Made in USA I have received a very old Mackie 14 channels analog mixer like this and the owner said it was bought like in the late or mid 80' by him. before receiving this old free give away from the friend, i already have a small "Soundcraft Notepad 5" for about a year that i barely use cause i use my Universal Audio Volt 1 for recording electric guitar and bass guitar with amp simulators. Anyways my point is, my old Mackie SOUNDS so natural to my ears while my small Soundcraft Notped 5 is abit different, just a bit less natural. Though i checked the specs and Soundcraft's mixer product line said that all their mixers have the same high-grade pre-amps. From then on i said to my self, this gift from a friend who almost tossed it out for recycling bothered contacting me first if i am interested. Friends, it is Gold !!! Really my ears told me the amplification is so natural. Though my only test was my Taylor acoustic steel guitar Academy series and also my Ovation. Amazing true natural sound from each based on the character of each instrument.

@tobitweaks

2 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing! Beautiful story. All the best, Tobi

Man, Tobias, this was such a freshingly fun video. It's been ages since I've seen a gear review with this type of energy and passion. Really cool! Thanks for making this!

@tobitweaks

8 ай бұрын

Ohh thank you!!

I just picked up this board. New to the world and this is my first board and I'm here to learn. Thanks for confirming that I chose well for my first board! Great content bro

@tobitweaks

Ай бұрын

Thank you so much and all the best with your board! Tobi

The editing of this video is next level Absolutely lovely ❤️

@tobitweaks

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you

Most awesome intro I've seen in a while dawg

@tobitweaks

Жыл бұрын

aww thank u 🥰

Nice tutorial, and great mixer. I have a MACKIE 1604 VLZ PRO. Gracias! 🙌🙌🙌

@tobitweaks

Жыл бұрын

The 1604s are super solid mixers! Thanks and all the best, Tobi

This video rocks. You have some cool outboard gear. I am an analogue mixing fan too.

@tobitweaks

2 жыл бұрын

Awesome! Well thank you very much! Appreciated 🙏🏻

Great! I have a VLZ4 that I am repairing, and I want to use it to run my mixes through it, and do some tests. Thanks for the video!

@tobitweaks

2 жыл бұрын

Welcome!

Man, all these comparison videos make really thankful for picking up a perfectly good 1402 for $100.. Here I am a noob at 52 trying to make sounds and just super glad that I'm here. 30yrs ago these were secret arts.

@tobitweaks

5 ай бұрын

Daft Punk used the Mackie on their 1997 Tour ;) You‘re more than fine with one. All the best, Tobi

'Been thinking about trying this since I seen that same Sylvia Massy vid a few months ago, myself. Don't have an SSL, or even a VLZ, but I do have a Peavey RQ4324c that may be able to add a few strokes... maybe. It's good to consider/impliment some outside the box techniques from time to time.(npi) Glad to find your channel! Fun production, and the 'good attitude' comes through.👍 I think SM would dig it!

@tobitweaks

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Really appreciate your comment. More content is coming! All the best, Tobi

7:09 You'll never hide CSB from me. Love from the light guy

@tobitweaks

2 жыл бұрын

brudaaa

Mackie sounds better than SSL, more natural, and pleasant to the ears. SSL brings in some harsh frequencies that I don't like.

@tobitweaks

Жыл бұрын

Thank you very interesting comment! I thought I was hearing the added mid range frequencies on the mackie side - but some people like this as a kind of „presence“ that the mackie adds. Will take a second listen to the SSL! All the best, Tobi

@davilealsilveiradacosta9606

7 ай бұрын

Yesss, the Mackie have the audio more clear and crisp in highs, and the mackies VLZ and VLZ pro that have 16 channels or more, the frequency of the mids is selectable for more optimized audio!!

I have a mackie 1604 vlz pro bought used for a good price. I wasn’t aware of the infamous ribbon cable problem, and mine had that issue. Anyway I have learned a lot of routing with the thing, and also repairing electronics, since I have dealed with the ribbons and other minor issues. It sounds pretty good, and I don’t regret buying it, but my next mixing desk will be a new one, since this things have a lot of components that can fail.

