Mixers?

[smoothcriminal]

What's a good, cheap mixing board for a synth setup? Not one of those massive recording studio things, just a basic 4 or 8-input mixer. My first attempt was a cool looking Realistic mixer with backlit VUs that I found in a Goodwill store, but it would overdrive at the drop of a hat with even a really quiet signal. I think it was more for a home theatre than for instruments. So I figured I'd ask for advice here before trying again.

[sqweebking]

Grab this thing, cheap and sounds nice. I found one at an estate auction once for $15..

[b3groover]

The Yamaha MG series is good. They make a really small one that has four mono inputs and two stereo inputs that's barely bigger than a laptop.

[smoothcriminal]

Those are definitely options. How can one tell if a mixer is useable for instruments versus being limited to home stereo applications? The local Goodwill say they get mixers donated all the time, but I don't want to get burned again.

[RD9]

I have a Mackie 802 VLZ3 that I still use. Not the cheapest, but not bad. Buying used would be good since you can get a higher end mixer for less, but watch out for scratchy pots and other signs of wear, like broken knobs or buttons.

It depends on your needs really. The most basic requirements to check for are the input/output jacks of course (1/4" vs. XLR, etc.), and it should also have basic EQ for each channel. Then see if it has enough output/routing options for using headphones separately from the main and control room output (sometimes you need multiple outputs). Then I guess effects sends/returns might be the next important thing, if you use effects processors.

[sequentialsoftshock]

I wouldn't trust what the local goodwill says Usually home mixers are only two channel, aren't they? Plus they'll generally say something like "hi fi" or "stereo". If it's made my RCA you'll definitely know it's not for you!

[smoothcriminal]

I believe them when they say people donate mixers, don't see any reason not to. I found this thing there:



but yeah, i will avoid anything with RCA inputs from now on.

[Stab Frenzy]

The Yamaha MG series is good. They make a really small one that has four mono inputs and two stereo inputs that's barely bigger than a laptop.

Yep, this. The MG series are the best in the cheap bracket out there.

[yamaha22]

i have a behringer xenyx 1204usb in the mail. what do you people think about it? i heard that behringer really picked up their game so i bought it rather impulsively.

[cornutt]

Yeah, from the photo, that Realistic appears to have two phono inputs. That definitely will not work with a synth! A decent studio mixer should have the following, at a minimum, for each channel:

* Input trim
* Clip indicator
* Low and high EQ
* At least two effects sends (may be labeled as monitor sends)
* Pan
* Solo or mute button
* Fader

There should be at least two effects returns with fader or some other level control. There should be L and R master faders, and some form of metering for each. Highly desirable is a headphone jack with its own level control.

[Stab Frenzy]

i have a behringer xenyx 1204usb in the mail. what do you people think about it? i heard that behringer really picked up their game so i bought it rather impulsively.

Sorry to say it but I think you're going to be disappointed when it dies in a year or two and then you use something else and find out what a mixer's supposed to be like.

Yeah, from the photo, that Realistic appears to have two phono inputs. That definitely will not work with a synth! A decent studio mixer should have the following, at a minimum, for each channel:

* Input trim
* Clip indicator
* Low and high EQ
* At least two effects sends (may be labeled as monitor sends)
* Pan
* Solo or mute button
* Fader

There should be at least two effects returns with fader or some other level control. There should be L and R master faders, and some form of metering for each. Highly desirable is a headphone jack with its own level control.

That's a bit of a generalisation IMO. I use a Urei 1605 which has RCA inputs, no pan, only one send (but it's stereo) and no mutes. Sounds and works better than any other mixer I've owned. I find that DJ mixers are actually pretty good for synths, cause you've got lots of stereo channels and you can do a stereo fx send. I invested in a lot of stereo RCA to 1/4" leads so it's all easy to plug in, and I've got some 1x 1/4" male to 2x 1/4" female adapters so I can easily run a mono source to both sides of a stereo channel for mono operation.

Having fantastic EQ and summing more than makes up for any disadvantages of using a DJ mixer. Of course I'm talking about the Urei not the Rat Shack.

[snod_donkey]

i have a behringer xenyx 1204usb in the mail. what do you people think about it? i heard that behringer really picked up their game so i bought it rather impulsively.

I would stay away from most things behringer myself.. they are very low cost for a reason. Yamaha MG series i would say are very good value and do sound good to. Was just going to buy one myself but then went for a Mackie 1640i for the multi firewire

[stillearning]

Another vote for the Yamaha MG series. Good mixers at a respectable price. Also thought I'd mention that I have an original Mackie 1202 that I bought new when they came out. Been through a lot, but it's built like a tank and still works like it did new. Makes a great little keyboard mixer. Four mono mic/line channels, and four stereo channels. All with 2 band EQ. It's never let me down. If you find a used one, I wouldn't hesitate.

[Z]

+1 on Mackie gear. I've got a 1202VLZ that I've been using off and on for over 15 years when I just need to hook up a few things. I bought a 802 nearly 2 years ago when it was on sale @ GC for $100, but haven't needed to unbox it yet. I'm sure the day will come.

+1 on not using Behringer gear. I bought some 1202-look-a-like @ GC a few years ago for $40 or something and it was so freaking noisey. I ended up giving it to a friend of mine to use for his band's PA. He asked to buy it but I told him I wouldn't feel human selling it to anyone.

You'll pay more for Mackie gear, but they're built like tanks and not have issues with them.

[krzeppa]

I think the Alesis iMultimix 8 with USB is a decent little mixer as well. I use it for live performances because I like to use my iPod for the backing tracks (fx and beats). It is also available in a version with the iPod dock too. I bought mine for $219 brand new....I'm sure you might be able to find a used one cheaper than that. It does the job for something small and cheap. It has 4 mono inputs, 4 stereo inputs, and built in effects (nothing spectacular though).
For my studio, I use a Mackie Onyx 1620. I love the dual Firewire in it because I have 2 different computers I use for recording, and I can leave them both plugged in the mixer.