Dual line mixer, CAE or Mark L

[Exo-metal]

What's the difference and why these over stereo line mixers with pots?

 

[Dave L]

They're probably much the same, the Mark L looks like a straight-up clone. There's no real reason to use either over, say, a Rane SM82 or similar unit with an aux loop. They are reduced and simplified mixers, not really improved.

 

[Exo-metal]

I saw Neal Schons rig on rig rundown(I like to watch those) and saw he used a Roland M-120 and it made me curious why the two I mentioned do not have any pots.

 

[Dave L]

Well, I suppose Bradshaw simply didn't bother to add them back in the days when he soldered up everything by himself. He often stuck several functions in a single custom enclosure instead of using several off-the-shelf units, and I guess that´s where the simplified design came from. As a stand-alone mixer it doesn't make much sense, though, since it does less than a normal stereo keyboard mixer like that Roland.

 

[japetus]

I saw Neal Schons rig on rig rundown(I like to watch those) and saw he used a Roland M-120 and it made me curious why the two I mentioned do not have any pots.

I used to love Rig Rundown (especially when Rebecca was on it ) but now it is just one big Axe FX showcase.

 

[phil b]

Do a search on here for Mark L. Lots of complaints of waiting forever and no refund..etc. Unless Bradshaw has them in stock you might wind up with the same thing though..

 

[paulyc]

^ Bradshaw’s rep is NO better.

 

[Exo-metal]

Any description about as to why one has pots and why would be great, not that hearing the rest isn't...

 

[Dror520]

I remember reading that the Bradshaw mixer doesn't have pots because Bob believed that all that extra electronics degrades the sound.

 

[psychodave]

I have an RJM mixer and Mark L mixer. I like both.

 

[ChurchHill]

I remember reading that the Bradshaw mixer doesn't have pots because Bob believed that all that extra electronics degrades the sound.

I agree with this, that the fewer electronics in the signal path, the better. However, most (not all) electronics are at least lower noise these days, if not simply better. In the case of mixers, transparency is usually the goal. Given the price range of these line mixers (as compared to either the cheapest possible or the most expensive available, e.g. a custom built Neve, SSL, or API board), today, I'd say there shouldn't be a discernable difference between a mixer with pots and one without. Things were different in Bradshaw's day.

 

[Exo-metal]

Compelling