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[Paul John Volzone]

I am in the process of starting my own small sound company to work the local music scene, doing complete production for clubs and small venues as well as one off local events (no more than 1500 ppl).
I am looking for a good mixing board that is very rugged, versatile with plenty of inputs; 24-32 and at least 4-6 sends for Mons/ effects. Budget around 2500 or less. Thoughts are on the Mackie vlz 32-4, or Allen and Heath ml 3000(would be perfect). would love to hear any input on what you use or would use. The input amount is a necessity as i did a small gospel show and wound up using 24 inputs between drums, two keyboards, a hammond organ, bassist, few guitars and alot of vocals (on a borrowed mackie). Just a Green Sound engineer looking for advice. 

[Dan Johnson]

I am looking for a good mixing board that is very rugged, versatile with plenty of inputs; 24-32 and at least 4-6 sends for Mons/ effects. Budget around 2500 or less.

Unless you are looking for a used console, you're not going to get an ML3000 for under $2500 and I don't see a lot of used ML3000 consoles, especially in a 32 or 24 channel count (usually more channels which means more $).  With the limited info you give as far as requirements, the Allen & Heath GL2400-32 fits the bill and can be had new for as little as about $2000.  Another console to consider would be the Soundcraft GB4-32 although it may be a little above your budget.  Does that budget have to pay for a case for the console as well?  A good case is essential for a board that moves around all the time but it can cost a few hundred or more depending on what features and how durable you want it to be.

[Bennett Prescott]

I'm looking for a car. I'm thinking either the Ford Fiesta, or maybe a used Bugatti.

What do you mean they're totally different consoles?

Did I say consoles? I meant cars.

[Dan Johnson]

I'm looking for a car. I'm thinking either the Ford Fiesta, or maybe a used Bugatti.

What do you mean they're totally different consoles?

Did I say consoles? I meant cars.

I guess I was taking the gentle approach.  I was kinda thinking the same thing though.

[Paul John Volzone]

i am defiantly looking to go USED. I belive high- quality used is better than decent new. Being a DIY kind of guy, making my own case would not be difficult at all. appreciate the input. I will be purchasing barebone essesnial outboard fx (eqs, compressors, gates, x-overs ) and running rental mains and subs for a while.  I am essensially looking to have all my own mics, stands cables and mixer and rent the mains and subs because i am close to a very good rental company with great rates and decent quality yorkville gear.  Ive been poking around for some old jbl sr 7432 mains( allways felt they were pretty good and have seen em used for good prices) but would love anyones input on selection of mains and subs for crowds of up to 1500 people (mostly school auditoriums and some outdoor events.
Sorry i didn't give enough info at the beginning, its been a long day and getting only later. I have definatly seen alot of the gl2400's and remember mixing a youth group i used to attend with one.

Basically im slowly building a list of what i need (and want) to get a small company going. Will be doing alot of church events and just want to have the best possible setup (accurate and clean). Im about sick of renting the whole shebang and have started making some money doing this several times a month and see more profit and less heartache owning and using my own gear (specially writing those huge rental deposit checks). I dont know a whole lot about this in all honesty. Ive done my old youth groups when i was younger, worked on labor crews for large companies and ran a few small - mid size one off shows and can get a good mix (if i can get performers to bring the amps back from full gain). i Have a huge intrest in this industry and love music, just need to learn alot more than i do, which will all be a part of the process.. just dont know exaclty much about delaying boxes, need to get my ear better at knowing certain frequencies etc.  Sorry to be rambling... getting a little late

[Paul John Volzone]

i get the joke on the ford fiesta and Bugatti. I was just wondering if say that mackie could work? knowing you can get them.... very cheap. hey i'd prolly take that fiesta... gets me to a and b and back, and i could turn wrenches on it myself instead of having to take it to the dealership for a 500 dollar oil change

[Paul John Volzone]

http://www.solarisnetwork.com/item_13524

saw one of these for 2500 a week ago... but why is this http://www.solarisnetwork.com/item_14214 priced at 3x the price?

[Dan Johnson]

http://www.solarisnetwork.com/item_13524

saw one of these for 2500 a week ago... but why is this http://www.solarisnetwork.com/item_14214 priced at 3x the price?

One is just the console.  The other is the tour package which includes 2 power supplies with a road case for the power supplies which includes a rack drawer and it includes an ATA road case with doghouse for the console as well as console lights and a cover.  The retail price is $6400 more for the tour pack versus just the console.

[Russel Murton]

Have you budgeted for outboard? If you are going the analogue route with a good used console you will still need a decent rack of outboard, say 4-8 comps/gates, graphics, effects etc.

A rack of say two presonus ACP88's, 2 Yamaha SPX1000's and 8 channels of graphics (Are you running foldback from FOH?) will be a about three grand.

I'd seriously suggest going digital if you can stretch the budget even if it means waiting for a bit.

A small rack of an LS9-16, 2x 8 channel ADAT preamps, an MY16AT card in the LS9 and a power conditioner/UPS with be infinitely more useful than a 32 channel analogue console and a small rack of outboard.

The other less expensive option is a presonus studiolive 24 and some analogue graphics.

I was in a similar position to you and went the LS9 route. I'm getting a fair few one off hires of just the LS9 rack from touring bands coming through the area in need of a FOH rack. The LS9 saves a lot of space, weight, setup time and has pretty much every feature needed. I did a whole year of having my own console, mic, stand and lead package and hired racks and stacks. I got sick of that money going to someone else at the end of every gig and ended up buying my own racks and stacks. I now have enough gear to do any normal sized gig with all my own gear. Anything larger and I'd be doing a walk in mix anyway.

At a gig level of 1500 punters you will need either decent outboard or a low range digital console in my opinion.

Good luck though, once you have your own console, mics, stand, lead package it's a very nice feeling.

[Steve Payne]

The APB ProDesk likely the king of small format consoles.
I happen to know where you could get a used one in like new condition if you were willing to stretch your budget a bit. 

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