Which Mixer? Yamaha MG16XU, Soundcraft EFX12, or Allen & Heath ZED60-14FX

[phcorrigan]

If you have a laptop and/or a tablet, you might consider this:

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/det...hoCO3kQAvD_BwE

I set mine up on stage using the laptop as the main control unit and recording system (you can record all eighteen channels via USB). I use a tablet to allow me to wander around the room to change settings. The only downside I've found is that the built-in wifi isn't great, so I added a used external wifi router.

[varmonter]

soundcraft sig series would be my next board
purchase As soon as my mackie gives up the dust.
if not only for the individual ch mid sweeps.

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by transm

Hello everyone, if you were going to do a solo acoustic deal with vocals, which of these three mixers would you choose, Yamaha MG16XU, Soundcraft EFX12, or the Allen & Heath ZED60-14FX? I've read great things about both, but everyone seems to say the Soundcraft mixers are hard to beat for this price range. Currently I'm using a Behringer 1202FX 12 channel that I've had close to 10 years, but it is starting to fail. The master volume slider loses contact, and it quits completely, and one of the mic preamps has quit, so it's time for a new mixer. I know I probably don't need one quite this large, but I would like to go with one I can grow into , if I ever need more channels, I'll already have them. Which one of these would you choose, and why? Thanks You

EDIT:: I did an Edit above to include a third mixer, the Allen & Heath ZED60-14FX.

Hi t

I wouldn't choose any of them. Instead I'd choose one of the Midas equipped Behringer digital interfaces, and you carry it, and a wifi router, and run them from a phone or tablet.

This is spin-off technology from their X32 mixers, and it works very well.

If you are old-school, then Yamaha has been specializing in boots-on-the-ground PA mixing solutions. Soundcraft and Allen & Heath have been more recording focused for decades.

Yamaha are reliable and solid quality. Any of them will likely exceed the needs of your amps and speakers.

Also size and weight should be factored in. Is it possible for you to visit a sound specialist who has some in stock to actually look at and lay hands on?

[Freedbaby]

I am no expert, but I bought used, from a rental fleet, a Soundcraft EFX12 and for someone like me that is a weekend warrior, I find it to be a fantastic unit.

I run it into 2 EV ZLX12P's for the mains and a single JBL ion 15 for the monitor running out of the AUX. With that power, I can set up for more people than would ever show up to see me LOL. Currently we are set up to run two acoustics into the board, one mic'd amp and two vocal mics.

[transm]

Thanks guys, I also picked up a New "open box" Sennheiser e935 microphone for a great deal over on Reverb earlier, so I'm excited to see how the new Soundcraft Signature 12mtk board and e935 work together. I'm coming from a 10 year old Behringer 1202fx board and cheapo Digital Reverence drv200 mics, so it has to be an improvement Lol.

[The Kid!]

Originally Posted by transm

Thanks for the great guidance so far! The more I read, the more I'm leaning toward the A&H ZED60-14FX. I have narrowed it down to either the Soundcraft EFX12 or the A&H ZED60-14FX, and at this point I'm leaning towards the ZED60.

IMO the Soundcraft EFX12 wins hands down over the A&H ZED60-14FX.

I own the Zed60 14FX and the EFX8. The EFX8 is more of a fair fight with 8 XLR channels, but still actually wins over Ze60 14FX.

The soundcraft has noticeably better FX with three tweak-able parameters, better sounding pre's and a more musical EQ. It just sounds better.

In all fairness, the build quality is a little better on the Zed series, and the Soundcraft EFX series doesn't have HPF's but that's not a deal breaker for me.

Since I got the EFX8, the Zed 60 14FX has sat in it's case. I should probably sell it, but I have it for a rental if need be.

You might want to consider the EFX8. I use it for solo/duo/trio gigs and love it. I have an A&H MixWiz if I need more channels, but I rarely do.

I had and sold a QSC Touchmix 16. If I'm just mixing, a phone or tablet is fine. If I'm playing and mixing at the same time, I'd rather an analog board. That's just me. I definitely need mid sweeps though.

[transm]

Originally Posted by The Kid!

