Yamaha MG164 16-Channel Mixer

**Josh Ryan** · #1 03-22-2004, 06:05 PM

I'm wondering if anyone has tried this yet? I would use it for live applications, (the 1604vlz has bit the dust, the behringer UB whatever is crap) but I want the mic pre-amps to be better than garbage. The yamaha brand gives me confidence, but what can I expect at this price point? I'd rather not spend the money for a Mackie and I really can't afford a Midas now. Any alternatives would be welcome. I do NOT need it for recording as I just bought an e mu 1820M.

Thanks!

Hawkeye · #2 03-23-2004, 12:26 PM

Hi, I use the MG12/4 for home studio monitoring, and I find the preamps to be pretty quiet on my "audiophile" Sennheiser HD-570 headphones. It seems to have a fairly decent feature set for the price and is still very well-priced.

One advantage with the 16 channel is that you can get the version that has built in effects, which should be fairly decent seeing that they are Yamaha's own.

**Josh Ryan** · #3 03-23-2004, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eeyaydeegee

Hi, I use the MG12/4 for home studio monitoring, and I find the preamps to be pretty quiet on my "audiophile" Sennheiser HD-570 headphones. It seems to have a fairly decent feature set for the price and is still very well-priced.

One advantage with the 16 channel is that you can get the version that has built in effects, which should be fairly decent seeing that they are Yamaha's own.

cool thanks, -is there a board that you could compare the preamps to?

Hawkeye · #4 03-23-2004, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blisshead

cool thanks, -is there a board that you could compare the preamps to?

Ha! I hate to say it, but probably Behringer Eurorack.

I haven't done any A/B comparisons with any high quality condenser mics yet. Sorry.

It's funny why you buy things, one of the most important things for my particular set-up which is in the basement family room with the TV etc. was the rear-exit for all the cabling. I wanted it to be nice and neat so that my wife wouldn't freak.

Passinwind · #5 03-25-2004, 10:06 AM

There's a nice intermediate step between the Mackie and the Midas: the Crest XR-20. Very clean preamps, tons of features, slightly annoying layout, with all jacks on the back. I've owned one for a couple of years now, and highly recommend an audition if you want a nice live mixer with good recording application potential as well. You might get lucky and find a used one by now, otherwise expect to pay ~$1600 or so. I went from an A&H Mix Wizard to the Crest, and my clients could definitely tell a difference. The Mix Wiz certainly merits consideration as a Mackie replacement though.

--Charlie Escher

**Josh Ryan** · #6 03-25-2004, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Passinwind

There's a nice intermediate step between the Mackie and the Midas: the Crest XR-20. Very clean preamps, tons of features, slightly annoying layout, with all jacks on the back. I've owned one for a couple of years now, and highly recommend an audition if you want a nice live mixer with good recording application potential as well. You might get lucky and find a used one by now, otherwise expect to pay ~$1600 or so. I went from an A&H Mix Wizard to the Crest, and my clients could definitely tell a difference. The Mix Wiz certainly merits consideration as a Mackie replacement though.

--Charlie Escher

Cool, thanks! I'll check it out.