Mixer Choice (Final Countdown)

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NotDeadYet

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I am planning on buying a mixer ... SOON that will have at least 6 microphone capability. I have looked at Behringer, Mackie and Yamaha. Price range $150-$250. I was leaning toward Behringer until I got some bad feed back on the Behringer B1 microphone and the comment that "the stuff is crap." Not sure this applies to all they make but it caused me to reconsider choices. Other forums recommending the Yamaha MG12/4. My application could range from simple 1 to 2 instrument recordings up to small ensembles (mainly high school/college).

Other than the Yamaha I was looking at the Mackie DFX12 or the Behringer UB1832FX. I have a very large family (8 kids) and I want to make the best choice $$$ does NOT come easy here.

Please any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
 
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At entry level, the Yamaha has my vote. Bang for buck, these things ain't bad. A friend of mine picked one up and he brought over to the studio and we played around with it. I still think the Mackies are a bit better but for the money the Yami ain't half bad. WAY better than the Behringer and most importantly, it has inserts on the mic channels. That alone would clinch it for me. YMMV.
 
I second the Yamaha suggestion.
An MG12/4 can be had on eBay for as little as $150 [that's how much I paid for mine. :)]
It has 4 inserts that can be used at direct outs, and the remaining 2 mic inputs you could send to the Aux. Bus, pan one L, and one R, and have 6 direct outs! For as little as $150!!

It's been a great starting mixer for me. As far as quality, I trust Track's comments above as my ears are too naive to know the difference between a Mackie and a Yammie.:eek:

Just remember to check eBay all the time -- you may get a killer deal!
:D

- Justin -
 
Yup, Yamaha's your choice if you are tight for money. My Behringer seriously pisses me off every day and I am only a relative newbie. The mic channels sound different and have unpredictable hiss. The Yamahas sound good and probably have the build quality to go the distance too.
 
it amazes me how many people seem to have problems with behringer products and i havent had a problem yet...have you tried out any of the mixers? take a listen hear for yourself....think of how much you plan on doing with it and what can be added on when needed or wanted. when you say small ensembles....exactly how many people is small? I've known bluegrass groups to call themselves small but end up switching 3 instruments between 5 of them.
 
it amazes me how many people seem to have problems with behringer products and i havent had a problem yet
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don't be amazed, just feel lucky.:D until my mixer developed its noise issues it was fine. it's only 15months old though, it shouldn't be dying yet.
 
distortedrumble said:
what can be added on when needed or wanted. when you say small ensembles....exactly how many people is small? I've known bluegrass groups to call themselves small but end up switching 3 instruments between 5 of them.
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Ensembles are classical (brass , woodwind, small strings etc.)
I am sure there are good Behringers I am just trying to get a poll...I really just don't have time to do a great amount of pre-shopping so I am trying to get a feel with what is being used based on the selection I mention... Thanks!
 
I purchased the Mackie DFX-12 1 1/2 weeks ago...NO NOISE,,,SOLID as a TANK,,, and Professional...I am Extremely happy with this investment...Using it in conjunction with my MR8 digital multitrack...Now I just need to buy a decent set of mic's for my drum-kit...Any suggestions????
 
$239.99 with free shipping...You can't go wrong...The effects are good too...Weigh a Mackie compared to a Behringer...Better yet,,,just handle one...
 
distortedrumble said:
it amazes me how many people seem to have problems with behringer products and i havent had a problem yet.
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It's because they have shitty quality control, you just got lucky. Buying Behringer is like playing Russian Roulette, sometimes you get lucky and sometimes you're lying in a puddle of your own blood.
 
and buying mackie is like flying to boston to get baked beans.....i could save up the money to do that....go and get a plate and never forget the trip...buy the t-shirt, tell friends and make plans to go back next year...or i can go to the store and get some Bush's baked beans...its not the same as boston's but i get more for less and it gets the job done
 
Here's a story that may influence your decision:

Many years ago, I went to watch my friend's band at an outdoor performance. There was a tarp over the stage, as it was raining pretty hard. The keyboardist was using a Mackie 1202 mixer to sub-mix. One corner of the tarp let go, and a flood of water poured right onto the 1202 during a song. Of course, they stopped playing, and he lifted up the 1202 and a stream of water came pouring out of it. He let it dry out for several days, then turned it back on and it worked fine! Naturally, after he confirmed that it still worked, he opened it up and cleaned all the connectors and such. He still uses that same 1202 today.

That's why I bought Mackie stuff (1402VLZPro, SRM450's, HR624's) - it's absolutely bulletproof!
 
My success with Behringer mixers has been very good. Not a single problem, solid as a rock, transports well, and low cost.

Ed
 
Solid as a rock ... for an experiment, try picking up a Tapco/Mackie '6 channel' mixer and then the identical Behringer one (they're both the ones with 2 pres in). Even at that size of mini-mixer, the Mackie weighs like twice as much as the Behringer.

My UB1204 has had loose-feeling controls from day one, like the pots may just snap/drop off if they feel they've had enough.

It's very useful and flexible, but I wouldn't buy one for recording or critical live stuff again.
 
I have not had those problems, and have carried the unit all over. Clearly mileage varies, like with most gear.

Ed
 
lol not just mileage but also how the person treats it also...i have my stuff set up and havent moved it anywhere. on the other hand....if a mixer can double as a football or frisbie and keeps working then I would give up my behringer and have some fun with that mixer lol.
 
Well I listened to everybody and more. I went tried all the mixers I had mentioned and weighing what I might use the mixer for I decided that the Mackie would be the best choice. The Yamaha was nice but the power supply... wow it could be used for the Gladiator games back in Rome. I also preferred the connections on top. Anyway choice was tough...I figured either choice Yamaha or Mackie I couldn't go wrong and for me in my situation that was important. Thanks everybody!
 
I went with the Mackie DFX12. My family and I might do some public performances (convalescent homes and such). I thought for our purposes the effects would be adequate. I am sure separate effect modules is better, but we just won't need that.

Anyway, for the security and bang for buck it seems fine. Could I have done better (perhaps) ... is Behringer just as good (maybe) I went for the conservative choice ... and yes the most expensive of the three (3) I was looking at. If you knew my history this wouldn't have been a surprise.
 
NotDeadYet said:
The Yamaha was nice but the power supply... wow it could be used for the Gladiator games back in Rome.
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What do you mean? (I've not seen their power supplies)

Mackie seems a good choice, I've used their CFX16 in live stuff for ages and it's a very good flexible mixer.

Distortedrumble - I am SO good to my gear. It spends half its life in the box in the original packaging when I'm not using it, because I was taught as a kid that if you break it you don't get another one ... which makes it even more annoying when things just stop working how they used to!
 
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