16 Channel Analogue Mixer advice

[seeprompt]

I'm interested in investing in a 16 channel (all mono) analogue mixer for live gigs. Also looking into doing some multi-track recording with it. The following are two configurations that I'm considering.

1) Mackie Onyx 1640 with Onyx FireWire I/O card
- With this set-up, I was thinking of simply connecting to notebook via FireWire for up to 16 tracks of recording but 2 tracks of monitoring.

2) Mackie 1604-VLZ3 with Motu 828mkII or Focusrite SAFFIRE PRO 10 I/O
- Thinking of connecting to a notebook through the audio interface via FireWire for up to 8 tracks of recording and 8 tracks of "split" monitoring.

My budget is not high but I understand that it would take me some time to save up for the "rig of my dreams". I can be considered an enthusiast only, so my knowledge cannot compared as an "expert/professional". Would gladly appreciate as much constructive advice/comments as possible.

Thanks in advance!

 

[blueprintstudios]

err this's been discussed before, someone (unsane i think) introduced "helix" mixers. do a search.

 

[unsane]

phonic helix 24 but having tried one out personally, the noise floor on the pre's is a little high..nothing too serious unless you're ultra anal about SNR, but for live recordings it shouldn't be a problem at all.

 

[seeprompt]

Just downloaded the operating manual of both Mackie's Onyx 1640 and Phonic's Helix Board 24 FireWire MKII.

The specifications are really close. Could be a good entry mixer for a budget multi-track recording set-up; which describes mine! ;-Þ

Thanks for the product intro unsane. It does appear to me that you are one of the few who have worked on this console, do you have any additional tips/advice on operating the Helix 24 with a notebook? Appreciate your expert input.

Lastly it seems to me that the Helix 24 happens to be Phonic's flagship product. It is somewhat encouraging as it could mean that, to provide greater public perception of brand confidence, they might give technical support with higher earnestly.

 

[unsane]

nah i havent used it extensively, tried it out once. had a regular 57 plugged into it with the gain cranked pretty high, noticed abit more noise than usual. cranked one channel with nothing plugged in, definately some internal self hiss going on. i thought it was a wonky unit but read some similar reports on gearslutz. the faders have a relatively short travel and feel slightly cheap but then again its a very affordable unit..nothing out of the ordinary.

i'm sure the onyx is probably better, but way higher priced but hey if your budget allows go for it!

 

[seeprompt]

Leaning on your advice I have decided to save up and burst my bank on a Mackie.

So many toys...so little money...*sigh*

 

[blueprintstudios]

it'll be worth it, someone ever told me, mixers could outlive you if you take good care of it (moisture/extreme heat/shock knock abuse). chances of a good mixer spoiling is very rare.

i think at most the knobs / led goes a little nuts.

 

[iMacKeane]

where to buy?

been looking at getting the mackie. any recommendations where to buy from? tks.

 

[Cheez]

Swee Lee.

 

[iMacKeane]

are they the only guys who bring in mackie stuff? just wondering.

still wondering if should get a seperate firewire i/o to use with my current mackie 1604. or this onyx.

also, will there be a 24 channel model anytime?

tks.

 

[soft]

iMacKeane, if you get a new audio interface for recording, you would most likely not be using the mixer anymore.

you can go from microphone to interface directly. no need mixer.

 

[iMacKeane]

thanks for the clarification.

i've got various combinations of how things might work out. well, basically. i've got gear for live sound. now, am thinking of adding multi-track recording capabilities during live sound. (would require about the 16 channels for recording) as well as doing home recording during rehearsals etc.

so am wondering what's a good solution. thanks. really new to all this... appreciate your help in pointing me to the right direction.

 

[unsane]

i forgot to mention that the onyx series requires an additional firewire card installed to act as an interface..might be wrong though.

you can still use a mixer into your inferface assuming you like the sound of the mixer pre's..its done all the time. i'd take the mackie 1604 pre's over any digidesign control 24 crap any day.

 

[Sean]

Eh Cedric, you sure or not... Are you endorse by Mackie?? I got discount or not ah?

Your comment kind of reminded me of what Prorec.com did few years back with one of their article on Mackie pre-amp shoot-out with other boutique brands and Mackie came out the winner.

 

[unsane]

hahaa...im just saying i really dislike the pres in control 24s and all other digidesign gear for some reason...

 

[Sean]

I also dislike all Digidesign products, the price man....knn! :?

 

[seeprompt]

iMacKeane,

According to Mackie's official website, there are two distributors in Singapore. See link below. Unfortunately I don't see Swee Lee listed there anymore. Sad, I used to buy stuff from them regularly.

Steinberg Media Technologies Asia (Digital Interfaces/Controllers ONLY)

ProAktiv Systems Pte. Ltd.(ProAudio Products)

As for the 24 channel (or more) Onyx board with FireWire I/O, I guess the interface would need to be upgraded to IEEE 1394b with 800Mb of throughput pipe. The current IEEE 1394a has only 400Mb of throughput which is just barely enough for 16 channels of digital audio of 24 bits word length at 96kHz sampling rate.

 

[iMacKeane]

Hi seeprompt,

thank you for the useful information.

hm, so sweelee not official mackie sellers? hm, well. pop by there over the weekend to check prices. guess they still have stock?

Ah, firewire 800... for more than 16 channels. thanks!

 

[seeprompt]

Hi iMacKeane

You are most welcome. Just a point to note, to date I have not encountered any audio interface that uses FireWire 800. Anyone care to enlighten me?