desperately searching for a mixer...

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endertak
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desperately searching for a mixer...

Post by endertak » Fri Sep 18, 2015 7:12 pm

hi there,

i'm looking for a 12-16 channel mixer that has the following features:

1. individual outs, post-fader
2. can be put in a rack for travel
3. small (ish) - as small as possible
4. decent pre-amps and EQ
5. aux support

i think that the soundcraft epm12 would be AMAZING if it had individual outs that were post-fader...
and the soundcraft GB2R12 is way too big and heavy for what i need, imo. maybe it'll turn out that it's an OK size, but for now i'm a bit concerned w/ the weight and portability of it.

does anyone have any suggestions?

thanks... :shock:
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endertak
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Post by endertak » Fri Sep 18, 2015 7:16 pm

i should mention that i'd love something like the venice midas 32 (because i can track in via firewire), but i'm not a fan of how large, heavy, and anti-rack unit it is (there is a nice 8-channel rack vers., but that's you know... just 8 channels).
really not portable for me.

i also don't like the onyx series - at all. not really into mackie.

i'd forego digital connectivity if i could have the individual outs and a small form factor.

i'd love to have ADAT/TOSLINK out if that made sense - no issue using an audio interface. but again, analog TRS outs are fine if post fader.
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Post by The Scum » Sat Sep 19, 2015 12:03 pm

It sounds like you're describing the Allen & Heath Mix Wizard 16:2

http://www.allen-heath.com/ahproducts/wz4-16-2/
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endertak
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Post by endertak » Sat Sep 19, 2015 1:33 pm

that's a nice board ? and light.

does anyone have experience w/ this board?
i've enjoyed AH before, but have no experience w/ this mixer. since they manufacture their units with a variety of quality, i'd be curious if it "sounds good" for the price point as in - can i record w/ this thing without regretting it? :)

as a marker, i find the venice midas completely acceptable w/r/t the way the EQs and pre-amps sound.
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Post by vvv » Sat Sep 19, 2015 3:58 pm

And here I was gonna recommend Sweet Vermouth, a little cherry juice and some bitters ...

:twisted:
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endertak
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Post by endertak » Sat Sep 19, 2015 5:20 pm

I'd much prefer that cocktail to this type of exploration, although I think I'd get whiskey involved. :wink:
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Post by Scodiddly » Sat Sep 19, 2015 6:00 pm

Does it need to be analog? The A&H Qu-16 is a very nice little digital mixer w/ USB multitrack recording. My brother uses his to record acoustic jazz, no complaints at all about the sound quality.

endertak
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Post by endertak » Sat Sep 19, 2015 6:07 pm

the QU 16 looks nice! Huh - I wonder how the preamps and EQ are?
I think I'd prefer analog because a lot of times the EQ and preamps sound characteristic and add something to the sound, rather than being "cold" and "digital".

...those motorized faders look great...
:?
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Scodiddly
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Post by Scodiddly » Sun Sep 20, 2015 10:34 am

I know several old-timers in the live sound business who've gone with the Qu, and they're very happy. One guy does acoustic Celtic music all the time, used to use an A&H GL series.

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Post by joninc » Sun Sep 20, 2015 3:53 pm

endertak wrote:the QU 16 looks nice! Huh - I wonder how the preamps and EQ are?
I think I'd prefer analog because a lot of times the EQ and preamps sound characteristic and add something to the sound, rather than being "cold" and "digital".


:?
i doubt if many or any of these mixers are gonna have vibey pre amps or eqs.
probably just subtle shades of "clean". maybe paired with a rack of nice pres you can get there though. syteks with burr brown etc.
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Post by Wagz » Mon Sep 21, 2015 9:39 am

I use the mix wizard a lot for live stuff, we have one for our church, which is a mobile setup.

Simple enough, Rack mountable. Tonality I'd take it over a lot of boards in that price point.

I've only used it for live, but if you have some decent converters I'd say it would probably be a better option than a lot of boards with a USB out. Would happily take it over a studiolive.
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endertak
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Post by endertak » Mon Sep 21, 2015 1:39 pm

great, thanks for the replies everyone.
lots of things to consider, but great to have a firm idea of what to look at.

i had no idea these units existed.

cheers,
e
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endertak
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Post by endertak » Thu Oct 15, 2015 3:34 pm

OK, so what about a mixer that is

1. rackmountable
2. has DB-25 connectors for TRS -> DB-25 input
3. is not mackie
4. has at least 16 channels
5. has either firewire, thunderbolt, avb, or USB
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Post by joninc » Fri Oct 16, 2015 12:03 pm

buddy of mine just got one of these

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/VeniceF16R

traded in his ghost and feels that this is sonically richer...

rackmount
NO DB25
is NOT mackie
16 channels
firewire
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endertak
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Post by endertak » Fri Oct 16, 2015 2:17 pm

yeah; i absolutely love the venice; but it's so bulky and the 16R feels like it's missing some channels and functionality. oh well... looks like i should just get one.
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