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Sound Reinforcement - Forums for Live Sound Professionals - Your Displayed Name Must Be Your Real Full Name To Post In The Live Sound Forums => LAB Lounge => Topic started by: Dave Wightman on July 16, 2011, 08:08:54 PM
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So I am starting to assemble my own PA system and so far, I have 2 RCF Art312A speakers (these are my own) with a powered mixer and 4 passive Phonic speakers (which I am borrowing from a friend of mine in the acoustic band). I am hoping to soon buy 2 more powered speakers along with an unpowered passive mixer. This will mostly be used for a 2 man acoustic band myself and a friend of mine have just put together. We will also have a bass player occasionally playing with us, so at most, I will need about 5 inputs for this band (3 mics for vocals and 2 inputs for guitars). This will also be used for a 4 piece classic rock band that has 2 guitar players, a bass player, and drummer that I will be doing sound for. They have 3 vocal mics and as of now, I will not be mic'ing any instruments or have any amps going into the PA. Also if possible, I would like to try to do some recording with this mixer. I am not sure which mixer will be best for me, but have limited it to a few options that I think will work best. My budget is about $500 (give or take $50 or so). Thanks! And if anyone knows of any mixers that would work for me that are not on here, please feel free to include them.
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If you buy an MG Yamaha promptly smash it and take it to the nearest dumpster and save yourself the trouble.
(sorry, not a fan)
I'd look on eBay for a used A&H MixWiz.
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If you buy an MG Yamaha promptly smash it and take it to the nearest dumpster and save yourself the trouble.
(sorry, not a fan)
I'd look on eBay for a used A&H MixWiz.
I'd second that, but also add that I just saw a GL2200 go on ebay for about $500. It looked it great nick too.
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i wouldnt pick any of those.
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MixWiz + outboard or StudioLive 16. If it weren't for the drums, you could use an original O1V.
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MixWiz + outboard or StudioLive 16. If it weren't for the drums, you could use an original O1V.
+1
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If it weren't for the drums, you could use an original O1V.
OK, I'll bite.
What makes the original 01V incompatible with drums? I seem to get away with it. ;)
GTD
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If it weren't for the drums, you could use an original O1V.
OK, I'll bite.
What makes the original 01V incompatible with drums? I seem to get away with it. ;)
GTD
You'll only have 12 mic inputs. You can get more by adding an 8 channel mic pre such as Presonus. I'm not sure if you can add a full 8 to the original 01V96. Anyone?
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Well you could get away with it if you like the kick and overhead thing but I think most of us prefer more control over the drum mix. I'd rather have the snare, hat, and toms even if it's a tiny room where I may not turn on half those mics. Better to have it there than to wish that you did.
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Considering the OP said he wasn't going to run any instruments through the PA, I think the 01v will be fine. I upgraded from a Mackie 1642 and a rack of gear to an older original 01v and it's what I use for 3-4 vocals, keys, and occasionally bass, 2 guitars, and kick. That's 9 mic inputs with 3 left over.
I think that given the uses he outlined above, an 01v would be a great choice and be much better than many of those listed. With an ADAT card, even better.
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I just always look at future expansion, would rather buy once. To each their own though.
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MixWiz + outboard or StudioLive 16. If it weren't for the drums, you could use an original O1V.
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+1 on the MixWiz
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I'd look on eBay for a used A&H MixWiz.
I'll jump on the MixWiz bandwagon too.
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Lots of people jump on the Mix Wiz bandwagon only to find later in life that regardless of cult status it's almost an equal to the Mackie Onyx 1640 with fewer features. Sound quality is critical to me, and in my situation, where the board was used as a stage mixer for a dual system, the additional four BUS format allowed routing options the A&H couldn't match.
