Best really Compact mixer?

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analogfreak

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Which is the best mixer that is VERY compact, able to fit in a backpack, to use for remote recordings of jazz duo/trio? Thus far I've narrowed it down to Folio Notepad, Yamaha MG 10/2, and Mackie 1202 VLZ Pro. I have that model of Mackie installed in my home studio and love it, but I think with all of its patching flexibility and higher price, it might be overkill for the remote recording of small ensembles (2 or 3 players) live to 2-track.

I see from the archives that the Soundcraft Spirit Folio Notepad has been mentioned only rarely on this forum, but has been talked about favorably: good mic pre's, good sounding signal path, etc. It's a tad lean in features, though. I would prefer it have 1/4" inputs for channels 5-8 instead of RCA ins, and would prefer mids, but could live without those things if need be.

The Yamaha has the right amount of features, but based on spec's and comments on other forums, I'm not 100% convinced it's better than the Behringer UB 1202 I currently use (which sounds a little thin and a tad noisey). I couldn't find any discussion in the archives comparing the Notepad and the Yamaha MG 10/2. I'm leaning toward the Notepad, because it's tiny enough for a backpack, and I want the most professional sound I can get from a small mixer, even if I have to sacrifice a few features. This is not for recording merely demos, but hopefully for CD releases.

Thanks.
Michael
http://www.ambientjazzduo.8m.net
 
I have no experience with those mixers. However, many folks here are fond of the Yamaha and the Soundcraft mixers. I think either would work for your needs. The preamps probably aren't going to be super stellar at that price, but they'll do what you need.

What recording medium will you be using and how will you be doing the recordings (i.e. -- how many mics/preamps do you need)? If you'll be doing remote computer recording using a laptop, you might be better off getting something like a firewire interface with built in pres. If you need lots of pres, the Firepod is nice. 2-input interfaces can run the gamut from the Tascam US-122 and M-Audio MobilePre to the Presonus Firebox, and even up to something like the Apogee MiniMe. You could make decent stereo recordings with most of those interfaces.
 
Thanks for the reply.

The medium I use is Tascam 122 MkIII (analog), and I get very good results. If there is a weak link, it would be the Behringer UB1202, because using a similar setup in my studio with the Mackie mixer produces even better results. In addition to engineering our recordings, I play bass and work with two other people: a trumpet player and a percussionist. I mic the trumpet with SM58, and sometimes use the ART Tube PAC with a little bit of compression on him. I usually DI the bass, but sometimes mic the bass amp with SM57. I mic the percussionist with a pair of Rode NT5's in coincident pattern. I blend in a little bit of Alesis or Zoom reverb on everyone, but less on percussion and bass than on trumpet. The setup is simple but very good. Thus, I need a mixer with 4 mic pre's, and ideally a line input or two in case a fourth player (flute, etc.) is involved, in which case I would route the Tube PAC to a line input.

Soundcraft claim that their folio notepad contains the same mic pres and other electronics as the bigger Spirit mixers. That may explain why the notepad, which has fewer features than the Yamaha MG 10/2, costs 1.5 times the price of the Yahama. So that's why I wonder if the Soundcraft, while being simpler, might be a more professional sounding mixer (??).

Thanks.
Michael
http://www.ambientjazzduo.8m.net
 
I've read that Soundcraft uses better components. If I opened it I'd know for sure. I'd go with the mixer with the better parts even if its less convenient. In the long run you'll be happier. My two hey pennies.

Bob
 
Bob, that's the sort of thing I'm getting at, and why I'm leaning toward the Soundcraft. One other tidbit I found out that's related: both the Yamaha MG 10/2 and folio notepad are made in China, which means labour costs would not account for the notepad's higher price. Soundcraft's claim that the components in this least expensive model are top notch seems believable under these circumstances.

Thanks.

Michael
http://www.ambientjazzduo.8m.net
 
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