vintage soundcraft

[dmm]

I was wondering if anyone has any experience using a Soundcraft Series 200SR 24? I realise that this board is more suited for live pa more than home studio use but the price is right, and the board is in really good shape. How does it sound? Have any of you folks used the pre's and eq's in a studio setting? Would this board compliment a small digital studio with the pre's, brit eq, and "tone" or would the hassle of fixing it all the time make it not worth the effort.

Thanks.

[pk_hat]

While I've never heard that particular board, Soundcraft consoles generally get great reviews by most users. They're definitely quite a step up from your Mackie/Yamaha/Behringer stuff, much better pres and some of the most loved eq's around. I've found a lot of great Soundcraft threads on the TapeOp forums, learned a lot as I was looking at a Soundcraft Ghost when money permits.

www.tapeop.com

Great forum there, btw....

p.s. If all else fails, may I also recommend the M Series by Spirit (Soundcraft sister company), M12 is deemed one of the best mixers to pair up with a DAW. Can be found for about $500 used or about $800 new, a great value...

[dmm]

Its a board from the swingin' (70's?).

I'll check out tape op link.

Cheers

[rchaffin]

The Soundcraft stuff IS a big step up from the Mackies. I'm using a Soundcraft Spirit Studio board. It's mega fat!

[fredsparky]

That's a fine board. I use a TASCAM M2516 (16/8).

[pk_hat]

Oh and by the way, the Soundcraft/Spirit M-Series uses the same preamps as the Ghost. Again, a great value. In fact. I'm hitting eBay as soon as I'm done typing this. The mixer-less setup was nice but now I'm really missing having one.

[A2D D2A]

The 200 is pretty warm and old like Soundcraft use to be, the newer Soundcrafts while better than Mackie etc, don't have the sound that made people love the Soundcrafts.
In the current lineup anything less than the Ghost is pretty much a waste since it's not even close to the Soundcraft sound.

--DISCLAIMER--not in a functional sense, I am referring to if you are after the vintage Sondcraft sound. Functionally they are good mixers.

If the mixer is in good condition it's a good buy, it will work well on the front since the mic pres sound nice or you can sum thru it on mixdown for some warmth.
If they have any extra parts (channel strips, power supply .....) get them as well.