Rack mount mixer with 4 prefader auxes

Rob Spence

Rob Spence

Senior
Jan 11, 2011
897
4
18
Boston Metro North West
www.lynxaudioservices.com
So, I mix on a Mackie 1604 every so often and while the venue has 3 wedges and power for up to 4 mixes, it is a pain to do more than 2 monitor mixes.



So, I think I can get the owner to spring for a used desk if it

1) fits in place of the mackie

2) has more auxes



The current mixer is mounted in a Road Ready slant to rack.

There seems to be a few more inches available but I am not sure I can fit a mix wiz.



Any suggestions?

 
Re: Rack mount mixer with 4 prefader auxes

Take a look at the Allen & Heath MixWizards. Very nice mixers and quite a step up from the Mackie.
 
Re: Rack mount mixer with 4 prefader auxes

Having had both, the MixWiz is a much better mixer in every way, from the ability to repair, to the EQ section, to the flexibility of the six auxes. Also, the mute actually turns off the entire channel. I do miss the 4 subgroups, and the post fade listen, but aux fed subs actually are possible. Make the switch and sell the 1604 before it breaks.
 
Re: Rack mount mixer with 4 prefader auxes

Rob Spence wrote on Fri said:
The current mixer is mounted in a Road Ready slant to rack.

There seems to be a few more inches available but I am not sure I can fit a mix wiz.



Any suggestions?
Click to expand...



I think everyone ios missing the point. I am sure Rob knows what a mixwiz can do. The question is whether it will fit in the Road ready rack.



The manual says a depth of 4.8 inches with the output section folded down. I just measured mine in the rack and it looks like the depth is just about 7 inches to the cable portion of either the TRS or XLR connectors in place. I would add another inch for the cable to bend so if you have 8 inches of clearance, I think the mixer will fit the rack.
 
Re: Rack mount mixer with 4 prefader auxes

Rob Spence wrote on Fri said:
The current mixer is mounted in a Road Ready slant to rack.

There seems to be a few more inches available but I am not sure I can fit a mix wiz.
Click to expand...



The current setup is in a slant top rack - about 16U high with GEQs, and comps etc underneath.



Thanks for all the suggestions for a MixWiz. That IS my preferred solution but I don't know I can fit it.

According to the manual, it seems to need 20'' of rack space with the pod in the tabletop position.

The current 1604 uses 15.5'' of space and the rack rails are 17.5'' long. I believe I can slide a mixer a few inches to the front as there is space in the front cover. No extra space is in the rear cover though.



Could someone who has one measure from the actual front (wrist rest) to the rear panel on one for me?



One other problem is that the MixWiz seems to have fewer actual inputs... no tape in/out which is used on this gig.



Any other reasonably priced ideas?

 
Re: Rack mount mixer with 4 prefader auxes

Rob Spence wrote on Sat said:
Could someone who has one measure from the actual front (wrist rest) to the rear panel on one for me?
Click to expand...



I'll be back at the shop this afternoon and I'll try to measure one for you. My manual shows 497mm or 19.56 inches.



Quote: said:
Any other reasonably priced ideas?
Click to expand...



Is your budget for a used Mix Wiz or a new one? If you keep an eye out you could pick up a used Crest XR20 or XR24 in the range of a new mix wix. They are 10ru high (17.5'' I think) and have rca tape inputs as well as an assortment of other connectors.



I have the XR24 and love it, but I use my 01v96's way more for obvious reasons.



http://www.crestaudio.com/media/pdf/XR24_cutsheet.pdf



*Edit* I just saw that you mentioned a used mixer, so I suspect the Crest options are out of budget. I'm sure there is something usable and in budget, but nothing comes to mind right now.



 
Re: Rack mount mixer with 4 prefader auxes

Don't constrain yourself on a mixer because of the current rack you have. You can easily sell your existing rack and get one that fits.



Another thing to consider would be a digital board. The Presonus StudioLive 16 would fit the bill nicely, and could replace all of your outboard gear. Depending on what you have, you might be able to sell it all and come out ahead.
 
Re: Rack mount mixer with 4 prefader auxes

In the table top position, mine measures 19 3/4 inches. With cables inserted in this position I cannot close the 22 inch rack that it is in (a gator poptop). I think 23 inches would be tight with cables in place, but 24 inches plenty of clearance.



It appears the 20 inch number ion the manual does not account for cables in place.



The mix wiz does have additional stereo in's that are TRS. One is designed specifically for playback with its own level and mute.
 
Re: Rack mount mixer with 4 prefader auxes

Brian Jojade wrote on Sat said:
Don't constrain yourself on a mixer because of the current rack you have. You can easily sell your existing rack and get one that fits.



Another thing to consider would be a digital board. The Presonus StudioLive 16 would fit the bill nicely, and could replace all of your outboard gear. Depending on what you have, you might be able to sell it all and come out ahead.
Click to expand...



Rob's first criterion to 'sell' the idea to the venue owner is that it must fit in the place of the Mackie. It's hard to go into a venue and tell that they need to sell everything to buy the latest widget. The normal response it ''but this has been working fine for XX years''. For small bars/venues, I still don't think digital is the way to go either. It's great for an owner/operator on the small scale and for professional users, but for the uncle/brother/buddy 'soundmen' confusion will inevitably arise. Technology is great, but it has to suit the end user.
 
Re: Rack mount mixer with 4 prefader auxes

I have a MixWiz WZ3 16:2 and at first used a MU12URR RoadReady with a slant top but I had to disconnect the power and connectors plus a couple of the screws securing the slant rail allowing the mixer to pivot, and move the unit to transport it. Once at a venue, I had to remove it from the rack and move the part that has the connectors past the back of the rack and reattach it, then secure the rails so they didn't pivot anymore, before connecting power and cables.



