Mackie or Allen & Heath

[Jamble]

Trying to decide between a 1604VLZPRO and a WZ16:2DX. Anyway, does anyone here have an opinion as to which might be preferred. I'll be using it for live sound mostly.

[Kickin.da.speaker]

In case you didn't already see that one:
http://acapella.harmony-central.com/...ML/003259.html

[Jamble]

Thanks for the link!

[msunj]

I own an Allen and Heath and I've been very happy with it. I like the fact that it has a direct out on all 16 channels. I've gotten some very nice acoustic jazz recordings, recording up to 14 tracks at once. To my ears it sounds a little more natural that when I've recorded through the older Mackie boards, but I haven't a chance to record through the new 1604.

[Jamble]

Are the outs pre-fader and pre-eq?

[msunj]

The outs are post fader and eq.

[Burton]

The direct outputs are post-fader post-eq, but can be reconfigured internally and actually ordered from Allen & Heath with pre-fade direct outs.

I've got a MixWizard sitting next to a Mackie VLZ, and I track everything thru the MixWizard. I just use the Mackie to route audio from various sources to my monitors on the play-back side. The MixWizard eq is better than the Mackie, and the pre's have more headroom and punch. Drums thru the mackie sound more sterile and lifeless. (Although for some applications, a sterile uncolored pre might be perfect). If I were to buy just one of these mixers, it would be the Allen & Heath. (Although an SSL would be nice too!).

[GIE]

Mackie: better Pre's... But I hate the EQ's.
A&H: Better EQ's and the Pre's R OK.

So if I had to choose between those two:
A&H [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img]

[Jamble]

Thanks for the input! I must say, I do enjoy using those 100 mm faders more than the 60mm ones. Nice to know I could have those outputs pre-fader--cool!

[VanEdge]

you gotta go with the Allen and Heath - the sweepable EQ is too important.
Plus, you get the great faders and it's an excellent piece of gear.
it also BLOWS away mackies for live situations, and that's a big plus in case you ever need it outside of the studio.

one other advantage - not sure if all allens have this - is the seperate phantom power for each channel. mackies do not have this and if you try to use phantom power on all available channels, they have a tendency to crap out on you.

that being said, mackies are cheaper, super reliable, and they sound damn good. however, if you really know what you are doing, the allen and heaths are much more flexible.