Which Mixer should I choose?

[jab46]

Hey Guys,

 

Im looking at getting an analog mixer for recording and I thought I would like some guidance and opinions as to which one I should choose. I know I defiantly want an Allen and Heath one unless someone says that its the wrong tool for the job. I am currently looking at purchasing a ZED24, ZED22FX and if I can stretch my budget maybe a ZED420. basically I wanna use it to go from the LR outputs into an interface and into my MacBook. Maybe Im choosing the wrong mixer I dunno but you opinions and guidance would be much appreciated.

 

Thanks

[KidRay]

I've just done an impromptu recording session with an Allen & heath ZED12FX and a Macbook, I was just helping a mate out getting the sound sorted for an acoustic guitar/vocal duo. Happened to have my Macbook with me so plugged it into the USB connection on the Allen & Heath, no interface needed, recorded straight into Garage Band on the Mac. Easy peasy and sounding pretty nice too. You have the option of taking the USB out from L+R, Aux 1+2, and somewhere else that I can't recall, (might be headphone output?) If you want more than 2 tracks you'll need to look elsewhere, but the A&H/Mac/Garage Band set up is simplicity itself. (The ZED 12FX comes with PC software on a disc as well).

[jab46]

I've just done an impromptu recording session with an Allen & heath ZED12FX and a Macbook, I was just helping a mate out getting the sound sorted for an acoustic guitar/vocal duo. Happened to have my Macbook with me so plugged it into the USB connection on the Allen & Heath, no interface needed, recorded straight into Garage Band on the Mac. Easy peasy and sounding pretty nice too. You have the option of taking the USB out from L+R, Aux 1+2, and somewhere else that I can't recall, (might be headphone output?) If you want more than 2 tracks you'll need to look elsewhere, but the A&H/Mac/Garage Band set up is simplicity itself. (The ZED 12FX comes with PC software on a disc as well).

 

thanks for the reply...im wanting to record drums as well...but if I went out from two channels there is no way I would be able to edit each individual drum. Is there a way of being able to edit each drum separately or would I have to use like a multi-track recorder?

[smalljoshua]

The A&H Zed R16 has each channel out on Firewire along with the ability to use the Mixer as a hardware control surface once the tracks are in software. This Looks to be your best bet if you wish to use it to capture each channel independently.

 

Josh

[jab46]

The A&H Zed R16 has each channel out on Firewire along with the ability to use the Mixer as a hardware control surface once the tracks are in software. This Looks to be your best bet if you wish to use it to capture each channel independently.

 

Josh

 

Thanks for the advice! The R16 is a bit pricey, do you know of any alternatives that use firewire in the same way but are cheaper...doesn't have to be A&H

[smalljoshua]

There aren't any that I know of, however if you want to do multitrack recordings do you also need the desk be able to work in a live situation like the R16? If not, you're looking at just pure Firewire Interfaces and Pre-amps without the associated cost of the rest of the mixing desk.

 

Josh

[jab46]

There aren't any that I know of, however if you want to do multitrack recordings do you also need the desk be able to work in a live situation like the R16? If not, you're looking at just pure Firewire Interfaces and Pre-amps without the associated cost of the rest of the mixing desk.

 

Josh

 

Yer I would like a "multi purpose" mixer so I can use it for studio and live use. I take I could use a standard mixer into a firwire interface so it would work in the same way as the R16?

[KidRay]

There's the Alesis Multimix 16 Firewire for a start. Sound on Sound have a pretty comprehensive review of it.

[smalljoshua]

It depends, if you find a mixer with "Direct Outs" that are Pre everything apart from the Mic Pre-Amps and connect those to Line Level inputs on a multi channel inteface connected to your PC then this is possible. However this then means that you need a mixer with Direct Outs, I've not come across a 16 Channel desk with Direct Outs for less than the price of the R16, let alone the cost of 16 Channels of A-D to go with it.

 

All that not forgetting the added weight and size of having separate units.

 

Josh

[jab46]

There's the Alesis Multimix 16 Firewire for a start. Sound on Sound have a pretty comprehensive review of it.

 

cheers! 8 XLR inputs isn't really enough though do you know if Alesis do a version but with more XLR inputs?