IMO the Soundcraft EFX12 wins hands down over the A&H ZED60-14FX.

I own the Zed60 14FX and the EFX8. The EFX8 is more of a fair fight with 8 XLR channels, but still actually wins over Ze60 14FX.

The soundcraft has noticeably better FX with three tweak-able parameters, better sounding pre's and a more musical EQ. It just sounds better.

In all fairness, the build quality is a little better on the Zed series, and the Soundcraft EFX series doesn't have HPF's but that's not a deal breaker for me.

Since I got the EFX8, the Zed 60 14FX has sat in it's case. I should probably sell it, but I have it for a rental if need be.

You might want to consider the EFX8. I use it for solo/duo/trio gigs and love it. I have an A&H MixWiz if I need more channels, but I rarely do.

I had and sold a QSC Touchmix 16. If I'm just mixing, a phone or tablet is fine. If I'm playing and mixing at the same time, I'd rather an analog board. That's just me. I definitely need mid sweeps though.

Thanks Kid, towards the end, I had originally decided to go with the EFX12 over the ZED, and then I did some more research and had more recommendations, so for my final decision, I ended up going with the Soundcraft Signature 12 MTK instead of the EFX12. I placed my order for it yesterday. Not really sure how both of those compare, but both had great reviews during my research, but I chose the 12mtk since it was a little newer design.

[zhunter]

I have used my EFX-8 a lot and it is a solid, good sounding mixer. One of the venues we play uses an EFX-8 as their house PA. I don't think there is tougher service that house mixer for a music club.

I recently added a Signature 12 and I am equally satisfied with it. A little different to operate and EQ but good sound and function. Probably slightly better functional capability. I still use the EFX-8 in rehearsal space. One of the bigger differences I notice on the Signature 12 is the taper on the input gain comes up much slower than the EFX-8. I might get the right input gain at 10:00 on the EFX and need to go to 1:00 on the Sig 12 for the exact same input. Both will get to the same gain but at different points on the dial. But if you haven't been using one, you won't notice a difference on the other.

Stating what may be the obvious, not all of the mixers listed have the same input capability. For example an EFX-12 is 12 XLR ins. A signature 12 is 8 XLR ins. I assume the OP is sorted out on the number of XLR inputs needed. Before all of the details come into play, gotta have the right inputs.

hunter

[The Kid!]

Originally Posted by zhunter

I have used my EFX-8 a lot and it is a solid, good sounding mixer. One of the venues we play uses an EFX-8 as their house PA. I don't think there is tougher service that house mixer for a music club.

I recently added a Signature 12 and I am equally satisfied with it. A little different to operate and EQ but good sound and function. Probably slightly better functional capability. I still use the EFX-8 in rehearsal space. One of the bigger differences I notice on the Signature 12 is the taper on the input gain comes up much slower than the EFX-8. I might get the right input gain at 10:00 on the EFX and need to go to 1:00 on the Sig 12 for the exact same input. Both will get to the same gain but at different points on the dial. But if you haven't been using one, you won't notice a difference on the other.

Stating what may be the obvious, not all of the mixers listed have the same input capability. For example an EFX-12 is 12 XLR ins. A signature 12 is 8 XLR ins. I assume the OP is sorted out on the number of XLR inputs needed. Before all of the details come into play, gotta have the right inputs.

hunter

I haven’t mixed on the signature series. What are your thoughts between the signature vs the EFX Series? Other than the input taper: Quality, workflow, sound? Definitely interested to hear your opinions.

[transm]

Just an update.... I got my new Soundcraft 12mtk mixer in the mail yesterday, as well as my new Sennheiser e935 mic. I love them both so far, I've just got to spend a bit of time getting it dialed in perfectly, but I'm getting there. Been using my BR-140ce Blueridge(D-18 copy) with the built in Fishman Presys-Blend preamp ran into the Soundcraft mixer, then out to a cheapo Behringer 12" B212D 550w powered speaker. Maybe one day I'll be able to get a hold of a K10, I'm sure it would sound much better than the Behringer. So far, I'm tickled with my decision, and its not even dialed in perfect yet.