Soundcraft Signature 22MTK Analog 22-channel Multi-track Mixer with Onboard Lexicon Effects

I’ve had the Soundcraft Signature 22MKT for about 2 weeks now and it seems I am learning something new about it every day. However, my initial assessment of what I’ve been able to do with it and the quality of my results have been outstanding. I have a 4-piece band and we are able to create a live recording in one Take of all vocals and instruments, including each individual drum, onto distinct separate Tracks in my PC based Recording software. That one Take contains 14 separate recorded Tracks at one time, but it could be up to 22 if needed. What an amazing creative capability at such a reasonable investment. As to its sound quality, I am very pleased with the results of our recordings. The 22MKT provides a broad, balanced frequency range with the warm, analog sound we were looking for in our recordings. The two onboard Effects buses provide the ability to mix two individual effects into any channel. I’ll also add that the support I received from Soundcraft both before and after my purchase has been exceptional. I was able to talk with a Technical Support Technician when I was researching a new mixer after my previous system was irreparably damaged. Overall, I am thrilled with the 22MKT for both its capabilities and its quality.

I was very happy with this when we first got it: Very clean sound, very good functionality. But the entire reason that we upgraded to this over the Mackie we had previously was the USB output of 12 channels, allowing us to record directly into a DAW on a laptop. We are using this for a podcast, with multiple hosts and occasional call in guests via Skype (thus the need for the Aux out for Mix-Minus.) We had been recording into a digital recorder and then transferring the files into a program on the computer for editing. We use high quality mics and overall good equipment. We bought this so we could use the USB output to directly record on a DAW (basically an editing program) on the computer, with each mic having their own channel. However, as we tried this, we discovered the USB output is VERY low - so low that the maximum output we can get into the computer is about -32db. That's really too low to be of use. After reading numerous forums, I'm seeing the same complaint by a lot of people, so it's not just my board. People have said Soundcraft tech support has had no solution to the problem. So we will probably end up selling this and trying to find something else. However, after more research I find that this board is ideal for mixing musical instruments and the USB output is just not designed for a vocal recording (such as a podcast.) The main outs are fine, just not the USB outputs.

I'm very early in the ownership of my 22MTK coming in at just 2 months, but here are a few things I like thus far. First I will say that with the 4 Groups and 5 AUX outs (3 if you're using on-board effects), it makes the routing to outboard gear easy. Another routing plus is that after tracking you can send channels of your DAW into the board, apply EQ processing (2 sweepable mids), and send right back to the DAW on the same channel, and it sounds amazing. Some other nice attributes are: HI-Z inputs for guitar, High Pass filters, dbx limiters, and you can use DAW plug-ins during live play. Also, the on-board Lexicon effects are not too shabby either. The only shortcomings I see with this mixer at this time is that there's no on/off switch, and there are no inserts at all. I guess during design Soundcraft decided that with being able to use DAW plug-ins such is not needed? Over all, a phenomenal mixer/ interface, and there's no other like it in its price range!

I powered up my Signature 22 MTK this morning only to hear it emitting low level thumping noise in my speakers, and the effects section and power lights blinking off and on. There was also that sickly, metallic smell that can only come from a blown electrical component. And of course, after just a month over 5 years of ownership, the unit is long out of the paltry 3 years of manufacturers warranty. The mixer was very well taken care of, lived only in a clean air conditioned studio, never toured, dropped, no spills, no cigs, and always plugged in to a surge suppressor. Needless to say, I'm disappointed with this piece of equipment and disgusted with Harmon for destroying the reputation of a name like Soundcraft. I'll never again spend a penny on any Harmon brand.

Very very happy with this machine , it s even better than expected ... i work in sound engineering since more than 20 years , and it s the best prosumer product i saw since the Akai DPS 16 ...Very nice preamps equa and routing , very usable effects even if i dont use them , very good converters for the price , nice and easy workflow , direct recognized by a OS 10.7.5 mac ... i can record and play many tracks at once with only 4 gb of ram on a mac book pro from 2012 !!! and the latency is much shorter than on an mbox pro , without any setting yet ... so i think this Signature 22 mtk is a really nice gear !!!! Thanks a lot to the developper team from SOUNDCRAFT , They ve done a very great great job

