Choosing a mixing desk for dub creation!

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mpampouras
Posts: 5
Joined: Wed Jun 03, 2009 12:00 am

Choosing a mixing desk for dub creation!

Post by mpampouras » Sat Jan 23, 2010 2:05 am

Hello.

I just need your advice on something. I am about to buy a mixing
desk for dub music. I m into music for about 14 years, but I have
much difficulty choosing. Truth is that I m not only interested in
"right" dub routing, right in/outs etc, but in good / warm sound too.
TLA and the "small" midas models is not my choice as I ve got around 1000-1200
euros to spend on a console. So I am asking for your advice on
newer or older models. My multitrack "sends" 10 outs, so i guess I
need a desk with 12-14 ins, and 2-4 aux. I m mainly interested in
sound in terms of quality, meaning that I won;t buy a console that "degrades"
or "alters" my sound in a bad way, just because it has nice routing, or because
it is good for dub! I would like more like a "flat" choice. Its difficult to find used mci in europe,
and I cant judge the newer models of soundcraft / allen & heath cause I live in Greece
and nobody has them! I am OFF mackie for sure (due to bad
personal history).

Also do you think that choosing to record in a 2 track reel 2 reel
will "colorise" my sound, and has greater influence on that than
the console, or I should get a descent audio interface and record
my mixes in it? I would like your advice in an audio interface too.
(price range on the interface is another 1000 euros)

So, thanks a lot in advance I hope you ll help me make a desicion!

leitmo
Posts: 25
Joined: Wed Oct 21, 2009 5:27 pm

Post by leitmo » Tue Feb 09, 2010 10:52 am

Hi mpampouras!

First of all: flat sound = midas consoles (in my opinion during years concerts and shows).

I have used new Allen&Heath and Soundcraft and sounds good but quality construction is not their strength point, weak pots and faders.

Flat is nice but colored mixing desks are good too, ie: old Soundcraft and Alen&Heath mixers.

Your multitrack has 10 outs but will you use hardware gear?? (analog delay, distortion...??). If you do that keep in mind that Effects Return must be send to Channel inputs!!! so 4 FX will take 4 (mono) to 8 (stereo) channels in your mixer.

May be your first need is an audio interface with 20 outputs (MOTU or RME do the work) and then get an old analog mixer with 16 or 24 channels

Hope it helps!
life was easier with tapes

mpampouras
Posts: 5
Joined: Wed Jun 03, 2009 12:00 am

Post by mpampouras » Tue Feb 09, 2010 1:35 pm

leitmo wrote:Hi mpampouras!

First of all: flat sound = midas consoles (in my opinion during years concerts and shows).

I have used new Allen&Heath and Soundcraft and sounds good but quality construction is not their strength point, weak pots and faders.

Flat is nice but colored mixing desks are good too, ie: old Soundcraft and Alen&Heath mixers.

Your multitrack has 10 outs but will you use hardware gear?? (analog delay, distortion...??). If you do that keep in mind that Effects Return must be send to Channel inputs!!! so 4 FX will take 4 (mono) to 8 (stereo) channels in your mixer.

May be your first need is an audio interface with 20 outputs (MOTU or RME do the work) and then get an old analog mixer with 16 or 24 channels

Hope it helps!
At first thanks for your response.
Yes I ll use hardware fx units. My playback machine won't be my Mac.
I ll play out from my sampler so total outputs is 10 plus 2-3 FX units.
My budget is 1000 euros (most) so I don't think I m on a Midas.
Although these newer models seems quite good (not big faders though).
However I don't think Midas is a choice for dub music. Maybe its the perfect choice for PA.
I m leaning towards Allen & Heath Mixwizard 14:4:2..

I hope anybody could give me feedback on that mixer.

thanks a lot

leitmo
Posts: 25
Joined: Wed Oct 21, 2009 5:27 pm

Post by leitmo » Tue Feb 09, 2010 4:27 pm

Hi again!

I know Midas is out of budget for most of people and is well known as PA mixer but any mixer can do the work with dub, pop, rock...any kind of music.

For 1000€ you can get an old analog mixer and repair it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/SOUNDCRAFT-SERIES-2 ... 3359f66b28

http://cgi.ebay.com/YAMAHA-MG2414FX-24- ... 483948c305

http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-Soundcraft-Ser ... 2eaa8024d4

http://www.soundcraft.com/products/product.aspx?pid=156
life was easier with tapes

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