Are there any good low budget mixers?

[D_Vincent]

Im looking to buy a low budget mixer...only needs 2 or more inputs...mainly for recording guitar and vocals at the same time...Ive been searching and Ive narrowed my choices down to a couple of choices however if you have any other suggestions for a mixer in the $120 or less range that you think is better then just post it and i will check it out...I guess the mixer should have Phantom power as well.

My choices so far are

402 VLZ3 Mixer
https://www.lamusic.ca/default.asp?nCategory=1187&ProductName=402 VLZ3 Mixer&PID=22490

Peavey PV 6
https://www.lamusic.ca/default.asp?szNav=Product&PID=5833

 

[solo2racr]

Take a look at this one.

 

[Mish]

http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/page/shop/flypage/product_id/8542

No idea how much it's in the States but must be definately cheaper than 120 bucks. 2 dedicated channels with pre's/3 band EQ, then 8 more unballanced inputs in 4 stereo ins. Has an AUX/effects out, tape in/out channels, +4/-10 switch, phantom power and a hundred fairly amazing digital effects. I use one myself and it's the best you can get for the budget. Hell it's as good as level-up Mackies/Yamahas I work with in studio. If you need something really tiny, then consider Xenyx 502 - if you're really short on cash - http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/page/shop/flypage/product_id/8546

 

[DavidK]

I use This one

 

[Mish]

Damn, RCA inputs are easily something I could have a use for. That looks like a good mixer there.

 

[D_Vincent]

Had my eye on a few of those behringer mixers as well however I wasnt sure of the quality...I was looking at the "Behringer Xenyx 802 Mixer"
http://lamusic.ca/default.asp?szNav=Product&PID=13195

However after reading what you posted i may actually get the "Behringer Xenyx 1002FX Mixer with Effects"...The 802 is $67 however the 1002 is only a litte bit more at $92 Canadian dollars.

Im probably buying from La Music or Axe Music which are both canadian websites in canadian dollars.

Is the "Behringer Xenyx 1002FX Mixer with Effects" a powered mixer or non powered mixer and what is the difference between a powered and non powered mixer?

 

[Mish]

The Behringer quality is such an annoying topic . There's a thread somewhere in general forum on that, but from my experience I've not had a single trouble with them. Besides when it comes to mixer it's not really a point. As long as it's silent it's gonna do the job.

That Xenyx is a passive (non powered) mixer - which means you'll need to connect it to either PA or powered speakers. I connect mine to active (powered) monitors - which have a build in amplifier in them. With all honestly, mixer is just a faily inexpensive bridge to everything else. If you plan to record to computer that shouldn't be the problem though - just main out your mixer to computer's line in.

 

[2000ContourSVT]

Yeah the Behringer quality topic really is annoying. Ive had my Behringer UB2222 mixer for 4 years and I havent had a single problem with it (knock on wood).

 

[D_Vincent]

Im a bit confused on the powered and non powered mixer thing...not sure what I need.

Basically Im using a computer and recording software plus Im using an m audio interface...I thought that perhaps a mixer with some decent preamps would make my tracks sound better however Im not sure how i would set up the Mackie mixer below...would I need some source of power for it or does it come with its own and how would I connect it to the m audio usb interface.

Obviously Im new to mixers and want to make sure Im buying what i want/need.

Mackie 402 VLZ3 Mixer
http://lamusic.ca/default.asp?szNav=Product&PID=22490#

 

[SouthSIDE Glen]

Im a bit confused on the powered and non powered mixer thing...not sure what I need.

A powered mixer simply means it is both a mixer and a power amplifier for your loudspeakers, whereas a non-powered mixer is simply a mixer that woks at line level signal elvels like all the rest of the equipment in your chain, and you'd still need a seperate power amplifier to drive your speakers (or speakers that have their own amplifiers built into them.)

In general, powered mixers are designed for live PA use, with the amplifier meant to drive the PA speakers and/or stage monitors. In general these are not the best choice for use in recording because - while there may be exceptions - mixers designed for live/PA use tend to be noisier or less audiophilic-sounding then their studio non-powered bretheren. Also, many powered mixers designed for this purpose have only mono amplifiers in them instead of stereo, meaning you couldn't use those for your studio montors if you wnted to actually monitor your mix in stereo.

I'd just stick with a standard non-powered mixer (if I went with a mixer at all - see below) and let your monitors either power themselves or work off of a seperate amplifier.

But I also gotta ask, why do you want a mixer at all? Do you have a specific plan, or are you looking at a mixer just because you think that's what you need to do? What are you recording *to*? Are you recording to a seperate recording device, or to your computer? If you are just recording two channels at any given time, I'd skip the cheap mixer and just go with a decent two channel preamp/interface, something like the Tascam US122L for example. It'll give you all the level control of a mixer, will still handle two channels at once the same way, comes with quality name-brand recording and mixing software, and will usually have better quality mic preamps (quieter, cleaner) than your average sub-$100 mixer.

G.