Need mixer help

[Confuzzled]

Hey all,

I finally have a little space allotted to me in our home (it's a fixer upper so until I can get the basement where I want it I have a folding table with gear on it! ).

I have an alesis iodock2, an m-audio controller, a bunch of pedals, a kawai pop synth module, r-50e and a bunch of mini synths that I'm going to build a board for and put up shelves overhead. What I am finding is that I don't have enough power supplies for some of the outboard gear (te kawai stuff is 12v, some pedals 9v, etc..) and speakers... I'm guessing I should get myself a mixer so I can route whatever I can into it and use 2 speakers to monitor.

I need some recommendations for mixers. I'm not looking to spend a fortune because I'm not playing out and just starting to get back into recording when I'm not fixing the house, changing diapers or being a fucking uber driver for my teens. I came across this (I know I know behringer):

https://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-aud ... ductDetail

This is my setup from a few days ago. The mrs. necklace holder has since been moved.

Any help as always is greatly appreciated.

[spacelordmother]

I'm not a mixer power-user by any means, but along the same lines as what you posted -- I recently grabbed one of these used and really like it so far. Has an insert jack on 2 channels, and there's 2 buses: one pre-fader and one post-fader. Also has more/stereo channels and faders on each for only $20 more. Sounds good!

https://www.amazon.com/Behringer-1002B- ... B0027B41P0

[Confuzzled]

I'm not a mixer power-user by any means, but along the same lines as what you posted -- I recently grabbed one of these used and really like it so far. Has an insert jack on 2 channels, and there's 2 buses: one pre-fader and one post-fader. Also has more/stereo channels and faders on each for only $20 more. Sounds good!

https://www.amazon.com/Behringer-1002B- ... B0027B41P0

So never being a mixer owner the last few tracks have multiple inputs (3/4, 5/6, 7/8, 9/10) does that mean that I can put 2 separate inputs in each channel?

[spacelordmother]

Yes, and there's a pan knob so it's typically used with a stereo signal.

[Confuzzled]

I'm not a mixer power-user by any means, but along the same lines as what you posted -- I recently grabbed one of these used and really like it so far. Has an insert jack on 2 channels, and there's 2 buses: one pre-fader and one post-fader. Also has more/stereo channels and faders on each for only $20 more. Sounds good!

https://www.amazon.com/Behringer-1002B- ... B0027B41P0

So never being a mixer owner the last few tracks have multiple inputs (3/4, 5/6, 7/8, 9/10) does that mean that I can put 2 separate inputs in each channel?

I like that it's relatively small! the other unit I was looking at the reviews said it didn't have an on/off switch? does yours?

[spacelordmother]

Yup, right on the back. My other mixer did not and it was dumb.

[Dr. Sherman Sticks M.D.]

behringer actually makes some pretty decent mixers believe it or not

mackie is another good one. i recently scooped a nice 8 channel one for under $100

mixers are pretty cheap in general these days

[JonnyAngle]

I don’t get how a mixer will cure the lack or power supplies.

[Confuzzled]

I don’t get how a mixer will cure the lack or power supplies.

It won't, but it will reduce the amount of speakers I need for all of the gear which will free up a few plugs! It's a work in progress.

[Heraclitus Akimbo]

Depending on the style of stuff you're doing, your mileage may vary, but for me having a mixer with faders (instead of knobs) for each channel was a huge deal. If you're looking to use the mixer as an "instrument" it just feels so good!

Also: if I knew then what I know now, I would have spent more dough and gotten a mixer with two FX loops. Again, depending on how you're using it, little things like that can become hugely worth it.

[Confuzzled]

Depending on the style of stuff you're doing, your mileage may vary, but for me having a mixer with faders (instead of knobs) for each channel was a huge deal. If you're looking to use the mixer as an "instrument" it just feels so good!

Also: if I knew then what I know now, I would have spent more dough and gotten a mixer with two FX loops. Again, depending on how you're using it, little things like that can become hugely worth it.

I've never owned a mixer per se. I had a PA for an old rehearsal space but that was huge. Never used a FX loop in a mixer but my intent is to really reduced on the amount of speakers keep the setup compact as I don't have a lot of space to work just to sketch out ideas.

[JonnyAngle]

I have a Mackie 802-VLZ3 that I paid about $75 for on Craigslist. If you buy used, you can get some old, yet great, pro audio stuff. My mixer is a gen or 2 old, but the same price as a comparable behringer. I try to buy Mackie PA gear whenever possible.

I had the 402 version previously and also worked great!

[Confuzzled]

I spoke with a bud over the weekend discussing the mixer situation and he asked me why I wasn't going to get one that interfaced with my laptop so I can record multiple tracks at the same time. He uses a Tascam 16x08. I don't think that's what I need but it does have the interface that has the EQ.

Any thoughts?

[rfurtkamp]

I have a 16x08, it has some built-in EQ etc (I don't use that feature).

If you're going into a DAW...well...you can add whatever plugins you'd like!

[Confuzzled]

I have a 16x08, it has some built-in EQ etc (I don't use that feature).

If you're going into a DAW...well...you can add whatever plugins you'd like!

I've been looking at the unit and I see the XLR's on the front but are the 1/4" on the back for 16 inputs as well? Does it have an out for monitors? Or would that be through the laptop?

I have all these little synths that I'd like to utilize in some way so a lot of what I'm expecting to do will be on the fly, I think I need to post some more pics of what I have in mind and post them here so maybe you folks can steer me in the right direction.