ProSoundWeb Community
Sound Reinforcement - Forums for Live Sound Professionals - Your Displayed Name Must Be Your Real Full Name To Post In The Live Sound Forums => LAB Lounge => Topic started by: Dave Garoutte on March 27, 2017, 07:23:31 PM
-
My small sound company has a gig coming up where I need several small mixers.
I don't want to use my 24ch performer to mix 3 wireless mics.
Any thoughts on small analog boards?
I have an old Mackie VLZ1202 and a Soundcraft MFXi8, but I need three more.
Go!
-
I would look for used equipment in your area. Decent analog mixers are had for pennies on the dollar since small digital mixers became so affordable.
-
I have a 6 ch Yamaha MG that I hang on to for dance recitals and such. Sounds good, has a couple stereo channels for music and would manage your 3 mics just fine. You could probably find some used cheap. I've heard good things from friends on the A&H Zed small mixers.
-
I'd get 3 used Mackie 1202s off C/L or Fleabay and be done with it.
-
My small sound company has a gig coming up where I need several small mixers.
I don't want to use my 24ch performer to mix 3 wireless mics.
Any thoughts on small analog boards?
I have an old Mackie VLZ1202 and a Soundcraft MFXi8, but I need three more.
Go!
Yamaha MG10XU
Steve
-
Allen and Heath ZED 10 or 10FX depending if you need effects or not. Better sound to my ear than Mackie 1202.
Has anyone used the Midas DM12? On paper it looks like a better configuration (2 full Auxes, monitor outs, very small footprint, main outs, parametric mid freq EQ, Midas preamps) than the A&H or Mackie, for same or less money, but I haven't seen real reviews online and haven't heard it.
-
The metal chassis Peavey mixers get my vote. Here's the small one:
https://peavey.com/products/index.cfm/item/666/115024
-
How much control do you need? Shure SCM-268 has 4 inputs and is about as fool proof as it can be.
-
How much control do you need? Shure SCM-268 has 4 inputs and is about as fool proof as it can be.
Now there is real old school. Very first rig I ever mixed on. Had a stack of 4 in the HS auditorium. I was in last year of middle school and the HS kids that ran the booth would let me screw around a bit (and lock me up on the catwalk but that's another story). If memory serves me they had an EQ in the same form factor in the stack.
-
The metal chassis Peavey mixers get my vote. Here's the small one:
https://peavey.com/products/index.cfm/item/666/115024
+ 1 - I always tout the Peavey PV's - they are indestructible and sound pretty darn good to boot!
-
Now there is real old school. Very first rig I ever mixed on. Had a stack of 4 in the HS auditorium. I was in last year of middle school and the HS kids that ran the booth would let me screw around a bit (and lock me up on the catwalk but that's another story). If memory serves me they had an EQ in the same form factor in the stack.
You're thinking of the M67. The SCM268 is current production.
-
I know you said analog but have you looked at the QSC touchmix 8? It's about the same size as a VLZ1202 but adds (most of) the functionality of a digital mixer. It might be more than you want to spend though.
The Soundcraft ui12 and Behringer xr12 are even smaller (and pretty affordable) but you lose any sort of control surface on the mixer itself.
-
+ 1 - I always tout the Peavey PV's - they are indestructible and sound pretty darn good to boot!
I know a couple of people who use them. They work fine.
Don't rule out Mackie or Behringer either. I have recently purchased a Behringer Xenyx X2222 mixer for the times when I only need a few inputs and don't want to carry in a rack case of equipment. Eight mic inputs and four stereo line inputs, digital effects, two aux buses for monitors (in addition to the effects send) and a compressor on each mic input.
They make smaller versions with four and six mic inputs which might be suitable.
Steve.
-
I have couple Alto Zephyr Series mixers I use for simple rental systems. Can't say I ever compared the sound to any of my other mixers but they are pretty flexible and I don't hear anything I don't like coming out of them.
-
Thanks all.
After reviewing the various suggestions and 'features', I'm going with the A&H Zed6fx and 10fx.
Just about perfect for my low channel count needs.
-
I have a ZEDi8 (similar in size to the 6FX) and ZED10FX and they both sound great. Be aware that the ZED6FX, like the ZEDi8, does not use an IEC power cable, it uses a less common 3 connector cable (but not a wall wart). I am just afraid if I forget to bring, or lose, that cable it will be much harder to find one on the set. Although the ZED6FX is smaller, I really like the ZED10FX if you can use the 4 mic inputs and can live with knobs for the channels instead of faders.
Also, if you can use 8 mic pres and want 2 auxes but no effects, I just got a Midas DM12 today and can't hear a difference from the ZEDi8. More impressions to come as I use it a bit in my rehearsal studio.
-
Thanks all.
After reviewing the various suggestions and 'features', I'm going with the A&H Zed6fx and 10fx.
Just about perfect for my low channel count needs.
Good choice. My 10fx has been a trooper. Sounds great, EFX are usable, and built very well. No wall warts is nice, too. Mine lives in a slant-top DJ rack with a power strip and a spare iNuke that I had laying around. Goes out on rentals regularly.
