SOUNDTRACKS CONSOLES opinions please

alex · 11th May 2005

hey what you guys hear about soundtracks consoles. i hear good stuff, but again so cheap, is it possible? on goes the quest for the best console (way)under 10,000

Amplove · 12th May 2005

I have a Midi PC24 console and I love it. I've only heard good things from others as well.

Got mine for $400

audiogeek1 · 12th May 2005

I used to use a Solitaire. Their high dollar project studio board. The console did what I wanted. Gave me a clean signal path with automation. I could dirty it up with outboard gear. The eq works if you are boosting you hear it etc.. but not amazing. I did not like the compressors. They overloaded to easily. I also like the inline design of it.

As for the cheaper soundtracs stuff goes I have worked on a topaz. I prefer this to a mackie 8 Bus. The EQ was descent. The mixer felt cheaply put together though. Knobs had a wiggle to them ( the unit I used was about a year and a half old). Also aux 2 and 4 were not working I thought this to be strange on a board so new.

Just some thoughts.

Mike

michael cleary · 12th May 2005

I got a Solo/midi a couple of years ago after unloading my mackie 8 bus. Better eq, more headroom. i only use outboard pres but the onboard ones will work if you need them. they seem a little darker/flatter than the mackie pres, but with more depth. not as 1 dimensional sounding if you know what i mean. i've been happy with it and have had no problems except for some l.e.d.'s on the fritz. best bargain in mixers as far as i can tell. I got mine for a grand. mc

Magnus · 12th May 2005

I've worked a lot on a Soundtracs Topaz 24ch and IMO it's a pretty shitty desk.

No headroom and very "plastic" construction. I'd much rather work ITB than with a Topaz.

Don't know about their other models.

/Magnus

joeq · 13th May 2005

I have a Solo Midi. I too like the EQs and as Michael Cleary said the pres are not great but not horrible either. It has Midi muting, if anyone still cares about that, and you can flip the jumpers internally for +4 operation.

I like it better than the Mackie 8 bus and Soundcraft Spirit which were its counterparts when it was new.

entropy · 13th May 2005

I used to use a Jade and a Solitaire. Their okay, not great by any stretch but with some decent outboard you can pull a good mix off them. I wasn't much of a fan of the dynamics on the Solitaire and the automation was IMO hopeless. It used to crash far too often for my liking.

11th May 2005	#1
alex Gear interested Joined: May 2005 Posts: 13 Thread Starter	SOUNDTRACKS CONSOLES opinions please hey what you guys hear about soundtracks consoles. i hear good stuff, but again so cheap, is it possible? on goes the quest for the best console (way)under 10,000

13th May 2005	#7
entropy Lives for gear Joined: Oct 2002 Location: QLD. Australia Posts: 1,265	I used to use a Jade and a Solitaire. Their okay, not great by any stretch but with some decent outboard you can pull a good mix off them. I wasn't much of a fan of the dynamics on the Solitaire and the automation was IMO hopeless. It used to crash far too often for my liking. __________________ Cris Stevens Federal Audio. Australian distributor of ADAM Audio monitors, Lindell Audio, Ardán Audio monitor stands, Evol Audio "Fucifier" and explorAudio mic mounts. Website Blog

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12th May 2005	#2
Amplove Gear maniac Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 278	I have a Midi PC24 console and I love it. I've only heard good things from others as well. Got mine for $400

12th May 2005	#3
audiogeek1 Gear maniac Joined: Jun 2002 Location: Near the Salty Water Posts: 248	I used to use a Solitaire. Their high dollar project studio board. The console did what I wanted. Gave me a clean signal path with automation. I could dirty it up with outboard gear. The eq works if you are boosting you hear it etc.. but not amazing. I did not like the compressors. They overloaded to easily. I also like the inline design of it. As for the cheaper soundtracs stuff goes I have worked on a topaz. I prefer this to a mackie 8 Bus. The EQ was descent. The mixer felt cheaply put together though. Knobs had a wiggle to them ( the unit I used was about a year and a half old). Also aux 2 and 4 were not working I thought this to be strange on a board so new. Just some thoughts. Mike

12th May 2005	#4
michael cleary Gear maniac Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 179	I got a Solo/midi a couple of years ago after unloading my mackie 8 bus. Better eq, more headroom. i only use outboard pres but the onboard ones will work if you need them. they seem a little darker/flatter than the mackie pres, but with more depth. not as 1 dimensional sounding if you know what i mean. i've been happy with it and have had no problems except for some l.e.d.'s on the fritz. best bargain in mixers as far as i can tell. I got mine for a grand. mc

12th May 2005	#5
Magnus Gear addict Joined: Jun 2003 Location: Sweden Posts: 371	I've worked a lot on a Soundtracs Topaz 24ch and IMO it's a pretty shitty desk. No headroom and very "plastic" construction. I'd much rather work ITB than with a Topaz. Don't know about their other models. /Magnus

13th May 2005	#6
joeq Lives for gear Joined: Jun 2002 Location: New York Posts: 9,916	I have a Solo Midi. I too like the EQs and as Michael Cleary said the pres are not great but not horrible either. It has Midi muting, if anyone still cares about that, and you can flip the jumpers internally for +4 operation. I like it better than the Mackie 8 bus and Soundcraft Spirit which were its counterparts when it was new.