First mixer advice

[HappyFunTimes]

I'm ready to buy my first mixer, and I have reduced the options to these two. I am aware that these are not the best, but I want something cheap that will best meet my needs. After I learn more I will probably swap for something better.

Tapco Mix120



Yamaha MG8/2FX



Here is a list of what I want to connect, not necessarily all at the same time:

Sequential Prophet 2000 sampler
Yamaha REX50 multi effects
Microkorg
DX7
Yamaha RX5

I can get either for about $50. I will probably use effects on the RX5, and DX7 mostly. Please let me know which might be better for a first mixer, or which is just better overall. Thanks.

[salwa]

Have you considered small Behringer mixers? I have 1202 (with Xenyx preamps) for more than 10 years and I'm quite happy with it. 12 channels, neutral sound, good quality and cheap.

[Weirdofromouterspace]

Have you considered small Behringer mixers? I have 1202 (with Xenyx preamps) for more than 10 years and I'm quite happy with it. 12 channels, neutral sound, good quality and cheap.

+ 1 (Behringer Eurorack UB1002 in my case). Definitely worth the little money it costs, and in my opinion the build quality is (surprisingly?) good.

[Stab Frenzy]

Ignore the above advice, the B*****her mixers are c**p and make anything you run through them sound dull and flat, and they break easily. I've owned two, the price makes the really tempting, but go with the Yamaha if you want reliable value for money.

[meatballfulton]

I would also choose Yamaha over Behringer and Tapco (Mackie's budget line).

You get inserts on two channels and a real stereo return bus.

[salwa]

I've never had any problem with my Behringer mixer, my bandmate, who has similar model, also. Maybe it's model dependant?

[Weirdofromouterspace]

I've never had any problem with my Behringer mixer

Neither had I, nor with my BCR 2000, nor with about half a dozen guitar and bass guitar stompboxes, some of which I have and use for 10+ years now...

[HappyFunTimes]

Thanks for the responses. I had originally considered the behringer line as well, but have read so many negative reviews I'd rather not mess with them. I've never had problems with Yamaha, so I think I will stick with them.

[Stab Frenzy]

I've never had any problem with my Behringer mixer, my bandmate, who has similar model, also. Maybe it's model dependant?

But have you ABed a mix running through a channel on the B to running through a return on it to running clean to the monitors? Have you compared how things sound running through it on a big PA to running straight to a DI? If you have only used one mixer or you're only monitoring in cans or through a boom box or whatever you aren't really in a position to be offering advice. I've seen a lot of people who were happy with their b mixer until they tried something else, and then realised what it was doing to the sound. You don't see anybody going from even anything like a Mackie or Yamaha to B because they can't tell the difference, and that's because the difference is very real.

[salwa]

I've never had any problem with my <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLi ... &x=11&y=13" target="_blank" class="vglnk"><span>Behringer</span></a> mixer, my bandmate, who has similar model, also. Maybe it's model dependant?

But have you ABed a mix running through a channel on the B to running through a return on it to running clean to the monitors? Have you compared how things sound running through it on a big PA to running straight to a DI? If you have only used one mixer or you're only monitoring in cans or through a boom box or whatever you aren't really in a position to be offering advice. I've seen a lot of people who were happy with their b mixer until they tried something else, and then realised what it was doing to the sound. You don't see anybody going from even anything like a Mackie or Yamaha to B because they can't tell the difference, and that's because the difference is very real.

I thought, that more than 10 years of using it at home studio and live was enough to offer an advice. Of course I didn't make AB comparitions - I'm not proffesional reviewer. I heard other mixers and yes, there are differences in sound, but OP asked for advice on cheap first mixer - I think Behringer falls into this category. That's all.

[fh991586]

I can vouch for the Tapco Mix120. The only bad things I noticed on it is the cumbersome external power supply (not a wall wart, but a big brick in the middle) and the absence of a On/Off switch (which I bypassed by the use of a power bar with individual switches).

[Plumpudding]

My first mixer was a Tapco mix120. I never even got to use it, because the person who sold it to me "forgot" to tell me he didn't have the power supply. I don't know how it is now, but at that time Mackie had discontinued Tapco and offered no support. The power supply plug is not universal, so I couldn't buy a new one. I tried to find a used one for about half a year with no luck. I would reccomend the Yamaha. I have two Yamaha MG's I'm very happy with.

[fh991586]

Yes, always make sure the factory power supply is included with your Tapco MIX!

[clubbedtodeath]

I thought, that more than 10 years of using it at home studio and live was enough to offer an advice. Of course I didn't make AB comparitions - I'm not proffesional reviewer. I heard other mixers and yes, there are differences in sound, but OP asked for advice on cheap first mixer - I think Behringer falls into this category. That's all.

I'll second Stab's sentiments on B**ringer. I used one for years, not one of their cheapest either, and I was happy with it -- until I compared it with a direct line to the audio interface on the same set up. It was night and day.

In my experience, the B**ringer was chopping off the higher frequencies, making mixes far muddier than they should've been. I'd actually been subconsciously compensating for this, by reducing the number of tracks in songs.

Perhaps B**ringer are much better in quality these days, but think very carefully before you buy: a mixer sits at the heart of your studio.

[klickflip]

The yammmy MG ones are not bad for the price. I've got the 16:4 FX one. Other reasonable priced mixers I'd rate are Spirit sound craft and Mackie. I used to use the spirit folio ones for years and they are a bit cleaner and more sterile than the yammy , Yammys definitely a touch more warmer and wooly but not too bad. Bit of crosstalk especially from inbuilt effects that are ok, not great but enough to add some reverb on a synth.
Yamaha one feels more substantial.

One other budget mixer I got given recently, which will probably only use for live sets is the ALTO ZMX 122 (alesis budget brand I believe) Which has bit more noise than the Yamaha so ended up feeling better about the yamaha recently.
Think the behringers are ok, had a mate used a 20channel one for years with out any problems or complaints. The cheaper ones may be a touch noisy , as mentioned maybe get a midrange one.

Possibly better getting a older higher spec one than a new budget one. Older used ones may need a good service though to stop crackles. But check its not been gigged or had liquid damage, if someone says a couple of channels are really scratchy or dead then theres prob some beer in it!