Soundcraft Signature 22MTK 5-stars Reviews

Incredibly easy to create good multi-track recordings

User Case:

I have quite a few drum-machines, synths and effects units connected to this via three patch bays. 14 mono plus 4 stereo is enough for me most of the time so as I have sessions I fill up the channels and press record when I think I have something. I don't use it for live use but I suppose I could.

Recording:

I record into Bitwig with no issues whatsoever and using the USB return buttons at the top, I can playback my recordings just as easily. I don't tend to overdub so I don't know if there is any noticeable latency when recording and playing back at the same time. I don't have experience with really expensive interfaces/convertors so can't compare this to those but to my ears, the recordings sound good and clear but just as important to me, they were easy to make and don't interrupt my flow.

Mixing:

I don't really use the EQ much as I tend to edit and mix with software. One could argue that I don't need a mixer at all and could manage with just an interface but I like the hands-on feeling and being able to just look at it and know what is going on. Tweaking FX sends while recording a pass is fun too.

Quality:

It feels reasonably solid and well built. Admittedly it doesn't get moved around at all. There is no power switch which is a minor inconvenience. I don't think it would stand up well to touring use.

Limitations:

Some people are frustrated by the lack of insert points but as I use patch bays, this is a non-issue for me.

The internal effects cannot be recorded except as part of the stereo master. You could use the aux outs and bring them back on another channel but unless you don't have many other effects, this isn't really work the effort. Even though I like quite a few of the effects, I tend to not use them.

Summary:

Very easy to use and produces good recordings. There are lots of routing possibilities and I don't think there is are many other options which are so versatile for so little outlay. Highly recommended.

Excellent choice !

This mixer was bought to be used in a small music production studio.

It?s capabilities are really much and the unit?s quality is really good.

Pros:

Multichannel recording

Built in FX

Nice EQs

Built quality

Connectivity

Cons:

Low master volume

No inserts

Audio Device Drops Out at some points

No problem about the phone output that plays simultaneously with the master because i use an external volume control before the speakers so i can still mute the monitors without turning the console?s master volume off.

Overall pretty impressed!

Superb Mixer

Forget the critics and the experts, look at price !!

Superb mixer, awesome warm sound - buy it.

Simples !!

I am a pro composer and outside of a real world studio, at this price point, nothing remotely as good.

Just great recording mixer

I use it to mix and record electronic music (synths, drummachines). Since it can record so much channels at once it can capture a performance of more instruments together. Its also nice to be able to mix in analogue. The sound is clean, maybe not as "heavy" as I was used with my soundcraft 200. Eq, preamps all sounds fine. Also the size is good, its not nearly as big as I thought.

Cons: No monitor output, no inserts. To be able to use realiably all channels I have to use higher ASIO latencies. No master insert.

Great desk with compromises

I purchased this last year mainly due to the fact it has 22 USB returns removing the need to have a seperate soundcard.. My initial impressions were that the sound quality is incredible and the features and desk in general is very simple to use and set up. The desk bridges analouge sound with digital technology superbly.

Lexicon effects are really nice, no save option or recall though..

The workflow on the desk is great as you can just plug and play with your PC and route what you wish from your DAW straight to a channel on the desk.

Main issue I have with the desk is that there are no AUX returns, this means you will have to send audio out the Aux send but return into a seperate channel on the desk. Small issue but worth considering for those with lots of outboard effects.

Overall its the centerpiece of my studio and very very happy with purchase.