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Witloofboer
Gold Member
Belgium
513 Posts |
 Posted - 06/13/2009 : 15:53:22
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| Hi guys, I'm looking for a decent mixing console. No large things: 6-8 channel are good enough. Does anyone have tips? Things that I watch when I buy one? |
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Laurie
Double Platinum Member
Canada
4854 Posts |
Posted - 06/13/2009 : 16:08:48
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G'day Witloofboer!
What are you going to be using it for? Live gigs? Recording? Monitoring for basement practices? |
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Witloofboer
Gold Member
Belgium
513 Posts |
Posted - 06/13/2009 : 16:09:21
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quote:
Originally posted by Laurie
G'day Witloofboer!
What are you going to be using it for? Live gigs? Recording? Monitoring for basement practices?
Mostly home recording, I guess.  |
Edited by - Witloofboer on 06/13/2009 16:09:39 |
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Laurie
Double Platinum Member
Canada
4854 Posts |
Posted - 06/13/2009 : 17:11:27
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quote:
Originally posted by Witloofboer
Mostly home recording, I guess.
For recording, things to look for are:
- "direct out" on each channel
- at least 4 sends, but preferable to have 4 pre-fade and 4 post-fade (but you won't get that in a cheaper 8 channel desk)
- inserts on each channel
- EQ's with at least swept mids, preferably full parametric EQ (unlikely on cheaper boards)
Cheap and cheerful... Behringer. Crappy faders, bit noisy. But a good option if price is a driver. Maybe the Xenyx 1222FX.
Higher up might be something like a Soundcraft. Full length faders, low noise. I have an FX16, but they make an 8 channel.
And almost anything in between. |
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PaulH
Gold Member
535 Posts |
Posted - 06/13/2009 : 19:32:07
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quote:
Originally posted by Witloofboer
Mostly home recording, I guess.
Are you using a computer to record?
If so consider using a multi-input soundcard.
I use an Edirol FA101 with a Laptop running Sonar.
The Edirols's 10 inputs are ample for my home recording needs. |
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DeFrag
Moderator
USA
3409 Posts |
Posted - 06/14/2009 : 03:13:07
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I've always liked Mackie's 1642-VLZ3 Pro with its multi-buss design.
I have a CFX-12 right now & its great.
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Edited by - DeFrag on 06/14/2009 03:13:59 |
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verivorax
Platinum Member
Canada
1185 Posts |
Posted - 06/14/2009 : 06:33:56
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Mackies are nice, but they shut down a major factory and there are huge stock problems now..
Behringer stuff is indeed cheap and cheerful - if you're going to move the mixer around a lot, I'd avoid it. Find something that does NOT use some proprietary wall-wart as well. |
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Witloofboer
Gold Member
Belgium
513 Posts |
Posted - 06/14/2009 : 12:31:27
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@ Laurie: How do the effects on your FX16 sound?
@ PaulH: I record on computer, but I don't have a decent soundcard.
@ Defrag: Looks nice, but it's a bit too pricey for me. 
Has anyone tried this: http://www.mackie.com/products/1202vlz3/? |
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PaulH
Gold Member
535 Posts |
Posted - 06/14/2009 : 13:12:10
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quote:
Originally posted by Witloofboer
@ PaulH: I record on computer, but I don't have a decent soundcard.
My money would go on a decent soundcard before anything else. |
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FRANZONI
Double Platinum Member
Ireland
3543 Posts |
Posted - 06/14/2009 : 14:19:13
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Thomann have a good range of stuff bro'.... plus i've seen the mackies and yamahas on gumtree and in local ad's here in dublin for around 200/300 euro.....i,ve been thinking about getting a small desk as a spare for our main one or as a submixer for the drum mikes for a while(we had a couple of scares over the years with the dynacord before a gig)....the yamaha MG series get some good reviews.... |
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nathanscribe
Silver Member
United Kingdom
376 Posts |
Posted - 06/14/2009 : 14:52:06
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I'd recommend buying something with more channels than you think you currently need. GAS will always take over, and suddenly, you find yourself short of places to plug things in...
So if you only need 6-8 now, I'd go for a 12. I used to have a 12, and now have a 16. Oh, and the 12, still... and a couple of 6es....
As for recording, I use a firewire interface (Presonus Firepod) and it's easy to set up, sounds good, and has never given me any trouble. The only issue I have with it is that the inputs are round the front, and I like them on the back as all my stuff is racked. The knobs are stepped rotaries, which isn't my taste either, but they work. If I could afford ProTools.... |
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Laurie
Double Platinum Member
Canada
4854 Posts |
Posted - 06/14/2009 : 15:44:43
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quote:
Originally posted by Witloofboer
Laurie: How do the effects on your FX16 sound?
Has anyone tried this: http://www.mackie.com/products/1202vlz3/?
The FX are basic but pretty good. In the model I have the FX are implemented by Lexicon.
I've tried the Mackie 1604VLZ, and I've owned a Mackie 24.4. There is something about the feel of it, particularly the EQ that doesn't work for me. There is generally considered to be two types of EQ - "American" and "European". The European EQ is one of the reasons I bought the Soundcraft. I like it so much my big board is also a Soundcraft - an LX7-24.
The other thing I would highly recommend is to get a board with full travel faders. My experience has been that rotary faders will piss you off almost immediately, and short throw faders (40-60mm) will piss you off eventially.
Having owned over 20 mixing boards (ranging from Behringer, to Mackie, to Soundcraft, Yamaha, to home-built, and both analogue and digital boards), I can suggest that if you spend more money than you think you should on something better than you think you will need, you will be happier in the long run.
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Edited by - Laurie on 06/14/2009 15:45:03 |
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zerksies
Double Platinum Member
USA
3406 Posts |
Posted - 06/15/2009 : 01:48:33
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| nice |
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Witloofboer
Gold Member
Belgium
513 Posts |
Posted - 06/17/2009 : 19:51:47
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I'll be looking around for a mixer the next month. I'll keep you informed. Thanks for all the help  |
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Topic |
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A decent mixing console
