soundtracs mixers

shanghaitang · 26th June 2006, 11:33 PM

Are ALL soundtracs topaz mixers a good value (i.e.-better than mackie)? Looking for a cheap mixer with any kind of character/decent eqs...

cheeky b · 27th June 2006, 04:27 AM

I've owned a 24 channel topaz which I 'upgraded' to a 32 ch + 24ch extension Mackie 8 buss. Bad move! Sound wise there was no comparison, the Topaz was warm, nice EQ and sounded great being driven. The Mackie wasn't warm, the EQ was so so and the mic pre/line amps were not as nice .

Features wise there is a difference with the Mackie being a little more flexible in some ways but the Topaz does have the advantage of having a simple EQ on the monitor section unlike the Mackie which robs the High and low from the channel if you want to use EQ on the monitor return.

It's worth saying that many people have made commercial releases on the Mackie but I'd go for the Topaz. I haven't used the Onyx series so some one else may like to chime in.

Here's a nice article on the Sountracs Topaz project
http://www.studiosystems.co.uk/soundtracs-topaz/

shanghaitang · 27th June 2006, 07:48 PM

interesting...

mainly im wondering if the smaller format mixers (12 channel) extend the same quality as the larger boards, like the 24 channel topaz mentioned above...

dkelley · 24th September 2006, 09:17 PM

yes. they're all good value, highly underrated. equivalent to allen and heath and studiomaster in sound quality in the general tone, although the topaz series has maybe a little more of a distinct sound to it than the other mixers I mentioned.

Terrible moving fader automation if you get that option, don't bother paying more for it as it will just die on you. as non-automated desks though they're kewl.

everybody's x · 24th September 2006, 09:37 PM

The smaller format topaz have the same preamp which is very good, but the EQ is not as flexible/good sounding as the larger project 8 boards. For some reason the cuts are nearly inaudilble while boosting is dramatic, weird.
OTOH it is still better than a similarly priced mackie and doesnt feel like a cheap toy.

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26th June 2006, 11:33 PM	#1
shanghaitang Gear maniac Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 199	soundtracs mixers Are ALL soundtracs topaz mixers a good value (i.e.-better than mackie)? Looking for a cheap mixer with any kind of character/decent eqs...

24th September 2006, 09:37 PM	#5
everybody's x Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: kansas city Posts: 1,595	The smaller format topaz have the same preamp which is very good, but the EQ is not as flexible/good sounding as the larger project 8 boards. For some reason the cuts are nearly inaudilble while boosting is dramatic, weird. OTOH it is still better than a similarly priced mackie and doesnt feel like a cheap toy. __________________ Dave

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27th June 2006, 04:27 AM	#2
cheeky b Gear maniac Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 202	I've owned a 24 channel topaz which I 'upgraded' to a 32 ch + 24ch extension Mackie 8 buss. Bad move! Sound wise there was no comparison, the Topaz was warm, nice EQ and sounded great being driven. The Mackie wasn't warm, the EQ was so so and the mic pre/line amps were not as nice . Features wise there is a difference with the Mackie being a little more flexible in some ways but the Topaz does have the advantage of having a simple EQ on the monitor section unlike the Mackie which robs the High and low from the channel if you want to use EQ on the monitor return. It's worth saying that many people have made commercial releases on the Mackie but I'd go for the Topaz. I haven't used the Onyx series so some one else may like to chime in. Here's a nice article on the Sountracs Topaz project http://www.studiosystems.co.uk/soundtracs-topaz/

27th June 2006, 07:48 PM	#3
shanghaitang Gear maniac Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 199	interesting... mainly im wondering if the smaller format mixers (12 channel) extend the same quality as the larger boards, like the 24 channel topaz mentioned above...

24th September 2006, 09:17 PM	#4
dkelley Gear addict Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 319	yes. they're all good value, highly underrated. equivalent to allen and heath and studiomaster in sound quality in the general tone, although the topaz series has maybe a little more of a distinct sound to it than the other mixers I mentioned. Terrible moving fader automation if you get that option, don't bother paying more for it as it will just die on you. as non-automated desks though they're kewl.