Disco Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 HI Guys I'm thinking about buying a powered mixer, it will be used for general PA work and to power up to 4 EV SX300's. At most I will be using 4 mikes and three line inputs. Quality and reliability are importiant to me. Anyone got any suggestions please? My thinking is along the lines of Spirit powerstation, Phonic powerpod, studiomaster powerhouse. I'm sure there are many others! Many thanks Disco Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johndenim Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 Having once owned a Sudiomaster horizon, I now have a Dynacord powermate mk2. 700 wpc at 4ohms, dual effects, quality preamps, parametric eq, notch filter, loads of other features.It's the same mixer as the cms 1000 but with amps. Can you still get a powerhouse?If you are thinking of a s/h studiomaster ensure its been made in england. John Denim. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Posted September 23, 2008 Author Share Posted September 23, 2008 Having once owned a Sudiomaster horizon, I now have a Dynacord powermate mk2. 700 wpc at 4ohms, dual effects, quality preamps, parametric eq, notch filter, loads of other features.It's the same mixer as the cms 1000 but with amps. Can you still get a powerhouse?If you are thinking of a s/h studiomaster ensure its been made in england. John Denim. Hi John Thanks for the input, I was looking at second hand kit, I had a trawl on the web and the studiomaster kit seems to have some problems with reliability, so it a NO! Dynacord looks very intresting but by goodness its expensive. Thanks again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thewhirlwind Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 I'd go for a Dynacord powermate if I were you. All the semi pro's I know use them, they are very good quality and reliable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevieR Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 The Dynacord units are very good but not that cheap. For a good value option, the Yamaha units are very good - although I'm not a fan of the EQ... Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DangerMouse Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 For a good value option, the Yamaha units are very good - although I'm not a fan of the EQ...Definitely agree with you on the EQ there! And from memory I don't think there are mix inserts so you can't use am outboard graphic! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johndenim Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 Well, mine was bought from SC just before they folded, cost me £1300, not bad. If you had a studiomaster powerhouse in mind which is 300x300w maybe a powerhouse mk 1 would be suitable?They are a bit cheaper, but don't have so many features. The s/h market for these is very rare, ebay have them now and again but as they are well made and last they hold their value quite well.What made you choose powered?Have you looked on thomann? A concurrent post has been automatically merged from this point on. Just found this Dynacord on ebay, where in the world are you Dave? A concurrent post has been automatically merged from this point on. Haha, have just looked at the picture again, how can you tell this chap is a DJ?(no offence Dave) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevieR Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 And from memory I don't think there are mix inserts so you can't use am outboard graphic! Well, you still can. Just put it in series and not as an insert... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkPAman Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 Well, you still can. Just put it in series and not as an insert... On a powered desk? :blink: How? A concurrent post has been automatically merged from this point on. Actually, looking at the spec for a couple of the Yamaha mixers they do have inserts (in the form of separate sockets). The older ones even had these both pre & post the inbuilt graphic, enabling all sorts of clever stuff should you be that way inclined. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Posted September 23, 2008 Author Share Posted September 23, 2008 Hi Guys Thanks for all your help on this. John I love the 'twin smilies' on the dynacord. It's simply what DJ's (even retired ones) do! Right now I'm using a Yamaha MG12/4. Its great but (unless you know otherwise) can't be rack mounted. so its a palaver uncasing it, wiring it to the amp (Crown or EV) etc. So I'm looking for a simple one box - plug and play solution. POwered speakers are not an option as a lot of what I do (see http://tiggersound.giving.officelive.com/default.aspxis in fields Church fetes etc where I run the operation out of the back of a car. One other question if I may, Ive always used DJ mixers with the Yamaha I find I have to use a lot of volume on the mikes but almost no volume on the line inputs. I can't quite work out the reasons for this - any thoughts. Thanks again Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johndenim Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 Ive always used DJ mixers with the Yamaha I find I have to use a lot of volume on the mikes but almost no volume on the line inputs. I can't quite work out the reasons for this - any thoughts. Thanks again Dave Sorry Dave, you always use DJ mixers with the Yamaha TOGETHER? You use two mixers together at once?How come? How do you set the gain input?Sorry for all the questions! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinE Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 I'd recommend Yamaha, Dynacord, Peavey, Soundcraft. The Studiomasters are well liked by their owners (for their sound and features..and cost..) 'till they go bang, however they're usually an easy fix by an experienced guy. The later Studiomasters (The Indian Pradheep Ahuja Prosound made ones..often with Union Flag on the back) are the most common, they were also made in China and Badged Soundlab and IMG Stageline. None are quite as bad as their reputation suggests as they were simply made and sold in their thousands so there's alot about. The ones to avoid are the silver coloured German branded units made in the far east you may have heard of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johndenim Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 I have a horizon in my spare room that went 'bang' KevinE. It turned out that one side of the amp was knackered, it smoked a bit before it weng bang.Did I say a bit, I mean a lot. If anyone want this for pocket money, let me know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Posted September 23, 2008 Author Share Posted September 23, 2008 I have a horizon in my spare room that went 'bang' KevinE. It turned out that one side of the amp was knackered, it smoked a bit before it weng bang.Did I say a bit, I mean a lot. If anyone want this for pocket money, let me know. Thanks for the advice - appreciated. No I don't use two mixers, just the Yamaha into the amp. I normally set the mike gain at around half and use the sliders to increase the sound - is that the correct way? THanks again Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johndenim Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 I used to have a mg16/6fx, this was rackmountable, but I think its a bit wider than yours Dave. Anyway, to your current question, use the pfl (pre fade listen) to set the gain.Playback a track, press plf, set the channel fader to 0dB,(and the master fader anyone?, can't remember) (have your amp turned right down or disconnect a speaker!) adjust the input gain so that the left VU peaks at 0dB. Do this for each channel.Your gains should be set, hopefully! I must add that not all mixers have this facility. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.