Karaoke Scene's Karaoke Forums
https://mail.karaokescenemagazine.net/forums/

Input on newer Mackie mixers requested
https://mail.karaokescenemagazine.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=15104		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Bill H. [ Sat Nov 22, 2008 2:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Input on newer Mackie mixers requested
I have a Woodenville built Mackie 1402 in my secondary mobile setup. It has been a great mixer and trouble-free for years. But like last night, every time I use it I miss the top mount graphic EQ on my home room system. Mackie just introduced a new line and I'm thinking about getting one... here's the link:

http://www.mackie.com/products/profx12/

Looks like it's got everything I have been looking for. Channel inserts (for that used 166 I've been on the lookout for in my local CL ;) ), USB (for the inevitable :roll: ), graphic, internal power supply... all in a sweet size that will fit in my DJ Shuttle.

So what do you think? And a couple of questions...

1. Has the Chinese-built Mackie stuff been holding up better than it has been for Behringer? (I have a Behringer UB1832 which has developed some problems. To put it mildly. And judging from other Behringer mixer owners I'm not alone with reliability issues.)

2. I'm wondering if the reverb will be good enough for karaoke. I know none of you probably have this mixer but I believe some of you have a Mackie CFX. That might provide a clue. BTW the reverbs in my Behringer are so bad that they are totally unusable for anything I can think of. I'm hoping Mackie is better.

The only thing that's held me from a Yamaha MG is their size and that huge external power supply. Otherwise I would have purchased one of them long ago. This Mackie is the only mixer I've seen with the right combination of size and features I want other than Behringer.
Author:  Lonman [ Sat Nov 22, 2008 3:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Input on newer Mackie mixers requested
I have never had a problem with any Mackie board i've owned - my 6th one is my current 1642VLZ3. The CFX12 it replaced was still working fine when I pulled it - currently using as my home system, just needed a few more channels for my purpose. The built in effects on that are fine for most karaoke applications, although I did still use an external Lexicon unit in conjunction with the built in for a dual effect.
Haven't really tested the Profx series yet, but check your local GC to see if they have one you can check out & compare to a couple others.
Author:  Bill H. [ Sat Nov 22, 2008 3:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Input on newer Mackie mixers requested
I was in GC last week and they didn't have any in. And they may not before next year. Everyone's so tight about inventories recently.

I'm making a few purchases on this year's books so will probably just spring for it. It's not a lot of money. And if the reverb isn't decent I can take an external along so that's not a deal breaker. But this is going to be the portable system so it would be extra incentive.
Author:  karyoker [ Sat Nov 22, 2008 5:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Input on newer Mackie mixers requested
I can call Mackie now Loud music and get schematics parts for anything. My dfx12 is sitting here with a channel out I could replace a sider 9$7.50 from Louder and put it back online.Dont know about the chinee stuff but with a schematic will replace with Brownlee parts. With op amps and a suitable filtered power supply it doesnt take a super amount of engineering to mix audio frequencies. The formulas are available in basic electronic hand books. Either passive mixing or active.

Argue brands all you want I will modify it for the best.
Author:  dougpke [ Wed Nov 26, 2008 10:51 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Input on newer Mackie mixers requested
The Mackie 1604 & 1642 VLZ Pros (among others, see the Mackie forums) had a lot of irritating problems due to ribbon cables. They have since changed the design in the VLZ3's. I have still had to open up my VLZ3 and reseat a cable, but that system see's an extreme amount of transportation, and it has fared much better than the VLZ Pro's do. I still prefer them to other brands, they have the right configuration for my needs.
Author:  Alex [ Wed Nov 26, 2008 1:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Input on newer Mackie mixers requested
I'm using a Mackie Onyx 1620 (for the first time ever yesterday) and I am really impressed with the clarity and the crisp and clear Microphone Pre Amps. I also got a lot of compliments for my sound yesterday and honestly, it really was exceptional sound. I never heard any system, that would have a more crisp, clear and punchy sound.
Author:  Boatman [ Wed Nov 26, 2008 1:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Input on newer Mackie mixers requested
dougpke @ Wed Nov 26, 2008 1:51 pm wrote:
The Mackie 1604 & 1642 VLZ Pros (among others, see the Mackie forums) had a lot of irritating problems due to ribbon cables. They have since changed the design in the VLZ3's. I have still had to open up my VLZ3 and reseat a cable, but that system see's an extreme amount of transportation, and it has fared much better than the VLZ Pro's do. I still prefer them to other brands, they have the right configuration for my needs.


I just had a 1604VLZ pro in the shop for an estimate, which came to almost 400.00. The culprit was the ribbon and/or connector. My question to you is (since you have had one open) is that something I could fairly easily do myself? Karyoker mentioned $7.50 for a slider from Macke, so if I could get a ribbon from them for 50.00 or less, that's a big diffence from 400.00.
Thanks,Ron
Author:  LondonLive [ Wed Nov 26, 2008 4:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Input on newer Mackie mixers requested
Quote:
1. Has the Chinese-built Mackie stuff been holding up better than it has been for Behringer? (I have a Behringer UB1832 which has developed some problems. To put it mildly. And judging from other Behringer mixer owners I'm not alone with reliability issues.)

