Looking for a new 16-channel mixer

[Munjibunga]

I'm going to get a new 16-channel mixer that has the capability of recording to a computer at gigs. So far, I'm considering these three:

Mackie 1640i
PreSonus StudioLive 16.4.2
Allen & Heath ZED-R16

I'm thinking in the sub-$2K range, and these all qualify. I know about the Yamaha LS-9, but it's more than I need and costs too much.

So please tell me about your experiences with any or all of these mixers.

[GregShadoan]

PreSonus. Hands down. If I needed a 16 channel mixer, with recording, that would be it for sure.

[modulusman]

Originally Posted by GregShadoan

PreSonus. Hands down. If I needed a 16 channel mixer, with recording, that would be it for sure.

I agree. If I was shopping for a new mixer that is what I would get. With all the built in processing you would not need an effects rack.

[Medford Bassman]

I personally like the Allen & Heath mixers. They have done very well by me.

[Munjibunga]

I've researched the features of all three, and the PreSonus seems to be the best for what I want to do, but I've read two cons:

1. The faders and knobs feel flimsy
2. The effects aren't top-notch

They say the included capture software is really easy to use. Once you have the .wav files, you can drop them into the DAW of your choice. I use Cubase.

A&H gets kudos for their preamps.

[OtterOnBass]

My band has a StudioLive. It's cool to have so many features, but the interface is very confusing. If you have lots of time to learn, go for it.

[Jerry Ziarko]

You're correct, the effects aren't top notch, but what they are is very usable. No one will mistake it for a top of the line reverb, but for a live setting, its a great little mixer. We are currently using a StudioLive 24.4.2. The learning curve really isn't all that steep. Remember it's basically a hybrid, so it acts much like an analog, except it has some incredible features for the price point. The fat channel flat out rocks! No issues with the faders yet, so I can't really comment on that.

[GregShadoan]

The Presonus preamps are more than decent. It is a digital board, so it has features that analog boards will not ever have. A gate, comp, per channel. Full parametric eq, etc..
Plus it has 6 aux outs, which will be very useful for monitoring. The only problem with newer digital allen and heath consoles(ie ILive), is that it says allen and heath on them.

[dulac]

get the studiolive

the effects are good enough for live, and the micpres are really great

[Munjibunga]

Presonus is on the way from NSL. Should be here Tuesday.

[MrBEAR]

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

Presonus is on the way from NSL. Should be here Tuesday.

Sweet, you should enjoy the Studio Live, it's a nice selection.

I went through the same search and wound up over your stated budget but the APB H1020 is leagues ahead in function, performance and quality.

iirc Pro Audio Blowots has some open box full warranty units at $2350.

yep! here you go:

http://www.proaudioblowouts.com/go.php/product/225

Cheers,

Mr. BEAR

[Munjibunga]

Well, the StudioLive showed up yesterday, and it's everything I hoped it would be. It's very intuitive and feature-laden. I don't require anything deeper, so I'm glad I didn't drop the extra coin. It remains to be seen how it holds up through a bunch of gigs.

[LightGroove]

Originally Posted by MrBEAR

Sweet, you should enjoy the Studio Live, it's a nice selection.

I went through the same search and wound up over your stated budget but the APB H1020 is leagues ahead in function, performance and quality.

iirc Pro Audio Blowots has some open box full warranty units at $2350.

yep! here you go:

http://www.proaudioblowouts.com/go.php/product/225

Cheers,

Mr. BEAR

Leagues ahead...no firewire?

[bassistloaded21]

Youll love the studio live. we use it as our brain for our in-ear setup. Works like a charm

[MrBEAR]

Originally Posted by LightGroove

Leagues ahead...no firewire?

My bad, please accept my apology for leaving out that detail, that was in the OP.
We use a pair of MOTU 896 Mk III's for Firewire recording.

Cheers,

Mr. BEAR

[walker rosewood]

I know I'm jumping on this a little late but... I read the title and was gonna suggest the Presonus, then saw your options. Personally I think it's really easy to learn and use, if your not too much of a man to read the manual. The effects are ok, but there's plenty of aux buses you could hook up external effects, or software driven effects. Once you get accustomed to the comp/gate/parametric on every channel, it's tough to go back to a traditional analog set up.


I also use an LS-9 frequently and you're right, it is way more then you'd ever need. (and $12k) I think the live board aspect is more useful then the recording component. Although it does have an internal recorder that will go straight to USB flash drive.

[Munjibunga]

Well, my trio recorded four songs (one take each) at our practice yesterday. I just finished mixing them down on Cubase Essential 5, and I have to say the mixer worked beyond my expectations. I ran everything dry and did effects and EQ post-production. It was really easy to record and download the .wav files to a thumb drive (I captured the audio on my laptop and transferred them it to my desktop for editing).

What's really cool is you can play it back immediately right through the board just by arming the channels on the mixer. Bitchen.

Using it live is a dream. Channel assignments, compression, effects, EQ and all that are ultra simple to dial in. I really like the copy functon.

Recommended gear.

[TimmyP]

I'm a big MixWiz and 01V96 fan, but for most users the StudioLive is hard to argue against.

[Rocksolid]

Allen Heath Mix Wizard 16:4. i don't own one but wish I did

[gbarchus]

I own an Allen&Heath ZED R-16 and have to say that it's so easy to use for FOH and record at the same time. You can always use ITB effects for the recording. Wish it had sub groups though.

Gale