I replaced a Mackie 24-8 with this unit. Am I nuts? Nope. I wanted a more compact desk for a pro commercial production shop. If you don't need the glitz of a full length meter bridge, this is a great mixer. Pro's: I do commercial voice overs, so clean pre's are a must. These will preclude the need for any outboard pre's -- I'm very happy. Tons of routing possibilites. 4 aux busses + 2 efx busses per strip. And a flip switch on each strip can convert exf buss controls to aux 5&6! You can use the 4 bus insert jacks on the back for addition bus outputs (for a total of 8 out) by pushing a 1/4" TRS jack in 1/2 way. Bold metering LED's - I don't miss the old VU's. There is a "Stereo Sub" volume knob that independently feeds L/R jacks in back for a room monitor! That way I can use the stereo Main out for my DAT. Pots & knobs have a great feel. The SPX EFX are fine for my commercials, but musicians will want more parameter controls. Assignable talk back! Cons: The strip "On" lighted buttons don't have a solid feel. I do miss the 2 sweepable mid's on the Mackie EQ. And if you use an outboard efx or mic compressor/limiter using the "insert" jacks, you may need to run a ground wire from the gear's metal case to a screw in back of the mixer. My DBX 1066 didn't like that insert- BUZZ(remember inserts go unbal!) Another ground wire was necessary from my computer's case to the back of the mixer. But USB audio will also fix that. 60mm pots, but we're saving space. (Pots feel great). Talk back mic is not built in. Get a cheap gooseneck. I compared everything under $1000 and this wins hands down!

Just hooked this up to my new PA project. Had to save some money so after reading the reviews I settled for the Yamaha. Lots of signal everywhere and very clean. Yes, we'd all love to spend 5-10k for a board but if you can't.....buy the Yamaha. A great live board. Haven't tried the on-board effects yet but we all have our preferences on that anyway. Probably road worthy in the appropriate case. For the price it is a steal.

...to your nearest dealer to get this board if you're in the market for a live desk. I don't know how Yamaha does it, but this thing performs in a way that belies it's VERY reasonable price and keeps up with the big boys. The preamps are quite good and overall sound is as good as what you put into it...in other words the "sound" of the desk never gets in the way. Routing is extremely flexible with 4 auxes and two effects sends per channel to go with a comprehensive set of in/out connectors at the back as well. The channel functions are all you would need for almost any scenario and with the grouping and overall very good sound, you could use this desk for recording as well. The desk has seen good use and I've never had it do anything other than what I expected it to do and always in an exemplary fashion.

Now take a look at the price on this thing and then go buy one before they realize their mistake! Yes...it's that good of a deal.

-john

I run a live sound production business, small shows with up to 800 people and work with local bands... I recently bought this mixer with a lot of research and I tell you people do not think twice... this is the best mixer for this price range.

I would say that in today's world, it would have been better if they upgraded it a little more with firewire connections and digital outs. Other than that, you can route signals in so many different ways that you will be amazed. I see that people are complaining about the manual being not so helpful, but manuals only tell you what the buttons are and what they do not how to do it. So you gotta have some knowledge about mixers to understand the mixer but there is really nothing to learn with this mixer. Just play around with it and you'll get it.

IF LIVE SOUND IS YOUR THING, GET THIS MIXER... THIS BEATS BEHRINGER AND THE REST OF THE CHEAPOS OUT THERE... THE ONLY THING I FOUND OUT THERE THAT IS BETTER THAN THIS IS "ALLEN & HEATH" MIXERS AND THEY COST A LITTLE MORE.

This Mixer is THE BEST THING FOR THE MONEY!!! This mixer is extremely good even better than a Mackie, especially for live use. I used to own a Mackie and they do not even compare in tonal quality. Mackie's always have that "Mackie" sound to them and it is OK for studio use but when it comes to live sound this Yamaha is clear and it also provides nice clear hot signals ones that you in large venues or anywhere else. The preamps in this board are the clearest I have Ever heard with an extremely good musical 3 band semi-parametric EQ with sweepable midrange. For the money this board CANNOT BE BEAT!!!!.