Mackie product as well as built like a tank.

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