Best portable / field mixer?

[nun]

I travel sometimes and need to be able to podcast on the road, with or without my computer connected. Need to connect 4 XLR mics, 1 digital voice recorder, and, if i have my computer, 1 cable to mic input of my computer (to broadcast live to Ustream per my home setup).

Looked at Fasttrack Ultra USB but requires using a computer which we won't always have. Plus don't need it's software.

Currently looking at Rolls MX124 Portable 4 Channel Stereo Mixer and also Rolls MX 422 Field Mixer.

Would like to stay under $400.

Thanks.

 

[dintymoore]

here's some, these guys are field everything:

http://audio-video-supply.markertek.com/search?w=audio+mixer

 

[moresound]

Youi might want to go a little more up scale than rolls or behringer or phonic.
Try used on ebay maybe something like a mackie it's a little bit better or just something with faders rather than turn pods for better control. look for something with more than high and low in the EQ preferable a sweeping mid EQ but it's gonna cost a little more.

 

[nun]

dinty -- thanks for the link. Anything particular you'd recommend? New to the whole audio thing, I know what I need to do but not always what audio equipment will get me there.

moresound -- I know you are right, just trying to stay within budget. Will check out ebay.

 

[nun]

Wow, so i checked out some others and the jump in price is way beyond my budget. Any other advice for this range? Thanks.

 

[dintymoore]

I have some really expensive gear, but at the same time I will use cheap gear. Behringer is about the same as Kia or Hyundai. They make stuff that is unbelievably cheap. Some people hate it, some people say it's fine. I have 3 Behringer things that haven't screwed up yet (about 4 - 5 years).

For example of how cheap their stuff is, here's a mixer that would probably work fine for you: http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/item--BEHXENYX1202

What I do is study the market, look at Musician's Friend (who I don't like) and Zzounds (who have been straight up) and go to your local music store and see if they will match the price, because if it breaks it's better to be able to take it back locally, plus you're supporting where you live.

I don't really think the Rolls is worth a lot more than the Behringer, they aren't known to be a great company, but not that bad either. Yamaha stuff is generally thought of as good quality. There's a lot of companies making small mixers nowadays.

I'd read the threads on Behringer here because there are a lot of opinions.

 

[mshilarious]

You need to define your requirements. Some of the gear recommended isn't going to be easily run off of batteries; some of it can but isn't as efficient as dedicated portable gear.

 

[darrin_h2000]

I have the Zoom H2...its amoung the most inexpensive ones and pretty good at what it does.

 

[dintymoore]

The Behringer I posted won't run on batteries, but other Behringer mixers I've seen give the option of ac or battery power.

 

[TeyshaBlue]

I don't think the ZOOM H2 will handle that many inputs.

The ZOOM R16, on the other hand, sounds ideal for what you're wanting to do. It'll handle up to 8 inputs, records to SD cards, interfaces with computers and recording software..and it runs right at $400.