The 1640 is semi retired now and being used for recording only, and as a backup to my APB Pro House (LOL as if that might fail), which is mounted in the same rack, doing the same job. The APB is 100 times the board of any board mentioned above and offers more features again (20 channels, PAD, variable high pass, etc.) in the same format as the 1640. It's a board that also has much better sound than an O1V, and better sound than an LS9 or Midas Venice series. And before it's said I don't need 1000 gizmos and layers of channels to make the APB sound better than the digital boards mentioned. So, OP, if you want a good board that's flexible and reliable find a used or buy a new 1640. If you want an incredible board that you'll be using in 6-7 years, poney up and buy the APB Pro House.
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Lots of people jump on the Mix Wiz bandwagon only to find later in life that regardless of cult status it's almost an equal to the Mackie Onyx 1640 with fewer features. Sound quality is critical to me, and in my situation, where the board was used as a stage mixer for a dual system, the additional four BUS format allowed routing options the A&H couldn't match.
The 1640 is semi retired now and being used for recording only, and as a backup to my APB Pro House (LOL as if that might fail), which is mounted in the same rack, doing the same job. The APB is 100 times the board of any board mentioned above and offers more features again (20 channels, PAD, variable high pass, etc.) in the same format as the 1640. It's a board that also has much better sound than an O1V, and better sound than an LS9 or Midas Venice series. And before it's said I don't need 1000 gizmos and layers of channels to make the APB sound better than the digital boards mentioned. So, OP, if you want a good board that's flexible and reliable find a used or buy a new 1640. If you want an incredible board that you'll be using in 6-7 years, poney up and buy the APB Pro House.
APB rules, no doubt. But the reason the venerable and ubiquitous MixWiz is so often mentioned is bang for the buck. If you have the money, go higher end. If you're looking for an established "road warrior", go with the MixWiz.
Some salient points:
1. Comes in several configs including the 14:4:2 if you want sub-groups. When racked with outboard the two stereo channels can be used with a couple of outboard tube pre's for "money channels". With the dual input features they can also be used for playback during breaks at the push of a button.
2. Rugged.
3. Repairable. While the Onyx series is fine when working, the MixWiz can be fixed almost anywhere. Not so much with Mackie gear.
So when all things are considered, I'd go with the A&H brand first. But I'd still dream about APB.........
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Dear Dick,
In most ways I tend to always agree with you in the end. So in this case I'll agree with;
1. If the OP can find a Mixtaka Wiz with the 4 bus feature for the same or less than the 1640 he should buy it.
2. The Onyx series is not the in the same league as the older non Onyx boards. Same quality as A&H.
3. After almost seven (7) years I haven't had any problem, or do I know of anyone who has stepped up and said they have had problems. It's a wash, so repairable, I don't know, however, the Mixlizard has the edge.
11. I own one and still dream about it.
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If you buy an MG Yamaha promptly smash it and take it to the nearest dumpster and save yourself the trouble.
(sorry, not a fan)
I'd look on eBay for a used A&H MixWiz.
Interesting comment. I have a MixWizard and an MG 206 and they both sound fine. Different features on each mixer, although I like the single knob compression on the Yamaha and the better EQ on the A & H.
But junk? I disagree. The Yamaha was $400 less than the MixWiz and has held up well and sounds just fine.
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If you buy an MG Yamaha promptly smash it and take it to the nearest dumpster and save yourself the trouble.
(sorry, not a fan)
I'd look on eBay for a used A&H MixWiz.
Interesting comment. I have a MixWizard and an MG 206 and they both sound fine. Different features on each mixer, although I like the single knob compression on the Yamaha and the better EQ on the A & H.
But junk? I disagree. The Yamaha was $400 less than the MixWiz and has held up well and sounds just fine.
+1........on trashing the MG series. Compression doesn't matter one whit when the EQ is almost non-fuctional. Total mush in that respect. When actually "mixing" rather than "mushing" you'll need a good channel EQ looooong before you need any compression.
And the A&H is "prettier".
PS
The MG that I DO have was found in a dumpster. I keep it around for a doorstop.
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I'm voting with you Dick on the MG series, and on the Mixwiz. This is the ballpark the OP has the money to play in so I agree with you in that the MW is the way to go.