Does anyone still like the Mackie VLZ Pro mixer???

[b to g is yummy]

I'm looking at replacing our Yorkville Powered mixer. I'm really interested in the VLZ Pro but all the negative reviews on musicians friend are scaring me. Why is/was.. it the industry standard than is it is so unreliable?? One of the major drawing factors is that they are only a couple hundred bucks on ebay, plus its nice to hear about the countless records recorded with them etc etc

I'd be open to other suggestions of quality16 channel mixers i could get for under $500. thanks

[Passinwind]

Originally Posted by b to g is yummy

I'd be open to other suggestions of quality16 channel mixers i could get for under $500. thanks

The most commonly recommended upgrade from the Mackie at or near the same price point is probably the Allen & Heath Mix Wizard. $500 of one of those in good condition is not impossible, but they seem to go for between 5-600 on eBay for the most part these days. I've mixed on both these desks quite a bit, and the A&H's feature set and sound quality worked better for me, for sure.

[thehurlatron]

Originally Posted by Passinwind

The most commonly recommended upgrade from the Mackie at or near the same price point is probably the Allen & Heath Mix Wizard. $500 of one of those in good condition is not impossible, but they seem to go for between 5-600 on eBay for the most part these days. I've mixed on both these desks quite a bit, and the A&H's feature set and sound quality worked better for me, for sure.

+1

I LOVE my mixwizard! IMO much better than the mackie. Soundcraft makes some nice boards as well.

[bluestarbass]

Im not sure the VLZ was EVER considered the industry standard. Maybe a mackie 24.8 or something, but not the VLZ. Terrible crosstalk problems, terrible eq, terrible pres. It does what it does. Ive learned over the years if its just for a practice PA that thing does great, if your going to try and track with it, or run a complicated PA, no good. I have heard that the pres are very modable. Once changed they are supposed to be pretty decent pres. If your good with a soldering iron and a schematic then get the Mackie. If you dont wanna screw with it then passinwind could not be more right. The A&H mix wizard is the best small PA board ive ever used. Ive even seen them in studios. The soundcraft idea is a great one, but the older boards are the one you want. They can be had cheap, but most of them are not in super good shape, and just getting them into shape could cost you a few hundred.

[b to g is yummy]

hmm...am looking into the A&H...thanks people