How many Inputs on a Mixer?

[Rockfish]

I'm a little confused about the number of inputs a mixer really offers. I want a mixer that will take in four or five mics on a set of drums and maybe another instrument or two. Do the channels that take instrument mics (or lines) have to be mono channels, or can the stereo channels take them too? Any help would be appreciated.

[Wireneck]

usually the stereo channels are "line ins" which are geared more torwards synthesizers or drum machines or something of the line out nature.
On most mixers they don't call the channels with mic pre's in them, stereo channels. For example if it says a 12 input mixer with 2 stereo channels, you probably only get 8 actual mic inputs and then 2 stereo line ins.
I hope this helps you somewhat.

[regebro]

The number of microphones you can use with a mixer is usually dependant on how many microphone input it has. This is typically specifed in the specifications.