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Phonic Helix12FW MkII 12-Channel Mixer with FireWire

The Helix Board 12FW MkII sounds great and works hard both in and out of the studio. It features a 96 KHz FireWire interface that lets you individually stream up to 10 independent channels of audio to the computer and return 2 channels to the mixer for monitoring -- all with near-zero latency. Learn More...

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Overall User Ratings

Overall:
* * * * * * * . . . 7 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * . . . . 6 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * . . . 7 out of 10

Individual User Ratings

Overall:
* . . . . . . . . . 1 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Quality:
* . . . . . . . . . 1 out of 10
Value:
* . . . . . . . . . 1 out of 10
I Want It:
* . . . . . . . . . 1 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Support:
* . . . . . . . . . 1 out of 10

Feature:
Has all the features that you would expect for a 12 channel compact mixer (all the features that were pioneered by those Woodinville WA folks).

Quality:
Failed after only 6 months of light use (not worth the hassle of fixing considering the price)

Value:
Poor value due to poor quality. They seem to have a lot of refurbished stuff, that says a lot about quality and value.

Desirability:
It may make a good door stop.

Sound:
Sounds fine for the price (when it works).

Ease of Use:
It's a mixer, nothing much to say (the manual won't help you much).

Support:
Poor support from the Phonic people. E Mail tech support is answered by people who seem to know very little about the product (or even understand the question that was asked).

Overall:
Perhaps they should merge the company with that other 'budget' audio company from Germany.

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Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * . . . . . 5 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * . . . . 6 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * . . . . . 5 out of 10

Feature:
Sometime wish there was a "handle" for the mixer. Every time I move it I seem to bump a setting and knock it out of adjustment. Have to review each setting after moving the unit. Minor thing I know, but just a wish.

Quality:
So far no problems - owned for about 6 months now - use in home studio and in live music settings.

Value:
I can't believe the "bang for the buck" on this mixer!! I consider this to be one of the best values around and I'm telling anyone who will listen. I've had the Shure, Mackie and other brand names, but this beats them all in my opinion.

Desirability:
I did not purchase this for the "sex" appeal. I purchased it for the "features". Firewire, effects and the small size!

Sound:
I replaced my Mackie CFX12 with this little mixer for the main consideration of the Firewire interface to record to Garageband. I also use a mixer for more channels when necessary on my Bose L1M1 system. To my surprise, the Helix is MUCH quieter than the Mackie - lot less hiss and mixer noise to the Bose. This was a very pleasant surprise.

Ease of Use:
Pretty much plug and play. I little understanding of how the submix and channel switches work is by experimentation, but not overwhelming! Love how it "just works" with the MAC and Garageband. Truly a beautiful thing!

Support:
Doesn't apply - haven't needed anything from the company.

Overall:
At this point, it does everything I need it to do and it does it well. For podcasts and creating backing trax, it does it all. If I was lost or stolen, I would purchase another one in a heart beat! Only complaint is that some kind of grab device would be nice (otherwise known as a handle)

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Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

Feature:
Packed with features. The fact it's a mixer, and its also an audio interface, and its also less than 300$. Features are of a basic mixer, but the firewire audio interface tops it all off.

Quality:
Well built. The knobs are a little bit too "smooth" like there isn't enough resistance against them. Besides that, its built like a rock.

Value:
BY FAR, BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK, out of any interface out there. there's USB interfaces that go for 200. Firewire interfaces usually start at around 500 and are usually around 1000$ for decent ones. For 300$ you get a mixer, and a firewire interface.

Desirability:
It makes any setup extremely versatile. Works will with PC and Mac. Design is basic, nothing spectacular but its definitely not a pain to the eye.

Sound:
Sound quality is flawless. Very transparent sound and there's basic 3 band EQ. Mic preamps are good. Very clean sound.

Ease of Use:
It's a mixer, and a very simple mixer at that. Nothing complicated here. Ease of firewire/computer integration is also very easy.

Support:
never had to use it

Overall:
Best non-protools interface out there, period.

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Overall:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * . . . . . 5 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

Quality:
I'm quite astonished with the quality of this mixer, considering the price.

Value:
You cannot beat this product as far as bag for your buck goes.

Desirability:
nothing sexy, but its not like its the star of the show.

Sound:
Sounds great; no buzz/pops/fuzz.

Support:
I email them a question I had, and they got back to me promptly... much faster than i ever expected.

Overall:
This is one of the only firewire mixers that will run under windows xp 64x; which is why i bought it. If you are running x64, make sure you buy this one, (MKII) the first edition does NOT support XP 64x

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Overall:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

Feature:
I love the Firewire. It's awesome. Tell me, where can you find a mixer with a firewire at this price? It's a steal.

Quality:
This product is very well made.

Value:
It's worth every penny.

Desirability:
It's not very sexy, but works like a champ.

Sound:
This is a great product. The sound quality is amazing.

Ease of Use:
It is very easy to use if you read the directions first.

Support:
I called customer support during the installation of the product. A live human being answered the phone and assisted me. I was very impressed.

Overall:
I expect to have this product until it breaks.

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