mackie mixers

1604 or 1642 and why? I've been doing research on both since I'll probably be getting one later on in the year. Just interested in hearing your opinions. thanks

It depends on what you need it for. I see the 1604 vlz in a lot of high end pro tools setups.

I'm trying to decide what is the best way for me to record my tracks. What I prefer is a more hands on approach. I love to be able to have manual control over the mixing stage. You know, drops, fades, and what not. I don't really know much about the recording process or whats out there for recording. I just know that i LOVE mixdowns. I used to have a Fostex H28X 4 track that had 8 inputs. That thing was cool cuz it allowed me to separate my sounds and kinda get a live mix going. So I'm looking forward to one day doing it again but with more tracks and a better editing process. Whats better, cpu programs or actual recorders? most cost efficient? most reliable? thanks

I think Mackie makes the best compact mixer. If you get one, definitely get the 1604vlzpro. You can record to a multi track on the first eight channels and mixdown on the last eight.


- but -

Alesis has a cheaper alternative that allows you to send 16 channels to a recorder and mixdown 16 channels just by flipping a switch on the back. You could get a lot more control with one of these. I wish Mackie would have this feature as well. It only costs about $649.00 now.

Boogie Man, are you going to be using the board for recording a lot with mics? If so, I would stay away from Mackie or Behringer.....the Pre Amps suck. Actually, Mackies dont really have great top end or bottom end. But then again they are decent enough for a home studio. That is a profesional opinion and just that....an opinion. If you are going to be using the mixer for recording with lots of mics, let me know, I can give you some better options for Pre Amps at a decent cost. If you are recording the MPC, you should patch it dirrectly to your recording destination, not through the Mackie. Just monitor the MPC on the Mackie. I have a Mackie 1604vlz sitting here collecting dust. If anyone wants to buy it let me know. Its in perfect condition. The future (actually, the present) is all about digital mixers, and high quality pre amps. For digital mixers, check out the Yamaha O1V, Tascam DM24 among many others. Good luck!

How do you get to the mix if you don't know much about recording? Your mix starts at the microphone boss. Recording is the most important part in having a good mix. You will never have a good mix until you know how to record. Stay away from those little mixers. Those things don't even count as mixers anymore - they're fancy headphone amps. Buy yourself a Digi 002 and it comes with a little mixing control surface. Or get the 001 and get used to the mouse. Save your $$$ and make it happen. An educated opinion is the only one that counts...[/u]

Or get the 001 and get used to the mouse.

Actually, a few digital mixers out now are offering HUI emulation which allows you to control PTLE/001 via MIDI. The Tascam DM24 which is a great digital mixer for the price, is an example of an inexpensive way to go digital, AND control Pro Tools. Also, it offers ADAT lightpipe I/O options which you can use with the MPC4K for 8 digital outs into the mixer. The only drawback with this set up (my setup) is that the MPC4k and the Tascam DM24 offer 24bit/96k but the 001 does not and never will. Same problem with the current ADAT lightpipe interfaces on the 3 units. At some point I am going to upgrade my Audio hardware to another interface that offers 24bit/96k or better. But for now, I will sit back, make music and see how the new gear evolves.

Pro Tools LE will also be supporting Mackie Control by Feb 2003. Will cop a 002 for mad money when you can cop a M-Box or 001 and Mackie Control for less $$$. I think the Mackie control will be a better control surface, the 002 only advantage is that it is also a digital mixer.

Uno/1

gams

About mackie mixers, anyone knows about the cfx 12 ? it's a mixer with 12 ins but with onboard effects too (reverb, delay, phraser, flanger i think). It's preatty cheap, i'm interrested in getting one, but i don't know if the fxs are good..... ? ? ?

DJ2D,

Stay away from the CFX series. Their quality is suspect. They are very noisy mixers. But your best bet is to get a couple you're thinking about buying and try them out for yourself and see if you can deal with the limitations of each.