[Stone Knife]

The soundcraft will probably produce a slightly clearer sound than will Mackies... that said, I know Mackie will last for-ever, and they have a couple units that will bring in the bacon for $900 or more under your budget.

The CFX-12 features:

32-bit EMAC real time effects
Effects include 16 selections with variable parameters
Eight mic/line mono channels w/pre's,
Two stereo line channels
3-band active EQ with swept mids on mic/line channels
4-band active EQ on the stereo channels
Two aux sends with pre/post switching
Bus assign switches
PFL solo switches
Audiophile-quality, nine-band stereo program equalizer
Separate tape inputs and outputs... not bad for $600

Or consider the 1402VLZ:

Eight high-headroom inputs on four stereo faders
XDR® pre-amps on six mic inputs
Phantom power
60mm log-taper faders
Two aux sends with level, pan, and PFL solo
Four stereo aux returns plus effects to monitor
Three-band active EQ
75Hz Lo Cut for stage rumble
ALT 3/4 stereo bus acts as mute or 2 more Bus Outs

(Probably available for $500 street... I've had a 1402 that's worked flawlessly for 5 years and is still in use.)

See if you can audition both the Soundcraft and Mackies side-by side at a local G.C....