mic pre vs. mixer

[solit]

Hello-
I am setting up my first studio, and I am looking into buying a pre-amp.

I will be using an Audiophile 2496 soundcard, and a Shure KSM 27 mic.


I was leaning towards the M-Audio DMP3 as a pre-amp.

But a buddy of mine said that I should get a mixer because.

1. it can function as a pre-amp
2. it will also have 4 channels so that I can use it for live performances as well.

Obviously I am looking to be as cost effective as possible, without sacrificing too much quality.

my questions:


1.) would i be sacrificing anything by buying a 4 channel "mixer" and using it as my studio preamp and for performances?

2.) can you recommend any such mixers in the sub $200 range?

3.) would I be better off getting recordings from a pre-amp specifically designed to be just that, and not doing double duty as a mixer?

thanks!

 

[tmix]

The tradeoff of having a sub $200 mixer is you will have more functionality, but I guarentee you won't have the sound quality of the DMP-3.
Obviously all small mixers don't fall into this catagory, the smaller soundcraft mixers (and possibly the Mackie) will probably be on par with the DMP-3 but you may have to find a used one or spend possible a few more bucks.
I have to temper my bias with the following... Some claim that the newest batch of Behringer mixers have come a long way in sounding better... I just don't know.. perhaps someone else can comment. Generally I think in the long run you will be dissappointed.

 

[Glawfindle]

I agree with tmix. You will probably prefer the DMP-3 over the pres in an 'affordable' mixer. I haven't actually used the DMP-3 myself although I would be confident that you will prefer the performance of it over the mixer. But, because I have not heard the DMP-3 I guess that I'm not entirely qualified to answer your question. However, as always - go and demo it.
Your selection #3 seems pretty accurate. If you have no real need for the mixer - your best choice is probably to buy a mic pre that performs the way that you wish it to and will use rather than a mixer with substandard pres and other features that you will not use.

 

[JonnyM]

How does the Mackie 1202 VLZ Pro compare?

How would the comparison work when using the small Mackie that according to "Mackie" uses the same pres as their big brothers. The 1202 VLZ Pro provides four (4) pres for $400 or less.

1. Is the quality there?
2. Is this good bang for the buck?
3. Would this be a good way to do a reasonable quality demo of a live band, i.e. close mic amps, with two overheads?

JonnyM

 

[Doug Quance]

I've got the Mackie 1202VLZ Pro board.

For the money, I can't imagine a better way to go. Fairly quiet, decent pres, small footprint, plenty of routing options.

But, alas, that's only my opinion.