Budget Analog Mixers

hourglass · 16th February 2006

What's out there?

Someone in another thread pointed out Soundcraft Delta and 200B consoles.

What's out there with 8 to 24 channels, 2 to 8 busses, and direct outs?

Direct outs being the key ingredient.

We all know about Mackie VLZ stuff, A&H, and the Midas Venice - but what forgotten goodies are out there to be found in the pawnshops and used gear emporiums?

If you've used it, how are the pres, eq's, etc... (Compared to a ______ the pres are really ______.)

ryan

Snatchman · 16th February 2006

Hello...this is a very subjective question. Budget analog consoles are not thought of as feasible in this day and time!

..With the insurgence of digital gear, mixers, plug-ins, etc., the noise floor of the "budget mixer" is in question. Back when tape was being used ( exclusively), you probably could "get away" with the noise floor of the "budget analog" console. Did I mention I use an " budget analog console".?..

!..But....some of the "newer" budget consoles have sorta challenged the noise floor issues with better designs, components, power supplys, etc., so good luck with your search for a "budget analog console"..! BTW....I'm getting rid of mine as soon as I can afford a " hi-end analog console"!.......

...( YMMV)

AdamJay · 16th February 2006

i think the Soundcraft Series 600 fit that spec...

Soundtracs Topaz, MCX, MRX...

Speck M72 (no pre's though)

warhead · 16th February 2006

The Onyx line is the deal of the century right now, great preamps and very useable EQ on 16 channels. Talkback, 6 aux...but most importantly it really is a great sounding mixer.

War

hourglass · 16th February 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by warhead

The Onyx line is the deal of the century right now, great preamps and very useable EQ on 16 channels. Talkback, 6 aux...but most importantly it really is a great sounding mixer.

War

Yeah - and all the direct outs are PRE-Everything unless you get it modified.

If I wanted that I could get an 8-channel rack-mount pre.

ryan

hourglass · 16th February 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snatchman

Hello...this is a very subjective question. Budget analog consoles are not thought of as feasible in this day and time!

..With the insurgence of digital gear, mixers, plug-ins, etc., the noise floor of the "budget mixer" is in question. Back when tape was being used ( exclusively), you probably could "get away" with the noise floor of the "budget analog" console. Did I mention I use an " budget analog console".?..

!..But....some of the "newer" budget consoles have sorta challenged the noise floor issues with better designs, components, power supplys, etc., so good luck with your search for a "budget analog console"..! BTW....I'm getting rid of mine as soon as I can afford a " hi-end analog console"!.......

...( YMMV)

Thanks for the tips.

I understand all about the drawbacks of these things. I just wanna know what's out there.

ryan

nathanvacha · 16th February 2006

While we're into this, and drawing from what war said, are these ONYX mixers really a step forward for mackie? I have been nothing but disappointed with their gear in the past, although it always had its following... So i guess what i'm asking is how it compares with their older stuff? I mean, i'd put those vlz series mixers or whatever they were a slight step above Behringer, personally... (mho) so short of me buying one and probably returning it, can anyone convince me they're solid?

John The Cut · 16th February 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdamJay

Soundtracs Topaz

Snatchman · 17th February 2006

For all of you SoundTracs owners/user. Do they have SIP or SMT topology? Or better still, what op-amps are in them? Just curious since I've never seen the insides of one! Thanks.......

John The Cut · 17th February 2006

The Topaz is an inline design. No idea about the opamps

AdamJay · 17th February 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by hourglass

Yeah - and all the direct outs are PRE-Everything unless you get it modified.

If I wanted that I could get an 8-channel rack-mount pre.

ryan

true, but its still quite handy and competitvely priced.
the Mackie Onyx 800R gives you those 8 pre's plus digital output for $999

the Mackie Onyx 1620 Mixer gives you those 8 pre's, and you can add the firewire for $1130 total if you shop... with the EQ mod only $250 more its still a damn good deal vs. just the 800R

i mean you get the pre's, a mixer (faders, sends), eq's, and an audio interface for just a little more than $400 more than the pre's on their own. double the pre's to 16 total for just $500 more with the 1640 mixer.

that, my friends, is what i call unfukkwithable

Elijah · 17th February 2006

Could you tell us a little about your application?

I've been quite happy with my Onyx, though I was pissed to discover that Firewire was pre-EQ. But as Adam said, when you consider what you get for the money, it's really a good deal.

Dor · 18th February 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by rufus13

I've seen some very cheap stuff recently.

Soundcraft Venue II (32 input, 8 bus, 6 aux) for $2500. I just don't need it, but told a few friends.

