Analog Studio mixer with control surface

[gmp]

Currently, I have a Mackie 16 track with 8 buses and a Studiomix control surface with flying faders for drawing automation curves in Sonar. I need to replace the Analog mixer and was hoping some company made a hybrid that could do what I'm doing now. I'm a keyboard player and mostly just record vocals or 1 live instrument at a time. 

 

For songwriter demos I prefer to do a quick board mix, since it's convenient to have the faders and knobs handy on my analog mixer. Whereas on more serious mixes I do the mixes inside of Sonar using the flying faders from my Studio mix to control volume levels.

[reginaldStjohn]

Depends on your budget but here are some to look at:

https://zoomcorp.com/en/us/digital-mixer-multi-track-recorders/

https://tascam.com/us/category/mixer?srsltid=AfmBOoqHnVsmd6rmU6xMXGqHNI7mS-eId3bHQbc4fIZOJBQjCzbA8a6S

[gmp]

Thanks so far the Tascam 2400 is the closest. But I'm hoping to find something that also has flying faders, like in my Studiomix. My budget is $1500-2000.  Tascam has a separate unit for flying faders

[Base 57]

I love analog. I have a 30+ year old  Soundtracs recording mixer as my front end. It still works great.

That being said, in my opinion you should look for a digital mixer. Consider the A&H QU5 or similar products from companies like Presonus, Midas or Behringer.

To get what you have described in an analog product really would require you to add a zero to your budget (at least). That Tascam mixer is okay but does not have moving faders and it's DAW control is rudimentary at best. I can say from experience, the Allen and Heath QU series is far superior. I have also used the X32, M32 and Studiolive mixers. They are also great. There are of course other manufacturers with competitive products that you should consider.

No manufacturer has an analog mixer in your price range that compares favorably to their digital competitors.

Again, just my opinion.

[gmp]

It seems like I need an analog mixer, instead of a digital mixer. maybe you can explain the benefits of a digital mixer in my situation in my first post. Considering I already have a studiomix which I use only for the transport buttons and flying faders drawing a volume automation curve, this along with an analog mixer is working ok . Of course I welcome any improvements to the way I'm currently working.

The reason I need to replace the Mackie is the faders, knobs, and buttons have crackles or no sound at times. I have to move the faders, knobs and buttons to get it to work. A tech said the Mackie is hard to clean; you have to open it up. So since I've had it 28 years, I thought I should replace it, hopefully with something that is easier to clean.

Efficiency is very important to me. Sometimes I need to do a quick mix or a good songwriter demo mix. With an analog mixer where I can adjust the EQ, reverb and fader level quickly is good. I also route the analog mixer output into Sonar so the mix is recorded there and I can stop and  punch in the mix if needed.

I’m surprised it seems no one has an analog mixer less than $3000 with 4 or 8 midi controlled flying faders like the studiomix. Tell me how a digital mixer will be better than what I’m using. I appreciate all your thoughts and suggestions,

 

[Base 57]

Simple. There are several manufacturers with digital mixers that exceed your requirements within your budget (the Presonus StudioLive 32SC is another you should look at). The preamps in these digital mixers are at least as good or better than those in analog mixers in this price range. The other aspects of a mixer such as signal routing, EQ, Dynamics, FX and DAW control are not even remotely comparable.

However, if your desire is to stay analog to replace your 8 Bus. Then maybe you can consider another Mackie. With the exception of Flying Faders, they have several analog options well within your budget that are at least the equal of their competitors.