hey...i've been editing with no mixing board and computer speakers plugged into the Mojo for too long!  prepping for the next project and want to get my little studio a little more like a studio.

does anyone have a recommendation on a mixing board and good speakers for more accurate sound? 

i'll just be using media composer with the firewire mojo at this point....is other hardware required?

 Before giving all kinds of advice, a few questions:

what's the budget you had in mind?

what kind of mojo do you use?

what kind of equipment do you want to connect (ie decks, microphones, etc.)

and will you use the mixing board for monitoring and capture only or also for mastering?

The best mixing board for computer audio purposes (on a budget) is the Soundcraft compact 4 ($ 100.00)  or Compact 10($ 180.00) if you need more inputs.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Soundcraft-COMPACT-4-Mixer?sku=630925

(Read the reviews)

Is like it was made specially for the MOJO! (old or SDI)

Well built, rugged, nice looking and great sound.

Easy to use

It can even double as a portable field mixer, since is universal 12 Volts. And you can use it with ANY common Radio shack-type AC adapter,

And it has a  LOW BATT alarm

It has built in phono pre-amps with RIAA EQ

Class A preamps, independent dual Headphone output (one for the Engineer and one for the Artist) making it great for V.O. recording

Dedicated sound card inputs (balanced and Unbalanced)

In this case , the sound card would be the Mojo.

D.I.,  inserts, Neutrik combo XLR -1/4 connectors, 48 V phantom.

It has everything!!

And it's a SOUNDCRAFT, the legendary maker from england.

You simply can't find a better value.

I own it and is a real joy to use.

I've owned several mixers (mackie, behringer, etc) but this is by far the best i've used.

Speakers? What's your budget?

I am using the Edirol  MA 15D stereo monitor speakers. Fantastic sound for a bargain (about 80.-GBP in the UK). Most Avid turnkey systems in the UK come with these speakers.

Andy Lange

www.aquapix.tv

I am using the Edirol  MA 15D stereo monitor speakers. Fantastic sound for a bargain (about 80.-GBP in the UK). Most Avid turnkey systems in the UK come with these speakers.

.- Yes!! That's a good choice.

I own the older Edirol MA-5A, couldn't be happier.

raspago:

I am using the Edirol  MA 15D stereo monitor speakers. Fantastic sound for a bargain (about 80.-GBP in the UK). Most Avid turnkey systems in the UK come with these speakers.

hmm, yes well. I'd aim higher if you can afford it. 80UKP for active speakers is ludicrously cheap and the quality reflects it. If you can afford some Genelecs you can't go wrong, even the cheapest models.

 I have the soundcraft compact 4 and am very happy with it.

For speakers, i have the wharfedale diamond studio pro 8 speakers (active)....here is the link http://www.wharfedalepro.com/Default.aspx?dsplType=1&cid=110&ParID=109&IdLang=1

At work, I have KRK ROKIT 6 speakers.....they are decent, but a little on the warm side.

Mark

 I'm using the Mackie VLZPro 1202 and the next level up 1402. Both are excellent mixers, and I've seen the 1202 (not the pro) on ebay for as little as $150. I like the pre-amp, I like the inputs and the Alt's. Good for editing.

For monitors I have the Edirol MA-20D. They sound real good, but they're not quite as flat as I'd like them to be. One of the systems I use has Yamaha (forget model) which sound great.

From what I understand Behringer is the same thing as Mackie's mixers and monitors with cheaper components. Ergo, the price is cheaper. I've heard some amazing sounds come out of their monitors for a very cheap price. However, don't move them. Cheapness is easy to break.

 I'm using the Mackie VLZPro 1202 and the next level up 1402. Both are excellent mixers,

.- Yes, they are excellent indeed, but I'm yet to see something as versatile at any price as the Compact 4.

Any routing feature you can imagine, Balanced or Unbalanced

The Mackie is not portable nor can work with common 12 - 13.8 volts batteries (Anton Bauer, Aspen, IDX, your car's, etc). Being field portable is not a must but is a big plus.

