Stupid Mixer Question #4257

[behndy]

sooooo..... i don't use my mixer for much. just to get everything into my computer's audio inputs.

eq's aren't a concern, onboard mixer effects aren't a concern.

i'm using a Behringer Eurodesk MX2642A right now, and it works for exactly what i want to use it for, but i think it has problems. lots of noise on almost any knob/fader movement.... and a bit more concerning is there is a hiss that comes and goes, goes away if i tap the frame the right way. but that gets sent to the recorded audio.

looked up cleaning it, looks like a daunting, ARDUOUS task.

i know there's loads of hate for Behringer mixers, but i do have pretty minimal need for it. and not going to take it out of the house ever.

these are the two i'm looking at for a replacement......

https://www.amazon.com/Mackie-1402VLZ4- ... 00EA131GK/
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0036ECH0S/

am i going to regret not spending the extra $150 to go with the Mackie?

I WANT TO PUT MORE MONEY TOWARDS NOISE MAKERS NOT NOISE ACCESSORIES.

is that dumb?

[DRodriguez]

May I recommend using sweetwater, unparalleled service, and their sales people actually know their stuff and can give you great recommendations based on you setup.

Also, check out their dealzone because you can buy open box or demo stuff. And you can confirm with your sales rep any damage marks whatever on it before you buy it. http://www.sweetwater.com/dealzone/?s=& ... C8yMSJdfX0

Both of those should be good replacements, Mackie used to be a step above Behringer, but I'm not sure these days. Behringer can match Aackie within the same price range.

[actual]

I used to own a mackie ProFX8 which went dead on me after about 2-3 years. I'd only heard great things about Mackie, so this was a major letdown. I think the older Mackies should be alright though and I might just have gotten a bad one. Bought an Allen & Heath Zedi-10 earlier this year and returned it immediately, the preamps were way too noisy for any proper recording. I'm not being a snob here, they were real noisy. Behringer is just...well, you know and cleaning pots that a mounted to the enclosure is a bitch/impossible.

What exactly are your needs? Do you need monitoring of your outboard in real time? What audio interface do you currently have?

[Dr. Sherman Sticks M.D.]

u can get a nice older mackie for dirt cheap. they are built like tanks

[popvulture]

How are Yamahas? Been curious.

[behndy]

hurm. found a Mackie CR 1604 sort of near me on CL for $175.

i have read a lot of reviews that said older Mackie good, new Mackie CHEAP AND BAD. but it's probably best to pass on Behringer if possible?

What exactly are your needs? Do you need monitoring of your outboard in real time? What audio interface do you currently have?

yeah. i like to hear what hardware is doing. right now i have a couple aux loops setup for effects, so nice to hear what tweakings do?

only thing i'll need to mic is some bass and my grrL singing, the rest i want to line into the mixer, sent that to audio interface. using a Native Instruments Komplete 6 USB interface right now. but not going to do any eq'ing on the mixer. just a hot enough level to get good sound into the computer, play from there.

boop?

[behndy]

also, i am confused. why on some mixers, the Aux Sends are... single? like Aux 1 Send has just one jack.... is that a single plug stereo out? or go do stereo does one use Aux 1 and Aux 2?

...... but then the Aux Return jacks are stereo. like, 2 inputs. to make it. stereo.

I AM CONFUSED.

[behndy]

no. NO. THE MANUAL SAYS "All monitor and effects busses are mono, are tapped into post EQ and offer
amplification of up to +15 dB".

SO. CONFUSION. I HAVE.

...... or to send to stereo effects do i get a 1/4 y cable?

[DRodriguez]

No, the aux sends are just mono. Most effects sum mono in or did little with a stereo signal so aux sends are generally mono. Some mixers would let you pair 2 aux sends to make a stereo one, but that Mackie will not do that.

[behndy]

gotcha. can i split it with a 1/4 y cable into stereo effects? or use the Sub Mix to go to stereo, then save the Aux for a mono out?

[behndy]

also, guy with the Mackie locally wanted $150. i feel weird spending that much on a ten year old piece of gear i have NO idea of the history of. seems like it makes more sense to spend a hundy more and get something new no?

[goroth]

I only have a set of Mackie speakers, 5 years old, and they've been repaired every year I've owned them. Going to rip the power amps out and just use them as passive speakers. Oof.

So based on a sample size of 1... new Mackie sucks.

[oscillateur]

How are Yamahas? Been curious.

I've had a MW12c for 5-6 years, it works just fine. I never had high end mixers at home to compare it to (only an Alesis before and a small behringer before that), but they're in the top of the affordable range of mixers I think.

[popvulture]

How are Yamahas? Been curious.

I've had a MW12c for 5-6 years, it works just fine. I never had high end mixers at home to compare it to (only an Alesis before and a small behringer before that), but they're in the top of the affordable range of mixers I think.

Cool, thanks! That was sort of the impression I was getting, that they're some of the best of that low range.

I've been wanting to get a good little mixer for doing some cool aux/parallel stuff, but I've just held off mainly because I don't have a dedicated enough space where I can keep everything set up, or at least a base layer of gear so I'm not always having to plug everything back in every time.

[behndy]

jia. i'm hearing here and reading online shtuff that sounds like Mackie isna much better than Behringer any more. since i am trying to be CHEAP BUTTS and won't take it out of my studio, just ordered the UX22222222.

doubt i'll use the USB, i like the interface i have now. but i'm excite about having a newer version of the mixer i'm used to?