Sound board upgrade from Mackie CFX-20

[jkowtko]

Yes, wouldn't that be nice. I saw those from the start. But I think it's a little too deep -- and definitely much more expensive than the 2400.

I know the Soundcraft Live 8 has a full meter bridge, but that's a fairly big board ... the 24 channel version looked to be about 30" deep and 48" wide -- definitely too big for our space.

Also, fyi I use the groups and auxes to route to the individual speakers ... I need to be able to run a multi-channel system, not stereo or LRC. When routing sound effects for our dramas I need discrete channel routing to each of the 6 or 8 (with FX speakers) output channels. Now if there was a board with 6 or 8 matrix outs on it, then I could actually use the groups as groups. Other than the very large analog boards, I think the LS9 digital is the only other option here .... or start going to VCAs. But again, those boards are physicall too big (and too expensive for this upgrade).

[jkowtko]

Okay, I just bought a used Soundcraft LX7-24 (got a good deal from a compassionate local church who had recently upgraded to a Live8-32), installed it for the kids' show rehearsal this morning and am very pleased

My eventual goal will be the A&H GL2200 or GL2400, 24 or 32 channels. What the LX7 is still lacking for me is:

* stereo channels on the main channel strip (LX7 has limited-routing stereo channels
with pots located in the mains section) resulting in 2 less "full" channels than A&H
* channel meters (LX7 has only peak indicator, whereas A&H has 4-segment LEDs)
* Pad and polarity switches on input channels
* Phantom power on individual channels (LX7 is entire board on/off)
* 2-track out for recording performances (LX7 has 2-track ins only ... go figure)
* aux/group reverse ... a very nice flexibility feature of the A&H boards

Otherwise, the LX7 has very nice controls, and also has channel route to Mono, which the A&H does not. But I can forgive that if I get the other features listed above.

I'll expect a used A&H to cost me a few hundred dollars more than the LX7 ... but probably worth it for the features listed above. In the meantime the LX7 will serve us well for all shows in the upcoming season.

-- John

PS: The CFX-20 is up for sale on Craigslist ... not thrilled with the idea of shipping it though, but if you live in the SF Bay Area and need one ....

[SHARYNF]

So what happened to your 01v96 I would have thought that with the adat expsnsion cards, and Behringer ada8000 you could route things to your hearts content using the adat outs to the adat in on the behringher, and use the studio software with a computer monitor to give you metering in all inputs

sharyn

[waynehoskins]

Glad to hear you like the LX7. I just started reading this thread today, but from Page One my instinct was that a GL2K or 3K would be a perfect fit.

My go-to board (and herein comes the disclaimer that I am the Crazy Analog Guy) would be a GL4K. 10 auxes, 8 groups, matrix, good stuff. Perfect fit for both theatre and rock-and-roll and church.

The LX7 is a good series, equivalent to the GL2K line. I'm too used to A&H to drive one, though: the mid-sweeps are scaled differently, and the little oval buttons are in the wrong places and not square, they're oval. Good boards, though.

I'd personally take a GL2K and a whole rack of outboard over a compact digital board, but that's just me, 'cause I'm used to reaching for discrete knobs.

Hope the LX7 does well for you!

[jkowtko]

So what happened to your 01v96 I would have thought that with the adat expsnsion cards, and Behringer ada8000 you could route things to your hearts content using the adat outs to the adat in on the behringher, and use the studio software with a computer monitor to give you metering in all inputs

sharyn

Hi Sharyn,

The 01v96 is mine ... not the theater's. I had originally expected to bring in the Yamaha for productions, but after a couple of bouts with the TD on ad-hoc equipment usage without my knowledge, lack of tidiness in the booth and theater, etc, I've decided I won't leave my board at the theater at all. I'll bring it in for special events, and I will use it for other gigs outside the theater (I've started to help out at my kids' schools).

-- John

[jkowtko]

Glad to hear you like the LX7. I just started reading this thread today, but from Page One my instinct was that a GL2K or 3K would be a perfect fit.

My go-to board (and herein comes the disclaimer that I am the Crazy Analog Guy) would be a GL4K. 10 auxes, 8 groups, matrix, good stuff. Perfect fit for both theatre and rock-and-roll and church.

The LX7 is a good series, equivalent to the GL2K line. I'm too used to A&H to drive one, though: the mid-sweeps are scaled differently, and the little oval buttons are in the wrong places and not square, they're oval. Good boards, though.

I'd personally take a GL2K and a whole rack of outboard over a compact digital board, but that's just me, 'cause I'm used to reaching for discrete knobs.

Hope the LX7 does well for you!

There is a GL3300-24 sitting at the local music store where it's been for over a year ... I'll bet I could pick that up for close to $1000, but it's pretty big in size and lacks a couple of things that the GL2200 has, so I'm thinking pass.

Fyi, my size restrictions did relax quite a bit recently. The TD tore the main booth apart and I am able to set up a 2.5' x 8' table to put the sound equipment on. So theoretically I can now comfortably hold a 4 foot board up to 30 inches deep ... that covers a lot of ground. I just got this going a few days ago and still have to place the rack equipment properly, so maybe in another month or two I'll be ready to start hunting seriously for that 32 channel GL2k.

The one big restriction I have is $$. This theater has NOOOO money for capital sound equipment purchases, so I have to buy in small chunks to be able to absorb the costs. Unfortunately that rules out $2k+ boards right now.

-- John