อันนี้เป็นตัวอย่างหนึ่งที่ฝรั่งเขาทดสอบมิกสี่ตัวครับ เอาไว้พิจารณาครับ ผมสงสัยมานานแล้วว่าทำไม เสียงเอฟเฟคของ presonus ถึงไม่ค่อยถุกใจผมเลย ๕๕๕๕๕ ฝรั่งมันบอกว่า the Presonus is a good live working machine with BAAAAD Fx ใช่เลยเอฟเฟคมันแย่จริงๆ แต่ qu-16 อ่านกันเอาเอง ผมไม่กล้าวิจารณ์แฟนคลับเยอะ
Yesterday a friend and I had the opportunity to test 4 mixers at one time.
The four mixers were:
1. Allen & Heath QU16
2. Midas F16
3. Presonus Studiolive 16:4:2
4. Soundcraft Expression 1
One mixer should replace my Presonus (number 3)
Test setup:
To compare the mixers we used the following setup:
- MacbookPro with UA Apollo Twin Interface
- 3 Sennheiser 840 dynamic mics (not the best but for comparsion okay)
- 1 Sennheiser 935 condenser (for 48V test)
- Mackie Big Knob to fast switch all mixers
- 2 x Crown XLS 2500
- Kling & Freitag C2 Sysstemcontroller
- Kling & Freitag CA1001
- Kling & Freitag SW112 Sub
- Cables all the same for the signals (switched them with mixers to avoid defects)
Test result Preamp:
1. Allen & Heath QU16
What to say? We were VERY surprised, that the preamps sounded so BAD; we liked all the features of the QU16 (direct recording, fully parametric EQ, WAY better display than Soundcraft – and of course the Presonus), BUT we looked at each other and thought “couldn´t be must be a mistake” – switched cables, channels in Big Knob, Mics – BUT same result: the QU16 preamps sounded BAD; clean in a bad way (not as RME sounds “clean”). There was no “vibe and soul” and without EQing, the signal was crap!
Couldn´t say, which frequency or so, trusted only our ears!
2. Midas F16
Sounded really good – did expect this, because of Midas reputation, but it is a good sound (even if Behringer is now making them – can´t say a word about lasting of the unit – but sound is good! We only checked male singers, can´t say for females.
3. Presonus (my old one)
Sounds not as good as Midas or Soundcraft, but it´s signal without EQing is usable; can´t say that the preamps are crap as many others do. Perhaps the highs are a bit harsh.
4. Soundcraft
As for digital I would keep this thing; sounded good, good features. The preamp did it´s job comparable to the Midas pres. Nothing (or not much) to EQ.
Result of the result:
Don´t read too forum posts, because they´re always personal opinions and more often people say things about gear they´ve never tested with THE main instrument for testing: YOUR EARS!
As for me I can say, that the QU16 is dead, because of it´s preamp sound (already shocked by it); but ok preamps; for me the decision will be between Midas F16 with analog outboard gear (used DBX 1046 and Lexicon M400XL during this test) and the Soundcraft. No easy decision they are both good and the price will be comparable.
I hope this first summary of the shootout helped a bit, I will write the complete test in a few days.
Greetings from Germany!