Phonic Helix Board 24 FireWire MKII 24-Channel Mixer
No longer available at zZounds
24-Input 4-Subgroup Mixer with DFX. Includes Cubase LE by Steinberg.
Overview
The Helix Board 24 FireWire MKII is the newest addition to Phonic's popular HelixBoard series of FireWire-enabled Mixers. It features a 96 KHz FireWire interface that lets you individually stream up to 18 independent channels of audio to the computer and return two channels to the mixer for monitoring - all with zero latency.
Pre/post Buttons, located underneath the console, allow each channel's EQ and fader (among other controls) to affect the channel's outgoing FireWire signal, allowing more versatile use. Digital S/PDIF output is also provided for direct connection to recording devices like DAT decks. The 3-band EQ with swept mids, insert points for connection to external processors, 6 Aux send mixing bus (2 Aux sends with pre/post buttons), and direct outputs for multi-track recording allow users incredible flexibility with mix control and signal routing. Mono channels have an AUX 5/6 shift button, expanding the number of outputs available.
But that's not all. The mixer features a dual-position input/output (I/O) pod that lets you use it as a desktop mixer or convert for rack mounting. The I/O pod rotates out of the way to save space in your rack. The built-in 32/40-bit digital effect processor has 100 popular programs, tap-delay, test tones (pink noise, 1kHz, etc), and footswitch jacks. Low cut filters eliminate P-pops, stage rumble and wind noise. Top it off with a subwoofer output, four true subgroups and individual phantom power switches on every channel, and you've… read more got a perfect medium-sized rack-mountable mixer for live events or studio recording. Steinberg's Cubase LE digital audio workstation software also included. read less
Pre/post Buttons, located underneath the console, allow each channel's EQ and fader (among other controls) to affect the channel's outgoing FireWire signal, allowing more versatile use. Digital S/PDIF output is also provided for direct connection to recording devices like DAT decks. The 3-band EQ with swept mids, insert points for connection to external processors, 6 Aux send mixing bus (2 Aux sends with pre/post buttons), and direct outputs for multi-track recording allow users incredible flexibility with mix control and signal routing. Mono channels have an AUX 5/6 shift button, expanding the number of outputs available.
But that's not all. The mixer features a dual-position input/output (I/O) pod that lets you use it as a desktop mixer or convert for rack mounting. The I/O pod rotates out of the way to save space in your rack. The built-in 32/40-bit digital effect processor has 100 popular programs, tap-delay, test tones (pink noise, 1kHz, etc), and footswitch jacks. Low cut filters eliminate P-pops, stage rumble and wind noise. Top it off with a subwoofer output, four true subgroups and individual phantom power switches on every channel, and you've… read more got a perfect medium-sized rack-mountable mixer for live events or studio recording. Steinberg's Cubase LE digital audio workstation software also included. read less
Specs
FireWire Pre/post setting for swapping streaming input channels to computer from pre low cut, EQ to post EQ, post fader
96kHz FireWire interface for streaming 18 independent channels of audio to computer with zero latency
2 channels of monitoring from computer via FireWire interface, can be assigned to control room monitors, main mix and aux1
DFX, our 32/40-bit high definition algorithm digital multi-effect processor with 100 programs plus tap delay and foot switch jacks
Channel 17/18 routed to Computer can be selected from main mix, group 1/2 and aux 3/4
16 Mic/Line channels with inserts
3-band EQ with swept mid-range
75 Hz low-cut filter on each channel
AUX 1 & 2 with Pre/Post switch
Six AUX send mixing bus
Four stereo AUX returns, three with effect to monitor
+48V phantom power on Mic channels
Four true subgroups with main L and R routing switches
Direct outputs for multi-track recording
Control Room and Phones outputs with multi-input source matrix
Mono out with variable low pass filter from 60 Hz to 160 Hz for subwoofer
Dual-position I/O pod
Built-in switching power supply with universal connector, 100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz
Rack-mounting kit included
S/PDIF digital audio output
Compatible with Mac OSX and Windows XP/Vista
Steinberg Cubase LE included
96kHz FireWire interface for streaming 18 independent channels of audio to computer with zero latency
2 channels of monitoring from computer via FireWire interface, can be assigned to control room monitors, main mix and aux1
DFX, our 32/40-bit high definition algorithm digital multi-effect processor with 100 programs plus tap delay and foot switch jacks
Channel 17/18 routed to Computer can be selected from main mix, group 1/2 and aux 3/4
16 Mic/Line channels with inserts
3-band EQ with swept mid-range
75 Hz low-cut filter on each channel
AUX 1 & 2 with Pre/Post switch
Six AUX send mixing bus
Four stereo AUX returns, three with effect to monitor
+48V phantom power on Mic channels
Four true subgroups with main L and R routing switches
Direct outputs for multi-track recording
Control Room and Phones outputs with multi-input source matrix
Mono out with variable low pass filter from 60 Hz to 160 Hz for subwoofer
Dual-position I/O pod
Built-in switching power supply with universal connector, 100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz
Rack-mounting kit included
S/PDIF digital audio output
Compatible with Mac OSX and Windows XP/Vista
Steinberg Cubase LE included
Documents and Manuals
For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Reviews
Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.
(14 ratings)
Submitted March 30, 2009 by a customer from yahoo.com
"I love this interface."
