Mixer recomendations????

[poor yorrick]

Hi everyone:

    My workstation is a Tascam 2488 MK ll, and im currently using a Behringer UB 1832fx mixer. The thing just doesnt have enough inputs,(especially mic inputs) and im looking for a much bigger mixer, somewhere in the area of 20-32 channels, with at least 16+ mic inputs.  Now, I know Behringer takes a lot of flack from most people, but to be perfectly honest, this thing has performed well considering!  Until this past fall, it did double duty as my studio mixer and a live mixer.  Ive had it for about 5 years, its been dropped, rained on, knocked over several times, and yet has never failed.  The mic pres are finally becoming VERY inconsistent with each other noise wise on channels 1-6. 

      I have 3 mixers ive been looking at.  First being another Behringer, the SX3242FX Eurodesk mixer at 559.  Hey.. lot of inputs and features!  The next is an Allen Heath ZED-24.  I know Allen Heaths reputation is very good, but, am not familiar with the ZED series mixers. This is obtainable for 699.  Lastly, and certainly not least, is the Soundcraft MPM 202 20 channel mixer at a cool 519. 

       I have considered a Mackie, but, in the price range im looking at, would only be able to get 16 channels. By the way, when I purchase a new mixer, it will become a permanent fixture in my studio and NEVER be used for live performance.  So... with these in mind I would appreciate any experience first hand as well as your pros and cons on each one.

                                                               Thanx!

   

[stainless]

Not familiar with the Behringer, so don't know if that has motorized faders

if not(meaning analog is fine- The Mackine 24 x 8 or 32 x 8 are very nice (I have a 32-8 before I jumped to the Digi/Focusrite Control|24.

they are not the same with respect to signal routing- the automated faders, and console editting are a nice departure from mouse mixing, but I still use the mouse more than the board as far as automation

nothing beats hands on

If I were to upgrade/change I'd go to a Mackie or a Soundcraft (can't afford/justify  the SSI/Neve's)... actually at times I have trouble justifying the Control|24... but don't tell my wife... she thinks I may someday make $$$$$

[RawDepth]

Welcome Yorrick.

Will you be using this mixer to track multiple instruments or only for mixdown? Because there is such a thing as a "studio" mixer which differs from a "live" mixer.

[poor yorrick]

AH....reading my original post, I should have clarified my use for the mixer.  No.. it will be not used for mixdown.  My D.A.W. has 8 inputs on the back..(Tascam 2488 MKll.)  4 of the inputs are XLR, and also those 4 double as 1/4. So... with mic'ing live drums on occasion, the use of drum machines, keys, (6 stereo channels, which I will be using my old behringer as a submixer for that), plus, guitars, bass, vox....etc, I would like a mixer to where im not doing a ton of patching everytime I want to record a different part.  So..... recording only, no mixdown.  By the way, Ive also looked at the Mackie 1642 and 1604 VLZ mixers for my use. They seem a little more studio friendly than my other choices, but not sure if in the long run theres enough inputs.   My budget is no more than about 850 for a mixer.

                                                                             Thanx!

[stainless]

http://www.zzounds.com/item--MAC1642VLZIII

My vote would be the mackie, despite only 16 inputs- while the upper end Soundcraft and HA are very nice- a couple of musical acquintences have the lower priced models... and they both have complaints

as to Behringer... it's real hit and miss (IMHO)  some of their stuff works great (especially at the price!) other things are noisy as all hell (cheap components, poor shielding,  and/or ground loop issues) The band I'm currently in had a Eurodesk 32... it had all kinds of issues- dead/scratchy spots on the faders (or else dead channels) switches would stick. This was unit that never saw a gig!

Behringer seems to have a lot more "refurbished" units than other manufacturers- but if you get one that works! more power to you

I'll stop ranting now

[RawDepth]

I normally wouldn't recommend a Carvin product to anyone because I've always been into higher quality. (Some folks compare them to Behringer.) But they do sell one of the few mixers on the planet that has RCA S/PDIF stereo digital output. You could plug that straight into your digital-in on the Tascam and have the entire stereo mix go direct to harddrive. It would be at 48kHz, 16 BIT, if that is compatible.

Again, I've never used a Carvin product so I'm not sure if they are good or not. Give it a look.

https://www.carvinguitars.com/products/single.php?product=C2444U

[poor yorrick]

Thanx for the input guys.  Probably about 20 years or so ago I did have some experience with a Carvin mixer.  48 channels!  Very quiet preamps, good eq, and quite a bit of routing options. Used it quite a few times for live venues and as a studio mixer.  Ive heard a few things about some of the newer Carvin mixers though and havent been happy with what ive heard.  The Carvin mixer is obtainable price wise, and I will do some more research on it.  While this wasnt an extreme high end mixer by no means, I lost a Behringer MX9000 in a divorce!  Literally lost it, along with a 92 Rickenbacker 4003 bass, and quite a bit of other gear.  Think that Behringer was the best product they have made, and was about $1500 when it first came out. That particular mixer also came with a meter bridge, and you still hear a lot of praise on other forums about that mixer. Thing weiged a ton too... somewheres around 100 pounds or so.

        By the way Raw, very nice set-up you have! Ah.... should just say the heck with it and cash in some of the 401K and have a field day at the music store!

                                                                     Thanx guys!