Analog console for mpc 2000 classic

Hi guys
I have searched a lot in the net but I can't find the answers I want.
Well I want to buy an analog console to mix the channels from my mpc 2000 classic.
I have found some consoles.

The first is the soundcraft spirit live 16: 16 channels, swept lows and mids!!, no direct outs

The second is the soundcraft spirit studio: 32 channels, direct outs, no swept lows, 4 band eq

The third one is the soundcraft spirit m12: 12 mono channels, direct outs, 3 band eq with swept mids

The fourth console is the mackie 1604: 16 channels, 3 band eq nothing swept, 8 direct outs

I can't compare them cause I can't listen to them a/b.
What's your opinion guys, do you know the pres at any of them, are warm, have good soundig eq? Any suggestions and opinions are welcomed.
Please help
Thanks in advance.

look into Allen & Heath´s ZED series. I got a R-16 myself, love the eq section it sounds nice. From what I know also the other models sound pretty good.

Thanks for your reply.
I read in an another forum that the small format zeds have muddy eq.
Any other guy with experience in these consoles I mentioned above?

from the ones in your list I heard some good things about the Onyx. Solid built good preamps

RepRSP wrote:from the ones in your list I heard some good things about the Onyx. Solid built good preamps

I wasn't thinking Onyx, I was thinking the cr 1604 the original, for which I have heard a lot of good reviews but some things that bother me are that first have a very basic eq section, everything is fixed and second no low cut which is very usefull in samples that contains bass notes.

I do not think you're going to find the answers you want that will put you at ease. You may want to go the route of renting different mixing consoles or at least trying to get real life time with different ones to determine what you're looking for.

I've owned and used the CR 1604 and did basic mixes with all 8 channels. It only has 3 band eq which was just enough to do what I wanted but I also dump to the DAW to further my mixing. They're built like tanks which is a big thing with Mackie gear. I got rid of the CR 1604 as I ended up getting 2 free 1402 VLZ series which have the same 3 band EQ's at half the physical size.

If I were to make any humble suggestion, try out the Soundcraft Spirit Studio for the 4 band EQ. I also recently spent some time with the Toft ATB 24, which may be out of your budget because they're about 6 grand but the 4band eq is dope on it.

I'm tending to soundcraft but still can't say what is more important to me, the swept lows but no direct outs or the d. outs but no swept lows. The m12 is very good but has pre eq direct outs as I know.
Thanks for your replies

I'm super happy with the Mackie 1604vlz pro. Built like a tank, sweepable mids, low cut, inserts on every channel, 6 fx sends. Classic partner to an MPC.

Yup and you can find a 1604 vlz series for around $400-500 USD too.

Thanks guys but I don't know yet.
A question to all those who use mpc with mixer, do you guys wish to have swept lows more often than your swept mids?
Oh, in the mackie the lows are at 100Hz, that is to high for bass, I say that based in my mixing experience.
Sorry for being so tiring with my questions.

why not come at it from a different approach, what's your maximum budget?

take that max budget and search around for an older but superior mixer, you could come up on something that blows the above suggestions out of the water both in quality and sound.

I know many people swear by mackie and there not bad mixers by any means (they do the job) but in my experience they fail a lot, I know at least 10 people who have had problems with their mackie desk (all types, small format to larger format) so I personally steer well clear of them.

I have a soundtracs topaz right now (for my SP1200 & MPC2000 etc) and it sounds great! the EQ is really nice and it's a very well built mixer. I got it for £350 on ebay.

I'm not saying get a topaz, every body has different requirements and taste so there's no real easy answer but I would advise spending your full budget on something older but much better.

ditch the romantic idea with the console and buy a soundcard with enough ins, and mix in the box. the Eq s on budget mixer are just weak. Any standard eq in a daw is way better then an eq on a cheap Mackie or behringer console. if you wanna mix with hardware get a api lunchbox .
it s 2015 there are absolutely stunning virtual EQs .

Behringer QX1832USB

I just bought the QX1222USB and it was a good purchase. Feature wise and for a few more dollars you get the QX1832USB and you are great. I was in a similar boat listening to and looking at the Mackies and yamahas.

Cheers,
Ian

pull-over wrote:ditch the romantic idea with the console and buy a soundcard with enough ins, and mix in the box. the Eq s on budget mixer are just weak. Any standard eq in a daw is way better then an eq on a cheap Mackie or behringer console. if you wanna mix with hardware get a api lunchbox .
it s 2015 there are absolutely stunning virtual EQs .

I agree with this.


As for sweepable mids vs lows... I would pick mids. The low band at 100 doesn't mean it only affects 100hz and nothing 99 or below and 101 and above.... it has a curve. With the sweepable mid, you can cut it down above 100 and the low band will boost below. if that isn't good enough then a channel EQ isn't the tool for the job. Maybe you need a 1/3 octave EQ or two... however I suggest the interface over all of that.... that way when mixing in the daw, the EQ wont be destructive and can be changed to fit the mix.

pull-over wrote:ditch the romantic idea with the console and buy a soundcard with enough ins, and mix in the box. the Eq s on budget mixer are just weak. Any standard eq in a daw is way better then an eq on a cheap Mackie or behringer console. if you wanna mix with hardware get a api lunchbox .
it s 2015 there are absolutely stunning virtual EQs .

I'm a hardware lover but I have to agree with that. Its nice to have a console but in the end every track gets its own channel in the DAW and there are a few freeware EQs (and other FX) that can compete or sound even better than many mixers.

On the other hand a analog console does the same than a limited sampler. It forces you to a specific workflow and by that can do things your music benefit from.

peace