Alternatives to Tascam Model 24? (Qu-Pac, X32, Mackie Onyx)

Yeah that’s how I understood it as well. It’s a stereo mixdown of all tracks. Can the Tascam do stems?

Yeah, it can do stems to SD card.

I also was interested in the tascam, but do I understand this correct that the single channels that will be recorded to the sd card are Pre fader?

I will replace my current Zoom Livetrak L-12, so here we have an extra contender.
So there are three (usual) suspects now: L-20, Tascam Model24 and Mackie Onyx24.
I still like the Zoom. Big issue is the number of channels (hence why I will replace the L-12). I mean real input channels, because you lose some on usb return, bluetooth (like the dedicated channel on Onyx), if you use one for FX return, …
I will wait for some real reviews, and postpone the replacement a bit…

Oh, and the small footprint of the Zoom is also an asset imho.

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I am increasingly interested in the Allen and Heath Qu-Pac. Relatively affordable, small footprint and expandable up to 32 inputs. I know it can’t record without a computer, but that’s not a deal breaker for me. However, I don’t have an iPad and the idea of mixing on my phone via a 3rd party app doesn’t really appeal to me.

I know there are several people on this forum who use the Qu-Pac and I’m wondering if anyone can comment on how the user interface is via the touch screen. Im not looking to do anything complicated. Usually I’m just running a bunch of individual Elektron inputs with some standard EQ.

Could someone achieve this relatively easily with just the touchscreen? Also, is it true that the audio sent to the computer can be post EQ? Lastly, I was hoping someone could comment on the quality of the touchscreen. I have some arthritis and if the screen is not that sensitive I could see that being an issue.

Depending on the answers to these questions, I will probably go with the Qu-Pac. Otherwise I’m finding myself drawn to some secondhand larger models like the X32 or Qu 32. I’m still considering the Model 24 or Mackie but I’m already around 20 inputs and I could see the advantage in having an extra few.

Thanks everyone for your help! :slight_smile:

Edit: The Qu-Pac CAN record without a computer

The Qu Pac touch screen requires some adaptation, but the interface is sufficiently fluid for me. I do not use it for a lot of live tweaking/performance, though (I prefer a dj mixer for that). 18 channel multitrack recording (input channels post preamp or otherwise groups/mixes/fx/main busses if I recall correctly) is possible without a computer on a usb key or (better) an external harddrive.

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I’m very happy to have just purchased a secondhand Qu 32 for 1700$ after tax and shipping. It exceeds my needs slightly, but that gives me some room to grow into it. Thanks everyone for the help, I really appreciate it.

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So is the qu series and the model series by tascam the only mixers that allow on board multitrack recording without a computer?

Zoom L-12 as well

Do u know if the zoom l-12/20 aux outs can work as sub groups where they don’t get sent to the main mix?

Like if inputs 1-4 are drums can I assign them to a sub mix (aux) to go to a compressor?

yes

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From what I’ve read the new Onyx24 can only play back 4 tracks on USB, not full multitrack playback. Does anyone know anything about this?

Just a heads up for anyone thinking of getting a Qu-Pac as a sound card/mixer.

I had quite severe issues with the ASIO USB, as are many others on the A&H forums. Switching VST presets for eg would sometimes send very loud distortion through the audio outputs. This distortion would remain over all the audio until I reset the mixer.
New PCIe USB cards, USB cables, PC settings, driver updates, firmware updates etc. Nothing fixed the issue, A&H support had no idea and blamed everything apart from their mixer. I eventually sold it and moved to a Si Impact, which didn’t have the issue.

If you can stretch funds to an Impact mixer then do it. Much better connectivity for digital in the way of add in cards, even more if you add a compact stage box as you can add in Vi/Studer cards.

I run 64 inputs to the mixer+csb, each with comp/gate/eq, have 8 AES in/out to the PC, 6x stereo mix outputs/returns to use as stereo effect sends, 8 mono mix outs/returns for mono effects sends. Completely modular internally so you can for eg. route effects to each other in any order you wish, each mixer channel can have multiple destinations, duplicate faders on each mixer layer , I haven’t found anything mix wise it can’t do.

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Welcome to A&H :slight_smile:
They do indeed have some serious HW but their drivers are… Meeehhh…

Had a DB4 with the exact same issues.
Ended up finding out A&H developed their drivers based on USB 2.0. NOT 3.0.
Hexadecimal code :slight_smile: Simple as that but no further dev from the company.
Simple as that :slight_smile:
Was confirmed by a technician in Switzerland acting on behalf of A&H :wink:
Same goes for Qu series unfortunately.

USB 2 vs 3 is a hardware question, not just a software one — it’s absolutely not something you can upgrade with software. Given that the SQ and Qu series share a USB implementation, which was initially released in 2014 (and thus designed in 2011/2012), it’s no surprise they’re using USB 2.0. While there are some apparent limits to USB stick compatibility (they have a (long) list of ones that work, although I haven’t had problems with an unlisted one), they don’t actually need more bandwidth for what the Qu and SQ do with USB. Stability is another question; I haven’t had problems yet, though. That said, probably getting a Dante card instead of messing with it much more.

Exactly what I said :slight_smile: :slight_smile:

Meaning they could not develop under USB 3.0 as the hardware prohibits it.
Hexadecimal code helped in stabilizing the unit but still, I would not have dared going live with it :slight_smile:

What do you mean “hexadecimal code”?

For clarity, I work as a software security engineer and have been in the industry for going on 20 years, and I’m trying to understand the language you’re using — do you mean that an updated driver version was more stable?

…got a&h’s qupac for same purposes…but as far as i know, they’re out of stock forever…
and that’s in basic version 16 inputs for a grant…and as mentioned already, due to still running usb 2 protocols, maxed out with 18 channels 48k when it comes to recording…even if u buy one of their pretty neat expansion devices…
and having no faders is as much an advantage as a pia sometimes…

korg and mixers…?..not sure about this…
u better trust brands more focussed and experienced on mixers…
zoom always tries to stay as cheap as possible…works surprisingly good for their field recorders…but, for mixers and fx not so much…
used mackies a lot…also one of the first smaller onyx…solid but not really as convincing as their stuff from 90ies…

so i’d say…stick with ur research and go for tascam…they really progress these days again…

They max out at 18 channels because that’s what A&H chose. The SQ does 32 channels at 48 or 16 at 92 over USB 2. Thomann at least has the Qu-Pac in stock…

I mean that part of the code for the driver contains hexadecimal code integrated to fulfil commercial agreements between A&H and other brands. This was explained and showed to me by the official A&H représentant in Switzerland. I am not that smart :wink:
This is the reason why DB4 was NEVER certified for Traktor. Which has now changed which answers your question about the updated driver.
A simple addendum to the hex code made the mixer more stable with Traktor.