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Hey everyone,

I just got a new job and want to re-build my setup and do it right this time. I'm looking for an analog console and have been looking at the Ghost. It's really tempting, but I just wanted to see if there is anything comparable, but for a little less money. I know that the Ghost is a great board, but dropping about $6500 is a kick in the pants when I don't record for a living.

What do you guys think. my goal is to go into an analog console...then into nice converters, then record to hard drive. Then I'd come back out of the hard drive and mix analog to get the use out of the console EQ, sends/returns, and so forth. I'd use my software to correct phase and do some edits, automation, and maybe some effects, but I'd be staying out of the box and in analog for the majority of the time.

Any ideas for me? Maybe I should just get a nice front end of converters and preamps? I'm building a lot of outboard gear and I don't want to have to be constantly worrying about latency going back into the box.

Comments

Midlandmorgan Tue, 11/22/2005 - 19:43

You know you will get a ,illion different answers....The Ghost does have some areas that some report as "weaknesses" such as unbalanced direct outs....on the upside, there are many mods that reportedly have a significant impact on the quality of the final result.

There are many MANY other options - you have to really decide what application you see now and for the future....will you want automation? How much are you willing to spend, etc etc etc....?

One alternative is the Tonelux modular system....allows you to build up your input and outputs according to your requirements, finances, and needs...ANother option would be the API rack system....non traditional, but (reportedly) a great way to have an API mixer essentially built to your I/O spec...

You may also want to consider a used higher end board such as Calrec, D and R, Amek, etc....

Don't rule out summing systems with inserts, such as the SPL Mixdream, either...

(Doncha just LOVE answers that offer no guidance to the original content, but cause you to think about a million other options....?)

anonymous Thu, 11/24/2005 - 04:45

I love my Mackie 24x8, its only around $2,400 brand new and you can probably cop a used one off ebay for about half that.

Oh yeah it has fully balanced in/outs including balanced direct outs. high-headroom (meaning you can load all 24 channels with hot signals and it wont distort. 100mm [[url=http://[/URL]="http://www.mackie.c…"]logrithmic taper faders[/]="http://www.mackie.c…"]logrithmic taper faders[/] and the pre's and EQ's are decent.

anonymous Thu, 11/24/2005 - 08:18

I've had the Ghost 32 since July and love it! I use it with Pro Tools and a Hard Disk Recorder. The routing possilblities are endless with this board. As far as the cost, check out Riks Music and Dale Pro Audio.

Rik's pricing was $5800.00 for the 32 and $5100.00 for the LE 32.
The meterbridge was $790.00. I purchased mine from Dale Audio in NY City with other gear and got a 32 B-stock with new bridge shipped direct from Soundcraft for $5890.00 . Great Deal! The prices might have changed but they are the cheapest with the Ghost and Rik's doesn't charge for freight.

Here are the links for Dale and Riks. Speak to Dan Ross at Dale and tell him Tom from Ronkonkoma sent you. He'll take care of you
excellent place, Service and Price. Just spent thousands with him. He blew everyone out of the water with pricing.

http://www.daleproaudio.com
http://www.rmcaudio.com/frameset.html