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Wha happen? I bought it. But not for $200... for $160! So far, all I've used it for is some direct guitar and bass tracks, but it worked great for those. I may use it this coming weekend for some vocals. FWIW, mine does have transformers in it. They're just not Jensens. So far, I'm digging it. Maybe...

I'm leaning toward buying the M80. You make a good point about transformers vs no transformers. I'm going to go check it out tomorrow with cash in hand. I might still get the Mackie cleaned up, but only for use with my band when we play live.

The M80 is selling for $200, and that would be about as much as I could spend right now.

I'm looking to upgrade and add more channels of mic preamps to my recording system (a Tascam US-2000). I currently own a Mackie 1604VZ which works, but generates a lot of hiss- too much to be useable. I also have an opportunity to buy a Presonus M80 8 channel preamp, but it's from 2006, which means ...

I bought a Mackie 1604-VLZ mixer several months ago. I finally set it up and started using it a couple of nights ago. Last night I noticed that the top right hand corner gets very, very warm- so warm that it left a small indentation in the plastic table it was sitting on. It also has that "warm" sme...

When I bought it, I figured I could just cut a rectangular sheet of metal to cover the hole in the bottom. Since then, I've found that the inputs can be configured three different ways- (1) with the inputs on the bottom of the mixer, facing down, which is how it was when I bought it, (2) with the in...

I just found out that what I need is called a Rotopod. It's a metal tray that allows the inputs and outputs to face to the back of the mixer or face up so that you can actually get to them, and it covers the gaping hole at the bottom of the mixer. I tried setting it up with the inputs facing up with...

I just bought a Mackie CR1604-VLZ (not Pro) mixer for a great price. It's got dirty switches but seems to be working okay. Are there any specific problems I should watch for with this mixer? I've never owned a Mackie before. I did some research and found out it's an American made one, so that's good...

Well, damn. I just heard back from Sennheiser about fixing my 421. Here's their response: Hello, Thank you for your inquiry. I'm very sorry but we no longer can service the original MD 421's are parts are no longer available. We can give it a cleaning but if it needs any parts we cannot do anything....

Digitaldrummer- actually mine is different. It mates up with this... http://www.fvstore.com/Switchcraft-332A-Microphone-Adapter-5-8-Screw-On-Connector-to-1-4-Jack/p23839.html and I'm pretty sure it can't be changed to low-z without major surgery and brain damage. I think I might even have one of tho...

Floid- you're right. Sorry. I forgot to say that I was talking about the EV being hi-z, not the 421. And the name for that funky screw-on connector is amphenol.

Neal- thanks for letting me know. I think I'll check out Vintage King to get it repaired, as well as a few local places. Digitaldrummer- now that you mention it, the mic itself says "hi-z" right on its body. Duh! And it only has a two conductor screw-on connector, so I'm guessing that it willl never...

Scodiddly- after doing some more online reading, I'm starting to think you're right. It probably is broken. Over and over again, I'm seeing stories of 421s that were dropped or otherwise damaged and the voice coil is dragging. The resulting sound has zero bass, althought the mic still works for mids...

I just got my first ever Sennheiser 421-U-5 yesterday for next to nothing. Good thing it was so cheap, because it sounds awful. It has zero bass or proximity effect, and what I did hear was harsh and midrangey. I know what you're going to say- "try the EQ switch!". I did. It makes no difference. Jus...

Wow. I haven't downloaded it yet, but I already like it better, because it COMES WITH INSTRUCTIONS! What a concept! I can't believe Autotalent doesn't! Oli Larkin is well known for his plugins, which makes it even more surprising that he dropped the ball on this one. Maybe he assumed that everyone o...