Can I get Opinions On Integrating An Analog Console Into My Setup Please?

audiblethought · 10th January 2007

Hi everyone! Great board you have here. I'm very excited about the wealth of info here. I'll try to make this short and to the point. I currently have a small closet studio, (it's literally in a walk in closet), and I am in need of a monitering section. I don't have a ton of dough to spend. I've checked out the Big Knob and the Central Station. Both look good, but I am wondering if I should consider an analog console instead. Specifically the Allen and Heath WixWizard3 16:2.

What Ihave:

-Akai MPC 2000XL with 8 output expansion (I do most of my work on the MPC, sampling, editing and sequencing)
-2xTechnics 1200s
-Urei/Soundcraft 1601S 2 channel DJ mixer
-M Box2/PTLE running on a PC
-Universal Audio M610 (as a DI, running one of my MPC outs into and as a Mic Pre)
-DBX 160X (following the M610)

What I do: Mostly Hip Hop, programmed beats using samples and live instruments.

What I'm thinking I want to do: Run my individual outs from my MPC into an analog console, specifically the A&H MixWiz3 16:2, so I can premix before hitting PTLE.

Why the Allen&Heath appeals to me: From searching and reading these boards, the A&H seems to consistently get a

. The EQs and pres are supposed to be nice, it has individual outs on each channel, independent 48V per channel, I need a way to moniter, I really like the thought of mixing on a decent analog board.

What I want to know:

1. I know very little about mixers. The A&H site says the MixWiz is a "Live" application mixer. What makes a console better suited for recording aps and would the MixWiz be a bad idea for my closet recording setup?

2. Would my sound benefit from the analog front end or do you really need something musch nicer to notice any differenc?

3. Likewise, would my sound suffer? Significant addition of noise?

4. How would you guys setup what I'm using.

5. Can you recomend any other pieces that I might be overlooking that would play nice with my setup?

Obviously I'm a newb. I know just enough to be dangerous. With an exception or two, I feel I've pieced together a fairly solid setup thus far. I will be upgrading from the MBox soon. I'm doing mostly Hip Hop right now with the occasional acoustic project for a friend. I combine sampling with live instrumentation. Acoustic and electric guitars, bass, I have a Rhodes 73 and Hohner Pianet, Rode NTV, Rode NT2A, Blue Baby Bottle and some Sures, percussion instruments and a couple guitar and bass amps. That's about it. Phew! Thanks for reading all of this and thanks in advance for any feedback.

flail19 · 10th January 2007

Welcome audiblethought! I think you will get more responses if you do some research on here by searches etc. and narrow down what you are asking. You also should give us some idea about how much you want to spend. I think your principle question was, would it benefit you to have a mixing console before your MBOx? Sorry, your thought process was a little hard to follow.

audiblethought · 11th January 2007

Hey, thanks for the welcome flail19! I've edited my previous post so hopefully it makes a little more sense now. Sorry, I did get a little carried away

You are correct, I am basically just wanting to know if the Allen and Heath would be a wise choice. I have been searching these boards quite a bit and I've found lot's of people like the MixWizard. Thanks to GS I am also just now learning about analog summing which I think is pretty fascinating. I have so much to learn! Thanks again, this place is great.

10th January 2007	#1
audiblethought Gear addict Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 375 Thread Starter	Can You Slutz Help Me Decide If An Allen&Heath MixWiz 16:2 Is For Me? Hi everyone! Great board you have here. I'm very excited about the wealth of info here. I'll try to make this short and to the point. I currently have a small closet studio, (it's literally in a walk in closet), and I am in need of a monitering section. I don't have a ton of dough to spend. I've checked out the Big Knob and the Central Station. Both look good, but I am wondering if I should consider an analog console instead. Specifically the Allen and Heath WixWizard3 16:2. What Ihave: -Akai MPC 2000XL with 8 output expansion (I do most of my work on the MPC, sampling, editing and sequencing) -2xTechnics 1200s -Urei/Soundcraft 1601S 2 channel DJ mixer -M Box2/PTLE running on a PC -Universal Audio M610 (as a DI, running one of my MPC outs into and as a Mic Pre) -DBX 160X (following the M610) What I do: Mostly Hip Hop, programmed beats using samples and live instruments. What I'm thinking I want to do: Run my individual outs from my MPC into an analog console, specifically the A&H MixWiz3 16:2, so I can premix before hitting PTLE. Why the Allen&Heath appeals to me: From searching and reading these boards, the A&H seems to consistently get a . The EQs and pres are supposed to be nice, it has individual outs on each channel, independent 48V per channel, I need a way to moniter, I really like the thought of mixing on a decent analog board. What I want to know: 1. I know very little about mixers. The A&H site says the MixWiz is a "Live" application mixer. What makes a console better suited for recording aps and would the MixWiz be a bad idea for my closet recording setup? 2. Would my sound benefit from the analog front end or do you really need something musch nicer to notice any differenc? 3. Likewise, would my sound suffer? Significant addition of noise? 4. How would you guys setup what I'm using. 5. Can you recomend any other pieces that I might be overlooking that would play nice with my setup? Obviously I'm a newb. I know just enough to be dangerous. With an exception or two, I feel I've pieced together a fairly solid setup thus far. I will be upgrading from the MBox soon. I'm doing mostly Hip Hop right now with the occasional acoustic project for a friend. I combine sampling with live instrumentation. Acoustic and electric guitars, bass, I have a Rhodes 73 and Hohner Pianet, Rode NTV, Rode NT2A, Blue Baby Bottle and some Sures, percussion instruments and a couple guitar and bass amps. That's about it. Phew! Thanks for reading all of this and thanks in advance for any feedback. Last edited by audiblethought; 11th January 2007 at 03:52 AM.. Reason: trying to simplify

10th January 2007	#2
flail19 Lives for gear Joined: Feb 2006 Location: Colorado Posts: 760	Welcome audiblethought! I think you will get more responses if you do some research on here by searches etc. and narrow down what you are asking. You also should give us some idea about how much you want to spend. I think your principle question was, would it benefit you to have a mixing console before your MBOx? Sorry, your thought process was a little hard to follow. __________________ Singer, Songwriter, Musician.............Dad. "You're so money and you don't even know it!"

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11th January 2007	#3
audiblethought Gear addict Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 375 Thread Starter	Hey, thanks for the welcome flail19! I've edited my previous post so hopefully it makes a little more sense now. Sorry, I did get a little carried away You are correct, I am basically just wanting to know if the Allen and Heath would be a wise choice. I have been searching these boards quite a bit and I've found lot's of people like the MixWizard. Thanks to GS I am also just now learning about analog summing which I think is pretty fascinating. I have so much to learn! Thanks again, this place is great.