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Good Mixing console for a GIGGING act 24+ channels

LilRay

LilRay

Commercial User
Dec 27, 2007
4,166
39
Between my Roscoe and Leather
Disclosures
Owner: Cockeyed Cow Custom Leathercraft
#1
Hi guys,

Looking to upgrade from a Peavey Powered XR 2012 to a Standalone non powered console + outboard power amps.

I want a decent mid priced unit with good quality parts from a company with excellent CS.

I won't narrow down a budget but I'll say that I'd like to hear opinions on the best bang for the buck unit,

Got any suggestions?

God Bless, Ray
 
#3
dougray said:
look at behringer or peavey... allen&heath? whats your budget... i own a behringer 2442 i have used it for years and always sounded great..
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I own the Peavey XR2012 as we speak. I'd like to find a higher quality unit and without the "all in one" aspect of the Peavey. The Peavey has an internal power amp, built in effects, eq etc.

I'd like to move away from "all in one" to individualized components for better quality and control.

I don't want to limit myself to a particular budget, because I'm not Afraid to spend what it takes for a decent unit. But I don't need the best of the best, just a quality unit good enough for a gigging band.

God Bless, Ray
 
#4
I´d recommend a Yamaha LS9-32 digital desk. Decent sounding pres, all the processing you´ll need (2 dynamics and 4-band para+lpf per channel) , effects inbuilt (quite OK actually) and enough outputs (16 omni) for foldback etc. Quite easy to operate, too...
 
#5
The LS9 would be a great choice, but it's nearly 10K price might be a bit much. Soundcraft has a few nice analog consoles, starting in the 1800 price range that would be great. LX7II 24 for about 1800, the gb4-24 for around 3500.
LS9 would give you far more versitility though. Adding up all the outboard gear one could possibly use on a GB4 setup you might get close to the LS9 price.
If you really want to spend some large, look at the A&H Ilive, or the new SC48. ($20K-ish) Not really too bad for some really nice pro consoles.
 
#7
GregShadoan said:
The LS9 would be a great choice, but it's nearly 10K price might be a bit much. Soundcraft has a few nice analog consoles, starting in the 1800 price range that would be great. LX7II 24 for about 1800, the gb4-24 for around 3500.
LS9 would give you far more versitility though. Adding up all the outboard gear one could possibly use on a GB4 setup you might get close to the LS9 price.
If you really want to spend some large, look at the A&H Ilive, or the new SC48. ($20K-ish) Not really too bad for some really nice pro consoles.
Click to expand...

I'm not a fan of the digital consoles. Being able to save and recall scenes is nice, outside of that they kinda suck to work on. Also, unless you genuinely need 48 compressors, 24 de-essers, 24 parametric EQ's, etc, you can get better sounding micamps, EQ, and dynamics by buying used analog stuff wisely.

The Soundcraft LX7 is an alright little mixer, that's what we have at the bar I work at right now. Micamps sound good, EQ is good, you can run the busses really hot and the sound doesn't go to hell. A couple things suck about it: 1. the aux sends are post-EQ, which you really don't want for your monitor mixes. 2. it's not a for-real 4 bus console, busses 1 and 3 are always assigned to the left and busses 2 and 4 are always assigned to the right. So if you want to run a stereo PA you really only have 2 (stereo) busses. (workarounds exist, it's still a drag).

A 24 input mixer is a large, complicated thing with all sorts of places for things to go subtly wrong. Absolute last thing you want to get a Behringear for.

Look at the Mackie 8 bus. You can get 24 or 32 channel versions for right around a grand these days in good shape. Good solid mixer and anyone who has ever done any sound at all will be immediately comfortable on it.
 
#13
Micky-D said:
Apart from a bit of fixed bus architecture, the MIDAS Venice 240 or 320 is a standout choice. They are built well, low failure rate and actually sound like a MIDAS.
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After seeing the many, many Venice desks in need for a thorough repair, I disagree. And largely disagree them sounding like a "real Midas" (such as XL and Heritage series).

Things that really piss me off with Venices are f.ex:

-60mm faders. Really hard for precise controlling
-2 aux being pre-EQ (though changed with internal jumpers)
-EQ´s oscillating noise
-Not enough aux sends for larger bands
-Lack of pads on input channels

I´d take the digital route for smaller footprint and lack of need for outboard gear.
 
#15
How many inputs do you really need? I do most of my work with an older Yahama 01v. This is 12 mic preamps, and two stereo line inputs. I have done larger wedding band stuff with this desk. Typical club bands, not a problem. Much like the LS9, it has everything you need onboard. Unlike the LS9, they can be had all day long on ebay for around 500 bucks.
 
#16
I've got a 12 channel 20 input Peavey now. Between Myself and My Pop we use 8 channels. If we find a drummer that has a large kit that will eat up channels. We'd also like to add keys if possible. I'd also like to have spare channels for sit ins and audience mics etc . I'm actually guessing at 24, might need less, but I'd hate to invest in a new system and not have enough.

God Bless, Ray
 
#17
+1 on the LS9. -100 on anything that says Mackie on it, especially if you're looking to tour. The ribbon cables on the inside of the Mackie large format consoles are asking to fail, and frequently do.

This question came up recently at a conference I attended; Doug Gould (look him up) recommended the Presonus Studiolive...need more than 16 channels of digital mixing? Buy another Studiolive, they're about $2,000 each, and chain together. All the advantages of digitial mixers, excellent sound, good record of CS, and none of the 5-figure price tags.
 
#18
kalle74 said:
After seeing the many, many Venice desks in need for a thorough repair, I disagree. And largely disagree them sounding like a "real Midas" (such as XL and Heritage series).

Things that really piss me off with Venices are f.ex:

-60mm faders. Really hard for precise controlling
-2 aux being pre-EQ (though changed with internal jumpers)
-EQ´s oscillating noise
-Not enough aux sends for larger bands
-Lack of pads on input channels

I´d take the digital route for smaller footprint and lack of need for outboard gear.
Click to expand...

Where did you see all these Midas desks in for repairs? Mine's been fine for over 7 years.
 
#19
I've been VERY satisfied with my Allen & Heath MixWiz3 16:2. Granted, it's not a 24-channel board, but the sound quality is head and shoulders above my old Yamaha mixer, which I used to think sounded OK. After buying the A&H, I've noticed that the channel pre-amps on most other "affordable" mixers sound comparatively veiled/unclear. The only thing I miss is having "groups," but I wanted a 19"-wide mixer, and losing groups was a worthwhile trade-off. If the sound quality of my MixWiz can be generalized to include other A&H mixers, I doubt you'll be disappointed by an Allen & Heath board. :)
 

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