I’m considering buying a mixer but with so many options available, I’m not sure where to start.
I have a MOTU ultralite that I’ve used for mixing ITB but that’s dying and won’t work at all with my laptop and a noisy old Behringer desk, but most of the time I just patch everything into the inputs of my Elektron boxes (OT, MD and A4).
Ideally it would be something I could use at home (I hesitate to call it a studio), or in a live context. My budget tops out at around $3000, but I’d only want to spend that kind of money on something really decent. I’d like a good balance of sound quality and features, I’m not expecting SSL quality. Actually decent built in effects would be a real bonus, but really the tone (warm?) of thing is probably most important.
I’m considering buying a mixer but with so many options available, I’m not sure where to start.
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Ideally it would be something I could use at home (I hesitate to call it a studio), or in a live context. My budget tops out at around $3000, but I’d only want to spend that kind of money on something really decent. I’d like a good balance of sound quality and features, I’m not expecting SSL quality. Actually decent built in effects would be a real bonus, but really the tone (warm?) of thing is probably most important.
Any recommendations? Suggestions?
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Tell us some useful information like:
[ul]
[li]Number of input channels you need[/li]
[li]Number of aux sends you need[/li]
[li]Number of mix busses you need[/li]
[li]Computer connectivity needed?[/li]
[li]Preferred physical size and format for live use[/li]
[li]New or second-hand preference[/li]
[/ul]
[quote=““100 Elektra””]
Ideally it would be something I could use at home (I hesitate to call it a studio), or in a live context. My budget tops out at around $3000, but I’d only want to spend that kind of money on something really decent. I’d like a good balance of sound quality and features, Any recommendations? Suggestions?
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Previously, I routed every connection through a DAW interface, if I wanted to hear any signal, the computer had to be On. Personally, I grew tied of this, I’d ask why can I not just turn the machines and amps On and be done with it. This scenario is termed a live setup and is done via an analog mixer. However what if I wanted to record those devices individually, I’d need a 16x16 interface and an analog mixer with that many outputs. Solution, Mackie Onyx-i mixers. I run a 820i and in retrospect I should have went for Onyx 1220i minimum.
What does it do, firstly, it’s an analog mixer with enough channels to input all Elektron devices spaced over the stereo field. 2x AUX Sends with 2x stereo Returns. Mains Out, Control Room Out, Alt Out all good for running back into the Octatrack. Features a FireWire connectivity to a DAW for individual channel recording. Pre or Post Perkins EQ which are really good for getting that Machinedrum kick thump.
The Mackie Onyx-i series mixers are really versatile, like a two in one product. It can also act as a monitoring solution for CD head units, DVD Players, computer system audio, turntables and is rack mountable too.
Highly recommended!
Tell us some useful information like:
[ul]
[li]Number of input channels you need[/li]
[li]Number of aux sends you need[/li]
[li]Number of mix busses you need[/li]
[li]Computer connectivity needed?[/li]
[li]Preferred physical size and format for live use[/li]
[li]New or second-hand preference[/li]
[/ul]
[/quote]
This. 3000 is a heft budget and you got hundreds and hundreds of options. Narrow it down a bit, unless you want people to suggest every single sub 3000 mixer ever made, most of which will be useless to you.
Thanks for mentioning the Mackie Onyx series, as this directly meets my requirements. Granted, I am not the OP. One question though. I have searched and firewire is no longer included on any laptops (not even Apple) you can buy new, and even an express card slot is quite rare these days as well.
Are you using a desktop, and if so, is it a Windows box?
Is there any chance of finding a similar interface with USB 3.0?
Just got an Allen and Heath QU-16 and it seems to cover all those grounds. It has recallable scenes with motorized faders and plenty of routing options. The effects are actually taken directly from the iLive series which many people choose over plugins. There is a nice big colour touch screen on the board that let’s you control all things intuitively. Preamps are taken from the GLD series and many claim are better than the behringer x32’s with most agreeing they are better than the presonus ai series. Check it out, if you need more channels, the 24 channel will still come in under $3k.