Budget mixer advice Allen & Heath, Mackie, Soundcraft

[jimmymio]

Hi Robert. I can't speak for the other 2 but I have the ZED 10fx and I love it. i use it for live performance. I also own a Presonus Studiolive but i use this for smaller gigs.
I bought it because of the mic pres, the FX and most importantly because it has sweepable midraange EQ.
JP

[GZsound]

Either the Allen & Heath or the Soundcraft.

I would pass on the Mackie.

[cavemusic]

Originally Posted by kruSHka69

Hi!

I'm a hobby musician making electronic music.
I need an advice which one of the following to buy.
The obvious difference is number of channels (not crucial).
Same price, approx 300 euros (not interested in second hand market).
What is the difference between the three? Soundwise or any other aspect...


Allen and Heath ZED 10FX
Mackie ProFX12
Soundcraft EFX 8


Thanks,
Robert

I have used all three. A&H is the best quality overall. Those Soundcraft models seem to work okay, but I find the components are a little flimsy. The Mackie is not bad for the money. The sound is fair, the build quality is decent.

[TRANQUILO]

those are all kind of wonky, if anything the soundcracft or A&H.

Mackie's are not that great for recording, they are better for live sound.

[TurboJets]

+3 on the ZED board.

Not a big Mackie fan here, never have been.

I have a ZED 14 and love it. Really decent converters too if you find you want/need to use the USB connect. The pre's are fantastic and the build quality is really decent IMO.

[kruSHka69]

Thanks for all responses

ZED60 10FX is on it's way (or it seems like it is). Should it be worth waiting for?
Faders instead of knobs or is there more to it?

[jimmymio]

i think the main difference is the faders. But I think it's worth the extra money. I wish they had this model when I bought mine.

[kruSHka69]

the extra money for the faders = cca. 150 euros

[alexevans917]

The ZED boards are great. I've used a few live. I like some Mackie products, but I don't think their ProFX mixers are that great.

[BrendanMc]

I've been using a ZED 16R. Fabulous board. All the nice analog A&H channel strips, para EQ, sweet preamps etc. Its also fantastic for digital recording and multichannel analog playback for mix down (though no way to recall automation on that front) Am about to add a Presonus 24.4.2 in its place for live gigs though. We need the extra channels and I'm sick of carting the extra outboard for FX.

I mixed a gig on an A&H 24FX a while back. Must admit that I wasn't impressed with the FX section - seemed like an afterthought compared to the rest of the desks features... Depends on your needs though.

What appeals with the Presonus is the full range of dynamics per channel (in addition to EQ there is a filter, gate, limiter, compressor) and then heaps of AUX for foldback. Also there are two FX / reverb units which gives a bit more room to treat different inputs differently eg vocal and acoustic guitar. Digital iThing integration and recordings looks good for my money too. Will be interested to see how it sounds with the full band through it in a week or so.

[jimmymio]

Originally Posted by BrendanMc

I've been using a ZED 16R. Fabulous board. All the nice analog A&H channel strips, para EQ, sweet preamps etc. Its also fantastic for digital recording and multichannel analog playback for mix down (though no way to recall automation on that front) Am about to add a Presonus 24.4.2 in its place for live gigs though. We need the extra channels and I'm sick of carting the extra outboard for FX.

I mixed a gig on an A&H 24FX a while back. Must admit that I wasn't impressed with the FX section - seemed like an afterthought compared to the rest of the desks features... Depends on your needs though.

What appeals with the Presonus is the full range of dynamics per channel (in addition to EQ there is a filter, gate, limiter, compressor) and then heaps of AUX for foldback. Also there are two FX / reverb units which gives a bit more room to treat different inputs differently eg vocal and acoustic guitar. Digital iThing integration and recordings looks good for my money too. Will be interested to see how it sounds with the full band through it in a week or so.

I've got a zed 10fx for small setups and a Studiolive 16.0.2 for mid size setups. i think you are going to love the Presonus. Extremely transparent mic pres.
JP

[BrendanMc]

The Presonus should arrive Friday. Rehearsing with it Tuesday. I've heard mixed reports on the pres for recording use. Also have a couple of new QSC K12 coming for out front. Reassured by your comment on transparency.... Will let you know how it goes.

[kruSHka69]

probably i'll wait for the new zed60 10fx