Total newb seeking advice.

[slangking]

My friends and I recently started a little band that consists of us messing around on guitars and whatever other objects we find around our houses. It's total amateur stuff and very noisy and free-form, but we have a lot of fun doing it.

We've been wanting to invest in a mixer to improve our recordings, but we're all pretty low on cash and don't really want to spend too much. I stumbled across a Behringher Eurorack UB802 mixer for fairly cheap, and I'm debating whether or not to get it. I've heard that Behringer is pretty low quality stuff, but I'm wondering if it'll still get the job done for a bunch of no-talent hacks who aren't overly concerned with pristine sound quality. I'm more worried about it breaking down and us losing out on money that we could've invested more wisely.

So if anybody has any advice to share, I would greatly appreciate it

 

[Kevin Deschwazi]

I won't comment on the Behri mixer because I've never used one. The reason i've never used one? the rep is so bad.

Check out the Yamaha MG range of mixers, very reasonably priced and I can vouch for the quality of those bad boys.

 

[slangking]

Yeah, I've also been looking at those Yamaha mixers, but even then, they're a bit more expensive than this particular Behringer for sale. Is it totally worth spending the extra cash even if I'm not a perfectionist?

Oh, and I'm not asking you to tell me what I want to hear or anything either, I'd honestly like to hear peoples opinions on the matter, and I appreciate what's been said so far.

 

[Kevin Deschwazi]

I'm reluctant to write off the Behringer because I haven't used it and I try and make a point of not bashing (or praising for that matter) gear I haven't had experience of using.

However as I said, personally I wouldn't touch the behri mixers on the strength of the bad rep they get, and that's not just in terms of sound quality but build quality also. So take that advice for what it is, from someone who's 'heard' they're a bit crap. I'd recommend you try a seach here on UB802 or "UB series" to inform your decision a bit better.

I do use a Yamaha MG series mixer and it's very good considering the price. It sits in a pub where I do live sound sometimes so it' seen quite a bit of action and all of the channels are still working fine etc.

Another thing worth considering is that you actually have two more mic preamps on the smallest MG mixer than on the UB802. So besides the quality issues you are actually getting more capability for your money.

 

[guido #2]

I've seen two of those small berhi mixers take a crap in the past year. I think both times it had something to do with the P/S.

Come to think of it, both times they belonged to drummers that were using them for monitor mixes....... hmmmmm

 

[slangking]

Alright, thanks for the info, guys. I think the possibility of it crapping out on me is enough to scare me off this "bargain".

 

[guido #2]

What is your budget?

 

[slangking]

Right now, probably too limited to get anything worthwhile, something under $100 Canadian if possible. I decided to get myself a Sony ECM-MS907 mic, so that sorta put a drain on my bank account. I may just hold off another couple of months and save up, and then try to get a Yamaha MG model, since I've heard good things both in this thread and elsewhere.

 

[guido #2]

hmmmmm....
That makes it tough. Got anyplace around you that sells used gear?

 

[slangking]

I don't know of any offhand, but I'm sure there are. I think I'll try to head into the city this weekend to see if I can find any places worth checking out.

 

[guido #2]

Something like this http://tinyurl.com/dwhv4 would kick the livin' tar outta anything you could buy new for the same money. You'd probably have this half your life!

 

[guido #2]

Here's another http://tinyurl.com/cogtg
Not quite as vintage cool, but still delivering a superior butt-kicking to a simular Berhinger.

I am your personal shopper.....

 

[slangking]

Unfortunately, neither ship to Canada But your effort is appreciated just the same!

 

[guido #2]

it was just to show you whats out there at that price point. Sometimes if you email and ask, they will ship to you.
Those deals are there all the time.
Good luck!

 

[slangking]

Thanks again, both of you guys have been a big help in terms of helping me decide how to go about this

 

[cpc]

i have the ub802 mixer. i did some browsing at local instrument places and the cheapest mixers that offered the same features were 69$ for a phonic (???) and 100 dollars for a yamaha. for 50 dollars this thing is fine so far, and has the features of 100$ mixers..but i have no experience in the other ones in its comparible range. the sound on it, the pre amps, and everything seems decent ...not spectacular, but decent..especially for 50$. the only complaints i have is that theres no on off switch, and the power supply thing gets pretty warm if plugged in for a while. the phantom power stays on a minute or 2 after you turn it off sometimes, also one or 2 of the eq knobs are a little bit stiffer/or looser than the others...but the unit seems pretty sturdy and hasnt broke or stopped working in the 4 months or so that i've had it.