@tobitweaks

2 жыл бұрын

Oh a ribbon cable problem! I recently saw a 1604 for sale that had „the left channels not working“ this could be it! All the best, Tobi

BIG analogue mixing fan here. Your video also show what I like most; the direct hands-on workflow with pretty much one knob/button per function. Lets you dial in something very quickly and try out stuff and change around things as opposed to the digital workflow of selecting a channel or clicking here and there and there with a mouse. I never really liked that Mackie sound, but thank god there are lots of nice products available in that lowcost-used-market. One thing that I find genius is the Mute-3/4-function. That for whatever reason only is implemented in the 1202 and 1404 afaik. Great video btw, looking forward to seeing more 🤓

@tobitweaks

2 жыл бұрын

really appreciate your comment! More is in the making ✌🏻

I got the 16 channel at the heart of my studio rack...good stuff

@tobitweaks

Жыл бұрын

The 1604 literally the first Desk I ever used :)

The SSL sounded just slightly more full, more soundstage depth, at least via my iPad speaker 😝. However there’s something pleasant about the upper mids of the Mackie mix that is remarkable for a “non-pro” mixer. I just ordered one used for analog recording because I wanted a compact mixer with individual inserts and more than one Aux send, so the 1402 is perfect. Hoping mine won’t need a lot of work 🤞🏻. Great video!

@tobitweaks

2 жыл бұрын

Nice congrats on your 1402 and all the best! Yes the presence of these has something nice to it, liked that too. Thank you🥰

@johnisrael5183

2 жыл бұрын

Its just the Mids on the Mackie....dial up the Low Mid Slightly....the Low a little more....Dial up the the High Slightly and Dial back the High Mid...if you were 4 band EQing on a 4 Band EQ Mackie or SoundCraft and you'll get 90% sound of the that SSL Mixer.....add an SSL 2+ for $300 now your looking at $1000 vs $1800 same sound....

Sounds good

This. I. Gotta see.

DANKE!

Now I'll try this on my Sountracs Topaz 12-4 just to learn how to reverse adverse working conditions on the audio field and be prepared for any limitations that may arise in the future. Danke!

@tobitweaks

2 жыл бұрын

Welcome! I used to learn in about the worst non-home studio - it was literally just some kind of office space. Yes it can help you deal with big problems and give you some kind of „headroom“ in terms of fixing problems - as long as you do know how good things can sound on the better side of audio. That being said Soundtracs desk ain‘t too bad from what I heard. All the best, Tobi

Nice video Tobias you should post more SSl six and summing content. Ssl Vs Ableton sum would be good.

@tobitweaks

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Yes I am planning to do an „unfair comparison“ between the two so stay tuned :)

yo ive bought one from some crazy studio tech dude and seems like ive done the right thing. thanks a lot for your video man, very nice insight and i appreciate your words at the end that its up to us to decide. spread this attitude of mixing and production and fuck all the "3 reasons why your mixes sound shit" ppl

@tobitweaks

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Really appreciate your comment. All the best, Tobi

Mackie Retains depth, I can tell it's solid state though. Sounds like it should..nice clear sound. SSL is nice and full.

Might get the big six as my next audio interface and then use it for final summing

@tobitweaks

2 жыл бұрын

It should be very amazing for that!

Very educational and entertaining 🙏

@tobitweaks

2 жыл бұрын

Still and ever again: thank you very much for this comment! Really appreciate you supporting this :)

i have that one too and been mixing with it for sometime because mixing was hard for me.Now i can mix in the box and have good mixes so it just sits collecting dust :)

@tobitweaks

2 жыл бұрын

Awesome! Analog gear is just unbeatable when it comes to learning and understanding what happens to sound!

The very last SSL mix sounds the best, it is obvious to me at least

@tobitweaks

2 жыл бұрын

Haha phew it was the released version Glück gehabt

@armine6176

2 жыл бұрын

Yep the SSL had the bottom end punch

I’m tracking and mixing on Mackie Onyx 48 analog mixer, but i use Tc Electronic Finalizer on master bus insert, more then 25 years on this setup but with other Mackie mixing desks, now i added have SSL Fusion 🤞🏽😉🥰. Looks like its worth to buy SSL Six.

@tobitweaks

2 жыл бұрын

I‘d really love to test the Fusion some time it seems like a well thought out device

@_EightySix

Жыл бұрын

@@tobitweaks There's one particular poor review of the Fusion on Sweetwater's site and the way it was written basically sealed the deal and convinced me to never buy one. A ton of those reviews are total b/s to begin with but the one I read was convincingly written by an experienced pro audio tech who buried the thing, he made it sound like a cheap plastic Chinese toy.

