need to buy mixer, but which one?

  • Thread starter Thread starter mhuang
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Re: re:

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

If all you want to do is take two mono sound sources and combine them, without adjusting volume or adding eq or effects, then get a Y cable and plug the sources in the female plugs. That way you can save your money to buy a good mixer when you are ready..

Cy
 
I bought a 'Mini Mixer' by Midiman years ago that seemed pretty clean. 9 volt powered, just combined with some gain switches. Don't know if they're still into that.
 
You know, I love it when someone says "I have $100 for a mixer, which one should I buy?" and then everyone recomends a $900 mixer.

mhuang, for the record I own a Behringer 802 mixer. It works fine, it is quiet, it has not exploded or belched clouds of smoke into my house. It seems to be reasonably well built. If you buy one, you will get a decent CHEAP mixer. Mine is my second mixer which I use with a computer; I use an Alesis Studio 32 for my "serious" recording.

You should also know that Behringer have a reputation for poor customer service, as they are based in Germany (although they buy from China) and don't have much of a service organization in the U.S. So if you do have a service problem, it can be a headache. Many stores have a 14 day return policy. So if you do buy one, make sure to test ALL of its connections and features within that period.

Now, as many have said, you would be much better off buying something like a Mackie which is a much better product. But if your budget truely is $100, I say buy the Behringer now and be happy. And if you continue to work with recording you will, sooner or later, upgrade to a bigger and better mixer. And then you will probably still find a use for the Behringer anyways.
 
Hey mhuang,
I am trying to resolve the same problem as you do.
All I want is a device that I can use to interconnect two synths with a couple of sound cards and amplifier for monitoring. I dont want to swap cables every time it is necessary to route the signal differently.
Main requirement is that this gismo should not have a noise floor higher than my sound card's -95 db.
I don't care about the preamps.
I don't care about equilizers (I will set them to zero or bypass anyway).
I don't care about the brand.
Behringer looked very quite, if the data that they give is true. In fact, looking at the specs it is quieter than other boards in this price range (phonic, folio notepad).
My question to Behringer users: is it really as quite as they claim it is?
Or is it better to use a patch bay?
 
A patchbay will not add noise.... a mixer with its inherent gain stages will definitely add *some* noise.

Bruce
 
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