-
Soundcraft Ui12 great little mixer lots of features
-
Soundcraft Ui12 great little mixer lots of features
At the risk of jacking this thread, I'd like to know if anyone is sending out these all-in-one, tablet only digital mixers with unattended SoS systems? I'd like to have the capabilities of an XAir or Ui12 for myself, but not sure if they are user friendly enough to send out in place of a simple analog mixer when there isn't an operator going out with the system.
-
My small sound company has a gig coming up where I need several small mixers.
I don't want to use my 24ch performer to mix 3 wireless mics.
Any thoughts on small analog boards?
I have an old Mackie VLZ1202 and a Soundcraft MFXi8, but I need three more.
Go!
I've been using a Mackie ProFX8 V2 for about 3-4 years, now. Very versatile, and has sliders. IEC power.
-Dennis
<edit> I should add that the "FX" are just a step above "cheesy"; so don't expect much from them.
<edit2> There are a bunch on eBay for about a C-note+ship.
-
I've been using a Mackie ProFX8 V2 for about 3-4 years, now. Very versatile, and has sliders. IEC power.
-Dennis
That's the one I'm getting. It's nice to have a little graphic EQ. Also, because of this thread I realize it uses an IEC cord.
-
At the risk of jacking this thread, I'd like to know if anyone is sending out these all-in-one, tablet only digital mixers with unattended SoS systems? I'd like to have the capabilities of an XAir or Ui12 for myself, but not sure if they are user friendly enough to send out in place of a simple analog mixer when there isn't an operator going out with the system.
I have the SC UI12. I want something simple the Luddite non-techies can deal with. "Turn this knob to be louder."
-
That's the one I'm getting. It's nice to have a little graphic EQ. Also, because of this thread I realize it uses an IEC cord.
...and it fits perfectly between the "nubs" on this $87 (eBay) case.
-Dennis
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Stackable-ABS-19-Rack-Flight-Case-4RU-/262373073696?hash=item3d16a76320:g:N5cAAOSwJQdXBWQv
-
At the risk of jacking this thread, I'd like to know if anyone is sending out these all-in-one, tablet only digital mixers with unattended SoS systems? I'd like to have the capabilities of an XAir or Ui12 for myself, but not sure if they are user friendly enough to send out in place of a simple analog mixer when there isn't an operator going out with the system.
No operator with either of those is not a good idea IMO.
Stick with physical sliders/Pots.
-
No operator with either of those is not a good idea IMO.
Stick with physical sliders/Pots.
Agreed. The XR and UI rack mixers are great, but you need someone there who knows how it works.
But most of all, it defeats the object where just a small mixer is needed as you need to bring along an external router and a hard wired laptop (unless you are brave or foolish).
All the small analogue mixers suggestied here are fine.
Steve.
-
Here's today's deal, a Mackie six channel for $159 bucks
http://www.pssl.com/!ioiVO0ghxcplnP1HODoRdQ!/Killer-Daily-Deals
-
Here's today's deal, a Mackie six channel for $159 bucks
http://www.pssl.com/!ioiVO0ghxcplnP1HODoRdQ!/Killer-Daily-Deals
hmmm....
I have that one (the generation before - no colored knobs) for "talking heads" events. It sounds ok, but for me, the sound quality just isn't right. With channel EQ flat, and everything else on it flat, it doesn't sound right (compared to my A&H GL2400 and Soundcraft GB8). The channel EQ sounds fair, the onboard EQ sounds narrow/cheap (I will not use it); I haven't used the onboard effects too much to form an opinion. Even for "talking heads", I find the need to use the channel EQ to help "clean" the sound.
Been looking at the Soundcraft MFXi8 to replace the Mackie for "talking heads"; though, will keep the Mackie as a backup.
However, for the PSSL price, this looks like a great bargain!
-
Been looking at the Soundcraft MFXi8 to replace the Mackie for "talking heads"; though, will keep the Mackie as a backup.
However, for the PSSL price, this looks like a great bargain!
I also have this SC board. It's a nice solid unit.
-
The Soundcraft MFX models are discontinued, replaced by the Signature series.
-
The Soundcraft MFX models are discontinued, replaced by the Signature series.
There is still NIB units out there if you look around. I wish they didn't discontinue them. The Signature series is a step down in my opinion.
-
I know you said analog but have you looked at the QSC touchmix 8? It's about the same size as a VLZ1202 but adds (most of) the functionality of a digital mixer. It might be more than you want to spend though.
The Soundcraft ui12 and Behringer xr12 are even smaller (and pretty affordable) but you lose any sort of control surface on the mixer itself.
There is a value proposition in a small digital mixer with built in user interface. Sure... it might not lead to great ROI but it sounds significantly better than typical small mixers (even yammy) and has PEQ and real compression in addition to iPad control if you need it. I use them and I'm not disappointed.
-
There is still NIB units out there if you look around. I wish they didn't discontinue them. The Signature series is a step down in my opinion.
Yes, a big step down.
-
I'm another vote for the ZED 10fx. Love mine and it is simply bullet proof. Sounds very nice as well.