Need feedback on Mackie D8B

[thesag]

My question is regarding Mackie's Digital 8-Buss board?

The background to to my post is this: I'm going to be making a major leap from the bedroom studio setup to something heading into project studio territory. For whatever reason, I'm opposed to going to a true DAW setup (Pro-Tools, etc.), BUT I'm a big fan of hard disk recording and I plan on using a MDM hard disk recorder like the Mackie or Tascam unit because I want my working surface to be an actual mixer instead of a computer screen or control surface. Due to some good fortune, I'm able to spend quite a bit more than I originally figured I could, and the first thing I want to concentrate on is the heart of the system (mixer/recorder). My question is this: Has anybody out there worked with a Mackie D8B board (even better is you've used on in conjunction with one of the Mackie hard disk recorders)?

It seems to me like this set-up is a good configuration for someone like myself who will be tracking full bands but also likes the features of working in the DAW world for mixing (automation, plug-ins, etc). My other question is, would someone who is definitely NOT a pro engineer (not even close) be able to even use this setup without going to some kind of training classes (lol....well actually it's not that funny!) or will it be too complicated to even get things rolling smoothly for a novice.

I really like the fact that this setup appears to blur the line between a analog mixer/MDM set up and a full blown DAW but I've just been admiring from afar. I'd like to hear from some people who have actually had some first hand experience with the D8B to hear it's strength's and weaknesses.

Bring it on guys!

Steve
http://www.soulvillemusic.com

[Scott Gould]

Hmmm... Where to start...? I guess a lot depends on how you work.
I've been using the D8B for about 4-1/2 years now, the last 1-1/2 with Mackie's MDR & HDR. I love this set-up. I'm an old analog multitrack guy, and this is the most flexible, configurable, automatable set-up I've seen that still has a "human-friendly" interface. I think any 'old school' engineer can be up and running on a D8B/HDR rig very quickly. For a beginner (or near-beginner) I'm not so sure. How much do you know about signal flow, gain structure, bussing, inserting vs. parallel routing etc.? Could you set up a 24 channel analog board for tracking &mixing - including a rack full of compressors, gates, reverbs, cue mixes, buss compression & so on? These are the things that you'll be emulating (in some cases just doing, not emulating). Of course, you'd have to do the same with any kind of pro-level recording rig - but are you more familiar with real (reel?:cool: ) audio equipment, or computer based DAWs? If all your experience is on computers, you may find the D8B learning curve somewhat daunting; but it is one hell of a recording set-up if you put the time in to learn it.

Scott

[thesag]

Thanks Scott.

Yea, I have more experience with DAW's but definitely want to start tracking bands and therefore want to head towards the mixer / recorder setup. I run some live sound when my band plays the "bring your own PA" gigs (16ch mixer / amps / eq's / monitors / etc.) so I do understand signal flow, but I have no illusions that I am a highly experienced in the studio. I definitely fall into the novice catagory. I know that getting up to speed with this type of format isn't going to happen overnight and I realize that there will probably be a pretty steep learing curve, but it's something that I am willing to do.

In regards to the different Mackie MDMs, I notice that you said that you had the HDR, did you need to buy additional I/O to interface with the D8B? Also, can you tell me what you typicall pay (street price) for the Mackie Media and what is your opinion of the Mackie recorders? I just got the addition of Electronic Musician magazine in the mail and they rated the Alesis HD-24 the best new MDM because of all the I/O and the fact that is uses regular computer hard disks that can be bought at the local store. (very low per track costs)

Thanks for the feedback!

Steve

[adkerche]

Hello, I own and use the d8b and HDR24/96. My sugestion is if you have the money go for it(If your not above reading instruction manuals). It is the best mixer for its price range and comes with a big ass instruction manual that even explains the signal flow concepts used by the board. In my personal experience there is no beter way to learn than to just do it. Alex