Mixers Recommended

[Quasar]

I'm in the market for a small mixer.

I had only one keyboard, but am considering getting a sound module. Since I also play the guitar, I've been thinking it may be fun to get a small mixer that can be used to mix all these sources together (including a mike for singing) and get a great sound from my Tascam VL-X5's.

The main purpose is to use it to jam with a few friends, so a few mic inputs are important. No recording planned yet, but I may dabble in it a little bit.

Any recommended small mixers? I am a total newbie in this area so I don't what are good/bad brands. Moreover, my google-fu has failed me this time - seems like people don't like reviewing mixers. Didn't even see much when I searched Soft.

Brands
Is Samson considered a good brand? What about Yamaha? Also, one brand that keeps coming up is behringer, but as far as I know, most of their products suck. Are their mixers better? I know they have quite a number of small desktop mixers available.

Digital/Analog?
Also, do I need digital mixer, or is an analog good enough?

DI Box?
Do I need a DI box between each gear and the mixer? My understanding is that the main reason for a DI is to convert unbalanced outputs to balanced ones, i.e. it minimizes transmission loss over wires, etc. If I do need so many DIs, wow, this is getting more expensive than I thought

Thanks!

 

[Cheez]

1. I recommend Mackie VLZ-PRO series. Good price. I'm using that. Last forever. Others may have difference preferences.

2. Analog is sufficient. There is a price difference between the 2. Are you planning to do recordings?

3. Don't need a DI box. You'll be connecting your 1/4" outputs to the 1/4" inputs of the mixer. Balance/unbalanced is therefore a moot issue.

 

[Quasar]

Hi Cheez,

Thanks for the quick reply!

I don't think I'll be doing any recording right now. Don't think my own music is good enough to do that

If I'm not practicing for service, I primarily play for my own pleasure and to relax... The thought of recording didn't cross my mind, but I thought that if the difference in the investment is not too far off, then why not!

I'm looking for something very simple. At most, there will probably be 1 keyboard, 2 sound modules, 1 guitar, + 2 mics. I guess that means the mixer will need to have 3 stereo, 1 mono, and 2 Mic inputs. Hmm.. I'm only dreaming of future possibilities.

Heh, I only have 1 keyboard + 1 module right now. I don't even own a mic yet!

--
David

 

[soft]

do you have a budget in mind?

get a mixer with more than what you need now coz you cannot 'expand' a mixer.

keyboard = 2 inputs
sound module (1) = 2 inputs
sound module (2) = 2 inputs
guitar (stereo efx) = 2 inputs
microphone x 2 = 2 inputs

make sure the mixer has enough gain for microphones. some mixer are LINE mixer, they are good for instrument but not 'power' enough for microphones.

min = 10 inputs. so getting something with 12 - 16 inputs is reasonable.

if you want to do recording using PC, you can omit the mixer and get a recording interface instead.

you want to get something that has effects built in or has a Send/Return so that you can have some rebverb/effects for you vocals.

most mixer does the same thing. summing of signals.



* ah... jamming with a Tascam VL-X5 doesnt seem like a good idea to me. these monitors are meant to be 'precision', if you abuse them they might not like you. :wink:

 

[bongman]

the mackie VLZ line of mixers are good quality low-noize mixers.

I just bought a 1402VLZ recently, previously own a CR1604.

I also have a Yamaha MX12/4 but I found out that it is a bit noisy.

 

[blueprintstudios]

get behringer if you want to remain good friends with your wallet.

otherwise, get mackie.

 

[fibredrive]

+1 on the mackie vlz series. have the 1202 myself and 5 years later still going strong.

u might wanna wait for the vlz3 series. don't know if it's in singapore yet. just read on their webbie thash all. going for USD$299 for the 1202. cheers

 

[bongman]

I heard not yet,
the VLZ3 won the
best analog mixer award in MIPA

Mixing Desk (Project Studio)
M-Audio NRV-10
Mackie VLZ3-Serie
Alesis Multimix i6 FireWire

http://www1.mipa-award.de/2007/winner.htm#Pro Audio

 

[fibredrive]

cool! didn't know they actually won somethin for it.

 

[bongman]

happen to know, I was checking out the synth/keyboards to see the winners
just got to see Mackie VLZ3 won.

actually I was using a CR1604, recently bought one 1402VLZ;
so check out. I found out that VLZ3 yet in Singapore

 

[Quasar]

Thanks for all the comprehensive replies, including the award of the Mackie

Actually my budget is quite low... $200 only, so good-condition second-hand stuff is a distinct possibility

The main reason for buying one is because I just bought a keyboard sound module and need a mixer to be able to play both the keyboard and the sound module together. I initially considered getting the cheapest available mixer (Behringer UB502 from Luther, 1 mono, 2 stereo) but thought that since I am already spending some money, why not get something better?

Due to the budget, I guess Mackies are out of my league, and recording interfaces are definitely a no-no. I'm not willing to spend so much on gear when I'm having difficulty playing my keyboard more than twice a week


Soft
> guitar (stereo efx) = 2 inputs

I didn't know some guitars had stereo fx! Are those electric guitars?

I have an acoustic guitar with a Fishman Prefix so it only has a mono output


What do you guys think of Tapco? I know they're by Mackie as well... Any good links for reviews, etc.?

 

[bongman]

you may want to get a Yamaha MG 10/2 ?
less than $200

 

[Quasar]

bongman - you may want to get a Yamaha MG 10/2 ?

I'm considering that one... Are yamaha mixers any good? I'm asking because I've seen at least 2 of these on sale this month, so I was thinking maybe people are dumping them because they suck

 

[bongman]

I think people are selling it becos of upgrading or otherwise
they just use the software mixer in the DAW.

actually Luthermusic is selling Yamaha MG 10/2 for $180,
it's a good bargain for small setup.

I do have a MG 10/2 bought at $220, the reason I stopped using it
is I expanded my setup; besides this mixer doesn't has the 'solo' and 'mute' buttons on each channel strip. It became a hazzle when I want to listen to a track while recording and mixing.

This MG 10/2 is not too bad for the price you are paying,
previously have a Yamaha MX 12/4 but it's a bit noisy and
the overall gain is low. That's why I bought a MG 10/2, lately
I bought a Mackie 1402 VLZ which is very low noize mixer.

 

[Quasar]

Thanks for all your useful recommendations and advice!

In the end, I bought a Mackie LM3204 from Zenguan88 - I know it has a few more inputs than I need (14 ), but I trust you guys when you said that the more the merrier, as its true that you can never expand a mixer!

The Mackie brand seems pretty good as well - the LM still seemed to be performing well despite being almost the same age as Zenguan

 

[soft]

that's great!

welcome to the wonderful world of faders and knobs.

next thing you might wanna look at is a multi-efx. you can then add some reverbs/delays to your vocals and chorus/reberbs to your guitars.

 

[Quasar]

Soft, hehe this is a bit soon, although I may be interested... any good recommendations for multi-fx? I guess rack-mounted stuff may be better, as it will fit well with the rack I'm intending to DIY for my LM3204?


By the way, this newbie here (i.e. me) needs more help Someone said this in a review of the proformance (the sound module i bought) in harmony-central:
>just add a bit of compression,
>a touch of top cut on your mixer,
>a Lexicon Hall and you're in piano heaven.

What did that person mean? I'm a newbie at mixing and don't know much about this... I've heard of compressors before, but any idea what are the rest?