I don’t think that you are going to find what you are looking for if your budget is not very high so I recommend buying an analog mixer and an interface separately and saving up till you can afford the best of each. The MTK certainly is not it, even though it seems like it is on paper. The truth is that the kind of gear you are describing should and does cost several thousand dollars, not several hundred.
Regarding the Mackie 1640, I’ve actually had the smaller version of that as well and it was fine, but again, nothing magical, and it does not allow audio to be routed back through the mixer for mixdowns, just on the way in.
Personally I would try to save up for something from the Allen & Heath Qu series. They are not analog but they sound amazing and are regularly used for pro level recording in venues across the world. Not necessarily a desk you will see at a ton of recording studios, but I really like mine and it offers what you are looking for - the ability to multitrack going in and then to use the mixer as a summing device on the mixing side. It also has motorized faders for DAW control. I also think the converters in it are top notch (only 48k and 96k options though, no 44.1).
But again, this is a product that costs several thousand, not a few hundred, so it’s a significant jump in investment.
Just my 2c. Hope that helps a bit.
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Another option - one of the many used Mackie 1604 mixers out there. These old workhorses have 6 sends (post EQ) plus 6 assignable outputs (main out plus two stereo busses) for each channel. Plug some or all of these outputs into your interface and you can use the mixer as a preamp plus EQ for colouring your synth signals before sending them into your computer via the sends, busses or main outs. It’s quite tactile and flexible, particularly if you integrate stomp fx and the like for inserts, sends and return loops.
Thanks. Which older Mackie mixers are people usually referring to when they say “the good old Mackies” that sound really nice?
And what do you think about the Mackie Onyx 1640i specifically? It has multi track firewire interface and everything i need.
If i get a direct outs mixer, i would need a high-channel-count audio interface. Would an Audient EVO 16 with one ADAT expander be enough, or would you recommend something else?
They’re talking about the CR-1604 and the 24-8 - not the VLZ ones
(Well, the 1604 VLZ and VLZ Pro are okay - not as nice as the CR-1604 , but definitely not the VLZ2 , VLZ3, VLZ4…)
I’ve got a VLZ3 and it’s great. The CR1604 isn’t as clean (some say noisier, some say more character etc), and doesn’t have sweepable mids, which IMO are a mandatory feature introduced with the VLZ models.
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Would it be a good idea to start with a Mackie Onyx 1640i for recording my synths and modular, then later when i have more money, add a higher-end audio interface (RME, MOTU, etc.) using the direct outs? Thanks
Would it be a good idea to start with a Mackie Onyx 1640i for recording my synths and modular, then later when i have more money, add a higher-end audio interface (RME, MOTU, etc.) using the direct outs?
Would it be a good idea to start with a Mackie Onyx 1640i for recording my synths and modular, then later when i have more money, add a higher-end audio interface (RME, MOTU, etc.) using the direct outs? Thanks a lot
I haven’t used that particular mixer but it seems like it could be a good option since it has direct outs (via a db25 cable). could be a fun setup.
i just noticed you mentioned considering the audient evo 16 interface in your original post - i have one and really like it
good call - i forgot the CR1604 lacks sweepable mids.
i have the 1604 VLZ which some say doesn’t sound as nice when you crank the channels up but it sounds good to me!
can’t comment on the later models as i haven’t tried them - but people say they lack the classic mackie overdrive sound
which - tbh - wouldn’t matter to me these days
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Yes i had the audient once and was nice but i prefer All in one for now and improve later, the 1640 i has multi track post eq With firewire.
I had a 1640i. As far as I know the Audio to FW is pre EQ. But there is a MOD which let you use the audio path going to the FW Post EQ.
You also might want to check it the Korg Model 12 Mixer for your usage case.
Edit:
I had the 1620i which was PRE EQ. Don’t know if it is different on the 1640i.
You really need to make the decision for yourself, I can’t tell you what to do. I also don’t know the specs of your computer, how much space you have, what interface you have now, and what your music sounds like. There are too many unknown variables that only you are privy too.
Personally, no I would not get a 1640i because I don’t want an old piece of gear that uses the FireWire protocol when I don’t have a laptop anymore that allows FireWire. But again that is just me, maybe you do. It’s a fine piece of gear and I got a lot of use out of the 1220i when I had it, but that was nearly a decade ago.
I would try to get the newest interface you can to future proof it as much as possible.
Hope that helps and good luck!
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