From what I can tell, from reading around the net, is that the revues are mixed on the "C" word manufactured Mackies. I do know some die hard Mackie people that are checking serial numbers :lol: . As far as Behringer goes, it's still a crap shoot just like it's always been. In all fairness, I'm pretty sure the MG Series Yamaha's are built in China also. I've heard of no complaints on the Yamaha MG mixers, I have a couple and they have excellent build quality and good sonically in their price range.
Quote:
2. I'm wondering if the reverb will be good enough for karaoke. I know none of you probably have this mixer but I believe some of you have a Mackie CFX. That might provide a clue. BTW the reverbs in my Behringer are so bad that they are totally unusable for anything I can think of. I'm hoping Mackie is better.

From my experience the on board FX by any manufacturer has been marginal at best. I have no experience with the newer Mackie FX engine, IMHO the Behringers are not useable, The Yamaha has a couple useable algorithms, reverbs and delays aren't to bad.
[/quote]
Quote:
The only thing that's held me from a Yamaha MG is their size and that huge external power supply. Otherwise I would have purchased one of them long ago. This Mackie is the only mixer I've seen with the right combination of size and features I want other than Behringer.

Yamaha doesn't use an external power supply to make everyones life miserable. They do it to help keep the ambient noise of the mixer down, which is one of the reasons even 50,000 dollar consoles have external power supplies.

One of these days I'm going to build a mixer with twelve studio grade mic pre amps, six stereo channels, four band sweepable EQ's, thirtyone band full scale graphic EQ, four knob compression on all channels, channel independant phantom power, FX engine from the PC series Lexicon, six aux sends, four sub groups, 100mm faders, built in Driverack and have all balanced connections. All in a four rack space console , it will come complete with a magnifying glass and tweezers. :lol:
Author:  LondonLive [ Wed Nov 26, 2008 4:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Input on newer Mackie mixers requested
Boatman @ Wed Nov 26, 2008 4:59 pm wrote:
dougpke @ Wed Nov 26, 2008 1:51 pm wrote:
The Mackie 1604 & 1642 VLZ Pros (among others, see the Mackie forums) had a lot of irritating problems due to ribbon cables. They have since changed the design in the VLZ3's. I have still had to open up my VLZ3 and reseat a cable, but that system see's an extreme amount of transportation, and it has fared much better than the VLZ Pro's do. I still prefer them to other brands, they have the right configuration for my needs.


I just had a 1604VLZ pro in the shop for an estimate, which came to almost 400.00. The culprit was the ribbon and/or connector. My question to you is (since you have had one open) is that something I could fairly easily do myself? Karyoker mentioned $7.50 for a slider from Macke, so if I could get a ribbon from them for 50.00 or less, that's a big diffence from 400.00.
Thanks,Ron

I've never reseated the cables on a Mackie but I have on an Allen Heath WZ16. It wasn't a very difficult operation at all and wasn't very time consuming either. I don't know what Mackie uses, possibly the same type of computer ribbon that you can get locally. Your capable, open it up and take a look. Whats the worst thing that could happen, it already doesn't work, right?
Author:  Boatman [ Wed Nov 26, 2008 4:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Input on newer Mackie mixers requested
LondonLive @ Wed Nov 26, 2008 7:27 pm wrote:
Boatman @ Wed Nov 26, 2008 4:59 pm wrote:
dougpke @ Wed Nov 26, 2008 1:51 pm wrote:
The Mackie 1604 & 1642 VLZ Pros (among others, see the Mackie forums) had a lot of irritating problems due to ribbon cables. They have since changed the design in the VLZ3's. I have still had to open up my VLZ3 and reseat a cable, but that system see's an extreme amount of transportation, and it has fared much better than the VLZ Pro's do. I still prefer them to other brands, they have the right configuration for my needs.


I just had a 1604VLZ pro in the shop for an estimate, which came to almost 400.00. The culprit was the ribbon and/or connector. My question to you is (since you have had one open) is that something I could fairly easily do myself? Karyoker mentioned $7.50 for a slider from Macke, so if I could get a ribbon from them for 50.00 or less, that's a big diffence from 400.00.
Thanks,Ron

I've never reseated the cables on a Mackie but I have on an Allen Heath WZ16. It wasn't a very difficult operation at all and wasn't very time consuming either. I don't know what Mackie uses, possibly the same type of computer ribbon that you can get locally. Your capable, open it up and take a look. Whats the worst thing that could happen, it already doesn't work, right?


You are right JD. I bought the Yamaha board because it was a smokin deal which I couldn't refuse to replace the Macke, but I might as well try to fix the Macke. When I contacted Macke before they just referred me to a service center, but now I'm gonna just see if they can sell me the cable, and connector. Thanks, Ron

Sorry Bill H. for my little hijack here.....
Page 1 of 1 All times are UTC - 8 hours
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
https://www.phpbb.com/