Mackie or Alesis Firewire Mixer at DVinfo.net

Dwight Flynn · July 13th, 2005, 10:29 AM

I am looking into getting a new mixer. I am interested in getting the new Mackie 1620 (or 1640) or the Alesis firewire mixer. The problem is that the mackie cost twice as much as the alesis before you add the Mackie's optional fireward board (which adds another $400). So I was wondering if anyone has used either of these products and can recommend one over the other (keeping the price differences in mind ($400 vs. $1300)). I know that the alesis only does 48k while the mackie does 96, but otherwise I am not sure the quality difference justifies the price difference. I am going to be using it primarily for video related audio and some small band recordings (rock, reggae, R&B). There is no big rush, so if you all know of a better deal on the horizon then do tell.

Cemil Giray · July 13th, 2005, 11:45 AM

We have the Mackie. Love it. It's our fourth one in ten years.

Douglas Spotted Eagle · July 13th, 2005, 11:58 AM

Ditto. Lotsa Mackie gear, and they build their own gear, not licensed from someone else. So, when you call the factory in Washington, you get to talk to the guys that make the stuff. The Onyx series stuff has Echo Audio engines in it too, and Echo tools are rock-solid. To get better, you need to look at Apogee, like the Rosetta series. For a lot more cash.

Cemil Giray · July 13th, 2005, 12:27 PM

Don't do it, but I spilt a coke on mine about a month ago and nothing **repeat** nothing happened. Weird but true.

Dwight Flynn · July 14th, 2005, 12:43 PM

Sorry for the late response (business trip). So I guess I will be saving up for the Mackie. Frankly I like the Alesis (especially for the price) but the 48k limit really bothers me. I may wait a few months to see if anything comparable is due to come market (compared to mackie that is), but I can't wait much longer than that. Thanks guys.

Douglas Spotted Eagle · July 14th, 2005, 12:51 PM

Having 24/96 is great, same with 24/192, but it's not something I'd sweat bullets over. It's likely going to be rare that you'll ever go past 48K, I'll wager.

Jacques Mersereau · July 14th, 2005, 01:37 PM

We have a 1640 in the studio with the FW card. We haven't yet used
the FW feature.
The ONLY issue with the 1640 is a _tiny_ bit of cross talk, (varified at NAB)
but with all the other features that isn't really a big issue. Nothing like the
old Soundcraft 200B ;(

Although I have not heard the Alesis, imo from having listened to Alesis's
other offerings that the Mackie will easily best it.

Remember that you usually get what you pay for. In audio this is
even more true and when you are spending hard earned dough you
don't want to pay half price and end up wishing you had spent the
extra money. I would also bet that if you need to sell it the Mackie will
sell fast.

YMMV as always.

July 13th, 2005, 10:29 AM	#1
Dwight Flynn Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: New York, NY Posts: 393	Mackie or Alesis Firewire Mixer I am looking into getting a new mixer. I am interested in getting the new Mackie 1620 (or 1640) or the Alesis firewire mixer. The problem is that the mackie cost twice as much as the alesis before you add the Mackie's optional fireward board (which adds another $400). So I was wondering if anyone has used either of these products and can recommend one over the other (keeping the price differences in mind ($400 vs. $1300)). I know that the alesis only does 48k while the mackie does 96, but otherwise I am not sure the quality difference justifies the price difference. I am going to be using it primarily for video related audio and some small band recordings (rock, reggae, R&B). There is no big rush, so if you all know of a better deal on the horizon then do tell.

July 13th, 2005, 11:58 AM	#3
Douglas Spotted Eagle VASST Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockton, UT Posts: 5,648	Ditto. Lotsa Mackie gear, and they build their own gear, not licensed from someone else. So, when you call the factory in Washington, you get to talk to the guys that make the stuff. The Onyx series stuff has Echo Audio engines in it too, and Echo tools are rock-solid. To get better, you need to look at Apogee, like the Rosetta series. For a lot more cash. __________________ Douglas Spotted Eagle/Spot Author, producer, composer Certified Sony Vegas Trainer http://www.vasst.com

July 14th, 2005, 12:51 PM	#6
Douglas Spotted Eagle VASST Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockton, UT Posts: 5,648	Having 24/96 is great, same with 24/192, but it's not something I'd sweat bullets over. It's likely going to be rare that you'll ever go past 48K, I'll wager. __________________ Douglas Spotted Eagle/Spot Author, producer, composer Certified Sony Vegas Trainer http://www.vasst.com

July 14th, 2005, 01:37 PM	#7
Jacques Mersereau Trustee Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 1,334	We have a 1640 in the studio with the FW card. We haven't yet used the FW feature. The ONLY issue with the 1640 is a _tiny_ bit of cross talk, (varified at NAB) but with all the other features that isn't really a big issue. Nothing like the old Soundcraft 200B ;( Although I have not heard the Alesis, imo from having listened to Alesis's other offerings that the Mackie will easily best it. Remember that you usually get what you pay for. In audio this is even more true and when you are spending hard earned dough you don't want to pay half price and end up wishing you had spent the extra money. I would also bet that if you need to sell it the Mackie will sell fast. YMMV as always. __________________ Jacques Mersereau University of Michigan-Video Studio Manager

July 13th, 2005, 11:45 AM	#2
Cemil Giray Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: France Posts: 58	We have the Mackie. Love it. It's our fourth one in ten years.

July 13th, 2005, 12:27 PM	#4
Cemil Giray Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: France Posts: 58	Don't do it, but I spilt a coke on mine about a month ago and nothing repeat nothing happened. Weird but true.

July 14th, 2005, 12:43 PM	#5
Dwight Flynn Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: New York, NY Posts: 393	Sorry for the late response (business trip). So I guess I will be saving up for the Mackie. Frankly I like the Alesis (especially for the price) but the 48k limit really bothers me. I may wait a few months to see if anything comparable is due to come market (compared to mackie that is), but I can't wait much longer than that. Thanks guys.