Please recommend a mixer for a starter

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masternk

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Hi,
I am struggling to decide which mixer is the best bang for my bucks..I like to hear what the experts have to say to this.

1. Which mixer should I buy for a starter project at home? I want to record 3-5 tracks simultaneously. Most of them will be direct mic inputs. (From another thread, I learnt that basically I can get multi track outputs from any of these for simultaneous recording)

Alesis studio 24 , $400
Mackie 1202,$350 or 1404,$500
Yamaha MX12/4, $300
Behringer 2004, $250

2. Any advise on buying used, like on e-Bay? Lots of these are going for atleast $100 less there.

Appreciate your views.

The Master has to learn being slave sometimes.........
 
of those, the Mackie is the better deal....not sure about getting 5 channels OUT of it though.......
 
hey definately get the mackie, but with the 1404 you can get 4 outputs through the mains and the alt sub 3-4. If you needed more you would have to go out the channels insert. If you go out the insert then the signal will only be affected by the pre-amp, the eq or fader won't do anything, but it will definately work and it's sounds great. If you move up to the 1642 which goes for like 850 but i found mine for 700, so shop around, you have alot more capabilities. 8 direct outs and 4 sub groups, and 4 aux sends. Good Luck.......Josh
 
I have a Mackie 1202 vlz pro and have been very happy with it. I did the look at Berhinger and look on Ebay thing. Went with the Mackie for better quality. When I was looking on Ebay there were some listed as a 1202 vlz pro when it was really a 1202 micro, an earlier model that does not have the vlz pre amps. Many were going for close to $300. I think I paid $330 for mine new. For that much it didn't make much sence to buy a used one that you hope has been well cared for. Plus the new ones have a 3 year warranty. Channels can fill up quick so you might consider the 1404. Same guts as the 1202 with 2 more pre's. Good luck.
 
Either the mackie or the Alesis. The 1404 is a great mixer. So is the studio 24. Either one of the those will do you good. The mackie probably moreso. The other two I'd stay away from, but of those two get the yamaha. lol, well, this turned into a little ranking.

1. Mackie
2. Alesis
3. Yamaha
4. Behringer

At least in my opinion.

Peace out,
Mikey
 
Yeah I gots the 1202 off of Ebay for similar price and am very happy with it, sounds great, phantom pres, a tank. Anyways yeah get that one!


Laj
 
I would get the Mackie also. With the 1202, you can actually get up to 8 out at the same time. You can get 4 out of the direct outs, 2 out of the "Alt 3/4" and 2 out the Aux 1 and Aux2. So unless you need more than the 4 mic preamp channels, the 1404 would not do you any more good than the 1202.

I would also suggest that if you're getting the mixer used make sure that you get the 1202 "VLZ Pro". This is Mackie's newest mixer preamp circuitry.

E
 
Mackie

Wash your mouth out with soap for bringing The "B" word into your list of choices :D
 
Mixer choice

I think the verdict is loud and clear:

Mackie 1202 or 1404

VOX, The B was at the end of my list anyway.

E, I am amazed that you are able to get 8 outputs from 1202.

Always something new for me to learn.........

Thanks a lot you guys
 
i thought it was 2 out of the direct outs and 2 on the alt 3/4?......
 
Gidge and others,

When I said "direct outs", I meant the "Insert outs" out of the mic preamp channels. There are four of these, one for each of the mic preamps.

E

So, add 'em up, that's 8 (4 + 2+ 2) :)
 
Check out the Soundcraft M-4 first, and hunt around on RAP and see what they say there about which is better, Mackie or Soundcraft.
 
Mackie 1202 VLZ without a doubt for your application.
Great for recording and live sound.

;)
 
I have an Alesis Studio 32 and have been very happy with it.

Of course I also have a Behringer 802 and have been happy with that too, although it's duties are much more modest.
 
. If you needed more you would have to go out the channels insert. If you go out the insert then the signal will only be affected by the pre-amp, the eq or fader won't do anything, but it will definately work and it's sounds great.
Click to expand...
You say that like it's a bad thing! I would recommend that people use the inserts for outs, thereby getting the cleanest signal from the preamps.

The Mackie 1202 VLZ pro is the best deal out there for 4 mic pres in the $350 range right now.
 
I just picked up a Mackie 1402VLZ pro box for 400 bucks at Mars Music. They are closing so I got 20% off. Any one else interested, check it out if you have a store where you are.
 
"Mackie 1202 VLZ without a doubt for your application.
Great for recording and live sound."


Isn't there only 8 "independent" inputs on a Mackie 1202...how would you use it for a live gig, if you have a drum kit (4 or 5 mics), one bass guitar, one electric guitar and two vocals? Looks like I could be "sharing" a stereo input.

I'm in the "beginner mixer" category too, and I was thinking of investing in a mixer that could be used for both live and recording...Is the Mackie 1202 for me?
 
A really cheap mixer (if you are looking for used) that has 10 mono inputs, 6 stereo inputs, six aux sends and four busses, and is incredibly quiet, is the samson MPL2242 mixer.

Don't laugh.

Its a very quiet mixer, and often snagged on e-bay for about 200 dollars (US).
 
One consideration, if you are planning on doing a lot of recording, is that the Alesis mixers have mic ins, line ins, direct outs, AND tape returns for all channels. So with no re-patching you can flip a switch and go from recording tracks to monitoring tape/sound card playback. Almost like two channels for the price of one...
 
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