My old Tascam 644 mixer/multitrack fits perfectly on my studio desk like it was custom made for it. But after 20+ years it no longer wants to work right. The tape won't maintain proper speed and the mixer output needs a new wire internally. If someone can recommend a good repair center, that would be great.
 
Otherwise I will be looking for a good 12 channel mixer.
 
What I need:
Decent mic pres
10-12 actual inputs (2 XLR & the rest 1/4")
1 aux send/return
48v phantom power for 1 mic
3 band EQ with sweeping mids
Small size (15" D x 20" W x 5" H ish)
 
Optional:
Rear mounted I/Os (I hate the ugly clutter of top I/Os)
USB 2 with min 24/96
Rackmountable
 
Stereo channels are fine but rarely have sweeping mids or 4 band eq.
Most USB mixers are only USB 1.1 and don't say what level of A/D they have. My rule: if they don't say it's probably 44.1/16.
 
So far my choices are:
1. Soundcraft EPM 12 (no USB)(archaic design)
2. Allen & Heath ZED60 14 (USB 48/16 - for the $ I would expect higher)
3. Mackie ProFX16 (no ProFX14)(few sweeping mid channels)
4. Yamaha MG16 (no MG14)(no USB)(too long [deep] for my desk)
    Yamaha MG16XU (no MG14XU)(USB 192/24)(too long [deep] for my desk)
5. Alto Live 1604 (USB ?/24)(owned by Alesis' parent co.)(nicest layout)(unknown quality)
6. Harbinger L2404FXUSB (USB ?/?)(guitar center brand)(but unknown quality)
 
I'm leaning toward 1, 2, or 5. Any others I should consider?

The Soundcraft.
Soundcraft mic preamps sound great, especially on transient material like drums and percussion.
I like the individual TRS inserts on every channel.
You can use the TRS inserts as individual mic pre outputs to feed your audio interface line inputs.
The "tip" is (usually) the output.
 
Why do you even need a mixer?
Why not just get an audio interface with enough inputs and do it all "in the box"?

mikedocy
Why do you even need a mixer?
Why not just get an audio interface with enough inputs and do it all "in the box"?

12 XLR/TS connection doesn't sound cost effective but I'm researching that now.
 
Any suggestions?

Presonus VSL1818 plus a Behringer ADA8000 will give you 16 mic/line inputs.
Start with the Presonus with 8 channels then get ADA8000 later when you need more than 8
Get a used VSL1818 for under 300 and a ADA800 for under 150 on ebay.
 
It depends on your recording situation/requirement.
Do you need to record 12 channels simultaneously or do you just like the convenience of keeping everything plugged into a mixer and ready to go? With the setup above all 16 channels would be recorded to individual tracks in Sonar.
 

mikedocy
Do you need to record 12 channels simultaneously or do you just like the convenience of keeping everything plugged into a mixer and ready to go? With the setup above all 16 channels would be recorded to individual tracks in Sonar.

Convenience comes 1st. Only 1 or 2 tracks are ever recorded at once but the luxury of having everything ready to go without messing with tangled cords is a big thing here. The notion of everything routed to it's own track is also convenient. Much to think about here.
 
This caught my attention:http://www.qsc.com/live-sound/products/touchmix-mixers/
A bit pricy but having one on a slide out shelf (which I have) would be really slick!
 
I'm also curious what people think about Yamaha mixers for recording.

One advantage to using a mixer instead of an interface is that you can turn on the mixer and keys at any time and practice, jam, work on a song, etc  without needing to turn on the computer.
 
 
 

I like my new Behringer X1622USB.  I can't really say much about the quality of the mic pre's as that's something I know nothing about.  However, it's very cheap, provides a lot of routing possibilities, has inserts on the mono (mic) channels and provides stereo I/O over USB (it is not really an 'interface mixer').

Why not look at the Behringer Air XR12?.. at $250 its a total bargain...
 
there is also a 16ch, and then a jump to the 18ch, but the 18ch can also be an audio interface...but outside your budget

Mystic38
Why not look at the Behringer Air XR12?.. at $250 its a total bargain...
 
there is also a 16ch, and then a jump to the 18ch, but the 18ch can also be an audio interface...but outside your budget

Yep, the midas designed preamps are really good and the fx section too.
Don´t know if this fits the needs of a  user who prefers analog gear,
 there is no fader......

Gosta has faders.
 
Going totally digital @reedicuuulus $$$ only to fish around thru hidden menus just to adjust levels and settings seems counter intuitive and counter productive. You're paying tons more for the ability to loose control over what you're doing. I like to see what I'm doing instantly. Probably the reason so many use a DAW controller.