Looking for an inexpensive mixer that can do this...

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adessmith

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Im looking for a mixer which would have 8 mono inputs (at least 3 with xlr inputs, preamp, and +48v phantom power)
The trick is it needs to have direct outs (or inserts) for at least the 3 mic inputs) but all 8 would be nice.
And I need to do all this, if possible for $150 or less.
It seems that I am asking to much because I cant find anything to fit my needs without spending quite a bit more and having several extra channels.

Looking to start doing some basic recordings of our band. I have a delta 1010LT sound card, but the mics we have need phantom power (3 for vocals) There are only 2 pre-amps in the card and we need 3, plus we need the phantom power. I figured it would be easier to just get a mixer with built in pre's that I could hook everything to and run direct outs to the card. We would monitor straight off the mixer while we are recording.
Is this a good way to do it, and if so can anyone suggest a mixer that will do this?
 
Oh yeah, I could use an 8 channel mixer which only has direct outs (or inserts) for the 3 microphone inputs.
In this case I would run the other instruments straight to the inputs on the delta 1010 and use direct hardware monitoring to send those outputs to the remaining inputs on the mixer. We'll use the main bus for one monitor mix and the aux output for a 2nd. (most every mixer I have seen has at least one aux for monitors) It would be really nice if it had some basic dsp effects (namely reverb) for the vocals on thier monitor mix.

BTW, I want to do all the mixing (except for the monitors while recording) on the computer.

Here is what we have:
3-vocals (one lead, 2 background)
1-6 string electric (goes through a line 6 podxt live for direct out)
1-4 string bass (uses direct out of his amp or a beringer v-amp)
1-Keyboard (mono direct output)
1-Drum set. (seperate sub mixer for mixing those mics down to stereo, which will take 2 channels on the final mix)

Anyone have any ideas...
 
You might want to take a Look on e-bay for something like a Used "Mackie 1204 or 1604" mixer.... There are allways a Bunch of used mackies for pretty good Prices on there and they will do what you want and are better quality than anything new that you would get in the Same Price range....

Like this one is less than $200 and it is the VLZ Pro version..

http://cgi.ebay.ca/mackie-1202-vlz-...6QQihZ004QQcategoryZ41475QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

And there are others....


Cheers
 
Problem is, this doesnt look like it has inserts or direct outs for each channel. I think it just has an xlr and 1/4 INPUT for each of the first 4 channels. I need it to have some sort of output (either direct out or insert) on those.
Am I missing something?
Most of the ones I am seeing with inserts are usually running 200-250.
I was looking for something 100-150.
 
Check out the yamaha mg series. I have the mg16/4 and it works awesoem with my dual delta 44 setup. It doesnt really have direct outs, but it has effects loops that you can use as direct outs.
 
All the Mackie mixers I've ever seen have a channel insert on their preamped inputs. That said, unless you buy a VLZ model (more $$$), the pres aren't very good, IMHO.

Look into the Peavey PV series of mixers. The PV8 would probably suit your needs pretty well, though some of the inputs are presented as a stereo pair.... Yamaha also has a series in a similar price point that might do the job. Or tie a couple of PV6 mixers together. :D
 
Look up TAPCO mixers, older ones are extremely nice for the money. Another option is if you have a Music Go Round near you, they always let mixers go cheap and sometimes they're pretty nice. Try to remember though, buy cheap, buy twice. Your board is a very very important part of how you record, I spent a good chunk on my Tascam m312, but it's been one of the few pieces of gear I've never been compelled to upgrade (nice pres!).

cheers,
scott
 
You could allways buy a cheap 8 Channel Pre amp...There is a Cheap one made by Nady that is only about $100 US and has 8 XLR inputs and Outputs as well as 1/4 in outs....

I"m sure the Pre"s are pretty low quality but if you don"t crank the Gain too much you should get a Good signal....

And Yes Most ALL Mackies have Direct outs or Inserts for all Pre-amp channels and the one in the Link I posted was the VLZ version which has the Better preamps....

Cheers
 
Minion... I checked into it and it turned out the inserts were on the back of the board.
I couldnt see them in the picture on that ebay auction, but something like that could do the trick.
I appreciate your help, and it looks like if I can find a mackie with 4 xlr inputs in my price range I could be in business.
I had thought about the multi-preamp option, but I like the extra flexibility of a mixer. You never know when a small mixer like that will come in handy....

Anyways, thanks for the advice, now its time to work on gettings the wifes seal of approval LOL.
 
adessmith said:
I had thought about the multi-preamp option, but I like the extra flexibility of a mixer. You never know when a small mixer like that will come in handy....
Click to expand...

Absolutley. The 1202 is a great little mixer that really is quite laid out. This is a mixer that you might keep for a long time even when you get another board. It's an excellent little tool. I bought the original one years ago, the CR1202, sold it, then couldn't live w/o it and bought another (VLZ). Just used mine perfectly for a little gig last night that called for (2) mics and some backing music - a big board would have been a pain.
 
Scrubucket7 said:
Check out the yamaha mg series. I have the mg16/4 and it works awesoem with my dual delta 44 setup. It doesnt really have direct outs, but it has effects loops that you can use as direct outs.
Click to expand...

I second the Yamaha MG series. Got an MG16/4 and its awesome. Solid as a rock, brilliant quality mixers.
 
I just bought a used Mackie VLZ 1202. You can get more individual outputs than 4.
Channels 1-4: use the inserts
Channels 5-6:route to aux sends 1&2
Channels 7-8. Route to the ALT3-4 bus (L&R outs)

There's 8 channels into the 8 inputs of the delta1010. I bought mine used for $150.
 
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