I have been offered a choice of either of a Soundtracs Topaz Project 8 - 24 channel or a Mackie 32:8. Both less than £500 so the price isn't the issue, both are immaculate, fully working, serviced, boxed and look 'as new'. The Soundtracs has the optional meterbridge on it. The mackie doesn't. I will be using the desk for summing/mixing and EQing of finished tracks of dance/house/RnB type music.
I have a Presonus FireWire audio interface which gives me 24 channels of analogue audio out to a desk and back in as the final stereo track. If it was your £400-500, which would you buy and more importantly why? Gusyata nemeckaya narodnaya pesnya. I'm a newcomer to analogue desks, hence why I'm asking! I like the 'look' of the Mackie more just because it's bigger and more professional looking, but I completely agree that's a stupid point! I don't think I'll need the Bus sections, just the faders, gains, and EQ's.
Mar 24, 2006 - As for balanced/unbalanced - it's a mixed bag on the Topaz. I don't have the manual in front of me (you can download it as a PDF from the Yahoo Soundtracs Topaz group), but if I recall. Group 6 = Channels 6, 14, 22. Results 1 - 48 of 413 - (The Soundtracs Topaz Mini 12-2 is a solidly built small mixer with 4 mic. Spirit Folio F1 Fader 100 14/2 audio mixer by Soundcraft with power supply. Need instructions you can download them. Reason for sale I need a.
Regular Posts: 88 Joined: Wed Sep 16, 2009 12:00 am. Anything but the cheapo Mackie, as mentioned the Topaz is modular inside which is a BIG plus imo.even the very affordable Spirit Studio was modular inside.The Mackie 8 buss also had common faults with the ribbon cables internally, wasn't keen on the sound either. You can pick up a good analogue board now days for next to nothing.even a proper modular Soundcraft that can be tweaked to sound even better go for bugger all. Frequent Poster Posts: 1593 Joined: Tue Jun 24, 2003 12:00 am Location: Kent, UK. NinjaPower wrote:Out of interest, why do you all dislike the Mackies so much? They seem to have a massive following and generally go for quite large sums on eBay. But from what you are saying I can conclude sound quality and build quality leave something to be desired?
Mackie's marketing is, and always has been, quite clever. Their reputation is mostly based on marketing-speak, not actual performance. The 8-bus desk was easily available and not that expensive compared to the competition so many project studio owners acquired a Mackie desk. I've fallen victim to this 'strategy' myself as well, swapping an Allen & Heath desk with a minor fault for a Mackie (they couldn't be that bad, because everyone had them, right?). Well, the A&H sounded better and eventually I regretted getting the Mackie. I've used a Topaz Project 8 on a couple of occasions and it's in an entirely different league compared to anything Mackie has on offer. If you can get one in decent condition for a fair price, it's highly recommended.
Cheers, Frank Frequent Poster Posts: 1178 Joined: Mon Aug 30, 2004 12:00 am Location: NL. All contents copyright © SOS Publications Group and/or its licensors, 1985-2019. All rights reserved.
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