Soundcraft Signature 22 MTK Multi-Track Mixer, 22-Channel
Build beautiful mixes with Soundcraft's Ghost mic preamps, Sapphyre British EQ, dbx limiters on every input, built-in Lexicon reverb and smooth 100mm faders.
Overall User Ratings (based on 4 ratings)
Submitted March 19, 2018 by Mike N
"Incredible value"
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I bought this mixer after seeing a number of recommendations on social media and reading up on it. On paper and for the price it sounds too good to be true, but it absolutely delivers on every aspect. For just monitoring and live mixing audio, the signal path is clean, tons of headroom, the EQ sounds great, there's plenty of routing options and the Lexicon effects are actually decent. The audio interface side works wonderfully, drivers are simple and stable, capable of low latency monitoring and recording.
I use this mixer in a home studio environment with a hardware synth rig. It's used for making a live mix for my synths if I'm writing/playing without using a DAW, as well as recording into my PC in Studio One 3 Pro. I've only used the audio returns on the board coming out from Studio One for monitoring while working with a guitar player so far, so I can't speak to how well mixing with the EQ and main buss summing works, but given how great this board has sounded so far, I don't expect I'll be disappointed in any way.
Lastly, audio that I've recorded through this has been perfectly clean -- at least as good as the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 2nd Gen that I had previous. It's only 24 bit/48khz, but 48k is good enough for my needs. The other thing to keep in mind is this is that all the channels send digital audio from the gain stage bypassing the EQ and sends. The way this is designed is to first capture tracks, then use the EQ and other parts of the board during the mixing stage.
Overall, this is one of the best investments I've made in ~15 years of buying recording gear.
Musical Background:
Hobbyist Musician/Producer/Engineer
Musical Style:
Industrial/Industrial-Metal
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Submitted November 15, 2018 by Kyle M
"The Greatest Hits of Soundcraft"
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This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
If you're looking at this mixer it's because you need something different, dynamic, and a little inspiring. It's done excellent at shows and recording sessions alike, it can easily be you're all in one solution for audio production. The routing can't be beat, 5 Aux channels, a VERY large interface for the price, and of course that sweet sweet analog sound!
Sound
This console will add a subtle but obvious warmth and fullness to audio passing through it without muddying it up at high volume. I've done an A/B for myself during the same session with my Focusrite 18i20/Octopre Dynamic and found that while the Focusrite is very clear, uncolored and studio like, the Soundcraft was warm and full, the edges softened just ever so slightly and it glues the mix together very well. It's done great at being the soundboard at a gig and for recording sessions on the go. The preamps have 90% of the gain I wish they did but the quality and quantity completely makes up for it!
Features
The 24in/22out is amazing in this format, much easier to transport than a heavy, loaded 6U rack! The 5 auxes are great for personal mixes, perfect in fact as is for wedges and even better for IEMs. The 100mm Faders are definitely a welcome feature, smooth high resolution for easy adjustments. The headphone amp is perfecrtly decent for those wondering as well, it's been more than sufficient for my Shure 215's and Shure 940's. The Lexicon effects are powerful and have a lot of adjustment between the 2 knobs each. So powerful in fact I've barely used them as they become comical then annoying quickly for normal vocals at a gig. I'm sure they'll find their use one day for certain songs. The USB return is the real key player here. As if it weren't enough to have the interface alone, Soundcraft included a button on each channel AFTER GAIN and BEFORE EQ that will take in anything you send to it, doesn't have to be the corresponding channel, from your DAW which you can route any way you please. Therefore, the most extreme instance being you can record 22 tracks and a stereo master track (23/24) and send 22 completely different audio files back into the board that then pass through the channels as normal and out the master outputs. A more reasonable example would be you can use plugins in your DAW such as compressors, FX, and EQ and then send the audio out to the board possibly eliminating a rack of gear for some. The dbx limiters work, are set pretty high but are great indicators of being near clipping when lit solid.
Ease of Use
There is a learning curve to this board, even for someone experienced. The routing can get a bit overwhelming if you don't do things systematically which can lead to errors in the audio and possibly a panic lol READ THE MANUAL.
Quality
The chassis has been packed and unpacked repeatedly in it's box until I can get a hardcase this size. It's been inside, outside, level, unlevel, and even balanced. I do baby it a little but so far it hasn't taken a ding or a scratch, condensation from drinks have landed on it and it's still as beautiful as when I bought it (3 months but still). This is a purpose built board by qualified proffessionals. In all seriousness for not much more than the Behringer (which we had before) this is a serious upgarde in all respects.
Value
Worth it's weight in gold for the do it all engineer. The appeal of digital is great but this is an even better compromise. This console is cheaper and packs more features and usablilty than the Focusrite combo mentioned above. If you're a playing musician and you do the sound, get this. If you're like me and you make money doing sound but live to jam and record, get this. Learn it, love it.
Manufacturer Support
Their website had all the info I needed, even printed the PDF in color for others in case I can't make a gig.
The Wow Factor
I'm a Soundcraft fan boi now! The quality and value of this console are incredible. It's not hard to find a good mixer, but this is a gem. I love working on mixes previously recorded through it as much as recording fresh material through it. The raw files are just as impressive as the Focusrite, the character is lovable, the Master Mix recordings are just brilliant for videos later. Really, if you need a mixer that's more than a mixer, much more, there is no competition for this product. I'm enamored with it and I bet you will be too.
Musical Background:
Live sound, recording, drummer, guitarist
Musical Style:
Blues, Metal, Rock in general
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Submitted May 12, 2020 by Lazer D in Pinecliffe, CO
"Couldn't be happier"
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This is a very nice piece of gear for the cost. The 22/24 is the real deal. The sound quality is great, the fx are very good, the build quality is solid but not heavy. Overall I am extremely pleased. The functionality is amazing. I was going upgrade my mixer, but needed more ouputs on my interface to make it worth while. After looking at several "interface built in" boards, this one was the best for my needs. The asio driver works well and isn't too complicated. Very straight forward setup. Download the PDF manual when you order it, and study it while you wait for shipping. One thing that it lacks is an sd slot. Not a big deal for me as this doesn't leave the studio, but if you are using it for live gigs it may be an issue. Also, there is no power switch. I have it running to a switched power strip.
Musical Background:
Multi instrumentalist/producer
Musical Style:
Strictly Reggae Music.
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Submitted August 31, 2017 by Danno v in Oshksoh, WI
"Soundcraft 22 MTK"
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I purchased the 22 MTK about two months ago, and have been very pleased with this mixer. It is very quiet, and the Ghost Pre Amps really have a lot of depth on our vocal mics. I have a 4pc classic rock band, and we send the drums mics into the dedicated DBX compressor limiter channels, and our drums now sound great! I play an electric/acoustic on some songs and running the acoustic direct into the Hi-z channels really sounds good, I hv need for a DI box. The are some limitations on tis console such as no insert jacks, but I knew that going in, The built-in dual channel Lexicon effects are all we need . The 1st console I bought had a problem with the PFL buttons, but zZounds sent me a replacement within a week, and have had zero problems since. This is a GREAT sounding board, and for the money you just cant beat it
Musical Background:
30 years gigging experience
Musical Style:
Classic Rock, Brit Rock
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