x
fibes 13 December 2001

I have narrowed my choice in a mixer that will be used mostly for recording and mixing drums. I am interested in the Mackie 1604 ProVlz and the Allen and Heath Mixwizard, model WZ16:2DX. I do not care too much about features, just quality. Does the Mixwizard have better preamps and EQ than the Mackie? I'm concerned about headroom, being that I will be using this for drums. I like that the Allen and Heath has direct outs on every channel. Just need your feedback on which brand is the better of the two quality wise. Thanks.

Tags

Comments

Guest Thu, 12/13/2001 - 20:40

Another advantage of the MixWizard over the Mackie is that it has six aux sends that are all simultaneously available to each channel. On the Mackie you also have six sends, but on each channel you must choose between using sends #3-4 or #5-6. For me this is a huge difference. The Mackie may be a little more flexible in terms of routing signals, though. However, there is a mixer for the same price that I like much better than either - the Studiomaster Trilogy.

Now for the kicker: Crest has a VERY nice new little 4-bus mixer - the XR-20, that appears to be really well built (not plastic-y/flimsy) and I've heard some really good things about it. And here's a cool feature: in addition to the 12 mono mic/line inputs, the 4 stereo channels have dual mic inputs! It's a little more bread, ($1500 vs. $1000) but probably well worth it, as I'm guessing the Crest blows all of the above away. I'm thinking about getting one for live work.

Ted Nightshade Fri, 12/14/2001 - 09:34

I got the Allen & Heath Mixwizard. The EQ is nice and best of all you can take it out of line completely, but the headroom is *DUBIOUS*. It tends to distort in the 10 or so db before clipping. Piano is a problem, let alone percussion. I have a vibraphone, and no way. I may yet use it for a live sound monitor mixer, or probably I will sell it if I can get aq decent price for it.
I got the A&H because I was sick of Mackie. The A&H sounds much clearer and more dimensional (when not pushing the levels too hard). And the damn mackie EQ is in your way the whole time, use it or not. Only use in case of emergency. Yes the A&H EQ is way better.
So get a Crest! I wish I had. I may get one yet, or something spendier. But for $1500 you should seriously investigate.
Where can I find good prices on the Crest stuff? I called their west coast distributor, only number I could find on their site, and the guy who answered sounded seriously stoned & zoned. Really weird. Obviously I should just find a dealer.
Ted

droog Sat, 12/15/2001 - 12:24

ted wrote:
"Where can I find good prices on the Crest stuff? I called their west coast distributor, only number I could find on their site, and the guy who answered sounded seriously stoned & zoned. Really weird. Obviously I should just find a dealer"

maybe, you should try that fellow's dealer, sounds like he's got the good stuff

anonymous Sat, 12/15/2001 - 14:22

Originally posted by Ted Nightshade:
I t price for it.
....... And the damn mackie EQ is in your way the whole time, use it or not. Only use in case of emergency. Yes the A&H EQ is way better.
Ted
Actually, if you tap the inserts on a Mackie VLZ (XDR pres) you will bypass that nasty siginal path, EQ's and all. DON"T use the direct outs. Once you do that the mixer really doesn't suck if used ONLY as bunch of ok pres.

MadMoose Sun, 12/16/2001 - 17:57

If it's for drums you'd probably be better off with the A&H. My problem with the Mackie's has been a lack of headroom on the mic inputs. Even with the gain all the way down a solid hit will leave you without any headroom. If you try to EQ in more low end on the kick you're totally sunk. The A&H handles it better and if it's still too much there's a 20 dB pad at the top of each channel. Whenever I'm working in a place that has a Mackie I bring along inline pads for the kick and snare.

planet red Mon, 12/17/2001 - 08:07

If you check ebay, digibid and all the different equipment brokers, you'd probably be able to find a used console for just a little more that would kill the mackie and allen and heath. A guy i know picked up a soundcraft 600 32x8 for 800 bucks and sent a couple channels and the master section to audio uprgades and the thing rocks. So for about 1300 he has a good console with 2 channels of kick ass pres and eq's. Every couple months he sends another pair of channels out.... i think he's up to 8. Anyway the board rocks for the price and he says (dont know for myself, i wasnt there when he compared them) that it sounds better then the newer soundcraft ghost which starts at like 4 grand and is fairly well respected as a project studio board. Just a thought.

planet red Mon, 12/17/2001 - 19:06

They made an 8 channel rackmount version of the 200 i think.... its about the size of an A&H mixwizard but dont know much about it. I know the audio upgrades guy can do mods on them though. I'm definetly the wrong person to ask. You could always call jim williams at AU and talk to him.... he'll talk your ear off, but its definetly interesting. good luck

anonymous Mon, 12/17/2001 - 23:30

Originally posted by Ted Nightshade:
I need something very portable- which models of old soundcraft boards meet this criteria? What should I be looking for?
Ted

Try to find a Seck 1882 MK2, 18 good mic pre's, 22 line in's, nice EQ, 8 subs, switchable 1/9 2/10 etc.

Separate monitor section built in, so you can use it like a 'split' console, one meter long, very rigid and only 17 kilo weight.

One of the most versatile small boards I know and it 'smokes' a Mackie :)

Davedog Tue, 12/18/2001 - 19:38

....Well, I gotta surely agree with Han....I've logged a million hours on a seck 1882...it is a by far superior mixer for portability and flexibility....good pres and routing....the problem with em is this....NOBODY sells their used ones....why do you think this is???...just an observation...if i could find a used one i'd outbid ya on it!!! :w:

anonymous Tue, 12/18/2001 - 22:59

Originally posted by Davedog:
....Well, I gotta surely agree with Han....I've logged a million hours on a seck 1882...it is a by far superior mixer for portability and flexibility....good pres and routing....the problem with em is this....NOBODY sells their used ones....why do you think this is???...just an observation...if i could find a used one i'd outbid ya on it!!! :)

x

User login