what is a good mixer for the money?

[mattaudio]

I *would* however recommend learning all the ins and outs of an analog console before jumping to digital (especially something relatively difficult to use, such as the 01V).

I had a few different boards, from an old Behringer 2442 to a MixWiz and an old Mackie SR. I did my learning on a Yamaha GA 32/12 (IIRC) at the bar I ran in college. It was great to have a house system, where I didn't have to worry about setting up amps and tweaking the room EQs every night, and I could instead focus on learning how to manage each channel of input. Before long, I knew what every single thing on that console did, and I knew every wire in the entire system we had. Nothing improved my ability to mix more than knowing EXACTLY how my entire rig worked.

I'd suggest learning on a capable analog rig, especially since they go for so cheap on Craigslist these days as mid-level companies upgrade to digital boards. Just remember, on analog boards, take 5 min before the band arrives, and reset all the potentiometers so you have a blank canvas each time!

[SoundInMotionDJ]

Nothing improved my ability to mix more than knowing EXACTLY how my entire rig worked.

Ahhh yes, all of recorded human history simply documents the search for a suitable substitute for knowing what the you're doing.

So far....nothing.



--Stan Graves

[quaizywabbit]

I have to disagree that it's not intuitive. I think it's equally intuitive to an analog system, and perhaps moreso than an analog system with all the outboard gear. The setup does require a bit of computer proficiency, but that's a different issue.

i was mainly referring to the lack of hands on knobs and faders, which if you must have, will require learning the supported control surface itself. I have the Behringer BCF2000, which gives you flying faders, mutes, solo's, and pans for 8 channels at a time, not bad for 179 bucks. Not sure how the Motormix or Mackie would make it easier, cause then youre back to toggling to get to the right parameter, which would actually seem faster to get to with a mouse...Dont have either of those to play with....

[BrentEvans]

I have to disagree that it's not intuitive. I think it's equally intuitive to an analog system, and perhaps moreso than an analog system with all the outboard gear. The setup does require a bit of computer proficiency, but that's a different issue.

i was mainly referring to the lack of hands on knobs and faders, which if you must have, will require learning the supported control surface itself. I have the Behringer BCF2000, which gives you flying faders, mutes, solo's, and pans for 8 channels at a time, not bad for 179 bucks. Not sure how the Motormix or Mackie would make it easier, cause then youre back to toggling to get to the right parameter, which would actually seem faster to get to with a mouse...Dont have either of those to play with....

I understand what you're saying, but that might depend on the person a bit too, you know? I personally don't use the BCF, never found a real need for it. A person who is comfortable with computers but has never tried sound mixing might actually find it more intuitive, because it's a more familiar interface.

[quaizywabbit]

point taken...

[mloretitsch]

Considering resale value I really like the allen and heath mixwiz. It gives you good flexibility with all the aux sends and is fairly well constructed. Spending more, a used soundcraft GB4 is very well made. As far as digital, the 01V is it for the small format digital board. I personally run a 32x32 SAC system and its some serious gear with a serious learning curve.

If you get a used mixwiz, you won't loose much come resale time. That's my vote!

Good luck...some of my best work has been with nothing but a beatup mackie and sm58 and 57s. Good mic placement and creativity mean more than sweet preamps.

-Matt