What mixer to replace Mackie 8bus

[esaias]

We have 24ch. Mackie 8-bus (with bad case of ribboncables...) and I have thinking of upgrading it.

I have very little experience in mixers of this size/class and I would like to hear some recommendations from you guys.

actually the mackie 8-bus's configuration is what I need but I'm not happy with the mackie so what would be in same price class but just a little better?

Thanks,
-Tomi

[Mises]

Originally Posted by esaias

We have 24ch. Mackie 8-bus (with bad case of ribboncables...) and I have thinking of upgrading it.

I have very little experience in mixers of this size/class and I would like to hear some recommendations from you guys.

actually the mackie 8-bus's configuration is what I need but I'm not happy with the mackie so what would be in same price class but just a little better?

Thanks,
-Tomi

Soundcraft Ghost has the same general 'feel' of the Mackie, so theres little learning curve... but it should be a definate step up that you can look into.

There are two models. The original Ghost, and then a cheaper version called the "LE" model which cuts out some of the fancy features such as MMC but otherwise is the same. The manufacturer stopped making the original due to lack of demand I suppose, but still sells the LE.

You can buy both versions used, though the original (more full featured) version is much harder to find, probably because less people bought them (which is likely why Soundcraft stopped making them). The LE is very common and is sold on e-bay all the time for relative decent prices. If your patient, you can nab one at a fraction of the price of a factory fresh new LE model.

General advantages to the Ghost over Mackie are summed up fairly easily.

(1) More AUX Sends (which is something I think one should look for when one "steps" up to a better board because the AUX's come in handy).

(2) Different sounding preamps. You can also get the Ghost preamps "modded".

(3) Better sounding EQ. The Mackie EQ section is probably the most obnoxious thing about it. This, I think its fair to say, is not subjective opinion. The Mackie EQ just sounds like ass... everyone knows it.


I'm sadly way too familiar with how sucky it sounds. One odd thing I noticed when I switched to a better console from my longtime Mackie was that... was that I didn't so much notice right away how much better the EQ's sounded on my new unit.... but when I went back to use my Mackie for a live show, only then did it become instantaneoussly obvious how much the Mackie EQ's really sucked.


-----------------------------


People will undoubtably recommend some other excellent models and you should specify your upper budget limit, but the Ghost is the most "Mackie like" in terms of decent functionality.

Others may suggest some more vintage consoles... but problem with the vintage consoles is they are always sorely lacking in features in one way or another.... and its always some kind of trade-off with them. Two biggest problems with vintage consoles. They either are lacking a sufficient amount of AUX's... or else if they do have enough, then they usually have a crappy monitoring section which makes it difficult to do talkbacks and route musician cues to several different studio outputs. So then you have to go and buy outboard gear to do that... and thats just more money.

[steveman]

Toft ATB could be worth a look. The EQ sounded nice to me when I had a quick play last year.

details http://www.musiciansbuy.com/Toft_Aud...iciansBuy.html

Do a search on GS, PLENTY of comments

[Dave Peck]

Another thumbs up for the Toft ATB. Similar feature set to the Mackie 8-bus, although some of the mix B routing through the master section is done a little different. I've been using it in a synth studio for a couple of months now. I can't vouch for the micpres since I'm only using the line ins, but the EQ is really nice and it's built like a tank. A bargain.

DP

[svart]

as I posted in the other thread,

a Rev A Alesis x2 with signetics opamps, recapped with nichicon muse bipolar caps and the summing amps replaced with simple JFET based discrete opamps. A little work but will sound better than your mackie by far. The opamps are also DIP parts which can be replaced with sockets and then you can try other opamps like opa2134 etc.

The EQs are switchable into/out of the channel and are film cap based, the channels are actual strips so that you can easily remove them and work on them. The unit also comes with mute automation.

Without the EQs in the path you only go through about 5 opamps, most of which are unity buffers. All opamps run at +-17v as well.

ghost and mackie don't even come close.

