#348

A question for you all about mixer repair/maintenance. Hope this is the right place for it. I dug up my old Mackie 1204 the other day and it is really crackly. Almost every knob and fader gives some kind of crackle and some channels need to be turned all the way up before they "wake up’ and start passing audio through. Does this sound like something that I could repair/clean myself? anyone have good advice/links for ways to go about it?

#349

While I’m not 100% sure about the Mackie’s construction, if you can get all the knobs and the panel off (or somehow access the pots/board), I would spray a little DeOxit in each pot and work them back and forth. There may be a small opening or hole in the pot/slider housing to achieve this. Otherwise, try doing this without the DeOxit and working the knobs back and forth until the scratchiness goes away. What you describe sounds like dirty potentiometers and should be generally fixable unless its been dropped or otherwise injured during its time in storage. The fact that they eventually pass audio is a good sign.

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#350

Updating now that I’ve taken the MOTU M4 around the block a little bit. Setup is super easy (even with Windows - only needed to download a driver / interface app). I’m running through a pair of 500 Series Hairball Audio mic pres that I built into the 3/4 inputs on the back and everything is working as expected. The MOTU seems to have a ton of headroom. I can really blast it on the inputs with no clipping. Even better - the input/output meters are fantastic and really helpful. The display is great and seems like it would be really nice in low-light situations, should you get one (or an M2) for gigging. I haven’t tried out inputs 1 and 2 yet, so I can’t speak to the onboard preamps, but I should be able to give that a go soon.

More Pros:

  • bus-powered
  • on/off switch (even though it’s bus-powered)
  • direct monitoring, so I don’t have to fire up a computer when I want to jam with hardware
  • headphone jack on the front
  • price ($229 US)

I can’t really find any faults yet, though my needs are somewhat basic. One of the “MON” push buttons was installed upside-down so it actually says “NOW” hehe. I guess those little cosmetic defects can be expected on an early production unit.

It’s pretty simple in connections and usage, but that’s exactly what I wanted. Big :+1:t3: from me.

edit: @eblomquist - I updated with more info on the MOTU M4

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#351

Concur! Just got my M4 a few days ago (after years without an interface), and I love the build/sonic quality and ease of use.

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#352

I’m feeling like I’m getting into the market for a new mixer. I have a 12 channel Mackie that has served me really well but I think I’m better suited with a 16 channel. Had my eyes on the soundcraft signature 16, the Yamaha mg16xu, the tascam model 16 something in that price range. I really would like something with 3 sends (could handle 2 if there’s a nice reverb on board). Anything else I should look at or anyone have any good experiences with these? Mainly using for live performance.

#353

I have the Soundcraft 12mtk and find it really useful for live performance. I imagine the 16 would be even better. Reliable etc. Only thing is I need a bigger bag/transport for it up from my Mackie 12.

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#354

Mackie 1604VLZ4 or 1642VLZ4, depending on what you need, are still pretty decent mixers for the money. If you want really high quality though, that is durable, great sounding, and can do double duty studio/stage, the Allen & Heath Zed series can’t be beat in their price range.

#355

Are you inputting modular level without using an output module then? Always a bit hesitant to do this, but I only have a stereo output and don’t want to get another one.I actually picked one of these up yesterday as an upgrade to my Steinberg UR22 I’ve used for awhile (it’s fine, but the extra I/O and DC coupling of the M4 will be useful).

#356

I’m finally getting frustrated with my k-mix (audio quality and stability) and am looking for another option. I only really need 4-in/4-out and I don’t really need the mixer interface for my pretty simple set-up right now (largely just built around incorporating norns).

the new motu interfaces look nice and I’m also disappointed that the new ssl interfaces don’t have more channels. also figuring the new ssl stuff means that we’ll see an ssl six with audio interface capabilities soon, which wouldn’t really be in my budget but sounds very nice.

#357

I don’t have any modular anymore, but I do have some devices that output hot signals. I’d say if you have any kind of output with an attenuator, you can send it into the MOTU. Even without, the MOTU can probably take it. However, I don’t have any empirical data to support that. I would suggest putting the stereo out into inputs 3/4 and any other signals through inputs 1/2. I found that even with a hotter signal, I still had to turn up the gain on input 1/2.

#358

For reference, the studio standard of +24dBu is equal to 34.72 volts peak to peak or +/- 17.36V. Since modular can generally never exceed +/-15V peak, if your audio interface is specified to handle +24dBu at the input (professional +4dBu line level usually has this for headroom) it can easily handle full range modular without damage. The euro standard of +19dBu headroom is just shy of +/-10V (peak) so is usually safe too for all but the highest modular levels. And both of them will trivially handle the more typical +/-5V signals.

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#359

Hi guys,

I think my audio interface is not grounded properly, because if I use it all my synths give me electric shocks…anyone had that experience?

This being said, I am looking for a mixer which can also be used as an audio interface (individual tracks sent to ableton live) which is also affordable. Is that a dream?

#360

I think the best bet for this at the moment is the Soundcraft Signature 12 and 22 MTK. The former is about $500, which I think is a really fair price for what you get. Tascam and PreSonus have similar models but they’re more expensive.

1 Like
#361

I do individual outs for all my voices straight into the mixer between gain and volume controls I’ve never had a problem and audience always comments on how good my sets sound

#362

just to clarify here, @WhiteNoise - the “soundcraft signature” mixers only have a 2 in / 2 out usb interface (so they wouldn’t work for what you want), but the “soundcraft signature MTK” mixers DO have the ability to multitrack into ableton. very similarly named, kinda confusing.

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#363

Is this one ok?

#364

That’s only got stereo USB as @madeofoak said. You’ll be wanting the Signature 12 MTK most likely. But be aware that the input and playback USB levels are very different (for reasons of headroom) so the input levels are not as hot as on some interfaces and will playback much quieter than most workflows are used to. Its a good thing if you understand the engineering implications but requires a significant shift in levels compared to a typical hybrid live/daw workflow.

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#365

It’s this one

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#366

Can you elaborate a bit on what you’re not liking with the K-mix? I need 1) 2 aux channels out and 2) small form factor, so it’s attractive to me, but I don’t want to have to replace it soon.

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#367

I use the Allen and Heath ZEDi 10 as my mixer and interface. It gives me four separate tracks over USB and costs about 220 usd.

https://www.allen-heath.com/ahproducts/zedi-10/

The only issue I have is that I can’t seem to completely mute a track from the mixer when recording. I’m almost certain this is user error, but I can’t figure out how to do it with the level knobs. I get around this either by editing after recording or by passing through a eurorack mixer first.

(Edit: I’m using the ZEDi 10, not the ZED 10)

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