Table top mixers-sytek vs daking anybody used both?

FOURTHTUNZ · 27th March 2006

Looking at the sytek and daking small format mixers have any of you used both?
the sytek is about $15k for the 16 channel version and I think the daking is about $25k for 16, at least the one I found is. So for tracking and mixing bands with protools what would be the differences between each? I've read on here somewhere that you can get a daking with less channels for less$$ and add more latter?
thanks slutz!

daniel

Dave Peck · 27th March 2006

(By "Sytek" I assume you mean the Sytek/Neotek tabletop Elan II?) Keep in mind that the feature sets of the Elan and Daking are quite different in a couple of ways. The Elan has 24 busses and in-line monitoring, the Daking has only eight busses and no in-line monitoring (but it has an optional 24 channel monitor section). The quantity of busses may be important for tracking an entire band.

But the Daking seems reeeeally nice....

DP

robmix · 27th March 2006

I haven't used the Elan but I've always been a fan of Neotek. That being said I love my Daking. Yes, you can short load it and add more modules later. You should know that it's quite a bit bigger than a table top mixer. As far as busses, I never run out even when tracking large bands as I generally use the direct outs. The Daking center section is very comprehensive and has the additional submixer and stereo returns if you want them. As far as the difference in tracking and mixing I suppose it would be the same difference as any other inline vs. split console would be.

wwittman · 27th March 2006

one has more channels and features, the other sounds IMMENSELY better

audiothings · 28th March 2006

please william, which is which?

dubrichie · 28th March 2006

neotek = more features
daking = better sound

unless i am quite mistaken

Bang · 30th March 2006

What a load of complete and utter bullshit. The Daking stuff sounds great and has a nice open and slick sound. The Neotek stuff sounds amazing as well. There was some test done years back where engineers chose the sound of a Neotek over Neve and API and others in a blind test. Anyway, the Blackline album is coming out soon, all remixed on the Neotek and it sounds fat as hell. I'll post a bunch of clips soon. We did upgrade ours with some BB opamps but overall the stock sound is fat and punchy and clean. Again, I'm not knocking the Daking but to say it sounds better then the Neotek is not a fair statement.

Plush · 30th March 2006

Witman's blanket comment is BS!

Best from Chicago (home of NeoTek)

FOURTHTUNZ · 30th March 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plush

Witman's blanket comment is BS!

Best from Chicago (home of NeoTek)

I was asking for opinions though, what people like best, so this is fair isn't it?thumbsup
peace
daniel

Ollie · 30th March 2006

I have a friend who has owned many different consoles including API, Neve, Daking and Neotek. According to him(not me), he says the Daking is far superior sonically to the Neotek. That is from his experience.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plush

Witman's blanket comment is BS!

Best from Chicago (home of NeoTek)

robmix · 30th March 2006

As I said above I have not used the Elan, but I have used other Neoteks and liked them very much. When purchasing my console I really had every option open to me, no need to compromise.

I chose the Daking. . . . . . .

I'm mixing a rock record right now and I just can't believe the sounds I'm getting out of this thing.

YMMV.

Bang · 30th March 2006

The faster chips in the Neotek have made quite a nice improvement, but overall, these desks are sonically transparent with a wide deep sound. The eqs are smooth and unobtrusive, I like them on some things, but for more smack and thwack, the software URS stuff comes in handy. Again, Daking makes great stuff, but before saying A sounds better then B, the poster should listen with his own ears.

u b k · 31st March 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bang

Again, Daking makes great stuff, but before saying A sounds better then B, the poster should listen with his own ears.

except that the poster asked what we thought the differences were, and in all fairness you shared your opinion as honestly as everyone else.

i have very little experience with neoteks, only an older, smaller tabletop desk. it was very whelming, but i wouldn't assume it speaks for all things neotek.

that said, imo the daking has an absolutely world class sound that is in the same league as the coveted neve 80xx and api 24xx. it doesn't just sound 'good', or 'great', or even 'fantastic'; it is jaw-dropping gorgeous tone on a level that few pieces of gear, even high end stuff, achieve.

but no doubt, there are no shortage of engineers who would prefer an ssl mix to a daking one, even a neotek to a daking one. such is life!

gregoire
del ubik

Bang · 31st March 2006

Point taken, but its one thing to say " I like A better then B, I've used both mixers a lot and what I like about A is blah blah blah" and saying one is "immensely better".

