Jump to content

Why don't we hear of Carvin?


wydsiwyrg

Recommended Posts

Hi guys - hope I don't get laughed out here!

Lots of people seem to be looking for mixers on a budget, especially looking at Behringer. I don't have a bias against Behringer - all the gear I've used by them has been decent quality for the price; but have recently had the chance to use the 8 bus Studio Live desks from Carvin, and have found them to be of really good quality. They have much nicer mic pres, for a similar price to the Berry MX9000 (750 quid for a 24/8/2), and the price is real low for a 56 input mixer - 2500 quid.

Have any of you guys had a chance to experiment with the Carvins? And what comments would you have? I'm pretty amateur - but have worked with Yamaha, Soundcraft, Allen and Heath, as well as, Berry, Carvin, and some other lower price brands. Any comments on why I've never seen Carvin recommended really here, or just the fact that they haven't broken over to the UK?

Will stop rambling!

Cheers!

Tim

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've certainly never encountered any Carvin mixers in my travels here in the UK.

 

I did a quick Google and Carvin list their UK distributor as a company called Nevada Music in Portsmouth; however the site there (reachable on www.carvin.co.uk ) only seems to list Guitars and amps in the Carvin range. I'm only guessing but I wonder if Carvin decided it wasn't worth getting the necessary EU approvals to market their full range here?

 

FYI, what I've heard of Carvin mixers on other newsgroups hasn't been overly favourable, but I stress that this is hearsay and that I've never had any personal experience of their kit.

 

Bob

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Have any of you guys had a chance to experiment with the Carvins? And what comments would you have?

Hmm... a church I used to go to had the 56 channel 8 bus 'studio' desk. In my opinion it is a very noisy desk, and the channelstrips were prone to failure, tho I do like the meterbridge. BTW, the better stuff like A&H have individual circuit boards per channel, for ease of replacement. Yes it was cheap over here as well, but if I was going to purchase, on a budget, I would go straight away for an Allen & Heath desk. I haven't really experienced much other, apart from Behringer (wouldn't touch with a barge pole) and Mackie (maybe if I *had* to, but not by choice...). I hear Soundcraft (but not the Spirits) are okay mixers.

 

Regards

David

 

Edit: w00t! 103 posts ** laughs out loud **

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I guess everybody has their own thoughts, but....

 

I'd put the "pro" level soundcraft up there with the best of them, and the "Spirit" range in the same quality group as things like the A&H mixwiz.

 

At the other end of the spectrum, I consider Behringer and Mackie to be much of a muchness...i.e. crap...but at least Behringer is properly priced for what it is.

 

Bob

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I guess everybody has their own thoughts, but....

 

I'd put the "pro" level soundcraft up there with the best of them, and the "Spirit" range in the same quality group as things like the A&H mixwiz.

 

At the other end of the spectrum, I consider Behringer and Mackie to be much of a muchness...i.e. crap...but at least Behringer is properly priced for what it is.

 

Bob

 

 

lxdeptnz - you'll find people will disagree with you about the Soundcraft Spirit stuff, probably best to only comment about stuff you've used.

My God! I sound like a moderator!

You know what I mean though...

 

Yes, er, I have a Spirit SX, but I've used a Mixwizard and I'd regard A&H Mix wizard as a much much better console than my Spirit SX

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey guys, The Spirit Folio SX retails at about £385 with the A&H MixWiz 16:2 costs about £834.55

 

Please compare like with like.

 

(Prices from the usual german source)

 

 

James

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Indeed...it's like James says. The "Spirit" model encompasses quite a wide range of price, quality and features. If you look at things like the Live 3:2, Live 4:2 or maybe the LX7, you'll find the compare pretty well with A&H mixers in equivalent price ranges. There are pros and cons to both manufacturers but I've mixed happily on either.

 

Bob

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.