19th August 2006
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#1 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Jul 2005 Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 644
Thread Starter  |  A good cheap board
I'm looking to pick up a decent, inexpensive board for location work (mostly classical, some jazz, and probably the odd rock gig). I can't afford anything too slutty or exotic. I do need usable preamps and decent EQ would be nice as well. Ideally, I'd like 16 channels. I've been looking at the Mackie Onyx series, and so far I'm more or less liking what I see. (I know Mackie gets dissed upon quite a bit, but it seems like the new Onyx desks are quite an improvement, and I've read on this board and oher places that a number of respected classical engineers do use Mackie mixers.) However, I've heard good things about Soundcraft and Allen&Heath as well (a local classical recordist I know uses an A&H). I know that someone is going to suggest that I look for a used board, but I'm having trouble finding what I want in a used console, and I need something that isn't going to require a ton of maintenance. Suggestions? If I do go the Mackie route, would I be okay with the 1620 (8 mic pres, 4 stereo channels) or should I just go for the 1640 (16 mic pres, 4-busses.) Thanks again!
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19th August 2006
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#2 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Jan 2005 Location: NYC
Posts: 642
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Hi Matyas,
Tell us a bit more about how you would use it - are you mixing live to stereo for the classical or recording one mic per track? Using outboard mic pres?
I have not used the Onyx series but have heard good things about them from a friend who owns one. He is a classical recordist 'gear snob' like me  and was very impressed.
I used to use DDA Interface boards which are nice, and now cheap when you can find one - although they are heavy (~100 lbs 16x4x2 incl. pwr supply). I've been console-less for a few years (use the virtual mixer in Pyramix for monitoring / routing to backups recorders etc.
If you have some good outboard pres what about going console-less - or consider using a mixer post "tape" just for monitoring and reference duties. That way you get a cleaner signal recorded and could get away with a less than stellar board. You are also then truly monitoring what you have recorded and could potentially be more confident in what is actually there...just thoughts that may not work in your situation.
Best,
Silas
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19th August 2006
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#3 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Jul 2005 Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 644
Thread Starter |
Right now, most of the location stuff I've been doing has been with a single stereo pair. I'd like to have the flexibility to add multiple mics for larger groups, or to put up multiple pairs and have options. I don't necessarily want to mix direct to two track while recording - I'd prefer to have the flexibility to do that later. I'm currently console-less (and I use Samplitude, which has a great digital mix buss), but I used to do a lot of live sound work and I miss having faders and knobs. Not only that, but I don't know if I could get 8 channels of decent outboard preamps for the price of an Onyx. I do plan on picking up some outboard pres down the road (I think a BG-1 is in my future, soon), but even at that point, I think I'd like a console for monitoring. Also, I hear the Onyx EQ is very good, and as I don't always get to work in the best halls, it may be useful.
Regarding the DDA, I've also heard good things about those boards, but I have yet to see one for sale. If anyone does happen to see one pop up at a reasonable price, I may be interested.
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19th August 2006
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#4 | | Gear Head
Joined: Jun 2006 Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 38
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I've used the Onyx 1640 for gigs as disparate as choirs to jazz fusion. It's definitely worth a serious look for what you have in mind.
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19th August 2006
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#5 | | Gear interested
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 23
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I have a friend who was recently in a pinch for funds and needed me to send him a board. Of a Mackie, a Soundcraft, and an A & H, I sent him the Mackie - it's the only one I could part with.
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22nd August 2006
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#6 | | Gear maniac
Joined: Aug 2006 Location: Bilbao (Spain)
Posts: 165
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I've got an Allen&Heath MixWizard 3 14:4:2 and I love it
It has 10 mono channels, 4 stereo inputs (two of them useful as aux returns), 6 aux sends, 4 subgroups, direct outs than can be configured as pre-eq, post-eq, post-fader...
It costs more or less the same as a Mackie Onyx 1640 in Spain, and I think I prefer the A&H. When I bought the Mackie for the club I didn't know the A&H, which I've bought for myself.
As a plus, it's lighter and easier to transport than the Mackie. And given that many people bash the digital converters in the Onyx Firewire option I didn't buy the card anyway. I always record with MOTU.
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23rd August 2006
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#7 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Mar 2005 Location: Columbus County, North Carolina
Posts: 2,426
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Doesnt Marc Aubort use a mackie now?
I also know aguy at Denon that is a location recordist..he could use anything that he wanted, but uses Mackie VLZ preamps. Says they sound great, are light, and cheap!
__________________ I think it is wrong to make everything equidistant
from the listener with too many mics. The pasting-on effects end up like bad Photoshop work on graphics & photos - too unbelievable.-Tony Faulkner http://www.last.fm/user/TeddyBullard/ | |
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23rd August 2006
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#8 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Apr 2004 Location: Virginia
Posts: 1,515
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I know a couple guys who use Mackies and get stunning results. The older VLZ models no less. I believe Silas at Legacy even mastered one. I never leave home without mine! It "bails" me out some tight situations. A swiss army knife!
__________________ www.symphonicsound.com
"The secret of life, though, is falling down seven times and get up eight times." Paulo Coelho
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23rd August 2006
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#9 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Jul 2005 Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 644
Thread Starter | Quote:
Originally Posted by T.RayBullard  Doesnt Marc Aubort use a mackie now?
I also know aguy at Denon that is a location recordist..he could use anything that he wanted, but uses Mackie VLZ preamps. Says they sound great, are light, and cheap! | Yup, Marc Aubort sure does, according to the TapeOp interview. (And that interview is required reading.) T.Ray, you've mentioned your friend at Denon before, and that's definitely giving some weight towards the Mackie direction.
Now I'm going to be postponing the board purchase a bit because I just got a deal on some 414s, but do you guys know if I would see a significant upgrade if I went with the Onyx over the VLZ? (I'm guessing yes, but if VLZ is good enough for Teddy's buddy at Denon, it's probably good enough for me.....) Anyway, the master plan right now is to use the mixer when going multi-channel, and to pick up a DAV for two-channel work. Sound like a solid plan?
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24th August 2006
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#10 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Apr 2005 Location: New York Friggin' City
Posts: 2,571
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I'd seriously consider the Midas Venice. Right number of preamps, busses, auxes. Good sound quality (compared to A&H or Mackie). Solid EQ. Good price! And the 16 channel version is rackmountable.
Hope this helps.
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25th August 2006
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#11 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Mar 2005 Location: Columbus County, North Carolina
Posts: 2,426
| Quote:
Originally Posted by matyas Yup, Marc Aubort sure does, according to the TapeOp interview. (And that interview is required reading.) T.Ray, you've mentioned your friend at Denon before, and that's definitely giving some weight towards the Mackie direction.
Now I'm going to be postponing the board purchase a bit because I just got a deal on some 414s, but do you guys know if I would see a significant upgrade if I went with the Onyx over the VLZ? (I'm guessing yes, but if VLZ is good enough for Teddy's buddy at Denon, it's probably good enough for me.....) Anyway, the master plan right now is to use the mixer when going multi-channel, and to pick up a DAV for two-channel work. Sound like a solid plan? |
Sounds rock solid to me.  | |
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