help! mixing console for recording and live

[comunion]

hi, subsekter. I wanted to buy an used mixing console for recording and playing live with my machines and, secondly, to record rock bands and doing live sound. I'm between these 3:
- Mackie CR 1604 (U $ s 550)
- Mackie 1604 VLZ PRO (U $ s 900)
- Mackie 1642 VLZ3 (U $ s 800)

so far convinces me more 1604 VLZ PRO for having low cut, inserts and mid band sweep EQ in all 16 channels, but I also like to keep with the one with better pre amps, low signal-noise ratio, etc. What do you recommend me?

the machines that i have are:
xoxbox
tr 707
alesis hr16b
kawai r50e
volca keys
roland sp-303
and my music style is techno, house.

[OHADOHAD]

I have the 1604 VLZ PRO.. I like it.
all in all, could not tell a difference between the pre's between all of these.
They are all the same as far as i know.
The 1604 it's kind of a standard among Techno/House producers.

[comunion]

I have the 1604 VLZ PRO...

Thanks for the reply! It seems the most complete of 3. Tell me, can you overdrive with the pre-amps of your 1604 VLZ PRO as in Mackie CR 1604? Is it the same "classic techno" sound?

[OHADOHAD]

Yes you can, even thou not my favorite overdrive/distortion.. but im guessing it's a matter of taste.

[OHADOHAD]

BTW, I have the VLZ not VLZ pro.. same thing just without the pro
"The main difference is with the 1604 vlz PRO came the addition of XDR(TM)(extended dynamic range)mic preamps.You can use the XDR mic preamps at the end of extremely long cheap mic cables and not hear interference. It accepts a wider range of impedences without compromising frequency response."

So if you are looking for that overdrive effect, dont take the pro

[Barfunkel]

Not a huge fan of the VLZ series Mackies. The overdrive sounds ugly and I didn't like the EQ at all when I had my VLZ. It was basically just used as volume faders for my synths. I honestly think the Behringer I once had had better distortion. The CR-series Mackie's are much better in that regard.

Also, buy 2nd hand. Analog mixers lose value fast, you can easily find those mixers at half the prices you listed.

[Mattias]

Get the Mackie Onyx instead.

[OHADOHAD]

Not a huge fan of the VLZ series Mackies. The overdrive sounds ugly and I didn't like the EQ at all when I had my VLZ. It was basically just used as volume faders for my synths. I honestly think the Behringer I once had had better distortion. The CR-series Mackie's are much better in that regard.

Also, buy 2nd hand. Analog mixers lose value fast, you can easily find those mixers at half the prices you listed.

Second hand for sure! the prices you have mentioned are way too high!
I paid for my mackie 220 EUR here in Germany.

[willemb]

I think this thread might be helpful when you're talking about mackies and "classic techno" overdriven sound:

http://www.subsekt.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=4903

[comunion]

Well, they are all second hand! but i am here in argentina, hehe. Remember that i need one mixer to record and play my music and to records bands and doing live at pub/club, so low cuts, inserts, various aux send, 16 XLR IN, and mid sweep eq are welcome.
I like VLZ PRO above all because of its mid sweep eq, but if is useless, it is the same as having a simple 3 band eq, as in the CR 1604 (plus CR "techno" pre amps)
what would i do? go for the all around VLZ PRO or to the one with great pre amps, but more limited (and half cheap) CR 1604?
BTW, at the moment i have only this options, not a VLZ only model.

[comunion]

I think this thread might be helpful when you're talking about mackies and "classic techno" overdriven sound:

http://www.subsekt.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=4903

Yes I know. I read that before posting , anyway, not sure if the VLZ PRO make this overdrive techno and if its pre amps are really that bad?

[comunion]

At the end I decided on the 1604 VLZ PRO. In one week I have it at home.