they only sell the 16 channel version now but it has dual inputs i think so you can get a load of inputs.
the larger desks come up used on reverb but they never ship… always “local pick up” only. because they’re big. there’s one in rhode island right now for $2000 and i wish i was close to it or could arrange for delivery via shipper. it’s a 32 channel version i think.
anyway… there’s more of them in EU probably and i suspect they’re more affordable there. the 16 channel version is around $4500 here in the USA + shipping from Canada where the distributor is.
Amazing desks and flexible. Shame they’re a bit tricky to get hold of. I would have thought they be easier to find in the states seeing as that’s where they are based. You can certainly double up the inputs on the 16 as it has both XLR and trs, but you can only choose 16 inputs at one time.
Do they have post fader direct outs? That’s a big part of my search. Midas, sound crafts check that box for me. Obviously the digital desks with usb can do that as well.
Might be a weird suggestion but: two big sixes. I used to have a 24 channel Midas and it was a pain in the ass. I’d rather juggle more small mixers now (I run a line mixer into my big six)
Post-Preamp (Pre-EQ / Pre-Fader):** Delivers clean audio straight from the mic preamplifier. Changes to the channel’s EQ, mute, or fader do not affect the direct output signal. This is ideal for sending untouched live feeds to a multi-track recorder.
Post-EQ:** Takes the signal after the high-pass filter and EQ section, but before the channel fader.
Post-Fader:** Routes the audio after the channel mute, EQ, and fader. Any adjustments you make to the physical fader or mutes will directly affect the direct output level.
Why was it a pain? 2 big 6s probably not in the cards for me. I like having all the faders in front of me. Just easier and I can find this at a much lower price.
I’ve found that, for me, there isn’t one perfect mixer that does it all. I usually work with two mixers: one for bringing everything together, routing signals and adding effects, and another one for performance and creative mixing.
For the first part, the Behringer Wing Rack is hard to beat, especially if you use an Akai MPC, which can be connected directly via USB. The Wing then sends several buses to an Allen & Heath Xone:DB4, which I use for hands-on performance and creative mixing.
That’s pretty awesome. Only for me I like to have a good amount of tracks inside the daw that have already been processed with eq and live fader/send movements on the way in. Lets me edit in the daw where needed and touch up the mix, and also change levels on the sounds if needed.
I use an older mpc, not a huge fan of the new ones even though the usb is a very cool feature. I don’t mind having snakes and audio cables though.
In my eyes it still is like this:
An old Midas, Soundcraft or A&H are great options (coming in different versions of Post-EQ and stuff)
An APB only if you want to spend a lot (btw they are linkable so 2 can be stacked together, the inputs therefor are often used as the additional inputs for signals coming back from DAW) and a Zähl if you reeaaaly want to spend a lot.
APBs are also not so great at overdriving which is good to know if you thinking about getting one.
Thatswhy the new generation of things like Tascam, jellymix, Excelon SL and so on are so succesful and interesting for a lot of people.
Yeah the Jellymix is great. I had one. Totally different use case though than what I will have. I was going to get the boredbrain but it’s more like a super powered Jellymix for stereo inputs. It’s an amazing mixer though, I think a ton of people will love that one. Especially for live sets.
Has to be configured at the factory. Might be possible by a very skilled tech. It’s a soldered jumper per channel and apparently is hard to get to which is why it’s best done at the factory
I’m full circle on my mixer journey to where I started 7 years ago.
Coming from a DJ background, mainly vinyl, I was used to Xone mixers, eventually went from a 62 to a 96. Got into DVS with Traktor, tried some NI hardware. When they started losing their way and all the clubs had CDJs anyway I moved to Rekordbox and eventually an AlphaTheta all-in-one (I’m a bit embarrassed to say, because I always said Pioneers phono preamps suck).
Meanwhile I picked up some drum computers, synths and FX for a hybrid setup. Got a Bluebox, then a TX-6. That mixer has incredible features, and beat detection good enough to sync MIDI with my wonky early 80s records. But too tiny for human hands.
I needed something more substantial and always liked A&H so I tried a couple of MixWizards. The 20S is the best fit for a studio setup with lots of connections. Next I tried a Crest XR20 (the predecessor of the H1020)
Then I had my big boy APB moment - a Spectra C, 24 channels, with all the trimmings, found on a local marketplace, the guy delivered it to my house. A magnificent desk, but man was it large, it dominated the room. And I actually missed something - buses to mix on - it only has left, right, mono and center. Nevertheless, I went all in, going down RME rabbit hole, matching each APB direct out and dual input with a Fireface IO & ADAT expanders for an analog heart and a digital brain. Getting it all working was an adventure, but when it was done, it was too overwhelming, and using it felt too much like work. I also had to do some repairs on the APB, big old desks require TLC.
Then I went cold turkey and tried mixing with just Totalmix and some MIDI faders. It was good to reset what I expected from a mixer, and I realized digital mixing was fine, really, and Totalmix is brilliant if quirky. But then I saw an amazing deal on a Qu-7D (the biggest Qu, with Dante) and figured that one would combine a tactile console surface but with RME style benefits baked in and be my endgame. And it delivers for sure, very flexible, great sound quality etc, there’s almost no mixing scenario you can’t throw at it.
But I just boxed it up and will sell it. I realized if everything fits in an area I can reach I’m happier, and that I long for the more compact, DJ style roots I started with. So I unmothballed my Xone:96 and that’s now the center piece. I added two cheap and cheerful EP-136s as FX sub mixers, and an Arc32 MIDI controllable patch panel to route FX in any way I want. In this setup, the 96 has enough of everything - enough I/O, enough sound card, enough sends, enough returns. And I love the performance capabilities the filter, EQ and crossfader offer.
So I have spent a lot of time on mixers. Hardly any money fortunately - I only bought (and kept) the Xone:96 for full retail; everything else I pretty much sold / expect to sell for what I paid for it. But yeah reading all this makes me feel a bit stupid that I didn’t realize what I had back in the day.
Anyway, I can give some tips on mixers at least.
Yes, that’s what I did.
You can configure any output to be a send.
Indeed, config changes allow for immediate routing switches.
They’re a sight to behold. The Chemical Brothers called their 32 channel one ‘The Mothership’ and treated as an instrument when on tour. But you need space, patience and repair budget.
Exactly. Exciting times! I secretly hope A&H will do another DJ/studio crossover like the 464, but with a sound card. But they focus on digital now, so it’s the boutique companies that are innovating analog and hybrid mixing.