I now have a MXC-12L standalone mixer case from audiopile.net which was designed specifically for the MixWiz. When measuring, keep in mind that being at an angle gives you even less room than you're expecting.



Now I just want to find a way to secure my standalone rack to the top of my rolling FOH rack LOL.



My guess is, if you THINK there might be a problem getting it to fit, there WILL be. You should probably consider other options.
 
Re: Rack mount mixer with 4 prefader auxes

Brian Jojade wrote on Sat said:
Don't constrain yourself on a mixer because of the current rack you have. You can easily sell your existing rack and get one that fits.



Another thing to consider would be a digital board. The Presonus StudioLive 16 would fit the bill nicely, and could replace all of your outboard gear. Depending on what you have, you might be able to sell it all and come out ahead.
Click to expand...

This is not my stuff!



So, I cannot just replace everything. I am not the only guy who mixes on this rig so it is staying analog for now. I would just like to be able to do 4 mixes without the kludge I have to do now with 2 of them post fader.



If it were me (actually, I went down that path years ago and have 2 digital mixers of my own) I would put in a SL-16 (if it fit) and be done with it. Also, if it were mine I would just replace the rack with the right one but it isn't.



Getting him to spring for $500-700 for a mixer instead of more speakers is hard enough. He can see and hear the speakers (he does have enough) but can't hear the mixer and he doesn't mix.

 
Re: Rack mount mixer with 4 prefader auxes

Rob Spence wrote on Sat said:
Brian Jojade wrote on Sat said:
Don't constrain yourself on a mixer because of the current rack you have. You can easily sell your existing rack and get one that fits.



Another thing to consider would be a digital board. The Presonus StudioLive 16 would fit the bill nicely, and could replace all of your outboard gear. Depending on what you have, you might be able to sell it all and come out ahead.
Click to expand...

This is not my stuff!



So, I cannot just replace everything. I am not the only guy who mixes on this rig so it is staying analog for now. I would just like to be able to do 4 mixes without the kludge I have to do now with 2 of them post fader.



If it were me (actually, I went down that path years ago and have 2 digital mixers of my own) I would put in a SL-16 (if it fit) and be done with it. Also, if it were mine I would just replace the rack with the right one but it isn't.



Getting him to spring for $500-700 for a mixer instead of more speakers is hard enough. He can see and hear the speakers (he does have enough) but can't hear the mixer and he doesn't mix.
Click to expand...



Rob, for whatever reason it escaped my mind earlier today, but the Soundcraft GB2r16 will satisfy all your criteria and is about the same cost as the Mix Wiz new so I suspect used prices would be similar and tolerable. I've never owned one, so don't take it as an endorsement, but the times I've used one they do what you would expect. Strangely, there is no pad on the mic input but there is a polarity switch. There are also internal jumpers to allow for pre/post EQ on the auxes and for aux 5/6 to follow the pre/post fader switch for auxes 3/4.



Hope that helps...

 
Re: Rack mount mixer with 4 prefader auxes

Rob Spence wrote on Sat said:
Brian Jojade wrote on Sat said:
Don't constrain yourself on a mixer because of the current rack you have. You can easily sell your existing rack and get one that fits.



Another thing to consider would be a digital board. The Presonus StudioLive 16 would fit the bill nicely, and could replace all of your outboard gear. Depending on what you have, you might be able to sell it all and come out ahead.
Click to expand...

This is not my stuff!



So, I cannot just replace everything. I am not the only guy who mixes on this rig so it is staying analog for now. I would just like to be able to do 4 mixes without the kludge I have to do now with 2 of them post fader.



If it were me (actually, I went down that path years ago and have 2 digital mixers of my own) I would put in a SL-16 (if it fit) and be done with it. Also, if it were mine I would just replace the rack with the right one but it isn't.



Getting him to spring for $500-700 for a mixer instead of more speakers is hard enough. He can see and hear the speakers (he does have enough) but can't hear the mixer and he doesn't mix.
Click to expand...



What's so hard about pressing the PRE/POST buttons on the Mackie 1604?

You already have what you're asking for.

 
Re: Rack mount mixer with 4 prefader auxes

Rainer Halonen wrote on Sun said:
Gene Hardage wrote on Sun said:
What's so hard about pressing the PRE/POST buttons on the Mackie 1604?

You already have what you're asking for.
Click to expand...



Haven't used the Mackie, but from what I know about it, Aux 1 & 2 are switchable pre/post, but 3 & 4 are not...



Could be wrong though...
Click to expand...



Ding dang - I had to glance at the manual for a minute and realized that indeed there are only 2 pre AUX sends. Unless of course you have the oldest version that I had and have gone to the trouble to have it altered so that AUX 3/4 and 5/6 are pre send. I was thinking of the bigger 24 channel version that had the pre-post switch on AUX 3/4. I had them both but now have the A&H Wiz3 and the GL2400. It was a noticeable difference when I first plugged a mic into the A&H and spoke - much better.
 
Re: Rack mount mixer with 4 prefader auxes

Rainer Halonen wrote on Sun said:
Gene Hardage wrote on Sun said:
What's so hard about pressing the PRE/POST buttons on the Mackie 1604?

You already have what you're asking for.
Click to expand...



Haven't used the Mackie, but from what I know about it, Aux 1 & 2 are switchable pre/post, but 3 & 4 are not...



Could be wrong though...
Click to expand...



You are correct.



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