🤙🤙

Great video. Not sounding bad at al for a "crappy" little mixer. Could you make a video of your SSL 4000 clone eq in your rack. It's a DIY right?

@tobitweaks

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Yes the SSL EQs are Linkaudiodesign DIY Kits :) Will take into consideration thank you for the input!

@eranddroory9987

2 жыл бұрын

@@tobitweaks appreciated 😊

Nice video. What else do you use the MACKIE VLZ PRO for before mixing? Do you also do summing mix only?

@tobitweaks

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! I used the Mackie to route all my synths into an 2 in 4 out interface :) You can Monitor everything and use the „Alt 3/4“ switch to decide wich one to record. All the best, Tobi

@Btone33

11 ай бұрын

​@tobitweaks what excellent expérimentation! I'm of the same mindset. I run outs from my daw to 1202vlz via Behringer 10 out interface. I route back into the Daw from Mackie. I use my Dr. Sample Sp 303 as aux filters for processing and importing sequences into the Daw. I want to figure out other configurations .

Ich hatte lange ein Mackie 1202 der ersten Serie - das Teile hatte nen HAMMERSOUND !!! Ich habe damals 990,00DM dafür hingelegt und meine letzten Sommerferien vor dem Grundwehrdienst 1990 in der Fabrik geopfert, um mir das Teil leisten zu können. Daft Punk hat auf dem Ding die "Homework" produziert - das sind keine "Billig-Mischer" sondern erstklassige Mini-Analog-Mischer gewesen ... später habe ich mir ein 1202 VLZ geholt - das hat zwar weniger gerauscht - hatte nen Mitten-EQ - klang auch gut - aber nicht mehr so FETT wie das reine erste VLZ .... 1402VLZ Pro konnte ich mir nie leisten ---- ... ---- besonders geil war und ist auch heute noch das 1604VLZ Pro - das wurde in der Techno-Szene ohne Ende auch Live eingesetzt - wie bei Rob Acid aka Robert Babicz - ....

@tobitweaks

2 жыл бұрын

Legendär danke für die Einblicke!

@ringtangting

Жыл бұрын

Does the original 1202 say 'micro series'? If I'm not mistaken there must be a non-micro series 1202, but I cant find a picture of it anywhere.

"That song better than befürchtet" ROFL

Hallo Tobi. Gutes Video. Das hat etwas das Interesse zum analogen Summieren geweckt. Ich habe noch ein Mackie Onyx 1640i hier rumstehen. Ist die vom Klang her mit den VLZ Mischpulten von Mackie vergleichbar?

@tobitweaks

2 жыл бұрын

Vielen Dank! Ich habe keinen Direktvergleich bisher gemacht. Aber meine Erfahrungen mit der Onyx Serie waren durchgängig gut bisher!

got myself 2x Mackie 1202 VLZ Pros for 1/5 the price of the SSL SiX so not complaining. Love the Pultec EQs you used though.

@tobitweaks

2 жыл бұрын

Cheers! Yeah I can def recommend the DIYRE EQP‘s. Super sweet EQ‘s with transformer output stage :)

Hey Tobias can you make a video on that SSL Six? I am going to buy one, I'd like to hear your thoughts on it

@tobitweaks

2 жыл бұрын

Hey sorry for the late answer! Yes I am planning to do more vids on it but my Studio had a undergone renovation that took soo long I am just back to making more vids. All the best, Tobi

I was thinking of buying the mackie vlz, would you be able to do a breakdown of how you patched it to be able to use it for analog mixing via daw? and give a breakdown of what you would need to achive it?

