I have been offered a choice of either of a Soundtracs Topaz Project 8 - 24 channel or a Mackie 32:8. Both less than £500 so the price isn't the issue, both are immaculate, fully working, serviced, boxed and look 'as new'.

The Soundtracs has the optional meterbridge on it. The mackie doesn't. I will be using the desk for summing/mixing and EQing of finished tracks of dance/house/RnB type music.

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I have a Presonus FireWire audio interface which gives me 24 channels of analogue audio out to a desk and back in as the final stereo track. If it was your £400-500, which would you buy and more importantly why? I'm a newcomer to analogue desks, hence why I'm asking! I like the 'look' of the Mackie more just because it's bigger and more professional looking, but I completely agree that's a stupid point! I don't think I'll need the Bus sections, just the faders, gains, and EQ's. Regular Posts: 88 Joined: Wed Sep 16, 2009 12:00 am. Anything but the cheapo Mackie, as mentioned the Topaz is modular inside which is a BIG plus imo.even the very affordable Spirit Studio was modular inside.The Mackie 8 buss also had common faults with the ribbon cables internally, wasn't keen on the sound either.

You can pick up a good analogue board now days for next to nothing.even a proper modular Soundcraft that can be tweaked to sound even better go for bugger all. Frequent Poster Posts: 1593 Joined: Tue Jun 24, 2003 12:00 am Location: Kent, UK. NinjaPower wrote:Out of interest, why do you all dislike the Mackies so much? They seem to have a massive following and generally go for quite large sums on eBay. But from what you are saying I can conclude sound quality and build quality leave something to be desired?

Mackie's marketing is, and always has been, quite clever. Their reputation is mostly based on marketing-speak, not actual performance. The 8-bus desk was easily available and not that expensive compared to the competition so many project studio owners acquired a Mackie desk. I've fallen victim to this 'strategy' myself as well, swapping an Allen & Heath desk with a minor fault for a Mackie (they couldn't be that bad, because everyone had them, right?). Well, the A&H sounded better and eventually I regretted getting the Mackie.

I've used a Topaz Project 8 on a couple of occasions and it's in an entirely different league compared to anything Mackie has on offer. If you can get one in decent condition for a fair price, it's highly recommended. Cheers, Frank Frequent Poster Posts: 1178 Joined: Mon Aug 30, 2004 12:00 am Location: NL.

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I just need your advice on something. I am about to buy a mixing desk for dub music. I m into music for about 14 years, but I have much difficulty choosing. Truth is that I m not only interested in 'right' dub routing, right in/outs etc, but in good / warm sound too. TLA and the 'small' midas models is not my choice as I ve got around 1000-1200 euros to spend on a console.

So I am asking for your advice on newer or older models. My multitrack (will be mpc 4k) 'sends' 10 outs, so i guess I need a desk with 12-14 ins, and 2-4 aux. I m mainly interested in sound in terms of quality, meaning that I won't buy a console that 'degrades' or 'alters' my sound in a bad way, just because it has nice routing, or because it is good for dub! I would like more like a 'flat' choice. Pid regulyator na arduino. Its difficult to find used mci in europe, and I cant judge the newer models of soundcraft / allen & heath cause I live in Greece and nobody has them! I am OFF mackie for sure (due to bad personal history). Also do you think that choosing to record in a 2 track reel 2 reel will 'colorise' my sound, and has greater influence on that than the console, or I should get a descent audio interface and record my mixes in it?