Verified Customer
zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
Till it breaks. If I need more than simultaneous mics I will buy another and chain them.
Sound
The helix 24 is an amazing product. There are a log of great effects, and the sound is very good. I am always hearing about the quality of Preamps on the Phonic products. I have tried quite a few different pre's on this by using the insert connection thus bypassing the on board pre's, none sounded any better, most worse. I would be happier if these preamps would produce more gain. I haven't found any specs about the actual gain on of these pre's but I estimate them to be somewhere around 50 db by comparing them to the other preamps. The sound always comes out very clean as long as you adjust the ASIO parameters with enough buffering to fit your situation. Overall, the mic and room are the only limiting factors in my getting amazing tracks with this thing, not the board or pre's If you want really great recordings go out and buy a couple of great mics, and treat your room acoustically. You can afford a lot of acoustic treatments if you take what you saved buying this board/interface instead of any other product which even has a fraction of this ones capabilities.
Features
Nothing else even comes close. I use this in a live as well as studio environment. Having a full fledged mixer to record through is just the best way to go. I have used a friend's firepod. The problem with the firepod is monitoring and small… read more capacity. Sure you can connect headphones to an output and use the control panel software to set up monitoring inside the pod, but then you don't have any effects to provide to your singer. (singers love to hear themselves with re-verb). Or you can turn on monitoring on in the DAW software, but the delay really isn't acceptable in many situations. Even 5 milliseconds is audible. With the Helix you can just monitor through the mixer part and apply effects as you want with no noticeable delay and pure untouched audio dumping to the PC. Also, if you want you can switch the helix into a mode where the sound goes through the mixer (eq, faders, and effects) before it is dumped to the firewire on a per channel basis. I have found this to be unnecessary and not the best way to go but I can imagine needing this feature. So to all of those who are out there thinking about using a firepod or similar interface, I say buy this!!! .Having a mixer/firewire interface is definitely the way to go for me. If it was easier to do everything totally inside the computer, they wouldn't make control surfaces.
Ease of Use
I have to gig this a little. I love that it is rack mountable, and use it all the time in a roll around rack. The problem is that when you put 16 channels into a rack mountable board, things get pretty close together. Some of the buttons ie group 3/4 send, main send, etc can be difficult for my fingers to get down to. I keep a pencil handy and use the eraser. Other than this.... awesome.
Quality
I have had 2 Phonic boards and have not had a lick of trouble. This one is solid as a rock. I love it!
Value
nothing else is even playing in the same game.
Manufacturer Support
Very good. I had to ask a question to tech support once and I used email. I got a quick accurate response.
The Wow Factor
I wish it was some color other than brushed steel
Musical Background:
amature musician, technocrat,
Musical Style:
all read less
Sound
The helix 24 is an amazing product. There are a log of great effects, and the sound is very good. I am always hearing about the quality of Preamps on the Phonic products. I have tried quite a few different pre's on this by using the insert connection thus bypassing the on board pre's, none sounded any better, most worse. I would be happier if these preamps would produce more gain. I haven't found any specs about the actual gain on of these pre's but I estimate them to be somewhere around 50 db by comparing them to the other preamps. The sound always comes out very clean as long as you adjust the ASIO parameters with enough buffering to fit your situation. Overall, the mic and room are the only limiting factors in my getting amazing tracks with this thing, not the board or pre's If you want really great recordings go out and buy a couple of great mics, and treat your room acoustically. You can afford a lot of acoustic treatments if you take what you saved buying this board/interface instead of any other product which even has a fraction of this ones capabilities.
Features
Nothing else even comes close. I use this in a live as well as studio environment. Having a full fledged mixer to record through is just the best way to go. I have used a friend's firepod. The problem with the firepod is monitoring and small… read more capacity. Sure you can connect headphones to an output and use the control panel software to set up monitoring inside the pod, but then you don't have any effects to provide to your singer. (singers love to hear themselves with re-verb). Or you can turn on monitoring on in the DAW software, but the delay really isn't acceptable in many situations. Even 5 milliseconds is audible. With the Helix you can just monitor through the mixer part and apply effects as you want with no noticeable delay and pure untouched audio dumping to the PC. Also, if you want you can switch the helix into a mode where the sound goes through the mixer (eq, faders, and effects) before it is dumped to the firewire on a per channel basis. I have found this to be unnecessary and not the best way to go but I can imagine needing this feature. So to all of those who are out there thinking about using a firepod or similar interface, I say buy this!!! .Having a mixer/firewire interface is definitely the way to go for me. If it was easier to do everything totally inside the computer, they wouldn't make control surfaces.
Ease of Use
I have to gig this a little. I love that it is rack mountable, and use it all the time in a roll around rack. The problem is that when you put 16 channels into a rack mountable board, things get pretty close together. Some of the buttons ie group 3/4 send, main send, etc can be difficult for my fingers to get down to. I keep a pencil handy and use the eraser. Other than this.... awesome.
Quality
I have had 2 Phonic boards and have not had a lick of trouble. This one is solid as a rock. I love it!
Value
nothing else is even playing in the same game.
Manufacturer Support
Very good. I had to ask a question to tech support once and I used email. I got a quick accurate response.
The Wow Factor
I wish it was some color other than brushed steel
Musical Background:
amature musician, technocrat,
Musical Style:
all read less
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