@tobitweaks

11 ай бұрын

Hi! You need an external audio interface with up to 16 outputs. Patch these with line cables (balanced) into the line ins of the console. The Master is line out but with XLRs so you‘d probably need 2 XLR female to line cables to connect it to the inputs of the interface. I‘ll have a video coming where I‘ll explain my setup with Ableton :) Hope that helps. All the best, Tobi

hello, what's the best mini mixer with high quality preamp saturation, head room (like our amek console) for electronics live ? allen, soundcraft, mackie or ssl ;) i see you have good stuff.. best vibes

@tobitweaks

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Well the SSL I can‘t really recommend for live as there are too little tweakable inputs…Hannes Bieger uses the X-Desk live tho but it is really hard to saturate. Daft Punk used the Mackie on their 1997 live tour afaik so these work. Allen and soundcraft are ok but if you want high quality maybe look into Midas boards - these are nice and if you‘d love to record multitrack definetly look into the Venice F series :) All the best, Tobi

@djgalawak

2 жыл бұрын

@@tobitweaks i'm not shure midas you can saturate preamp, a friend have it. i have mackie(sold longtime ago) now tlaudio, amek for preamp head room, i look for mini mixer mobile 3h-4h to do and not at 1k€ otherwise summingfacility do ;) best vibes

@tobitweaks

2 жыл бұрын

Well if it should really be portable the mackie 1402 seems to be the GOAT…otherwise all the best in finding your dream mixer :)

Great content, is not ilegal to share your opinion at the end.

@tobitweaks

Жыл бұрын

Thank you! And yes more and more people start to ask for my personal opinion, I just thought it would be more interesting to habe people make up their own…All the best, Tobi

I am wanting to get into making my own music, just got a 1402 Pro, will it be hard to learn how to use or will I figure it out over time with trial and error?

@tobitweaks

2 жыл бұрын

Hi! It is a great beginners desk, the Monitoring setup can be weird but the rest is straightforward! I recommend the manual as it is nicely written and definetly helps in understanding mixing desks in general. All the best, Tobi

I noticed you have presonus controler and wondered uf youd consider teaching us how to use a mackie for summing in studio one? Maybe you just use ableton not sure. Thsnms man great videos informative and fun.

@tobitweaks

Жыл бұрын

Hi! I never used studio one to be honest. I will do one for Ableton tho but it will most certainly be different as you have to wokaround not bein able to disable solo mute on tracks :) All the best, Tobi

@nocomment5006

Жыл бұрын

Nice 1

I think I have to replace my M Audio BX5 monitor speakers for something bigger or add at least a good subwoofer because I can't hear any audio quality difference between them. Please tell me what your expert ears detected during the comparison. Best!

@tobitweaks

Ай бұрын

I can also recommend treating your acoustics first before moving on to better speakers if you haven’t already :) Ableton is super clean and neutral, the Mackie has more color and midrange because of saturation and the SSL in comparison does that cleaner and more open. Hope that helps! All the best, Tobi

SSL SiX vs. DAW is pretty obvious to me. Maybe you could achieve the same with the DAW, yes. And you'd have total recall as well in that case. But if you just want to DO IT... choice is yours ;) Been saving up for a SiX for a while now; and I still want to get it :)

@tobitweaks

Жыл бұрын

Made a video about just the SSL SiX - gotta admit still likin it very much and Mixing through it every time! All the best, Tobi

Nice video. Would you say there is a difference between this model and the VLZ3 ?

@tobitweaks

Жыл бұрын

I cannot imagine there being a big difference soundwise. All the best, Tobi

@tobitweaks

Жыл бұрын

On and thank you! Much appreciated :)

Hey man, I have the same CP4500 comp from soundskulptors as well! Only problem is, i am losing a lot of gain so I have to have the make up gain up just when inserting it.. have u had that problem?

@tobitweaks

Жыл бұрын

Hi! You should calibrate the unit or something is defective. This should be same gain. All the best, Tobi

@anderskozuch7838

Жыл бұрын

@@tobitweaks alright thank you!

sounded better than befürchtet lol! - war der Drink nicht am Anfang klar ? Wieso ist die Brühe so braun geworden ist das Isarwasser nach München? btw cooler Song

@tobitweaks

Жыл бұрын

Hmm macht er da Wasser zu Krümeltee? Isarwasser ist glaube auch n Getränk kann das sein? Danke und Grüße zurück!

Analog summing much better than digital

Moini✌️

Very nice how set up the mixer for summing tank you

@tobitweaks

4 ай бұрын

Thank you! I have my Interface outputs to the Line Ins on the console, set Input gain to zero, faders to zero and then have the main out go back into my interface! Hope that helps. All the best, Tobi

Nice vid. How do you like that Presonus Faderport?