Update: 2 years after use, all channel strip volume sliders produce a noise moving up and down. Pluging in an AKG 214 microphone will saturate the pre-amp. As some other uses mentioned, the digital output volume to the DAW from the channels are very low, even after I mapped it to 0 DB level. Certainly not recommending this product. I don't see how this product can be a "professional grade". I received the original shipment of my order and tested some of the channels to be very noisy. Basically, all channel except channel-6 have a clearly noticeable internal hess white noise at 0 db with no input connected. Amazon was quick to send me a replacement unit in 2 days. Tested again, all channels except the stereo channel 11/12 and the FX Return channel are very quiet. Those 2 channels still has internal noise, but it's lower than the previous unit and livable. Given the inconsistent in manufacturing quality, I would accept this unit at face-value, worrying a next replace could be worse. At the very least, my money for the value of the "Iconic Soundcraft Ghost Mic Pre-amps with ultra low noise performance" should be reflected. A few comment on the Soundcraft 12 MTK: overall solid body and materials used are OK, not the "industrial" type feel, more like a SOHO studio type. Some basic features could easily be on it but missing: on/off power switch, Combo XLR jacks for input 1-8 that most other manufacturers offers, instead of 3-pin XLR only, solo buttons (AFL/PFL in Soundcraft notion) should have a light associated, or lit-buttons. Pros: layout and use is extremely intuitive, one can figure out how to use it without looking at the manual at all. The only confusion was the AFL/PFL, simply "solo" would be easier. Of course , those legendary Mic Pre-amps sound really clean with lots of headroom, when you get the right quality of product. An update: noticed the headphones output is weak, and when turn up to max volume, it’s somewhat distorted with weaker base. The unit I returned has much better headphone output, another inconsistency in AKG production quality.

Whats to say, if you're looking for a class compliant mixer / audio interface that works with the MPC / Akai force, this is it. Plug it in, enable 32 Channels in your MPC OS and bang, it's **just works** I was literally messing around with it expecting it to need more configuration. Nope. Plug and Play, and the faders work like they're built in. Another advantage the Signature has relative to the Tascam is that it the signal exits before mixer EQ, but comes right back in just before the EQ as well. It's magic.

First, the pros. 1. It is heavy. I had to use both hands to carry it to my desk, lol. 2. Even though mic gain with my particular microphones was low in general, sound quality was fantastic! Now, the cons. 1. I barely even used the mixer, really. I didn't even do much, and now channel 1 barely has any gain. What's more, I hear a hum, when I have the gain up, a. And not only that, this noise, hum, buzzing, whatever, appars in my podcasts. So now, this channel is pretty much useless. As far as value for money? I rated that 4 stars as well, because overall, it could be sturdier. All in all, other than the issues I listed, the Soundcraft Signature 12 MTK works fantastic. Oh. And con number 2, which I almsost forgot, is that yes, even though I got this unit used like new, the knobs are very stiff. So just be aware, if you do get one, that everything is in great condition. I love how crystal clear the preamps are overall, however. They are not noisy to me at all, except the channel that I mentioned above, probably due to it dying on me. I also like that it is multitrack, as well. But if you want sturdiness as well as multitrack, I would look for something better.

De lujo los primeros 8 dias despues empezo a dar muchos problemas

Mixer eccellente curato nei minimi dettagli per una qualità davvero professionale.

I plugged in this beautifully sized and laid out, installation quality console and realised that I had just purchased a weapon that could take out a small planet. Between having 5 aux busses and fully duplex USB I/O, I am now able to multitrack directly to my DAW and treat it like tape. The quality of audio is clear and precise. The Lexicon FX are what you would expect from Lexicon. I have nothing bad to say about the console. A fantastic purchase IMO.

I am an audio hobbyist/enthusiast. I had shortlisted Yamaha 12XU and Soundcraft 12MTK, and I chose 12MTK because of added functionality that it could be used as an audio interface. I am glad I chose this thing! I have always used decent equipment - Steinberg, Focusrite Scarlett, so I don't really know what a bad pre-amp is, 12MTK is quiet like the other great names too. In my drawing room setup, I have now replaced Denon+KEF setup with 12MTK+JBL 308P Mk2. I use the RCA input on 12MTK to connect Tp-Link Bluetooth adaptor, plus for fun on weekends sometimes use Senn E835 for karaoke. I realize that I am probably using a low-end prosumer equipment for consumer purposes, but I'm loving it. If you're a first timer like I was, its not so easy to understand the signal path. But after a few hours of reading and YT videos, and tons of experimenting, I am comfortable using it. It has built-in effects, which are nice to have. 3 Auxes and 2 Groups are quite useful, EQs are simple but work great. There are just 2 nitpicks I have: 1) There's a common 48V Phantom Power button instead on individual inputs. But this should be expected at this price-point, plus the fact that if you're doing live, you'll not be using condensor mics, and if you're doing studio, then you'll not be using dynamics, in short its hardly likely you'll be mixing them. 2) The faders are too wobbly to my liking. I was expecting very firm and tight faders. Its not an issue, just my expectation. All in all, a great mixer+interface. I would recommend 12MTK as well as the brand.

Where else are you going to find a 22 channel audio interface and a essentially free mixer throwen in at this price point? Ok is it perfect, no but it does have quite a few features but for this price they couldn't put all the bells an whistles in, but there is enough that it will get you by. Ok there are no channel inserts but, there are work arounds. You could go with the X-air 18 if you need 18 channels of audio interface but all its mixer functions are digital, you can't beat the analog feel of a real fader.