Mixer Recommendations? - 16 Channel, Record to USB

[podshopstudios]

Hi All,

So I'm looking for a recommendation for a new mixer for our upgraded podcast studio. We've been using the Rodecaster Pro 2 for 5 months in our "test" space, which has been great for what we needed it for, but we need something that's more intelligent, with more channels for a new larger space we're opening.

List of requirements;

- Needs to have multi-track record to USB function, ideally to an SSD which we'll use for the backup
- 16 channels will be fine
- Ideally supported by Riverside.fm as an external USB device, that compatible with Mac and Windows
- £2500 budget
- If their is also a smaller unit in the same range that does 8 channels, then would be good to use in studio 2 and keep everything branded the same

And that's pretty much it. We've tested the Allen and Heath QU16, and unfortunately have had a tonne of issues with it. Any recommendations?

[ronmac]

The new Yamaha DM3 ticks all of your boxes.

[podshopstudios]

It doesn't I'm afraid, I don't think it multitrack records via USB Drive/SSD? Only stereo records.

[podshopstudios]

The new Yamaha DM3 ticks all of your boxes.

It doesn't I'm afraid, I believe it only records stereo to USB drive?

[Sam Spoons]

Assuming you want physical faders a Behringer X32 Producer with an X-Live card will do what you need. Cost about £1600 per room (there isn't an 8 input alternative if you want the operating paradigm to be common to both).

[Aled Hughes]

The Soundcraft UI24R got so much right - might be worth a look? Way under budget too (though you’d need to factor in an iPad or such for control). It can multitrack record over USB and to a local USB drive at the same time for redundancy. Also has an onboard ‘automix’ facility for multiple speakers etc. that might be useful to you, though I’ve never used it.

I get a load of use out of mine, and it’s never let me down, but even though it’s a current product, I’m not sure what state Soundcraft and their support team are in these days, so that might be a concern.

Aled

[Sam Inglis]

As far as I can see the Zoom L20 ticks all your boxes, and there's the smaller L12 available for the second studio.

[ronmac]

The new Yamaha DM3 ticks all of your boxes.

It doesn't I'm afraid, I believe it only records stereo to USB drive?

Sorry, you are right. Have you looked at A&H CQ series mixers?

[shufflebeat]

We've tested the Allen and Heath QU16, and unfortunately have had a tonne of issues with it.

I’ve become quite the A&H fan in recent years and was going to suggest one or other of the Qu range.

Can you elaborate on the issues encountered?

[The Elf]

What I really like about the Zoom LiveTraks is their ability to record to local SD card *and* provide USB output to a DAW simultaneously.

[Sam Spoons]

FWIW the X32/X-Live rig does likewise.

[The Elf]

FWIW the X32/X-Live rig does likewise.

(Really wish the XR18 did...)

[resistorman]

I've been using the CQ 20B with great results, it's exceptionally good sounding and the SD card recording is flawless.

[podshopstudios]

Zoom and Behringer are too budget, I'm after something with more function.

I've kind of been put off from A&H now after the issues faced with the QU16 (multi-tracks recordings are corrupted, hums where they shouldn't be, not compatible as a USB device input with Chrome or Edge).

[The Elf]

Zoom and Behringer are too budget, I'm after something with more function.

What functions do you need?

[Sam Spoons]

How about the Midas M32, it has better mic preamps and faders than the Berry but the OS is identical. The M32R Live is still well within budget if your £2.5k is for one room.

I don't know the Zoom but if it's lack of functionality/features rather than build quality/sound quality that puts you off the Berry/Midas I fear you will struggle to find anything that does more for your budget.

As The Elf says, decide what functions you want/need and there will probably be someone who can confirm/deny if a specific desk can do those things.

[sonics]

PreSonus StudioLive Series III 32SC will record all 32 channels plus a stereo mix via USB and to an SD card. Both together I believe.

[ajay_m]

While it's true that the DM3 can't directly record multitrack to an SD card, given your budget, you could just hook it up to a low-cost laptop and have that handle the recording. (after all the non-Dante DM3S is £1500 so you still have a grand left). Just set up a simple project in Reaper and you're good to go.

It has the advantage of being extremely compact, (it's about the footprint of a 15 inch laptop), which most of the other mixers definitely aren't, and the latest v2.0 firmware gives you the option of splitting the 18:18 audio interface into four logical USB devices, three of which are stereo 2:2 devices, and one handles the remaining 12:12. This is obviously aimed directly at podcasting, where you could stream audio into the mixer from multiple apps on a PC simultaneously or route audio out to different USB devices without worrying about conflicts caused by trying to use a single logical device.

It's also a very ergonomic little device, and although we don't yet have Dugan automixing, Yamaha reps have implied that it's definitely coming in a future firmware release. Finally of course it's made by Yamaha and designed for demanding environments. Mine came with a 2 year manufacturer's warranty, which is reassuring, and it's been absolutely glitch-free so far.

Another advantage of hooking it up to a laptop is that you can then use a StreamDeck to add functions - all mixer functionality is exposed over OSC for which there is now a StreamDeck plugin. Also of course it supports an iPad - but disappointingly not an Android tablet - for remote control of the desk.