Live mixer

[DLM]

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[Ivan Rex]

By the way, this is an interesting topic for discussion. Personally for me for a long time it was an urgent question of searching for an ideal mixer for live-performances, which would have enough line inputs and signal processing functions on the one hand, and on the other - so that it would not be a huge and heavy box, which would be problematic to take with you to a gig in another city.



At the moment I chose MACKIE ProFX8v2. For me, it's the perfect option right now for several reasons:
1) relatively light weight and dimensions
2) convenient and pleasant interaction
2) 8 channels with mute btn. on each channel
3) Graphic stereo equalizer on the master
4) Not bad reverb effects

What I miss here:
1) Parametric mid eq and comp. knob on some channels
2) Space processing effects with more flexible settings



Some of these things are implemented in Onyx 8-12 series, but they lack EQ on the master channel, which for me personally is an important part of a mixer for stage work. It would be great if something that combines all of these features would be available in the future.

[Balor/SS1535]

By the way, this is an interesting topic for discussion. Personally for me for a long time it was an urgent question of searching for an ideal mixer for live-performances, which would have enough line inputs and signal processing functions on the one hand, and on the other - so that it would not be a huge and heavy box, which would be problematic to take with you to a gig in another city.



At the moment I chose MACKIE ProFX8v2. For me, it's the perfect option right now for several reasons:
1) relatively light weight and dimensions
2) convenient and pleasant interaction
2) 8 channels with mute btn. on each channel
3) Graphic stereo equalizer on the master
4) Not bad reverb effects

What I miss here:
1) Parametric mid eq and comp. knob on some channels
2) Space processing effects with more flexible settings



Some of these things are implemented in Onyx 8-12 series, but they lack EQ on the master channel, which for me personally is an important part of a mixer for stage work. It would be great if something that combines all of these features would be available in the future.

I have that Mackie too, and I have used it at several shows.  It works great and seems very sturdy.  For the price too, the effects unit is actually quite good.  You mention the reverb, but the delay and distortion effects can also add some nice final touches to sounds as well.

[Ivan Rex]

but the delay and distortion effects can also add some nice final touches to sounds as well.

Of course, other effects can be used just as effectively, and they're pretty good, but personally I usually only need reverb on individual channels in a live mixer. I already have most of the effects I need in my samplers and pedals, so in this situation it only makes sense for me to use the extra "space" and a way to add a reverb "tail" to the sound to smooth out the pauses between tracks

[Balor/SS1535]

but the delay and distortion effects can also add some nice final touches to sounds as well.

Of course, other effects can be used just as effectively, and they're pretty good, but personally I usually only need reverb on individual channels in a live mixer. I already have most of the effects I need in my samplers and pedals, so in this situation it only makes sense for me to use the extra "space" and a way to add a reverb "tail" to the sound to smooth out the pauses between tracks

That's pretty much what I have done with my live set-up as well.  It is worth noting, though, if one wants to try out no-input mixing!

Also, since you have this same unit, do you find that yours gets very hot when in use for even a short time?  I have been assuming that it is normal, but I am always slightly concerned that I'll nuke it with my synths or something.

[Ivan Rex]

if one wants to try out no-input mixing!

Yes, this mixer is perfect for such experiments, but I would probably prefer to buy something cheaper for this purpose :) For example, I used Yamaha MG82CX and recorded a lot of nice sounds based on internal feedback processed by the effects of the mixer itself. I will surely try something similar with the Mackie, but I will probably be more careful with signal levels....

Also, since you have this same unit, do you find that yours gets very hot when in use for even a short time?  I have been assuming that it is normal, but I am always slightly concerned that I'll nuke it with my synths or something.

I haven't noticed a lot of overheating on the Mackie to be honest, but this point interests me. I will try to check it later.

[Balor/SS1535]

if one wants to try out no-input mixing!

Yes, this mixer is perfect for such experiments, but I would probably prefer to buy something cheaper for this purpose :) For example, I used Yamaha MG82CX and recorded a lot of nice sounds based on internal feedback processed by the effects of the mixer itself. I will surely try something similar with the Mackie, but I will probably be more careful with signal levels....

Also, since you have this same unit, do you find that yours gets very hot when in use for even a short time?  I have been assuming that it is normal, but I am always slightly concerned that I'll nuke it with my synths or something.

I haven't noticed a lot of overheating on the Mackie to be honest, but this point interests me. I will try to check it later.

hehe  Definitely a bit expensive to accidentally blow up with no-input stuff!

Interesting.  To be more specific, it seems to heat up the most over the effects unit.  That might be, however, just because I am running the effects on multiple signals at once?

[Ivan Rex]

I haven't noticed a lot of overheating on the Mackie to be honest, but this point interests me. I will try to check it later.

Last night I recorded through the mixer and it's barely warm, so I don't have any problems in that aspect.
But I found out that my EQ in \ bypass button, when pressed, sometimes starts to introduce extra noise into the mix, hah.

[Balor/SS1535]

I haven't noticed a lot of overheating on the Mackie to be honest, but this point interests me. I will try to check it later.

Last night I recorded through the mixer and it's barely warm, so I don't have any problems in that aspect.
But I found out that my EQ in \ bypass button, when pressed, sometimes starts to introduce extra noise into the mix, hah.

How long did you run it for?  What I consider "overheating" might very well be a standard part of the mixer's character, but I notice it most when I run it for a while.  It shouldn't be surprising, all things considered!

[Ivan Rex]

How long did you run it for?  What I consider "overheating" might very well be a standard part of the mixer's character, but I notice it most when I run it for a while.  It shouldn't be surprising, all things considered!

I worked with it for over 3 hours, at a pretty high volume level. My mixer looks new, although I purchased it from the previous owner. The unit will probably get hotter over time, so it's probably worth doing some prophylaxis from time to time anyway.

[Balor/SS1535]

How long did you run it for?  What I consider "overheating" might very well be a standard part of the mixer's character, but I notice it most when I run it for a while.  It shouldn't be surprising, all things considered!

I worked with it for over 3 hours, at a pretty high volume level. My mixer looks new, although I purchased it from the previous owner. The unit will probably get hotter over time, so it's probably worth doing some prophylaxis from time to time anyway.

Ok, so it's probably not something for me to worry about then.  Many thanks for your semi-troubleshooting!