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Re: Re: What do you people think about Soundcraft products?
| quote: | Originally posted by cryophonik
I used Soundcraft boards during my live band/mixing days, as well as Allen & Heath and Mackies. I always preferred the Soundcraft because of their layout and their preamps. I had a Spiritfolio 12 for years in my studio, but got rid of it when I bought my MOTU 828mkII because it was pretty redundant and took up too much space. But, as as Richard mentioned, the quality is excellent and their preamps are excellent for studio or live use.
That said, based on some of your questions, I would definitely recommend that you do more research before getting too excited and buying a mixing console.
That shouldn't be a problem - Soundcraft offers many models in that format. What's your budget, btw? Also, what do you plan on recording (vocals/mics, synths, drums)???
To the best of my knowledge (and a very quick look at the Soundcraft website), Soundcraft does not offer a model that works as an interface. However, I haven't really paid too much attention to studio consoles in the past five years, so I could be wrong. Definitely take a close look at their product line. Assuming that they dont', then yes you will need an audio interface. Now, here is the important part - if you are mixing 8 or 12 channels simultaneously into a console, they will have to be summed at the output and, with a small format console like you're considering, you'll probably only have one pair of stereo outputs, which means that the tracks that get "printed" on your will be grouped (i.e., more than one instrument per track), which will make editing individual instruments impossible. Hopefully, that made sense. However, some of the Soundcraft boards offer outputs on every channel (or you can use the aux sends), in which case your mixer can function as 8 or 12 individual channel strips. Honestly, that's a lot of money and a lot of space to take up/equipment to haul, when you could just get a good FW interface or two (e.g., two MOTU 8Pres or Travelers daisy-chained together, or a 24I/O) instead.
Why? Seriously, why do you specifically want a hardware console for a mobile setup? Based on your questions, I suspect that you think that it will give you more flexibility and/or be more convenient, when in fact, it might be just the opposite. I would strongly urge you to consider looking at getting a couple of good interfaces with good preamps (e.g., MOTU, RME, Focusrite, etc.) and doing your mixing in the box. It will probably give you more flexibility in terms of routing and monitoring, will be less to carry, and will possibly be cheaper, depending on what your interface needs are.
While I'm thinking of it, have you considered your monitoring needs (e.g., will you need a headphone distribution system & 8-12 sets of headphones?)?
4 mono channels - each channel will receive 1 mono input (e.g., 1 microphone or 1 guitar); each channel has its own EQ, aux sends, etc. Or, you can use 2 mono channels (with the same settings) for a stereo instrument (e.g., hardware synthesizer).
4 stereo inputs - each channel will receive one set of stereo inputs (e.g., a synth with stereo outputs, stereo tape deck/CD); each channel has one set of EQs, aux sends, level, etc. that control both sides of the stereo input.
4 stereo returns - usually used for outboard effects; you control the amount fed into each aux output from each track (see above), into the outboard equipment, then back into the stereo returns. These can also be used as additional inputs for some applications. |
I did a bunch of research already, read about the M-audio NRV-10, a yamaha mixer, and loads more i cant remember. My budget is less than $1000, I plan to record no vocals or instruments at the moment, just mainly instruments from plugins and my DAW.
I want a physical mixer because i want to physically move the knobs as i mix my music, i hate clicking and find lacking something real. And it has to be analog unless you guys state it wont make much of a difference on a mobile studio setup. And lastly, what do you mean by "mixing in the box?"
EDIT: Oh and this is the mixer i'm currently checking out, the mackie onyx 1220i:
http://www.mackie.com/products/onyx1220i/
Last edited by Ravist on Nov-24-2009 at 21:53
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