@tobitweaks

6 ай бұрын

Thank you! I love the Faderport. I got the 16 now wich is amazing. With the normal faderport sometimes finding the right channel takes some clicking around but still touching a fader when mixing is everything! All the best, Tobi

Its just the Mids on the Mackie....dial up the Low Mid Slightly....the Low a little more....Dial up the the High Slightly and Dial back the High Mid...if you were 4 band EQing on a 4 Band EQ Mackie or SoundCraft and you'll get 90% sound of the that SSL Mixer.....add an SSL 2+ for $300 now your looking at $1000 vs $1800 same sound....

@tobitweaks

2 жыл бұрын

You shure you‘re not talking Big Six here? It was not released when I made this vid btw :) All the best from Berlin, Tobi

SSL Six sounded more clear and open but like only 5-10% more

Im getting the newer version of this same Mixer, Ive got an 8, it sounds good....Ill take this one...SSL sounds Slightly Better...but....its not so big of a difference to spend 1700 dollars...comon SSL...make your items affordable....

Damn I didn't get shit and everything sounded the same from my phone speakers but niceee

@dpoisonedburritos

3 жыл бұрын

I thought the ssl sounded slightly wider and less boxy 👀 if that makes sense

@tobitweaks

2 жыл бұрын

appreciating u sliding through anyways :)

Just got one how do I get the read to respond to my mic on the main output

@tobitweaks

2 жыл бұрын

Congrats! What do you mean by „read to respond“? You have to assign the channel to L/R it is down where the faders are do you mean that? All the best, Tobi

Mackie sounds better than the SSL...pretty incredible considering they can sell for about £100 on a good day hahaha

@tobitweaks

2 жыл бұрын

The Mackie did good right? Was surprised aswell! :)

Ich hab hier noch ein Mackie 24-8-2 rumstehen und würde gerne auch Hybrid Setup aufbauen. Nur blicke ich bei der Verkablung nicht durch , kannst du mir eventuell etwas helfen ? LG

@tobitweaks

2 жыл бұрын

Moin! Haha soll ich vorbeikommen zum Kabeln? Spaß beiseite, was haste was fehlt? LG, Tobi

I felt the lows more in the ssl six

The SSL six sound more detailed and the instruments are more separated but the MAckie is good for begining at a certain point i guess. Just to learn this kind of stuff

but didnt that Massy lady's mixer have a sweepable mid?... here's looked like a 16 +

@tobitweaks

2 жыл бұрын

Yes she uses the 1604 model with swepable mids - tho she only talks about summing signals in her video „Sylvia Massy reveals her secret weapon“. Brilliant comment thank you for watching closely :)

The highs and mids of the Mackie is much more clear and detailed. The bass, the SSL wins but, it’s ajustable in all mixer with more than 6 channels right?

@tobitweaks

7 ай бұрын

Yea bass seems to be where the SSL remains undefeated 🤔 All the best, Tobi

I am Not really in the music making Game gut still very Entertaining

@tobitweaks

2 жыл бұрын

appreciate u coming by! :)

Hi, where to find multitraks??

@tobitweaks

2 жыл бұрын

Hi! I use them from songs I worked with (produced or mixed) but you can always find Multitracks on the internet from mixing contests or just people that give them away! Hope that helps, all the best! Tobi

Mackie has more space. SSL is tighter. But it’s not a big difference.

All mackie mixers same result or vlz one

@tobitweaks

2 жыл бұрын

Have not tested the 8-Bus but VLZ and Onyx are both great mixers :)

moin, bin auch fan von analogsumming ... allerdings benutz ich lieber das mx8000 ... wegen der gruppen und den auxen... den master schigg ich nomma durch das vlz1604 und dann wieder begg in de daw ... grüsse ps. netter stil🙃

@tobitweaks

2 жыл бұрын

Vielen Dank für die Blumen! Und ich wünsch dir ganz viel Spaß mit deinem Setup! :)

Hi! How’s the CP4500?

@tobitweaks

2 жыл бұрын

I love it! On the Mixbus I use the SSL SiX‘ internal bus compressor now as it has my favourite setting but the cp4500 lives on my parallel drums happily ever after this thing has grip! Signal chain is top notch

@preciseaudioblog

2 жыл бұрын

@@tobitweaksAwesome! Thanks!

To me 5% different, SSL little bit more attack and bright.

