need to buy mixer, but which one?

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mhuang

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hi, I am planning to buy an mixer but which brand do you guys recommend?

I actually am not going to use it to mix much, just using it to combine my sound source's output into the mixer and out to my soundcard's input.

since I don't use it to mix, I want an inexpensive mixer (below $100) but have a solid performance.

any recommendations?
 
Try using the search button, you will find plenty of info on "cheap" mixers. However, there is not much if anything you can get new for < $100 - there is a 6 channel Behringer that sells for about $100, that would probably be fine for you. You might try looking for used equipment.
 
You might want to go passive for that price range and avoid the noise from nasty-cheap electronics. Basically a splitter.

Define this first. How many inputs do you *need*?
 
drstawl said:
You might want to go passive for that price range and avoid the noise from nasty-cheap electronics. Basically a splitter.

Define this first. How many inputs do you *need*?
Click to expand...

3-4 is more than enough input for now.

besides mixers, is there a "combiner" that combines sound sources' output so you can input them all into one input?
 
Have you considered just using two and then doing sound on sound over those two? Even the cheapest soundcard offers two and the possibility of sound on sound (full duplex).

I've used a passive splitter but the results weren't as clean as doing sound on sound with just two inputs. My soundcard has four inputs (two digital, two analog) but I rarely use more than two at a time.
 
>besides mixers, is there a "combiner" that combines sound sources' output so you can input them all into one input?

Ever see a one channel guitar amp with two input jacks?
Take a look at what's going on on the other side of the input panel! Yup- a "combiner".
 
mhuang said:
I want an inexpensive mixer (below $100) but have a solid performance.
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It simply doesn't work that way - most often, you get what you pay for.... 99% of the time, better performance costs more...........

At that price point ($100), it won't matter a heckuva lot what you buy (Behringer, Peavey, Samson, Phonic...) - it will all be poor-to-mediocre.

Bruce
 
I agree with Blue Bear. I've learned the "you get what you pay for" lesson more times than I should have. I do, however own the Behringer Eurorack, and although you'll probably find a bunch of Behringer haters here, I'd have to say it's closer to "mediocre" than "poor". *For the price*, it's a good product. Fairly solid, no frills, but very low noise. The mic pre's are decent (again, for the price), the knobs are smooth & solid. I use a Mackie 16 channel whenever I'm doing something serious, but for quick & dirty stuff, I like it.
 
Seanmorse79 said:
I agree with Blue Bear. I've learned the "you get what you pay for" lesson more times than I should have. I do, however own the Behringer Eurorack, and although you'll probably find a bunch of Behringer haters here, I'd have to say it's closer to "mediocre" than "poor". *For the price*, it's a good product. Fairly solid, no frills, but very low noise. The mic pre's are decent (again, for the price), the knobs are smooth & solid. I use a Mackie 16 channel whenever I'm doing something serious, but for quick & dirty stuff, I like it.
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Beeeeeep!!! Wrongo!!! Behringer Mixers are a piece of sh#t!!!

Signed,
A Former Owner!!!
 
...Like I said, I'm sure there are plenty of Behringer haters here - I've heard it a bunch of times. All I can say is that the Eurorack I use does me well. I've had it about a year, and it's never given me any problems whatsoever. Just out of curiosity, what was so bad about it?
 
My vote goes for a used 12 channel Mackie on eBay. You can definitely get one below $200, possibly even below $150.

I just can't recommend anything I've seen/heard that retails for around $100.



"mhuang?"

Is that like ephedrine?
 
Seanmorse79 said:
[ Just out of curiosity, what was so bad about it? [/B]
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Man, if you do a search of my old post's using my name as author and type in "Behringer Mixers" you'll see that I have provided mucho reasons Over & Over again why to stay far & clear from a piece of equipment that I almost GUARANTEE will breakdown by the 1st or 2nd year of ownership!

But if you had yours longer, congrats!. But honestly Sean, you should realistically look to upgrade your mixer b-4 something happens and you have to deal with Customer Service!

Good Luck!!!
 
Wow... I guess I've just been lucky so far. I have a Mackie 16 channel that I use for anything serious, so I'm covered. I just use the Behringer out of convenience when I'm doing quick & dirty stuff.
 
Seanmorse79 said:
Wow... I guess I've just been lucky so far. I have a Mackie 16 channel that I use for anything serious, so I'm covered. I just use the Behringer out of convenience when I'm doing quick & dirty stuff.
Click to expand...

You're a very smart man!!!!!:cool:
 
re:

which model mackie would you guys recommend for doing semi-pro work then?

Please remember that I am not going to be using it for mixing purposes, just using it to combine sound sources.
 
Re: Re: need to buy mixer, but which one?

Blue Bear Sound said:
It simply doesn't work that way - most often, you get what you pay for.... 99% of the time, better performance costs more...........

At that price point ($100), it won't matter a heckuva lot what you buy (Behringer, Peavey, Samson, Phonic...) - it will all be poor-to-mediocre.

Bruce
Click to expand...

Still a little bitter ey?:D
 
Re: re:

mhuang said:
which model mackie would you guys recommend for doing semi-pro work then?
Click to expand...

Uhh. Did you see my post above. 12 channel Mackie should do nicely and is decently priced. Again, you can get one on eBay for under $200.

Please remember that I am not going to be using it for mixing purposes, just using it to combine sound sources.
Click to expand...

"Combining sound sources" is mixing. You possibly mean that you want to mix without eq, inserts, solo buttons, etc. A line mixer that only has level controls should do nicely. In fact, I just ripped one out of a rig and replaced it with a Mackie CFX20. Can't comment on it's quality.

Matt
 
I have a 12 channel Mackie VLZ. That little guy and I have been through everything together. Those Mackies are damn near indistructable, and the preamps are beautiful. I own a Roland VS-2480 and all of my tracks (when I'm recording less than 4 at a shot) go through the Mackie's preamps instead of the Roland's. They are just better. Ever since I got my Roland, I don't mix much with the Mackie, but I find it is a terrific input device. If you can find a used 12 channel Mackie VLZ grab it. I know I love mine to death.:)
 
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