[Ashofapheonix]

The Onyx and Mackie 1642VLZ3 have direct outs. The Onyx stuff is better than the lowend allen heaths, by a slim margin, you have to buy the front end mod to avoid direct outs. The Soundcraft stuff I'm curious, but i've heard the spirit M series does a different circiut from the ghost. If your in the UK the sound craft is a best buy.

I own the yamaha MG12/4 and I've used the 16/4 doesn't have direct outs. The pres remind me of the firepod preamps...their pretty neutral but the sound could be tightened up a bit. The strength of the Onyx in the lowend category of gear is that the sound, isn't as unfocused as the other stuff, and the gain head room is higher than most by a tad usually 55 db where noise kicks in v.s 40 (i used to own the onyx). I down graded to yamaha mainly because I only use the pres for drums, and my drum sound is going to be compromised by a small room as it is. For guitar ect I plan on going RNP.