If the Compact 4 AC adapter broke, you can find one in RadioShack, Walmart or Circuit City.

Can't say the same about any other mixer that I know.

It's a little secret jewel.

and I've seen the 1202 (not the pro) on ebay for as little as $150.

.- Used.

The compact 4 is $100 brand new in retail box with full warranty

I've got a Mackie 1604-VLZPro mixer.  I like it.  Have the Mojo, Computer, Beta, DVCPro, Mics, DVD Player, and had a CD player hooked up to it with inputs to spare.

Speakers--I have HHb Circle 3 speakers and an HHb Circle1 subwoofer.  I'm not an audio specialist so I don't know how good they are but they sound fine to my untrained ears, and I haven't had a client complain yet so they work for me.

I don't have a clue about the cost of any of it either because it was here when I took the job.

Michael.

For starters I would avoid M-Audio. They are muddy, slow, bass heavy and generally unbalanced. BUt like everyone says - it depends on budget. At the bottom and all the way through the middle you can always depend on KRK which are powered. If you get powered speakers you obviously dont need an amp. If you want middle to high end you can get Genelec. With either of these companies you pretty much cant go wrong. Keep in mind that none of this is Hi-Fi and if you are editing for something extremely musical or highly sound intensive you should check things out on a much higher end speaker before you print. We use Proac. Some people will argue this last point (you can only uses monitors blah blah blah) so it's a matter of preference. I have a friend who ONLY uses aurotones. Another who only uses headphones. Another who uses JMLAB/Focal Nova Utopia Berryllium.  The last one is very rich (Check out http://www.focal.tm.fr/) These are all VERY serious editors who break from the pack. If you go unpowered you need an amp. That's another story. Crown is common and dependable. Make sure your connectors on the back work with the cables you use. If you want to go insane buy a Krell s1500 http://www.krellonline.com/new_pdfs/kavS_1500/0235_036_BRO.pdf

As for a mixer, we have had back luck with Samson and Mackie. But we have bad luck in general so that might not mean much. Our new Allen & Heath has been great. These are priced from $400 to $14,000. Pick your point. I find mackie and behringer to be eyesores in the edit room though I suppose that does not matter to many people.

Cheers.

everyone - you are awesome!  thanks for the feedback - i'm just now hopping back in and seeing all of the discussion missed.

guywithcat:  accurate monitoring is important to me as some of these directors test screen in a theater, and the only place i have to check sound is my computer speakers and sub.  (!)  yeah, so that has to change before the next project. however I do not have near $14K to sink into this. 

realisticly, budget is probably a max right now $1000 for speakers and amp.  which is way low I realize, but just don't have the cash yet.  the wharfedeale 8.x monitors sound like a nice option right now....but again, thanks everyone for the feedback.  this helps a ton.

If you go for the Diamond 8's, you might like to budget for a sub-woofer somewhere down the track.  They are good speakers, but like all compacts have a smooth bass roll-off.  They will be more than adequate for you immediate needs, but if these guys test-screen in a cinema typically they'll be used to slightly heavy-handed bass.

budget is probably a max right now $1000

.- This is more than enough!!!

Actually this kind of money can buy some serious audio equipment (mixer and speakers)

I got my Mixer (Soundcraft), monitors (Edirol) , High end audio (E-MU 1212M)  card and all the cabling (first quality) for less than $ 400.oo

oh...nice.  so you are happy with the Edirol monitors?  someone above was suggesting genelec instead.  so your monitors are powered....do you need to have a sub?  i'm just fearful sometimes of speakers in a theater playing the bass stronger and thus blowing something out too much when it sounded great in editorial. =|

how many tracks does your mixer support?  I need a minimum track support of probably 12-14.  are there any gotchas when getting one from soundcraft?  certain model you'd recommend?

so the mixing board accepts the input from the Mojo....but how does it know to split stuff out?