Phonic Helix Board 24 FireWire

Console Rack (kit included) complete with firewire interface (ie replacing a sound card), in 24-bit 96kHz max.

16 mono channels with each channel:
- Microphone preamp (XLR) with phantom power individually
- Line input (TRS)
- Insert
- Direct out jack (1 / 4 "TRS) for the first 8 tracks
--20dB pad for the first 4 tracks
- 3-band parametric equalizer, parametric mid
- To send 1.2 and 3.4 (or 5.6)
- Pan
- 60mm fader
- Indicators 20db, peak, channel "on" and solo.

4 channels in groups, with TRS outputs

6 Aux Sends mono, with TRS outputs and 4 stereo to return.

Effects section (lots of reverbs, delays, flanger and phaser), with a "Settings" button. The effects section fits on the 3. TRS output for the individual effect section.

RCA inputs and outputs

Digital S / PDIF (hand out)

MAIN OUT XLR / TRS stereo + mono output XLR / TRS filter for subwoofer. Output "control room" TRS.
In short, a very complete console. Everything is possible for the routing, you can really do what we want. The big plus is the connection to the computer that sends the 16 + runs out in the main sequencer. We therefore, in addition to a standalone mixer sound card 18 inputs, 2 outputs. Latency is very good: 5 ms on my old laptop (athlon 2400).
Ableton announces Live 24ms latency: 9 ms due to the table and the rest due to the software.

Cubase LE is included, which is very frustrating, as it is stuck at 4-track simultaneous recording, and the software and the same level as GarageBand, from the perspective of the possibilities!

UTILIZATION

The manual is very clear, in French.

After, yes it can get complicated, so the possibilities are great. If the buttons are arranged on each channel, the "hand" is very messy.

It is unfortunate that the phantom power switch for each channel is behind, but finally, maybe a safety.
The volume knob is also firewire behind damage.

The use of computer is immediate: it installs the drivers (even bother on a Mac), you plug that's it. The 18 tracks appear immediately on cubase.
After a month of use: [\ B]
I should add that the console is a good stability in terms of drivers. Sometimes when you change the sample rate, it must restart, but not every time! It's still a big plus compared to my Edirol, where everything had to be shut down and restart everything every time you move from one project to a project 44KHz 48KHz.

I did the test on both Cubase SL 3 and Ableton Live 5: simultaneous recording of 12 tracks in 24 bit 96KHz: no problem! I could not test more simultaneously, because right now, I'm still only playing! So I do the test by connecting together all I had on hand (4 synths connected at noon, four microphones to sing).

SOUNDS

There, I'm sorry, I only use it for a week, and I have not had time to test all situations. I will correct the notice in the future, but here's what I can say now:

- The A / D conversion is very good, no problem. Moreover, it seems that the sound card is the same as the Mackie Onyx. Nevertheless, one can notice the level of 0db firewire digital output is actually a level 10 db in analog. I think it's a safe for use in live, not to have digital clipping when levels are in orange.
So I tested: you may well push the input gain without peak until 7 or 10 db for each channel and not hear at all of saturation, and thus have a signal using the entire dynamic of the computer. after, we can lower the hand out to find themselves in the green.
Otherwise, there is nothing to record low in oversampling.

- You can not hear a normal volume of breath, but when increasing the gain of the headset output, means there's breath. The level of the breath is equivalent to that generated by my synth on (an organ Roland VR-760), so I do not think that the breath is audible under normal circumstances.

- The table makes noise, because of his fan, but I do not iron the condenser microphone, while the fan on my laptop, it passes into the microphone without any problems.

- For preamps, I'll be honest, I have not tested yet, since I use an external preamp. But when I do a sound recording with lots of microphones, j'update my opinion. On the site of phonic, they say that the characteristics are equivalent to those of Mackie. After that, it's just "technical".

- The type eq is not "British" as is the fashion now. It did not seem very efficient at, but I have not yet tested in real conditions. I think it does its job, no matter what: when you go up the treble, the treble rises ca. I'll admit I'm not a sound engineer!
After a month of use: [\ B]
I finally tested the preamp: it did not look ashamed. I think this is the level of the map that I also Edirol FA101. The amplification is less powerful and less crystalline ... good, do not linch me that the T1952 Beringer, a tube preamp which I find very good for its price, despite the comments can be seen. So: preamps correct, but not the high end. However, given the public to whom the table, this poses no problem.

Otherwise, I confirm, the circuitry sounds good.

OVERALL OPINION

I wanted to post a first review quickly, to meet the demands. Sorry if it seems a shallow can.

The table is heavy metal, but the buttons are plastic. I think if the frame is solid, I would not trust the buttons, I'll try to care for. Sure, it's less "pro" as more expensive tables.

Therefore, price / quality ratio unbeatable. You still have to realize that there is € 1000 savings compared to the same in Makie. I think the sound quality is good, and does not justify the difference.
Basically,
What you one less compared to Mackie: The talkback mic, the Perkins EQ, the mini meter bridge, the direct out from 9 to 16 ... and great design.
What you one more: an effects section, a subwoofer output ...

With the difference, you can buy stuff like compressors / gates, the quality preamp, microphones ... So if you're just an amateur like me, I see no reason to extend € 1800 instead of 750 € for my use.

I think this is an ideal table to play with the group and check-in rehearsal and in concert. After, when you are ready, it can make a great sound card to make an album.
However, for solo use (home studio), he missed the MIDI and digital inputs. That is why it can not substitute for an additional interface for MIDI.