@tobitweaks

2 жыл бұрын

differences are marginal yes

I can't tell the difference.. maybe i need better headphones or it just doesnt matter

@tobitweaks

5 ай бұрын

Well that just means you‘re fine with either of them :) All the best, Tobi

the difference is really hard to hear. i prefered the makie tough

@johnisrael5183

2 жыл бұрын

I agree...the SSL sounded slighly fuller.....but.....you can use, Native SSL Channel Strip v6 and v6 Stero Comp on Mix Bus with a tiny bit of Pro R and RC Retro( Just a touch of Space and Tube distortion......in your daw....then EQ a tiny bit more High and Low on Mackie on the way out and you will get the same sound....

@johnisrael5183

2 жыл бұрын

And save your other 1200 dollars...for your Rack...LOL...and have a Mixer like Mackie that wont break any time soon....people dont like makie...because they have to actuallly...LOL...HAVE A GOOD MIX....USE THIER EARS IN THIER DAW...AND THEN USE THEIR EARES AGAIN IN RACK....the only thing you should be looking for in a mixer is A...its analog...be some one channel summing and some last minute analog color at the end of your analog mastering chain....

@johnisrael5183

2 жыл бұрын

Im using Mackie...with Rack....but...loopiing out and back into an SSL Plus 2 and using Native SSL Plugins on my mix....another way to get the same sound and save your money....

alter ich kann mich garnicht konzentrieren mit den ganzen memes XD

@navidasadisaravi6148

5 ай бұрын

2:14 der drop...

@tobitweaks

5 ай бұрын

Haha ja ich hab zu viel „Bad Gear“ geschaut und mir bei dem Video voll die Mühe gemacht…das nimmt mittlerweile bisschen ab, ist vielleicht besser so ;) LG

@navidasadisaravi6148

5 ай бұрын

find ich mega lustig hab direkt geklaut und meine nerd homies zum lachen gebracht @@tobitweaks

We’ve come to appreciate the Mackie mixer a bit too much, in my opinion. Useless faders and non-bypassable EQ are nothing to get too excited about, and the limited headroom will bite you without your even knowing it. SSL is recalibrating our expectations for a desktop mini mixer and I’m thrilled about it. Not long ago, this kind of attention to detail was thousands of $, not the very reasonable current price. No more Mackie for me.

@tobitweaks

2 жыл бұрын

Hell yeah pls never non bypassable EQs again in my life! Never really tested the headroom thingy tho (but know it from the 8-Bus series?) and the faders are fine for me - tho the rotary knobs on the 1202 might have aged just a bit better watching the boutique DJ-mixer market ;) All the best, Tobi

That SSL Six is overated......a good rack, with some good Eqing with a great Interface like....SSL 2 Plus or UAD Volt...will give the same sound...but...you'll have wayyy more control because the eqing on the six is wack...2 bands....ewwww....and.....your missing your ratio.....and your attack.....and release....now...if SSL was not so STINGY....they COULD HAVE....put a 3 band sweepable mid on all there and eq on all channels with your full control on mixer....charged $2000 instead and then...would have been the ultimate solution for one track stereo loop summing in the home studio and it would be selling like crazy.....it would be a comple mastering modual....mabye...add a Drawmer Saturator to it....your Grammy Level!!

@tobitweaks

2 жыл бұрын

Appreciate your comment! Right after using the SiX for a while now (2 Years) I have to say channel processing is too bold for most material. Just the comps and EQ being to broad to be actually useful. That good rack be more than the 1,4k SSL SiX tho ;)

@johnisrael5183

Жыл бұрын

Im gona help you......Using the Sand 2 Pre and Sand 2 Bus Comp from Acustica Audio...with Mackie Mixer will get you more of a nice SSL Punch but the Mackie smooves it out a little so its not so bold and harsh.........but...you have to buy Sand 3 with AA for $200 to get Sand 2 bundle with it...but the Sand 2 Bundle, Smoke Comp and White 3 mastering Pultec EQ, those are the best AA plugins to me....... You'd do better with Sand 2 bundle with the Mackie....... Im glad I figured this out before I bought the Six..... And your mistake...your making with the Six......Is.... Run everything through stereo........try Studio One's Pipeline XT Stereo...use the Six as a Analog FX on the way out on Export....instead of summing individual tracks through it........of course summing with the SSL 6 your creating to much....stereo space making the whole mix sound weird.....