Thanks for the replies!
I have heard the Soundcraft signature series are pretty good but am taken aback by the fact most are mono channels!
Maybe I am unaware of the mixer standard these days but I thought a mix of mono and stereo inputs was standard!
Yes the effects returns eating into channels is another thought also!
Not happy with the Behringer longevity so need to move on to something different I think even though I also keep looking at the specs chart and seeing how Behringer ticks many boxes! (input channels/stereo and mono/effects returns ect)
So the Soundcraft for home/studio use should in theory outlast the Behringers?
Again.. Thanks for the help. Going to go for the standard Signature 16! (Not sure my computer can handle the MTK version)
You are welcome.
I work setting up conferences and exhibitions and see time and time again Soundcraft desks being used for short installations, mainly Signatures. I know what those things get put through and I think without a doubt they will outlast a Behringer in a studio situation! My first Bheringer desk lasted about 5yrs in a studio. The Soundcraft desks last easy that long in constant touring mode. That said, my current Behringer has been running since 2003, only just spluttering slightly this year.
One thing that really gets me about cheaper desks these days is the 60mm fader throws. What's with that? And everyone seems to be doing it, not just Behringer. Even the larger models from the likes of Allan & Heath and Mackie are armed with the 2/3 length faders. I know it saves money and space, but if I'm going to spend over a grand on a desk, I want 100mm faders (says the guy who just bought a desk with 60mm faders). What can you fit in a 40mm strip anyway? A cable tidy?
All in all I know I'm going to have to lay down the big bickies for a decent 24+ channel mixer soon. I spend enough on the instruments, they deserve proper representation in my studio.
Interesting note: I've had a couple of Behringer desks and was a little stigmatised by it, so thought I'd swap to a different cheap desk manufacturer. I bought a Yamaha MG (CS) desk, which was okay for about a week before I realised that the channels leak. Sorta pushed that issue under the carpet and continued. Then I needed to expand, so bought another Yamaha, but this time an MG (CX) 2nd hand. I gave it the once over in the guy's studio and it sounded fine, no noisy channels, faders or pots. I had hoped that maybe the earlier model of the same desk might not have the same spill issue, but alas it to suffered from channel leakage. Then after about a month I just couldn't work out where all this noise was coming from in the left channel. Narrowed it down to one of the desks and pin-pointed it in the left master channel of the CX. I unpatched them both and pulled the MX3242a out again. I guess there are things some Yamaha doesn't do well at.