Phonic Helix18FW 18-Channel Mixer with FireWire

96 kHz FireWire interface for streaming 16 independent channels of audio to computer with near-zero latency.

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Phonic Helix18FW MkII 18-Channel Mixer with Firewire

    • New from $399.95
    • List: $999.99
      • SAVE: 30%
  • Installment Plan:4 payments of $99.98
    • free ground shipping
    • In stock
    • 7 people rate: 6 out of 10

The Helix Board 18 FireWire is part of the new generation of FireWire mixers from Phonic. The MKII mixer features a FireWire interface that can individually stream up to 16 independent channels of audio to the computer and return two tracks for monitoring, all at screaming fast transfer rates of up to 24-bit/96 kHz with a zero latency. Learn More...

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customer reviews

Rate and Review This Product:

65 People rated this product : * * * * * * * * * * 8 out of 10

21 People wrote reviews

* * * * * * * * * * 8 out of 10

"Features to Dollars you can't go wrong."

Feature:
Aside from a computer it came with everything you need to get going for home recording.

Quality:
The faders are a bit toyish but over all it has a good build, nothing seems loose or anything.

Value:
I have never seen anything that even comes close to compare with this unit, features to dollars, you can't go wrong.

Desirability:
it's a nice looking machine, your friends will think you spent a lot more than you did.

Sound:
So far the sound quality has been excellent. The gain control on the inputs can be a little touchy, but you quickly get use to it.

Ease of Use:
It would be nice if the instruction manual was a bit more informative, so you need to a base knowledge to get going. As far as the installation went, i found it seamless. Read the PDF the comes with Cubase LE.

Support:
haven't had to use support (finger crossed) it's been super reliable.

Overall:
It seems like i will be enjoying this unit for years to come, i can't see why i would replace it, if it broke i would buy another one.

Submitted: 2/14/2008

Style of Music: Alternative Country, Indie Rock

* * * * * * * * * * 5 out of 10

"You get what you pay for."

Feature:
Lots of features for such a low price.

Quality:
It looks fine, but you can tell that you are getting an economy product. The knobs don't feel very durable or solid. I would not feel comfortable taking it gigging. Also as I mentioned a few of the channels have become unusable for no apparent reason. And when i first got the board the firewire was doa and had to be replaced.

Value:
You get a lot of features in one convenient place, but you really sacrifice reliability. I would not get this again for anything that had deadlines or was used on a regular basis. However if your interest is more of on a causal level, replicating the features that come in this unit is going to cost you at least twice as much in other products.

Desirability:
I need it, but I wish I had some more cash to get something more reliable

Sound:
I have had this for about a year in a smoke free environment and two of the channels have died on me. One causing loud pops in the mix, and the other with a loud fuzz. The built in effects aren't the highest quality. I have recorded with the firewire and not noticed any problems with the quality there though.

Ease of Use:
When it works the layout is logical, and easy enough.

Support:
The people at phonic have been very responsive and helpful.

Overall:
Again, be careful here. It's cheap, and if you don't have much money and having to send it in to the shop won't mess up your time schedule too much than go for it, but otherwise save up for more solid components.

Submitted: 12/6/2007

Style of Music: Acoustic, Folk Rock

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About This Product!
Description
From Our Catalog
The Helix Board 18 FireWire is one of Phonic's newest mixers that sound great and work hard both in and out of the studio. The mixer features a FireWire interface that can individually stream up to 16 independent channels of audio to the computer and return two tracks for monitoring, all at screaming fast transfer rates of up to 24-bit/96 kHz with a near-zero latency. An onboard 24-bit digital multi-effect processor provides 16 popular programs plus one main parameter control, tap delay and foot switch jacks. There are 8 extremely low noise Mic preamps, each with phantom power, spread across six mono Mic/Line channels with 75 Hz low cut filters, and four stereo Line channels. Each Mic channel has a 3-band EQ (six with swept mid), and two stereo channels have a 4-band EQ. A 10-band system graphic equalizer can be assigned to Main Outs or Aux 1. Mini stereo and stereo RCA inputs and outputs make the addition of digital and analog playback and recording devices effortless, while trim control makes record out level matching trouble-free. Additional features include three Aux sends, two stereo Aux returns, input and output solo, two true subgroups and a rack mounting kit.

Technical Info

18-input small-format analog mixer with extremely low noise circuitry

96 kHz FireWire interface for streaming 16 independent channels of audio to computer with near-zero latency

Compatible with Mac OS X and Windows XP

Two channels of monitoring from computer via FireWire interface, can be assigned to control room monitors, main mix and AUX 1

DFX 24-bit digital multi-effect processor with 16 programs plus one main parameter control, tap control and foot switch jacks

Six Mic/Line channels with inserts

8 Mic preamps

Four stereo Line channels

3-band EQ with swept mid-range

75 Hz low-cut filter on mono channels

Three AUX sends, one with Pre/Post switch

Two stereo AUX returns with effect to monitor level control

Mini Stereo I/O and stereo RCA I/O each with trim control

+48V phantom power on Mic channels

Solo feature on each input and output

Stereo 10-band graphic EQ, assignable to main mix or AUX 1 send

Two true subgroups with main L and R routing switches

Rec out with trim control for recording level matching

Built-in switching power supply with universal connector, 100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz

Comes with Steinberg Cubase LE

Rack-mounting kit included
With 18 inputs and 16x2 audio interfacing. Built-in 24-bit effects. Eight mic pres, 6 mono mic/line channels, 4 stereo line channels, 2 stereo aux returns. Ten-band graphic EQ. Includes rackmounting kit.

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