Phonic Helix Board 18 Firewire MKII 18 Channel Mixer with Effects

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Phonic Helix Board 18 Firewire MKII 18 Channel Mixer (with Effects)

The Helix Board 18 FireWire 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. Pre/post switches on each input channel ensure users can adjust the outgoing FireWire signal between a pre fader and post fader signal with the utmost of ease. An onboard 32/40-bit digital multi-effect processor provides 100 popular programs, tap-delay, test tones (pink noise, 1 kHz, etc) 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. Stereo RCA inputs and outputs make the addition of digital and analog playback and recording devices effortless. Additional features include three Aux sends, two stereo Aux returns, input and output solo, two true subgroups and a rack mounting kit. Steinberg Cubase LE digital audio workstation software included.

FireWire Pre/post setting for swapping streaming input channels to computer from pre low cut, EQ to post EQ, post fader
18-input small-format analog mixer with extremely low noise circuitry
96kHz FireWire interface for streaming 16 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
Channel 15/16 routed to Computer can be selected from main mix, group 1/2 and aux 2/3
DFX 32/40-bit high definition algorithm digital multi-effect processor with 100 programs plus tap delay, foot switch jacks and volume controls for sending processed signal to aux send 1 & 2
Six Mic/Line channels with inserts
8 extremely low noise 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, one with effect to monitor level control
+48V phantom power on Mic channels
Solo feature on each input and output
Two true subgroups with main L and R routing switches
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
Steinberg Cubase LE included

Channel Input Type	Input RCA; Output XLR
Audio Connections	10 Input Channels, Output 2 x 1/4 TRS. Bal. & 2 x XLR
Compression	No
Bands of EQ per channel	3
Model	Helix Board 18 Firewire MKII 18 Channel Mixer
Series	Helix Board Series
Busses	2
Power Supply	+48V DC
Computer Interface	Firewire
Number of Channels	18
Effects	Yes
Power Requirements	+48V DC
Expansion Capabilities	n/a
EQ Type	Sweepable Mid
Crosstalk	1KHz @ 0dBu, 20Hz to 20kHz bandwidth, channel in to main L/R outputs
Phantom Power	Yes
Dimensions	18x28x20
Product Weight	17.04
Level Controls	Both
Metering	2 Channels, 12 Segments

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

PhonicHelix Board 18 Firewire MKII 18 Channel Mixer (with Effects)

3.7

(based on 3 reviews)

67%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Reviewed by 3 customers

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Displaying reviews 1-3

11/10/2008

5.0

Nice Board and Interface

By Southern Drummer

from Huntsville,AL

About Me Experienced

Pros

Accurate Controls
Compact
Easy To Use
Excellent Sound
Versatile

Cons

Haven't found any

Best Uses

Amateur Recording
Home Studio
Performances

Comments about Phonic Helix Board 18 Firewire MKII 18 Channel Mixer (with Effects):

Me and my buddy from church each purchased this board. We both had similiar experiences with it. It dialed right in to our computers. Software dropped right in with no probs. I'm running the Cubase and he's running Sonar - perfect in both cases. This board is a little more quiet than two other F/W interfaces that I've had. I will be using it for quite a while.....

8/8/2008

(0 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

1.0

Don't Waste Your Time or Effort

By B.A. from the Rockies

from Denver, CO

About Me Experienced

Pros

None That I can Think of

Cons

Incorrect Drivers
Manual doesn't match CD

Best Uses

Comments about Phonic Helix Board 18 Firewire MKII 18 Channel Mixer (with Effects):

I was hoping to be able to connect and go with this mixer. First of all, the manual doesn't even match the CD it came with. You have to hunt for the correct driver which is compressed as a .rar file. They don't tell you. After getting the drivers loaded up they show up in your software, I tried Sonar, Cubase and Sony Vegas. The output works but is way loud on the main outs. The inputs were hardly even there, -70 DB.... I tried using the Cubase LE software it came with. It doesn't pick it up as even being a Multi track mixer. The instructions didn't match the Cubase LE Software. The web site offers no help because I haven't been able to access it for days. I will definately stay away from Phonic. I will just purchase a mixer with direct outs and use my ole trusty MOTU....

4/22/2008

5.0

Does the job with quality parts.

By Mark

from Chicagoland

About Me Professional Musician

Pros

Accurate Controls
Compact
Excellent Sound
Versatile

Cons

Difficult To Use
Get's hot if not cool
Heaphone jack unbalanced
Slghtly hard to use

Best Uses

Events
Music Videos
Performances
Professional Recording
Soundtracks

Comments about Phonic Helix Board 18 Firewire MKII 18 Channel Mixer (with Effects):

The mixer almost sounds as good as a Yamaha which is saying allot. Phonic also makes the parts for Yamaha by the way. You might want to up some lower sweep midrange on one of its 6 Parametric EQ's, though, as it might have too much of a slight high end bite for some. Headphone jack seems useless, sounding unbalanced, so you might want to just stick with CR or Main to monitor. It certainly is a very transparent mixer and seems very accurate. The driver works tremendous with Cubase LE (Phonic Version) allowing you all 16 channels input at the same time.6 channels with mid-sweep EQ, 2 stereo channels with 4 band EQ, 2 stereo with 3 band. 10 channels with mic gains. The greatest part about this system is all inputs are balanced with 8 Mic inputs and 6 channel inserts.The Firewire controls are diverse with multiple ways to monitor. Group and Main. Comes with Firewire cable.Gets a little hot if not in cool setting after a few hours so I wouldn't leave it on unless cool room overnight.The 40 BIT on board effects are very realistic. Almost sound just like spring reverb for an audiophile like me. It's so close I am actually thinking of using these digital effects for a preverb on the next album for some songs. I would usually never consider that.This is the only mixer with this much on board and Firewire for less then a [$]When Allen and Heath and Peavy upgrade to Firewire we can get some better competition but Phonix has done great job for me. It's for the serious producer on the go.

Displaying reviews 1-3

Phonic Helix Board 18 Firewire MKII 18 Channel Mixer (with Effects)
The manufacturer's warranty covers parts for one year and labor for one year from date of purchase. The warranty excludes damage from misuse, abuse, and contains other exclusions.

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