Sound Mixer
 

What would be the most cost effective mixer to use in our studio? We are using FCP.

Thanks

If you want interface-ability between the mixer and FCP, I highly recommend the Mackie Control Universal. Great tool, low cost, and interfaces nicely with FCP, Soundtrack, Logic, etc.

Thanks Douglas...appreciate the input. I'll check that one out.

John,

if you are truely looking for a mixer (as opposed to just a control surface for mixing in FCP), I suggest you also take a look at the Tascam FW-1082. It's a firewire mixer as well as control surface, so you can mix, record through FireWire, and control your FCP or SoundTrack Pro mixer with it. Very reasonably priced, too.

- Martin

if you do not need a too small thing, the alesis multimix firewire serie (the 12 tracks the best) is ok and for a real small price.
you can mix and record all the channels directly to the Pc/Mac.
That is great if you need to change the sound after recording, you can remix directly on computer since all channels are available separately.
..or if you plan some 5.1 sound for DVD

Thanks guys. You narrowed it down a bit for me. There are things I like about each of those mentioned in terms of function. I like the Mackie layout.

if you dont need firewire, then its def MACKIE! there small or med sized mixers are def worth the money. I wouldnt buy tascam fw, to many bugs(i used to have the 16 channel automated version when they were trying to compete with Mackie uni control) Alessis is not worth the money either as there faders burn quick. If it is in your budget, Mackie uni control. If not, a small cr series should do it for ya!

The Renegade Labs Blue|328 is very cool.

Regards,

TyFord

Ty, do you drive a Lamborghini or a Rolls Royce?

Acura RSX. The plain one, not the S model. :)


Regards,

Ty

I guess that makes more sense. Your $$ must all go into the great sound toys you've got. :-)

Sam,

talking strictly about the model I had recommended to the original poster, I could see arguments that maybe the preamps are not as good as higher end ones; but the 1082 has been performing rock-solid for me (read: no bugs or other hickups were encountered). Never had a problem with it. I'm sure the Mackie is a great unit, but it's also quite a bit more expensive (after adding the FireWire interface).

- Martin

Tascam FW1082 vs Tascam FW1884
 

The Tascam FW1082 seems to have extensive Final Cut Studio support including specific documentation (pdf entitled "Using the FW1082 with Final Cut Studio"), while no word of Final Cut Studio seems to be mentioned in the FW 1884 literature. Is one to assume that the FW 1884 is equally compatible with Final Cut Studio? Is anyone using FW1884 with Final Cut Studio?

thanks
Kalunga

The Renegade Labs Blue|328 is indeed a very cool tool, with great features in a small package for under $7k.
I have recently scaled back the size of my mix area by going to an API DSM style mix system using an API 7800 master section and API 8200 line strips.
It's amazing how many channels I can fit in a small rack area.
By the way, I do have a 77 Ferrari for sale if anyone is interested. :)