Another thing is that a NEW NEOTEK is going to sound a lot better then one made 20 years ago if the ladder isn't modded. They do use some better opamps, the power supply and distribution is very different, and last, there aren't a lot out there (the new ones)so I'd love to know where you heard the thing william?

27th March 2006	#1
FOURTHTUNZ Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2002 Location: MAINE Posts: 786 Thread Starter	Table top mixers-sytek vs daking anybody used both? Looking at the sytek and daking small format mixers have any of you used both? the sytek is about $15k for the 16 channel version and I think the daking is about $25k for 16, at least the one I found is. So for tracking and mixing bands with protools what would be the differences between each? I've read on here somewhere that you can get a daking with less channels for less$$ and add more latter? thanks slutz! daniel

27th March 2006	#3
robmix Lives for gear Joined: Sep 2003 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 2,559	I haven't used the Elan but I've always been a fan of Neotek. That being said I love my Daking. Yes, you can short load it and add more modules later. You should know that it's quite a bit bigger than a table top mixer. As far as busses, I never run out even when tracking large bands as I generally use the direct outs. The Daking center section is very comprehensive and has the additional submixer and stereo returns if you want them. As far as the difference in tracking and mixing I suppose it would be the same difference as any other inline vs. split console would be. __________________ Rob Hoffman -------------------------- http://www.elicitmusic.com

30th March 2006	#7
Bang Lives for gear Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 2,701	What a load of complete and utter bullshit. The Daking stuff sounds great and has a nice open and slick sound. The Neotek stuff sounds amazing as well. There was some test done years back where engineers chose the sound of a Neotek over Neve and API and others in a blind test. Anyway, the Blackline album is coming out soon, all remixed on the Neotek and it sounds fat as hell. I'll post a bunch of clips soon. We did upgrade ours with some BB opamps but overall the stock sound is fat and punchy and clean. Again, I'm not knocking the Daking but to say it sounds better then the Neotek is not a fair statement. __________________ Steven Slate Hear drum samples used by today's top mixers and used on tons of top billboard hits at: www.stevenslatedrums.com SSD Drum Suite now Available for DOWNLOAD!! 40 WORLD CLASS DRUMKITS FOR RTAS/VST/AU www.slatedigital.com DOWNLOAD NEW TRIGGER DEMO! www.slateproaudio.com

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27th March 2006	#2
Dave Peck Lives for gear Joined: Nov 2005 Location: S.F bay area Posts: 2,302	(By "Sytek" I assume you mean the Sytek/Neotek tabletop Elan II?) Keep in mind that the feature sets of the Elan and Daking are quite different in a couple of ways. The Elan has 24 busses and in-line monitoring, the Daking has only eight busses and no in-line monitoring (but it has an optional 24 channel monitor section). The quantity of busses may be important for tracking an entire band. But the Daking seems reeeeally nice.... DP

27th March 2006	#4
wwittman one man, ONE mic pre Joined: Jan 2004 Location: New York Posts: 2,300	one has more channels and features, the other sounds IMMENSELY better

28th March 2006	#5
audiothings Lives for gear Joined: Apr 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 1,257	please william, which is which?

28th March 2006	#6
dubrichie Lives for gear Joined: Nov 2005 Location: Dublin, Ireland Posts: 2,375	neotek = more features daking = better sound unless i am quite mistaken

30th March 2006	#8
Plush Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2003 Location: EARS/Chicago Posts: 4,274 2 Reviews written	Witman's blanket comment is BS! Best from Chicago (home of NeoTek)

31st March 2006	#14
Bang Lives for gear Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 2,701	Point taken, but its one thing to say " I like A better then B, I've used both mixers a lot and what I like about A is blah blah blah" and saying one is "immensely better". Another thing is that a NEW NEOTEK is going to sound a lot better then one made 20 years ago if the ladder isn't modded. They do use some better opamps, the power supply and distribution is very different, and last, there aren't a lot out there (the new ones)so I'd love to know where you heard the thing william?