spirit 328

[Froombosch]

Any comments on these console? I am curious if the gearslutz like or dislike this console. Thanks for the information.

[XHipHop]

I had one for about a year. The biggest problem i had with it was that you can't use inserts on the digital inputs. So if i was coming out of Protools via adat lightpipe i'd get into the board and then i couldn't add a compressor or anything. A huge dissapointment and oversight on their part.

I DID like the layout and feel of the board. Very easy to get around the the virtual channelstrips are cool. The eq wasn't bad. The preamps sucked (in my opinion). I got it as a front end for protools to track drums and then i bought a digimax LT at one point and it was an improvement. Actually, i'm not sure if it was hte preamps or converters that were improved in this case, but either way they weren't up to PRESONUS standards!!! not a good sign.

So that's about it. If you're getting one for really cheap it could be ok (like $800). Otherwise I think there is a lot better stuff out there.

[Froombosch]

So the preamps are notting compared to my Spider preamp? Are the pres in the league of a mackie or dfegad behringer? I just sold my mx8000....

Eq any good? Or is it better to use the Waves EQ's or the EQ's I have inside my H8000?

Thank you for the info!

[A33]

I had one for a few years it was better sounding than an 02R. I liked the layout - very quick and fluid to work with.

[Froombosch]

Did you compare it with an O2R? Pre's? EQ?

[XHipHop]

At the time I had it, all i had was Digi001 pres, Focusrite Green pres, and the Digimax Lt pres. They say the 328 pres are the same as the soundcraft Ghost. Anyway, the 328 pres were WAY better than the digi001 (duh, what isn't?) and slightly worse than the Digimax on drums (they had a little more beef but were more veiled sounding to me). I haven't used the Focusrite in years so I don't remember what it sounds like but the 328 was sold because it became obsolete in my setup.

[Froombosch]

Thank you for the information.

Keep the information coming. I am very curious if the pre's/eq are usable for recording critical acoustical instruments or if the client will kill me because I have not used my Cranesong Spider instead.

[TAVD]

I'm using a 328. I find it very easy to work on. The preamps sound good to me, better than Mackie, Berhinger, ect. Overall, I think it sounds a bit dark. Overall build quality is more solid than other digital mixers in the 2-4k range. Converters sound pretty good. Lots of routing and i/o. 16 pres, adat & tdif and no extra cards to buy.

Not to scare you away but here are some limitations I've noticed:

1: The power supply. The older ones generally run hot and will most likely fail after 5 years. Soundcraft has improved the design but the new power supplies are $500. Check to see if/when it was replaced if you're buying one used. The XD version has the improved psu.

2: Only 16 channels of tape i/o. However, you can link two 328's together.

3: Dynamics on only 2 channels at one time.

4: Group sends are on ADAT only, so you might need a D/A.

5: It's an older design. All the other manufacturers have since made newer products. Soundcraft should have released a new mixer by now to address these limitations. I'd buy one. It's really too bad they haven't because the things that it does do well, it does better than the competition.

[CeretoneAudio]

My friend has a 328 and hes had MAJOR dramas with the power supply. The desk basically keeps resetting its self all the time (quickly powers down and then up again). His is the original 328 not the mk2. Hes had it sent back to the distributors 2 or 3 times to get the PS swapped but the new ones are just the same!

The converters sound no where near as good as on the RME multiface, and the pres are maybe Mackie quality or a bit better IMO.

However apart from this, he is pretty happy with the console, and from what ive seen it'd be good if you can get one cheap but otherwise not woth it.

[Crandall1]

I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings, but I bought a 328 when it first came out, and have had nothing but troubles.

I've had to replace the power supply three times, for starters. It has had various other problems which necessitated repair, mostly due to buttons failing and sticking, causing logic problems, or faders not remembering where they are supposed to be or following automation correctly. The most recent issue (and the one that caused me to give up completely) is that all the analog inputs died. The digital inputs and the analog returns still work, but the mic pres, inserts, and line inputs on all 16 analog channels have died.

Never mind the $3K I paid for it new; I've easily spent another $3K sending it back and forth to Soundcraft service, and in parts. And god only knows how much money in lost time. There's another fella here in Chicago with a pair of them, bought a few months after I bought mine, and his experience is very similar.

Now, taking the above out of the equation, the EQ and mic pres are above average for consoles in that price range, and as was stated, the console is really nicely laid out for quick workflow. However, between the problems I and people I know have had, and the fact that Soundcraft basically gave up on the product while it was still in its viable life cycle, well, I'd say spend the extra money and get an 02R, or hunt for a deal on a Sony DMXR100.

Or, if you want to get mine repaired, I'll give it to the first person to show up at my house with $200. It's a boat anchor right now.

[Froombosch]

Thank you all for the information. I think I pass on this one and will go looking for better desks/ summing options.

Thanks!



Harrie