I'm very interested to hear more input on mixers as well. I thought I was doing good with the mixwiz, but it seems maybe there could be a better solution? I want simple and easy to use, as my knowledge is nill when it comes to actually running a board. Is a digital board really worth the cash for a bar band? Any input on what you guys have gotten good results with in a similar situation are appreciated.
Nothing wrong with the mixwiz. It's got enough knobs and buttons to keep a newbie busy for a while.
Like DARK, said, you'll want at least some EQ, especially for the monitors to help with feedback. Some type of compression is nice, even if only on the whole mix, but comp for each channel is better. To add these you need cables and the rack starts to grow.
That's where the digitals start to look attractive. I'm most familiar with the dl1608 but also the presonus 24. Both give you compression, gate, 4 band para EQ, variable HPF, reverb and delay for each channel. Imagine the size of the rack and the cost for adding that to the mixwiz.
I'm assuming you're going used since the mixwiz4 is out now at $1000 advertized price. So, yeah, you can save some money and make it work with just a used 3.
The last "normal" mixer we used was a mackie 1604 that was used around $400 or so (can't remember). Added a rack case for another $75 used. DOD dual band graphic EQ ($50 used), Alesis nanoverb and 3630 comp (somebody already had these but figure another $100 used. Mixwiz has FX already). Probably another $50 in cables to hook it up. So $675. That's about as cheap as you can go for 16 channels. The thing was bulky and heavy. Almost as heavy as the sub.
Replaced with the dl1608. $850 new from MF. I already had an ipad. I was going to use my wife's but it became apparent I needed one dedicated for the task. Got a used ipad2 for about $300. So twice as much as the used gear and about the same as a new mixwiz4.
But it has all the utility previously mentioned. The real beauty is that it fits in a laptop bag and weighs 8lbs. Add a $50 router and you can remote mix from any tablet/smartphone. Play a room, get the mix right, save it, then recall it next time you play. We've got saved settings for solo, duo, trio, 4, 5 and full group at various locations.
Sorry for the long diatribe. I probably sound like a salesman. I don't get a cut.
It just made gigging more enjoyable.
One more note in general. Typical "buddy bands" don't control volume. They're almost always too loud. Any party band should be able to play an average bar with one sub and a pair of 12s. Start out low volume. Your audience will appreciate it. It has the added benefit of being easier to mix and get a good sound. Put the vocals out front, then drums, then bass, then everything else.
