I’m using two. I have a Model 16 and a Model 12. They are quite different and those differences are worth considering before buying, each has its strengths (besides the obvious number of channels, which isn’t a different as you might expect).
The Model 12 is a digital mixer, and offers a few more options, such as the ability to internally swap tracks. It also can accept hi-z inputs on every channel, whereas the Model 16 only allows them on the first two.
The Model 12 has a built-in click output. Like the Model 16, it facilitates Bluetooth devices, but unlike the Model 16, you can turn it off, route it to channels 9/10 or the main outs. On the Model 16, Bluetooth is always assigned to channels 13/14. Speaking of which, on the Model 16, channels 13/14 are not fully featured, lacking EQ and input gain controls. They do, however, offer a pair of RCA inputs, something lacking on the 12.
All channels on the Model 12 offer the full range of features and, because you’re not forced to dedicate channels 9/10 to Bluetooth or TRRS jacks (as you are on the 16 - with the additional option of RCA), the Model 12 effectively only one pair of full channels short of the Model 16. And even then, the Model 16’s 9/10 and 11/12 stereo channels offer less EQ functionality and no compressor.
That doesn’t mean that the Model 16 doesn’t offer enough to justify the difference in price, though that depends on what you need. The 16 is an analog mixer. That means fewer conversions if you want to send it to another interface for recording. It also offers more I/O. It offers three aux outputs as opposed to two on the Model 12. On each unit, there is one aux output that has a switching jack and using that output will result in bypassing the internal effects. That’s not such a problem on the Model 16, where three auxes means that you can use the internal effects while simultaneously routing a full stereo pair out to an external processor. However, on the Model 12, using the internal effects means you only have a single aux channel remaining, so external stereo effects can’t be employed at the same time. You can, however, use the internal effect along with a mono external effect.
Both units can be used as audio interfaces. The Model 12 can also be employed as a HUI/Mackie control surface. A nice bonus.
Oh, another thing to keep in mind. Presumably because the Model 16 is based around an analog mixer, there are some limitations when it comes to the built-in multi-track recording. Each track is hardwired to its mixer channel. You can’t, for instance, assign track 1 to record the signal on any other channel. As I said earlier, the Model 12 offers ‘track swapping”, so it’s not an issue with the smaller machine.
The Model 16 has an internal power supply, while the Model 12 has an external supply. The Model 16 has a USB B 4-pin USB connector, while the Model 12 has the smaller USB C jack.
Likewise, any bouncing of tracks or sub-mixes must be done the old fashioned way on the Model 16, i.e. using cables to patch a submit back into another unused channel(s) to be re-recorded. The Model 12 offers a virtual stereo mix-down track and bouncing to this virtual track(s) is handled internally.
As an analog mixer, the Model 16 is a good deal., offering a good selection of options for a reasonable price. Multitrack recording is a great bonus, and the ability to use it as an audio interface is icing on the cake.
The Model 12, however, is a screaming bargain for what it offers. A great little machine that I can easily (and often) recommend.
