First time poster here. I’m looking for recs for a decent mixer, primarily for OTB final mixdown. Would also probably track keyboards and samplers through it. Wants: Decent analog EQ with mid sweep, panning, fader, sends, busses
Don’t need more than 16 channels. Current budget under $1000 but if I find the goldilocks I could wait and stretch to 2K.
Preamps are not important, But I would really like a usable analog EQ per channel with Mid-sweep band. Busses and direct outs would be nice but not a deal breaker. I just want to be able to finalize my mixes out of the box with my rack gear and without looking at a screen. Helps me to make decisions and move on; instead of spending months tweaking out in Ableton.
Currently I’m really enjoying using the combo of Mackie MS-1202 into a Tascam 246. I love the crunch of the Mackie and I really dig the sketchy character of the Tascam EQ’s. I love the way my tunes sound on tape as well, but I’m thinking after I finish my current project I’ll want to move on from the lofi cassette sound. Don’t need an SSL or API but would like something that is slightly less heavy-handed of a creative effect than this current combo. Some color/mojo is always welcome.
Mackie CR-1604 would be great if the eq’s were a little better (I’m assuming they’re similar to the 1202). I’ve seen Allen and Heath Mixwizard and Zed as options, but not sure which one has better eq’s or sound. Tascam model 16 looks very nice indeed, but I cannot find a straight answer online for if the EQ’s are analog.
Any suggestions would be very much appreciated. Thanks!
Out of curiosity, can you describe what you don’t like about them?
The CR-1604 does not have a sweepable mid, but the VLZ models do.
I have an original 1202 and a 1604-VLZ3. I love the gain/trim on the 1202, but, IMO, the VLZs don’t sound as good in that regard.
The sweepable EQ on the VLZs are “good enough” for me in that I dial in something I like, intentionally ignore it, and then realize it’s not bothering me, but that’s personal taste.
ChatGPT says the Tascam Model 16 has a “fully analog EQ” and this forum post supports that. I have not looked at the block diagram in the manual, though.
TBH I had counted out the VLZ just because I’d heard it didn’t have the same desirable drive sound as the CR. I hadn’t until now given it fair consideration as a “clean” mixer. Thanks! Would you say the VLZ is cleaner all around than the OG? Does it vibe?
To answer your q about the 1202 EQ, it’s just a little too limited and not killer at what it does. It only has shelves and boosting tends to make things sound pretty fucked, which is cool sometimes. It’s fine for cuts and I dig the boost for overdriving a kick drum or making a hihat extra scratchy, but I’d like an EQ I could use on mids and trust not to cause more problems than it solves.
The Tascam 246 EQs are more of a creative effect for me. I love abusing them; they sound better the harder I crank them lol.
Thanks for this, I hadn’t seen these before. Adding them to the list.
Beautiful. I think I’ll probably start here. I have the 1202 already for driving and the vlz is cheap enough it won’t kill me if I don’t like it. Thank you for the thoughtful responses!
