Mini Mixers

[Dr Teeth]

Could you recommend me some really good mixer whit 6 or 8 channels. I would apreciate if you say the diferences between the mixers you list. If you are using one, how do you use it. Could you give me some tips of using a mixers if I am a single person recording everything whit a single keyboard and a single mic?

[AudioMaverick]

When you say "6 or 8 channels", I am guessing you are mixing down to 2 channels out. The ones I've seen are not "mini" when they bus out to 8 channels.

 

I picked up a Behringer 802A, which takes 4 mics and 2 stereo ins to a 2-channel bus. A year ago, the were about $130.00 at Guitar Center and Sam Ash. Now, they are at $150.00. I have used it (actually 4 of them into a Delta-1010) as a DI for guitars, Mics, keyboards, turntables (not great though). It seems like a 'Swiss army knife' of audio input. It has a variable -30dB to +10dB gain adjust on the mics. Each channel (all 8) has a 3-band EQ and L/R pan, and a 110Hz roll down switch. I was told by a store rep. that the 802A was a clone of a Mackie console. Should be the same.

[Charlie-brm]

 

I got dibs on a front row seat for this one.

[Anderton]

If all you need is to sum signal together and don't need busses, EQ, and such, I've had very good luck with the MIDIman mini mixers. They tiny, dirt cheap, sound great, and can fit in a guitar case. All you get is level and sometimes panning, but check 'em out if this is the kind of thing that interests you.

[Uh Clem]

From cheapest on up...

 

1) Mackie's are handy to have around for "swiss army knife" mixing tasks. For all their raving, I think the pres pretty much suck.

 

2) I like the sound of the Allen&Heath small mixers better than Mackie, especially the mic pres.

 

3) Oram has a 1U Rack mount 8-channel mixer (Octamix) with level and panning only and an optionall aux buss. So you can get two different mixes. Line-input only, good if you don't need mics or have your own pres.

 

4) ATI makes a killer 8-chan mixer (8Mx2)with pres, panning, limiters, tape in/outs, and monitoring - great front-end to any 8-channel recorder (ADAT, DAx8, etc).

 

5) GML, Millenia, and Malcom Toft make very high-end 8-channel mixers with EQ, etc. - and you pay for it. The MTA stuff is modular so you can build up whatever you need from pres, to busses, to auxes, tape returns, etc.

 

6) Cranesong Spider - cool mixer, digital outs - pricey - probably sounds to die for if like their other products.

 

7) Speck is another one - http://www.mercenary.com/speck.html - for details.

 

That I think covers all the main players - ugh! on Berringer.

 

Of all these, I own Mackie, A&H, Oram, and ATI.

[Tinen]

The main thing people get wrong with small mixers is not to set the trim correctly. Small mixers usually don't have PFL (pre fade listen) that allows you to meter the trim level directly. If the gain is wrong at the beginning, your recording will either be noisy (trim too low) or distorted (too high).

 

The chips used in most small affordable mixers are fairly similar, so it comes down to what you need in the block diagram (stereo headphone mix? multiple effect sends and returns?). Spirit/Soundcraft has some nice ones. Peavey gets dissed a lot, but they've probably made more small mixers than anyone else, and they're reliable and cheap. If you need a rack-mounted one, the Alesis Studio 12R is one of the only small mixers with long-throw volume faders, and it has a 2-track return so you can hear playback of stereo without having to jump through hoops.

 

--DT

[rawpop]

this is the coolest little mixer I have ever owned for reasons way-too-numerous to mention...

 

I especially love having the turntable Preamps...

 

http://www.marsmusic.com/store/product_new.jhtml?catid=524&prodid=6324&skuid=0&deptid=9

[Notape_dup1]

I wouldn't look past those Behringer mixers. Yes, Behringer is the Hyundai of audio gear, but there are some things they can do right (for lack of a better term). Their mixers IMO, are suprisingly quiet and they sound decent. I don't own one personaly but I've heard one in action. Other than that, I'd go for a Mackie 1202.

 

-nt

[AudioMaverick]

Yes, I marked the noise line on the Behringer "MX 802A" and "MX 602A" mixers at about -81dB of general noise.

 

I also have a pair of the Midiman "Audiobuddy" mixers. They will run closer to -90dB general noise. But, turn on the phantom power and watch channel 2 get hit with power supply leakage spikes tipping -55dB! I cracked one open and found the phantom power trace running unbelievably close to pin 2 of of the channel 2 XLR input. And there is a capacitor standing about 3/16 of an inch from it. If I was to spend a $100.00, I would pick up the "MX 602A" any day, and filter the noise in software.

 

When I added my second Delta-1010, that put me at 16 analog inputs. I went to an Allen&Heath "Mix Wizard 16:2DX". Noise level is at -96dB using the "direct out" of each 16 channels to each input of the Deltas. Sure it was $1000.00 to do this, but made a world of difference. And, I can still drive out to the stereo bus for live stage sound, without affecting the recording.

 

So LatinMusic, my choices for the 2-channel are:

- $ 150.00 - Behringer "MX 802A"

- $1000.00 - Allen&Heath Mix Wizard, either the "WZ 12:2DX" or "WZ 16:2DX"

 

Sorry, Charlie-brm, Behringer no longer goes back to 1999 on their web site. But, Mackie does. My first "MX"802A" is Blue with light grey lettering (and yellow EQ knobs). I bought three more last year, all silver with black lettering. That was part of the suit settlement -- can't look like a Mackie, either. Check out this link, not too much in it...

http://www.mackie.com/UserNews/PR/99/PR991108.asp

[Charlie-brm]

Interesting info on the mixers' circuits.

quoting:

>I cracked one open and found the phantom power trace running unbelievably >close to pin 2 of of the channel 2 XLR input. And there is a capacitor >standing about 3/16 of an inch from it.

Which of the two paths is the capacitor close to, and what's the problem with that? (I like to understand circuits).

 

What's the reference to 1999?

[gae_layahoo.it]

i've been using a 16 input 4 bus behringer on "remote" recordings and

i must say it sounds pretty clear...the main problem is that it has no headroom.

i usually have to set the trims at low levels,therefore i lose much of the dymamics,especially on drums and bass. i'm planning to sell the

behringer and buy something else...any tips?

[ian1642605905]

I am very pleased w/my Beringher 2004A.I use it to submix my drum kit. 8 mic channels with 3 band EQ w/swept mids make it perfect for the job!Ive used Mackie boards with the exact same features and frankly the only difference I find is that the Mackie costs twice as much.I admit that the Mackie is prettier and is made in the US but I'm on a budget.Even if you've got money to blow the performance to buck ratio makes since that Beringher is the way to go.

I payed like $200 for the same features of a $450 Mackie!

ian*