Black Gold alternative?

I found a recipe I've been thinking of trying this year outside. It has the base as being mixed with FFOF and black gold, but since black gold is pretty expensive where I am I was wondering if there was an alternative like pro mix. I've also looked at a couple of over threads about black gold and people were recommending FFOF over black gold which also has me wondering if it is even necessary to mix the two and rather go straight FFOF. This is for an outside grow, so I was wondering if the black gold has some type of characteristics that FFOF doesn't.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Try straight Pro Mix or Sunshine 4 or 4 Advanced. You’re going to have to feed either way. Keep it simple.

You could mix your own soil, it would probably be cheaper and you can control what goes into it.

Personally I stay away from anything Fox Farms, especially their soil. Just do a search and see all the problems that people have with FF soils. I've been doing outside runs for a long time, and use the inexpensive ProMix that Menards carries, $13 a bag, and has been doing very good for me year after year.
This one got out late last year due to deer eating it's predecessor, 2nd year on this batch of soil, $26 spent in 2020, and ran it last year, and will reuse it again this year.

I am new to growing myself but have been in the industry for quite sometime. Since I have recently decided to try a grow-op myself I have have done extensive research from personally consulting with local master growers to web research on the science behind souls and processes to forums. After all this I decided to go with SOHUM living soil as it is completely ready to just water and grow, with no added nutrients needed. Some of the results I've seen in person were extraordinary for not having to add any nutrients! I did this since I'm a novice and it requires less time and attention. SOHUM does not recommend starting seeds with only their soil, but to mix 50/50 with a seed starting mix. I used a 50/50 mix of Burpees Organic seed starting mix and the SOHUM Living Soil. When you do your first transplant to a 1 gal bucket you can switch to 100% SOHUM Living Soil. Here is the link to their site if you want to look into it. SOHUM living Soil