best cheap mini mixer???????

[Freudian Slip]

I am looking at buying a little mixer and an amp to use as a portable set-up for small venues & jams. I have a pretty large setup right now and it is just too much of a pain to move when all I really need is vocals. Plus the thought of un-wiring my home studio for a 2 to 3 hour jam is not a pleasent thought.

I am looking at mixers around the $200 - $250 range. I am considering a Mackie DFX 12X2 for $239.00. I have never used any dfx mixers before

Any input on the quality of this mixer, or poss. other mixers. I do not like the fact that the DFX has no sweepable mid. There are some cheap Behringers that do have the sweepable mids but, I have never heard much in the way of good about them..


Any help would be great!

Thanks

F.S.

[Freudian Slip]

So, is there no better mixer in this price range??



F.S.

[ambi]

Have you looked into Soundcraft or Allen and Heath?
I'm not familiar with Allen and Heath gear, and only know a little about the M series from Soundcraft, but they must have a model that competes against the mackie you are looking at.

[Freudian Slip]

Hey Ambi. Ya I have. I would love either but they are a little out of my budget for as much as I will ever use this thing.

You know I could get one of those amp mixer combos for much cheaper than a small board & decent amp, but 360 days a year it would be useless that's why I plan on getting the small board and a Crown XLS 202 amp. That way I can add one more amp to the pile and it will be more versitile. I can get the crown for $199.00 at MF. It looks like it's built a little cheesy compared to my Peaveys But what the hell.

My over all budget is about $450.00 so I am trying to be the super shopper and still get quality that will last for several years.

Does anyone know if the quality of the DFX is even close to the VlZ?


Later

F.S.

[Middleman]

Why not a Soundcraft Notepad? They are around $100 on ebay regularly. Great little mixer excellent pres.

[Freudian Slip]

Originally posted by Middleman
Why not a Soundcraft Notepad? They are around $100 on ebay regularly. Great little mixer excellent pres.

Thats a thought.... It doesn't look quite as versitile as some of the others but I will think on it.

Normaly I would never buy a board with effects built in, but in this case for what I will be using it for I think a little delay would be nice. I do however have no idea if the effects on the mackie or the behringer are worth a shit or have adjustable paremeters?? I will have to look into that.


thanks for the suggestion, I could make that work. I do have an old effects unit in the closet I could pull out.

Later

F.S.

[Richard Monroe]

I'm unclear on why you need a mixer "just for vocals". Why don't you just get a preamp, for one or 2 good channels, rather than several mediocre ones?-Richie

[Middleman]

Originally posted by Freudian Slip
Thats a thought.... It doesn't look quite as versitile as some of the others but I will think on it.

Normaly I would never buy a board with effects built in, but in this case for what I will be using it for I think a little delay would be nice. I do however have no idea if the effects on the mackie or the behringer are worth a shit or have adjustable paremeters?? I will have to look into that.


thanks for the suggestion, I could make that work. I do have an old effects unit in the closet I could pull out.

Later

F.S.

Actually, you could pick up the Powerpad which has 30 watts per side and you would be done. Excellent little set but only 4 mic channels. It's a Notepad with power.

[ambi]

If you only need it for one day, why not rent?

[Freudian Slip]

Originally posted by Richard Monroe
I'm unclear on why you need a mixer "just for vocals". Why don't you just get a preamp, for one or 2 good channels, rather than several mediocre ones?-Richie

Richie:
I would also be running back up vocals (3 to 4 mics), On the other hand I do need a goooood preamp???? The pre's that I want will cost much more than this board though. I am currently using a mackie VLZ board for recording and if I buy a pre-amp I want to see a very noticable improvement. The other reason I like the little board Idea is because I like to plan for possible situations. I might want to run Kick and snare through the mains along with the vocals at some point for a small gig. normally I would run everything through the mains but I just like to be prepared for the unexpected. Yes I have a 24X4 board but like I said I would like a independent small set up.


Middleman: I don't think 60W will cover it or I would consider that. Thanks for the thought though. I also want the seperate amp.l

Well I thank you for all of your suggestions. It is all good food for thought. I will now ponder my options, some of wich I had not though of before

Thanks for the help guys!

F.S.