This Mackie board is rugged, compact, accurate, and versatile. I used it once to mix records, and the result was cleaner than anything I''ve done with a dj board. It is a great value. I can''t compare it to more expensive mixers, but I can say that cheaper mixers are far inferior than the price difference would suggest.

I do have two complaints. First, even with 60db of gain, this board does not properly amplify a phono source. Get a dj board for that. For anything else, it''s fine. Second, this board has a tape in/out feature that is toggled with a pushbutton. I lost several mixes by having the pushbutton in the wrong position before I simply decided not to use the feature any longer.

I own the Mackie 1642vlz, which is basically the same as the 1604 except that the latter sports a rotating patch bay. The 1642 has been discontinued. I bought a floor model 1642 on a whim when a studio-savvy hick salesman challenged my city-slicker dj style. I was well aware that I had no need for a 16 channel mixer, yet after a couple months with it, I would never give it up. Not need it? What was I thinking? Between three computers, two VCRs, a CD player, turntables, TV...I have had no trouble filling 16 channels with my modest amount of equimpent. Mostly the Mackie sits in the corner and acts as a dumb switchbox - I rarely adjust the EQ''s or use it to make mixes. However, even for this purpose it is invaluable. Since purchasing it, I have seen Mackies in use by both electronic and acoustic artists in live performances. It is truly a respected brand and a safe place to plunk down some money.

Similar Products Used:

Behringer mixers (crap) Numark and Vestax dj mixers

MACKIE CR-1604VLZ

Low Noise Floor, Variety of Signal Routing Options

No XLR Outputs, Non-locking XLR Connections, Minimal
Metering, Tiny Control Knobs, Runs hot during operation.

I will start this review by mentioning that I am the
owner of an eleven year old video editing and duplication
company. I purchased the Mackie to replace an aging Yamaha
MR-1242 studio-grade mixer which was starting to develop
some very low level hiss.
While I have used some of Mackie's lower end mixers
in our duplication operations; I never really looked at
any of their larger-sized mixers until recently. Mostly
because of prior trouble-free operation with Mackie products, I decided to give the 1604-VLZ a try.
Well for nearly $1000.00, I have to say I expected a
lot more than this. I find it completely unacceptable for
a mixer at this price point not to have XLR plugs for the
main and four bus outputs. The tiny meter strip on this
board is also simply unacceptable at this price point. As
for the dinky knobs; even someone like myself with fairly
small hands (I wear a size 8 glove), has a hard time working
the numerous small knobs on this board.
I am seriously going to consider returning this unit;
and getting a credit from BSW. In fact, next week I will be
going to the NAB trade show in Las Vegas where I will be
looking for a possible replacement for this board.
As a previous post noted, this mixer seems to be
marketed for the "Hobby-Horse" crowd. Way too many functions
pushed into a 19" rack mount design - many of which I'm
sure are rarely used. Two stars for being over-priced for
what you get (Who really NEEDS 16 Mic inputs?); and three
for not being of superior build quality.

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha, Mackie, Tascam

Low Noise Floor, Variety of Signal Routing Options

No XLR Outputs, Non-locking XLR Connections, Minimal
Metering, Tiny Control Knobs, Runs hot during operation.

I will start this review by mentioning that I am the
owner of an eleven year old video editing and duplication
company. I purchased the Mackie to replace an aging Yamaha
MR-1242 studio-grade mixer which was starting to develop
some very low level hiss.
While I have used some of Mackie's lower end mixers
in our duplication operations; I never really looked at
any of their larger-sized mixers until recently. Mostly
because of prior trouble-free operation with Mackie products, I decided to give the 1604-VLZ a try.
Well for nearly $1000.00, I have to say I expected a
lot more than this. I find it completely unacceptable for
a mixer at this price point not to have XLR plugs for the
main and four bus outputs. The tiny meter strip on this
board is also simply unacceptable at this price point. As
for the dinky knobs; even someone like myself with fairly
small hands (I wear a size 8 glove), has a hard time working
the numerous small knobs on this board.
I am seriously going to consider returning this unit;
and getting a credit from BSW. In fact, next week I will be
going to the NAB trade show in Las Vegas where I will be
looking for a possible replacement for this board.
As a previous post noted, this mixer seems to be
marketed for the "Hobby-Horse" crowd. Way too many functions
pushed into a 19" rack mount design - many of which I'm
sure are rarely used. Two stars for being over-priced for
what you get (Who really NEEDS 16 Mic inputs?); and three
for not being of superior build quality.

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha, Mackie, Tascam

Headroom, transparency, quality of construction, layout, routing possibilties, sound.

Cramped buttons for normal sized fingers, although required to accomodate the myriad of features. Lack or XLR outputs.

This product is fantastic. The sound is extremely transparent and noise is non-existent. Any source can be plugged in and perfectly level set in seconds. The controls are very solid with great tactile feedback. Routing possibilities are beyond any other board in this range. The very high quality mic preamps make the board worth the price alone.