[PistolP]

you'll have to ask yourself what do you need it for.
if it is tracking - you'd be better of with some preamps. thus you even can choose different amps for different sources. it' ll give you variety. so that the mix will not sound 'mackie' in the end.

for mixing I would skip cheap mixers (such as mackie) and do it ITB.
just for the recall only.
besides, we did two mixes one itb and one summed on mackie 24-8. the ME picked the ITB versions of the material - it soundud cleaner and puchier.

this TOFT thing is so hyped it makes me want to try it out, tho.

bstrgrds
PistolP

[PistolP]

PS can anybody post something that has been mixed on Toft.
would be eager to listen.

PistolP

[esaias]

Thanks for answers.

The Ghost was the only one I knew what could be a replacement for the 8 Bus.

I guess these Toft's are sold in the US only? I forgot to mention that I live in Finland, EU.

I'm actually mixing ITB but I do sometimes throw stuff back in to analog realm and analog board is good to have when there is just playing/rehearsing going on.

I did some more serious thinking what I really need and came up with idea of having Tascam DM3200! Totally different stuff, but I familiar with the digital real so no problem there.

Now I have PC(Sonar) with RME HDSP 9652 with 8 analog in card and the Mackie (busses -> HDSP) and I have been lusting for control surface. The DM3200 would cover all these 3 units...

Any comments about DM3200?

-Tomi

[Mises]

Just to throw one more possibility out there.

D&R OrionX.

If you like the transparent sound, supposedly this is the brand to be considering. Ditto with Midas models, but that companies stuff is more for live application rather than studio recording.


The D&R's are a little hard to get in the United States, but if you ask people around here... they can tell you who to contact about where to get one. I think the guy who runs TransAudio or something has something to do with them. I've heard of used ones being sold for anywhere between $3500 to $5000..... and thats a hell of a deal considering how good they are for this particular price range.

(*EDIT: Oops. I forgot you were from Finland. What the other guy below me said. If you want to go digital, thats good... but if you want to stay analogue, give very serious consideration to the D&R Orion. They are manufactureres in the general vicinity of your country, and it would probably be exceptionally easy to get hold of one. They probably also sell for quite a bit less than in America because they dont have to be shipped overseas... so it may prove a very cost effective deal for an excellent small console.


The Tofts are an outstanding price conscious pick also, though I dont care for the lack of a meter bridge or the barely useable master section.

[Dave Peck]

Originally Posted by esaias

Thanks for answers.

The Ghost was the only one I knew what could be a replacement for the 8 Bus.

I guess these Toft's are sold in the US only? I forgot to mention that I live in Finland, EU.

The Toft is available in the UK but now that you mention that you're in Finland, a used D&R may be easier to find in your area since D&R is located in The Netherlands.

DP

[esaias]

http://www.retrosynth.com/gear/orionx/index.html

these pictures made feel very slutty.



I do like analog but it just frightens me when I'm trying to do some sort of budget (which already include Mac Pro and new soundcard...). Actually I was hoping if could get away by selling the 8-bus and getting some other a bit more better desk, but I guess I would have to throw in atleast 3-4000eur for that to get some good quality stuff and I would still be hunting used gear. The Tascam DM3200 would give me a desk, audiointerface and a control surface in the same package for 2999eur. If I only knew what's the catch with DM3200 (there has to be something fishy in it, too good/cheap ).

and oh, at the time when we were buying that 8-Bus ('97-'98) we had another choice which was cheaper and all but the hotshot salesguy sold that 8-bus to my father, well the 8-bus looked new and flashy, it was hot stuff at that time I recall. Well, the another option would have been Tascam M-3500... I guess if we had taken that I wouldn't be searching new desk right now. eww, what an uneasy feeling, I still remember how I fondled those little submix faders and I was like "aww, these are cute" :D

-Tomi

[soopaman]

Originally Posted by esaias

Thanks for answers.
I guess these Toft's are sold in the US only? I forgot to mention that I live in Finland, EU.

The Toft ATB Consoles are available in the European Union from P.M.I Audio U.K .

I'm sure that they would be more than happy to help you!!