Phonic Helix?

[smopo24]

I'm looking to record some demos for my band on the cheap. Has anyone used one of these Phonic Helix boards? Good, bad, ugly? Any inexpensive alternatives that you prefer?

[neal79]

I have used one of these boards a number of times but only a few times for recording. I was very surprised when during the first show people were telling me how much better my setup sounded. I have done many gigs in the same room, with mostly the same bands and the only thing that changed was the board. The old board was a Yamaha MG board, not the greatest but I was not expecting the Phonic to sound better. I would say its pretty transparent and would be fine for recording a quick demo on the cheap.

[smopo24]

Originally Posted by neal79

I have used one of these boards a number of times but only a few times for recording. I was very surprised when during the first show people were telling me how much better my setup sounded. I have done many gigs in the same room, with mostly the same bands and the only thing that changed was the board. The old board was a Yamaha MG board, not the greatest but I was not expecting the Phonic to sound better. I would say its pretty transparent and would be fine for recording a quick demo on the cheap.

Cool, I was curious about them because we have one of the small Alesis Multi-mix USB deals, and wanted to move up, and don't have much cash on hand. Have you tried the Multi-mixes? The Yamaha MG boards are not bad, especially for the money and small space they take up.

[stereocoyote]

I have the Phonic firewire unit and love it... clean preamps, solidly built... I was looking alesis, but glad I went this way...

I should say that the preamps don't have lots of head room, but also still got a clean signal even when turn up pretty high...

good luck