ilovefuzz.com

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.

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

spacelordmother wrote: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?

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

Confuzzled wrote:

spacelordmother wrote: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?

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

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

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

JonnyAngle wrote: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.

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.

Heraclitus Akimbo wrote: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.

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!

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?

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!

rfurtkamp wrote: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.