I can't imagine why anyone would give this board anything but a top rating, especially considering the price point. You simply can't buy a better board for twice the price.

Similar Products Used:

Soundcraft spirit series.

Is it possible to get too much gear for the bucks you spend. You certainly hope so. When you buy and use the Mackie CR-1604vlz,you never feel slighted in the least in your investment. The high quality full discrete mic pre-amps alone are worth the price of admission . Yes,16 of them. All the sends,aux,inserts you could hope for. Yes it is also just a 4-bus. But what a 4-bus. Killer sound,with plenty of headroom,and low noise. Terrific for those multi-media projects where multiple sources are needed. There is no such thing as not enoughs i/o plugs here. Plug in that t.r.s. type 1/4 connector whether balanced or not,and you are ready for production,and mixdown to that polished "pro" master. Already a big fav with alot famous production houses,and musicians all over. It is easy to see why. Sound is important sure,but durability is what makes a "Mackie",and what breaks all the "hobby-toys" out there. 1994, when the northridge quake hit. The Mackie mixers earned the nickname,"Mackie-throw pillows." After being tossed around the studios and being buried,they were unearthed,and plugged in and played great. This my first real mixer. The way it is going,probably all the mixer I'll ever need. With plenty of sources,a Teac X-10,3300,Nak zx-7,Sony dtc-a6 dat,Sony D-7,Tandberg TCD-3014,Nad 502 cd,Nad 6300,things can and do get crowded. Well the Mackie is up to the task with room to spare. I never feel disapointed in the results,except when "I" flub up. The precision faders track beautifully. The buttons have a positive click to them,and the silkscreen markings are beyond reproach. The lamp socket is a nice touch. I mounted the Mackie on a roll-away rack,for convience and organization and space reasons. This mixer will definately fall in my rule of 20. That is, 20 years of use before I think of replacing/repairing it. It just feels and works that well. So,great job to the folks at Mackie,USA made with pride. Try a Mackie when the old "hobby toy" dies. There is bound to be one right for you. Listen and you will see.

What..Have you only EVER listened to Prosumer gear?
This console actually LACK definition, headroom, ergonomics and "Real World" features. Mixing with 60mm faders is like flicking switches to turn a source on. I struggled with "real life" sources that range from -50 to +10, and this console completly ran out of gas.

This console was designed for people who have no idea what do do with sound. Attempt to set up multiple complex mixes. Sorry. Attempt to fine tune a monitor mix: No.

For the money... look into the Allen & Heath. Not only will it sound better and give you more features and routing, it will actually sound good and not clip prematurely.

The above review must have been submitted by a marketing person for the company. Anyone who has used consoles of greater price and size will find themselves frustrated by this toy.. and all the hype.

For the money this mixer has it all! I have been using this as my first mixer and I can't complain at all. Lots of headroom and extremly low noise floor. Solid Contruction!

Would like to see XLR outs on the back.

I dont have the money to spend on $10,000 plus mixers and dont want to comprimise sound quality for price. Mackie makes great products for the money. Pros use these boards all of the time. You really cant pack much more into a mixer that will fit into a 19" rack mount and still have all these features. I only give 5 stars to products I truley love and this is definatly one of them.

I have no idea where the other reviewers are coming from as first of all I barley even touch the EQ on the board as you really shouldnt color the sound much anyways.

I use the direct outs to record right into my computer. I have also used this board to provide live sound on several ocasions. With 5 AUX outs and 4 busses (2 stereo busses) It's really all I need.

As far as warmth and detail. I may not add any warmth to the sound but to me this is colorization. If you want warmth then spend some extra cash on a tube preamp. When Mackie made this board they made it for quality and price. Not to knock boards costing 10-100 times as much off the shelf.

Better than what was offered in the past in relation to noise-floor.

Not exactly pro-gear.

Do you want to ruin a recording? Just use one of these. They have a distinct empty, tingy sound that screams "it was done with a Mackie". Low-noise operation is true, however there is just no detail or character. Plenty of punch, but no warmth or dimensionality. I heard that they put some work in their pre-amp designs for future models. Good. I don't agree with EQ points of 80hz for lows and 12k for highs. What can I say? These are too low and too high. Non-musical. I could go into depth on that there, but I'll try to keep my critique focused. These things just have a certain "sound" to them. It's not a good sound. It's not a professional sound. Their claims of professionality must have been exaggerated. I've heard plenty of other gear sound a world more musical. Usually, you get what you pay for with this stuff. If you want a professional sound, don't bother trying to create a semi-pro studio to do that for you. Go to a professional studio. For God's sake, just use your project studios as a scratchpad. Maybe this stuff isn't terrible, but I've heard more than enough project studios that banked on these things and all have that same yucky sound. And yes, I've used these myself. Don't get me wrong, I like the company. They want to democratize the sound biz. Well, I hope they get it right someday.

Similar Products Used:

Diamond, Allen and Heath, Tascam, many more.