I'm hiring a 24 channel console to use at my birthday bash in October. Looks like it'll be either an A&H GL2200 or Soundcraft Spirit Live 4, both at about 50ukp per day. Its to mix 2 bands with.

Which would be the better desk (and why preferably) or would something else be better (e.g LS9)?

Regards

Erm just out of interest what currency is ukp?? Personally I'd go for the Spirit but someone may have more experiance with both of them than me and have a totally different oppinion.

"UKP" would be "United Kingdom Pounds" (£).

As for the desk, I've used both frequently and have a slight preference for the A&H in terms of the overall sound and, in particular, the EQ section. However, I'd happily use either (and used to own a 24 channel Spirit Live 4 version 2).

Bob

Either, but don't go for the digital desk unless you either know it, or have time to figure out how it works. It isn't difficult, but equally, not something you want to be doing under time pressure!

Something like an LS9 could potentially be cheaper in the long run if you're also hiring a standard amount of outboard to go with one of the analogue choices.

But...and it's a big but...if you haven't used one before I suspect a "birthday bash" is not the place to learn your way around one. The LS9 is probably the easiest digital console ever for an analogue-type-guy to learn--but there is still a learning curve and this is probably best not done when you're under pressure and trying to have a spot of fun at a birthday party.

Bob

I was thinking about that aspect. I did vaguely consider maybe hiring an LS9 for a couple of days to get to know it. Its all more money but I have a very inquiring mind and I'd love to have a go with a digital console to see what its like. No doubt in a couple of years there will be some second hand units around and they will be within my budget.

Personally I'd go A&H everytime, always dead easy to use, they were mainly the mixers I used to learn on (ahh the memories, haha)

just my 2p.

Why not download the editor for the LS9:

LS9 Editor

Studio Mgr

Learn the desk using the above, program your show, then dump it across on a USB stick when you hire the desk.

I'd vote for the A&H. I spent a weekend mixing on a Spirit Live at a festival not so long ago - really didn't like the eq. It seemed very ineffective unless you really pushed the signal level through the channel high, almost to the point of clipping. Much prefer the A&H eq.