lehabs wrote:studiomaster stuff sounds pretty good. The build quality isn't as good as soundcraft, sometimes, but they do sound pretty good. Nice eq, pres,etc.

I was using a Studiomaster Mixdown 16 X 8 X 2 and it really sounded great. You can find them on Ebay for like 500 bucks, and they really shine for rock music. They are very unique in terms of routing and some stuff on 'em is real stupid. Some stupid stuff:
-SOLOs are PFL only (no solo in place)
-no polarity switch

They do have switchable 48V on each channel though, and the EQ sounds terrific.

If you can find the newer model, the "Mixdown Classic" you should go for it. It will probably come with a meter bridge and and external power supply (my ps was internal and so the board was a little noisy).

I have no experience with the Trilogy, but I have a feeling it was designed for live sound.

Also take a look at Soundtracs Topaz. I've got the 24 ch version and Im pleased, especially for 700 bucks. The build quality is a little shaky, but it sounds really good.

mike

Been running a Studiomaster III 16:8:2 for about 9 months. Sound is very solid, pres sound very clear and bring through the warmth and sound of the mic very well.

Great console, but modular so it is really large. Though when recording lots of tracks at once the size pays off. One major niggle i have with this model is that the phantom is controlled by a jumper under each channel strip, which means removing the strip to change it, currently in the process of wiring up some dip switches to rectify this little prolem. They sorted this out with the later series though.

Always liked Soundcraft gear though and since lots of people are now moving to digital HD recording consoles and the like, you can pick up a really nice analog 16-24 channel desk for about £350.

The size thing might be an issue for a home project studio, but if you end up recording to tape i have always found larger consoles far more comfortable. But bear in mind the studiomaster 3 is the size of a small office desk while the mackie is similar in size to a pc case.

hope that was of some help.

Thanks again for the advice, y'all. I think I'm just going to keep searching for a Soundcraft 200B. I went last Monday to check out that Studiomaster trilogy board, and it didn't have the power supply. After doing some research I found it is indeed designed for either live or studio applications, but I think the Soundcraft will be much better for what I am doing. Unfortunately I'm going to have to hold off on getting any more studio equipment, until after I find out how much repairs are on my Teac 80-8. Finally took it in to the shop, and found out it will cost more than I thought to get it running in tip top shape. It was stored in a humid basement for years and there is rust on the capstan. That will need to be replaced, maybe the roller too, and maybe more. I won't know until late August what the verdict is. I really hope I didn't buy a lemon.