Big boards (32+ channels) seem to go cheaper per channel than apartment-sized mixers, sometimes way too cheap. Like really big speakers that sound really good (LaScala, A7, Voice of the Theater, etc.), these might be socially unacceptable in the living room, even briefly.

Karl

Karl, if you would be so kind, please pm with the details as to where you are finding your deals on 32 channel mixers. I'm currently in the market for an analog board. Thinking of a trident 65 but after reading too many posts against them on GS i've decided against it. I'm not against taking a soldering iron to a board as long as it's not totally out of commission.

thanks

D

cdog · 18th February 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by warhead

The Onyx line is the deal of the century right now, great preamps and very useable EQ on 16 channels. Talkback, 6 aux...but most importantly it really is a great sounding mixer.

War

Listen to War. The Onyx is a steal.

robd · 20th February 2006

the onyx rocks, and is a huge step up from the vlz stuff. (I have had a vlz pro for almost ten years, and my band got an onyx about a year ago, and there is a huge difference.)
War's mod on the onyx sounds like a really great idea, as teh direct outs being pre eq was one of my two big problems with the design. that said, while the design isn't perfect, the pres are great and the board is very quiet.

16th February 2006	#1
hourglass Gear addict Joined: Jan 2004 Location: Bawl'mer Posts: 355 Thread Starter	Budget Analog Mixers What's out there? Someone in another thread pointed out Soundcraft Delta and 200B consoles. What's out there with 8 to 24 channels, 2 to 8 busses, and direct outs? Direct outs being the key ingredient. We all know about Mackie VLZ stuff, A&H, and the Midas Venice - but what forgotten goodies are out there to be found in the pawnshops and used gear emporiums? If you've used it, how are the pres, eq's, etc... (Compared to a ______ the pres are really ______.) ryan

16th February 2006	#2
Snatchman Lives for gear Joined: Sep 2004 Posts: 3,327	Hello...this is a very subjective question. Budget analog consoles are not thought of as feasible in this day and time! ..With the insurgence of digital gear, mixers, plug-ins, etc., the noise floor of the "budget mixer" is in question. Back when tape was being used ( exclusively), you probably could "get away" with the noise floor of the "budget analog" console. Did I mention I use an " budget analog console".?.. !..But....some of the "newer" budget consoles have sorta challenged the noise floor issues with better designs, components, power supplys, etc., so good luck with your search for a "budget analog console"..! BTW....I'm getting rid of mine as soon as I can afford a " hi-end analog console"!....... ...( YMMV) __________________ Thanks for your time and ears!

16th February 2006	#4
warhead Jai guru deva om Joined: Feb 2003 Location: South Carolina Posts: 12,253	The Onyx line is the deal of the century right now, great preamps and very useable EQ on 16 channels. Talkback, 6 aux...but most importantly it really is a great sounding mixer. War __________________ Warren Dent, Owner - ZenPro Audio: Gear Now & Zen

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16th February 2006	#3
AdamJay Lives for gear Joined: Aug 2005 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 2,825	i think the Soundcraft Series 600 fit that spec... Soundtracs Topaz, MCX, MRX... Speck M72 (no pre's though)

16th February 2006	#7
nathanvacha Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2005 Location: Orlando Posts: 1,231	While we're into this, and drawing from what war said, are these ONYX mixers really a step forward for mackie? I have been nothing but disappointed with their gear in the past, although it always had its following... So i guess what i'm asking is how it compares with their older stuff? I mean, i'd put those vlz series mixers or whatever they were a slight step above Behringer, personally... (mho) so short of me buying one and probably returning it, can anyone convince me they're solid?

17th February 2006	#9
Snatchman Lives for gear Joined: Sep 2004 Posts: 3,327	For all of you SoundTracs owners/user. Do they have SIP or SMT topology? Or better still, what op-amps are in them? Just curious since I've never seen the insides of one! Thanks.......

17th February 2006	#10
John The Cut Lives for gear Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 841	The Topaz is an inline design. No idea about the opamps

17th February 2006	#12
Elijah Gear Head Joined: Jan 2006 Location: Iowa Posts: 30	Could you tell us a little about your application? I've been quite happy with my Onyx, though I was pissed to discover that Firewire was pre-EQ. But as Adam said, when you consider what you get for the money, it's really a good deal.

20th February 2006	#15
robd Lives for gear Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 799	the onyx rocks, and is a huge step up from the vlz stuff. (I have had a vlz pro for almost ten years, and my band got an onyx about a year ago, and there is a huge difference.) War's mod on the onyx sounds like a really great idea, as teh direct outs being pre eq was one of my two big problems with the design. that said, while the design isn't perfect, the pres are great and the board is very quiet.