New mixer... and a helluva dilemma!

Jacob Ekstroem

My old Behringer MX2804 mixer is beginning to cause me too much trouble, so I've (finally!!!) decided to ditch it. For quite a long time, I've been in love with the Soundcraft Spirit E-line, but first of all, they are now discontinued, so not that easy to find these days, Secondly, I need an ES-series, because the E-series only have two stereo inputs, and I want at least four. Even harder to dig up.

The obvious alternative is the M-series, with the M4 being exactly what I need: 4 mono & 4 stereo inputs. But... I absolutely HATE the design!! It is very deep, and what's with the top-mounting trend these days? Why is it that Yamaha are (almost) the only ones who still use back-mount connections?? I DO NOT wanna look at all those ugly cables!

Anyway... I was almost about to order an M4, when I by shear coincidence fell across this little baby:

The new Allen & Heath ZED-14 (<--- click to learn more)

Basically the same design as the Soundcraft M4, still top-mounted but not as deep, more inputs, only a few more bucks than the M4 and hey... it's an Allen & Heath!

A true no-brainer, right? Well, not exactly.

First off all, the ZED doesn't have a true balanced monitor-output. The M4 does.
The ZED has a USB-output, the M4 doesn't (not sure if I'll use it anyway, though). However, the M4 has an S/PDIF-output, the ZED doesn't (not sure I'll use that either.)
But one small thing REALLY bugs me about the ZED: the placement of the phones-output. I like the placement on my Behringer, and the M4 is the same: at the front, by the output-faders (the Soundcraft ES-series have the same placement as the ZED, saddly enough...)
Then there's the size-issue. The M4 is 490 mm in depth, the ZED is 465 mm. My Behringer is 350 (with no connections)

UUUURRRHHHGG!!!! kopf gegen wand

I really could use your opinions, guys... what would you do? And sure, feel free to recommend something else, but be advised: I'm pretty hooked on one of these two, most likely the M4 if I had to chose right this instant. Alesis, Behringer, Mackie & Yamaha - naaah... So I think it's down to:

Maxine Dunn · Posted: Wed May 07, 2008, 02:22 (GMT) Post subject:

Hi Sweets....

I have absolutely no earthly clue what you're talking about here.... but just wanted to say that I appreciate all your incredible expertise on this and OTHER threads, and all your PM's and all the help you've given me, (and everyone else!).

I love how learned, (that's learn-ed) you are about anything to do with voice-over! der klugscheisser

I asire someday to be tech-worthy enough, to even know what the hell you're talking about on this thread.

Big kiss,

Max
xoxoxo

.

Jacob Ekstroem · Posted: Wed May 07, 2008, 02:27 (GMT) Post subject:

So you think I should go with the M4, right???

(Thanks Max.... you're so sweet bussi

)

Maxine Dunn · Posted: Wed May 07, 2008, 02:49 (GMT) Post subject:

M4's ROCK THE HOUSE!!!! 490mm??? Yeaaahhhhh!!! see you in love

(Oh, and Allen and Heath turn my crank!) ww barb

.

Chris Clementson · **Voice Seeker** Joined: 14 Jan 2008 Posts: 216

That is a dumb place for a headphone jack on the ZED14. You would have to keep the headphone cable from lying across the face of the console and fouling the controls.

John Weeks · Posted: Wed May 07, 2008, 04:39 (GMT) Post subject:

Hey Jacob,
Here's an idea...
You could get one of those "flat" stereo male plugs and make an extension with a female plug on the other end and run it down the side of the Allen and Heath. It would be out of the way and with the plug being flat, it shouldn't get in the way.
Here's a link to what I'm talking about:
http://www.proaudiosuppliers.com/hosa-plg-025sr.html
Just an idea!
John

Emmett Andrews · Posted: Wed May 07, 2008, 19:53 (GMT) Post subject:

I have the M4 and I love it! Built like a tank and sounds great! I'd take Soundcraft over A&H any day! However, I like A&H better than Mackie, Behringer, Yamaha, Alesis, etc. The pres in the M4 sound very, very good to my ears, as well. I also use the S/Pdif and I think the converter quality is very good too.

Emmett

Jacob Ekstroem · Posted: Wed May 07, 2008, 19:57 (GMT) Post subject:

Emmett,

that's right, you said you owned one a while ago in another thread. Seems like another point for the M4.
Thanks for the input, my friend!

Chris Clementson · **Voice Seeker** Joined: 14 Jan 2008 Posts: 216

Soundcraft gets it right on mic preamps.

Ed Gambill · Posted: Wed May 07, 2008, 20:39 (GMT) Post subject:

Ok I listened and this is what I know for sure. For a company that builds sound equipment and wants to sell it, the sound on the Q time clips Sucked Pond Water.

If I were producing these clips, I would use the gear to capture the sound and right up front I would say “the sound you are hearing is recorded using the ZED”. Next thing I would do is make sure there were not plosives and that the sound was not muddy.

Its has a nice look, I like the red end caps.

Jacob Ekstroem · Posted: Wed May 07, 2008, 21:52 (GMT) Post subject:

*LOL* Ed,

I guess you're right Very Happy

And yes, the design of the ZED is definitely nicer then the M4, but so far I've found the design of the M4 to be a little more functional... without having hands-on experience with either of them, of course.

I know it sounds like I've already made up my mind in favour of the M4, but believe me, I haven't. So any other inputs are appreciated.