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Alto / Alesis S-16

philter25

philter25

Mar 26, 2010
297
3
Germantown, MD
#1
So ive been searching all the sites for a new mixer and I stumbled on the S-16, which looks to have the product specs I was looking for.

Link Removed

But its not on the Alesis website and a google search turns up nothing. However, I found the Alto S-16, which looks identical.

Invalid Link Removed

Did Alesis buy Alto? If so, does anyone have any experience with their products?
 
#2
Interesting...:eyebrow:

I looked at Alesis on Wikipedia and found this:
In the subsequent restructuring, Jack O'Donnell acquired the company. In addition to Alesis, O'Donnell also owns Numark (DJ equipment), Akai Professional, ION Audio, Alto Professional, and MixMeister.
Click to expand...

Alesis filed Chapter 11, was bought by O'Donnell, who also owns Alto Pro.

However, I don't think the Alto S-16 is listed on the Alto website, although there are plenty of Google results.

As far as vouching for their product quality, I can't help much.:(
 
#3
Yea, not much info.

Its one of the few compact mixers that has a sweepable mid. Ive been looking to pick up a smaller mixer than our 1604 vlzpro but all the really small ones I like dont have a sweepable mid. Ive been looking for:

8 XLR inputs
good preamp
high pass filter
sweepable mid
at least 1 aux send with master level control for our monitors.
very VERY small footprint

-- So far, I havent been able to find anything. Everything that has those features is in a larger package.
 
#5
^ $400ish. Nothing too low end. Ive been debating between a few:

Soundcraft MFXi8 - hits all the criteria. The current front runner..... wish it was slightly smaller though. Added lexicon effects are a bonus.
A&H ZED 12fx/14 - a little larger, but hits the criteria
Mackie 1402 VLZ3 - perfect size, just wish it had 2 more XLR inputs and delete 2 stereo inputs, and add a sweepable mid.

Considered the older Soundcraft Folio 12/2....... but I didnt like the preamp gain controls.
 
#6
I must consider myself a bit inexperienced, so what follows is strictly IMO...
Soundcraft MFXi8
This is a pretty small board. I use a FX16ii a bit, that's from the same family as the MFXi8, and it's quite nice. The EQ sounds nice, and it seems well built.

ZED12fx
Only has 6 mic pres, ? Lacks a submix, but has USB.

ZED14
Again, only 6 mic pres, no submix, but USB. I think it's bigger than the MFX.

1402 VLZ3
I've used one of these a bit, they can be beat to hell and back and still sort of work.I think the sound of the Soundcraft and the A&H will be better. And yes, the lack of swept mids is a bit of a downer.

Personally, I think you're better off with the MFXi8, a very flexible board, small, and sounds good.
 
#7
philter25 said:
^ $400ish. Nothing too low end. Ive been debating between a few:

Soundcraft MFXi8 - hits all the criteria. The current front runner..... wish it was slightly smaller though. Added lexicon effects are a bonus.
A&H ZED 12fx/14 - a little larger, but hits the criteria
Mackie 1402 VLZ3 - perfect size, just wish it had 2 more XLR inputs and delete 2 stereo inputs, and add a sweepable mid.

Considered the older Soundcraft Folio 12/2....... but I didnt like the preamp gain controls.
Click to expand...

Have you taken a look at the Yamaha mixers? If used is not an option for you (and if it is, definitely go with a used mixer), for about $430, you could get a Yamaha MG166-CX. It has 10 mono outputs, 2 stereo outs, 2 aux sends, a sweepable mid, a decent one knob compressor, and some decent built-in effects. At first, I was a little hesitant to buy it as I heard some questionable reviews on the sound of the mixer, but I definitely do not regret my purchase at all. It sounds excellent with my RCF powered speakers and I would definitely recommend it.
 
#8
Most of the Yamahas are the same size as our current Mackie 1604 VLZ Pro. So Id essentially be with 2 of the same thing. Im happy with the VLZ Pro as for larger venues, it does the jobs and has tons of routing options.

My goal was to get a secondary mixer which is smaller, can be carried in a bag, and can stand on a music stand which we can use for smaller gigs where stage space is a premium and we dont need to mic up guitar and bass. 4 vocals, acoustic guitar, and keys are what we need to mic for smaller places, and lugging around the 1604 is a pain for 6 inputs and some venues have very very small stages so its hard to always find a place to put it.

The 1402 VLZ3 is the absolute perfect size, but I wish it had gain controls on the line inputs and a sweepable mid and a master aux 2 volume control.
 
#10
philter25 said:
Most of the Yamahas are the same size as our current Mackie 1604 VLZ Pro. So Id essentially be with 2 of the same thing. Im happy with the VLZ Pro as for larger venues, it does the jobs and has tons of routing options.

My goal was to get a secondary mixer which is smaller, can be carried in a bag, and can stand on a music stand which we can use for smaller gigs where stage space is a premium and we dont need to mic up guitar and bass. 4 vocals, acoustic guitar, and keys are what we need to mic for smaller places, and lugging around the 1604 is a pain for 6 inputs and some venues have very very small stages so its hard to always find a place to put it.

The 1402 VLZ3 is the absolute perfect size, but I wish it had gain controls on the line inputs and a sweepable mid and a master aux 2 volume control.
Click to expand...

I apologize for that, I forgot about the size concern. In that case, I would say that you would be best off going with the A&H ZED 14. That way, you get the channels you want and if you are using any external effects with the VLZ, you can also use those with the A&H mixer.
 
#11
philter25 said:
Yea, not much info.

Its one of the few compact mixers that has a sweepable mid. Ive been looking to pick up a smaller mixer than our 1604 vlzpro but all the really small ones I like dont have a sweepable mid. Ive been looking for:

8 XLR inputs
good preamp
high pass filter
sweepable mid
at least 1 aux send with master level control for our monitors.
very VERY small footprint

-- So far, I havent been able to find anything. Everything that has those features is in a larger package.
Click to expand...

Here ya go :-) Invalid Link Removed Might be a little beyond the budget ;-(
 

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