In conclusion: do not listen to people who say that it is rotten Phonic: it looks not so good from the outside because of the finish, but to use, it works very well and I am still surprised to have a tool of this power at your fingertips.

Table lgre, fairly compact (rackmount)
multi effect intgrbr /> interace FireWire SERIES
4 subgroups
4 to 6 which used simultannent / track (swith to switch from March 4 to dparts dparts 5 6)
mono output with low pass filter Intgr (switchable on or off), circuit level and insert.
3-band EQ with a semi paramtrique (100h 8k band relatively strait)
possibility to rotate the rear panel of 90: use of rack table as possible without problem
connector to put a lamp lighting.
and attention is the norm dfault this table

COOLING FAN!

UTILIZATION

Operation is simple, my time, it is nothing special from a mackie or other bringher 1604vlz pro, alesis ... what a mixing desk ...

I quickly enregistrment audio test pc via the firewire port, it works nickel, but beware, the contact point is just APRS audio gain, so it benefitted the pert of the Eq, and it seems to me that this recovery circuit before insert ... short, home studio, it is not suitable ...

I do not see too much of intrt multi Indeed, the effects range from seedy misrable quality level can be spread on a system of crap, actually it is not the difference between a lexicon reverb or of the phonic, but the quality is better stuff to do without

but then the biggest dfault is the noise from the GNR fan !!!!! I do not take it anymore!! it makes more noise than my pc! a high-pitched noise and strident, rhaa, a horror.

APRS else is like a table full of other models on the Shma

in short, I put 5 / 10 because for the PA / recording, it is perfect (firewire + mono output / active filter with adjustable cutoff frquence + insert to put a limiter), but then in a home studio, it's really not made for a (still cause the fan)!

SOUNDS

Sound correct my taste, nothing more. before that I was the one phonic MU1805X, I found the sound of that table rounder, warmer. the helixboard my taste has a more aggressive, more "dry". mafois, for what I did (techno music) it is enough. mdium with the band enough Troit has makes it easy to enhance the power of a cot aggressive sound: the sound APRS rsultats obtained passage in a disto are really INTERESTED.

I will cons by the sound of the fan ...

OVERALL OPINION

I VAIT sell in the near future ... I am much more often in home studio that the outside. I can not stand the fan!! it is not for the home studio, working less than a cot washing machine, refrigerator, and a constantly lit tl actually, in this case the fan goes inappropriate ut.

if not for the sound / recording live, frankly, it is really good. Lgre; ngligeable which is not usable as a table position rack, small multi-effect that can dpanner ... is the one I choose for that use.

I think direct me to a Mackie SR24-4, is the only (I found that matches what I need

a +

Everything has already been said. Nevertheless, for this award is very complete!
I especially like the 8 direct outs, microphone preamps and 16, inserts and 4 to, and the tunable filter for the subwoofer.

In short it is very complete! For not too expensive ...

UTILIZATION

It is a good table. It is complete so you have to get used to, but nothing particularly complex.

For Firewire: It's great, it installs, plug, it works! Happiness!

The only bug I had qe is linked to an oversight on my part: I had not uninstalled my old drivers multimix (one month that I had returned the blow I had zapped!). And when I uninstalled this crap, more problems ...

No compatibility issues with my little Behringer UCA 202.

SOUNDS

Not too good then I tested again, but I do not expect any miracles. Phonic's bottom line. The little I have done, it is not worse than the multimix.

In any case, unless in very large type (Midas, Neve, Mackie, Soundcraft or a lesser extent ...) need to dream, It does not sound really good.

So I put him on May 1 honest.

I read that the fan is very noisy ... I used an AKG C1000S, a Behringer B2, and MB78 Beta Tbone. RAS!

It all depends on how to place the microphone, and the config of the room.

OVERALL OPINION

I received it today.

I like the fact it is complete, the firewire working properly, the kit comes with the Racker.

I like the sound less, but it is very honest in this price range.

I replaced a multimix this console, I'm not disappointed. It's no comparison to the use and comparable in sound.

Everything has already been said! yes it is rack ...
against it by the cheap and it shows! the knob is fragile and does not support as much impact or snap!
but that price was good, he must be on something catches up!

UTILIZATION

Installation could not be more simple, directly recognized by Cubase
Utlisation easy, at least we've touched a console ...
English manual but it is more anectotique than anything else.
Small weak point! for mounting is bad enough, the screws are tiny and everything is super well-calibrated! with patience and some tablets xanax it will pass anyway

SOUNDS

Good for the sound to say that!
no breath, unless to use it very badly!
no fan noise!
The preamps are not bad for the price but not expect from a luxury that price ... is sufficient for recording or rehearsal demo item!! to do better, be other preamp! especially singing, is feeble.
The sound is clear and I think that's the main quality of this table! ca respects her and makes it possible for small budgets to deal sounds good.
As for built-in effects, for me, they are anecdotal and are useless if not to send a reverb on the vocals in a cafe-concert when using live ... for registration, it is better to use a good plug-ins even freeware, ca give better

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for two weeks
what I like most is ca ease of use and the fact that is exactly what we want ... bang for our buck. the sound is really interesting for the price
what I regret is that it is so fragile! I'm almost afraid to carry it! Notice to mobile home studio, if you buy this table, the rack or buy directly flycase good, otherwise it will not last long, I like the preamp, but not too good, the price must also be justified ...

Perfect value for money
with experience, I would do this choice