Off Topic So I'm going to buy a new mixer...

[ivbenaplayin]

... and would appreciate any input you peoples can give. Obviously $$ is a factor, but not THE deciding factor - I'd like to stay within the $3000 or less range, and have looked at units from Yamaha, Soundcraft, Allen & Heath, & Mackie. My old board is only 16 channels and I'm planning on upgrading to a 24 channel for future purposes (maybe even futuristic purposes...) I'm just having a hard time making a decision on which one to get, and I don't really believe in any internet customer reviews. Any advice/technical input would be greatly appreciated - what do your bands play through? likes/dislikes/bitches? thanks in advance...

 

[strummer]

... and would appreciate any input you peoples can give. Obviously $$ is a factor, but not THE deciding factor - I'd like to stay within the $3000 or less range, and have looked at units from Yamaha, Soundcraft, Allen & Heath, & Mackie. My old board is only 16 channels and I'm planning on upgrading to a 24 channel for future purposes (maybe even futuristic purposes...) I'm just having a hard time making a decision on which one to get, and I don't really believe in any internet customer reviews. Any advice/technical input would be greatly appreciated - what do your bands play through? likes/dislikes/bitches? thanks in advance...

I havce only one bitch: Allen & Heath are overpriced. I would choose mackie, simply because I've nevcer had any issues with Mackie boards, and their mic preamps are great for the money.

 

[the unrepentant]

live or studio?
if it's live, go for in line, if studio, go for an allen and heath, good quality, reliable and you get more channels for your money so one side for in the other for out etc

 

[ivbenaplayin]

I guess I should have been more specific, but its main use will be for live performances, and it will see some (minimal) use in recording...

 

[Aussie Mark]

I love Soundcraft desks, and Mackie are nice too.

 

[Jimmyb]

I havce only one bitch: Allen & Heath are overpriced. I would choose mackie, simply because I've nevcer had any issues with Mackie boards, and their mic preamps are great for the money.

No they're not.

Oh hang on, you're not in the UK. Ah well, sorry about that old bean!!

I saw their new digital desk at LIMS, looks really good, although probably a bit over the budget.

 

[Psycho Ward]

We have a Sunbeam mixer here at Camp Psycho, it's a little noisy but it gets the job done. I've only used it live though.

 

[GreyDad]

I've bought my first small mixer for live use, an Allen & Heath ZED12FX - love it and not expensive at all. Very quiet and get a great sound out of it especially the vocals and acoustic guitar. Not tried their bigger pro desks but based on what this one does I reckon they'd be pretty d*mn good.

 

[Jimmyb]

I've bought my first small mixer for live use, an Allen & Heath ZED12FX - love it and not expensive at all. Very quiet and get a great sound out of it especially the vocals and acoustic guitar. Not tried their bigger pro desks but based on what this one does I reckon they'd be pretty d*mn good.

The big desks are really good. I've just finished a show where we were using a GL4000, awesome desk, really good mic pre-amps and loads of sends. Only downside was the bugger weighed a ton!!

I've used the Mix-Wiz series in the past for smaller shows and was very impressed with that as well. Good mic pre's and quiet on-board effects.

 

[Ken Baker]

We have a Sunbeam mixer here at Camp Psycho, it's a little noisy but it gets the job done. I've only used it live though.

Is it a lefty?

Ken...

 

[tadawson]

I did a comparison between the Alle&Heath, Crest, and Soundcraft a year or two ago, and found that I liked the Soundcraft GB series the best of all, and it had the best balance of features. Not sure how many busses you are looking for, but they make 2, 4, and 8 bus versions - mine is an 8x32, with 8 auxes, and I love it!

Mackie - I dunno . . . I have never found one that I could say I really liked . . . .

- Tim

 

[keko]

All brands You mention above are good stuff!

At my regular job we use all stuff from Soundcraft (for live, in studio and broadcasting). There I have no influence to chose, so I work with stuff my boss give it to me, but it's all professional gear!

Private for my band live gigs we use Allen & Heath PA-28! (about 4 years old)

It's 24+2stereo mixing console for mid size gigs and it's enough for whole drum set/mic, bass DI, guitar/mic, 4 keyboards, 6 vocals, harmonica/mic and CD/mp3 player + notebook PC (last 2 stereo inputs). Did I miss something?

 

[five7]

You can't go wrong with soundcraft.

 

[ivbenaplayin]

We have a Sunbeam mixer here at Camp Psycho, it's a little noisy but it gets the job done. I've only used it live though.

Do you set it up next to the Whitman sampler?