Hey all, looking for a new mixer for a live set I’m putting together. I have a soundcraft 124 which would be perfect but it only has 1 send.
Mackie 1202 VLZ looks great but is a bit bigger than I’d like. Is this my best bet anyway? Thanks 
QSC Touchmix 16?
Cool machine but definitely overkill for my simple needs!
There is the 8 channel version.
How about the k-mix?
Several compact audio interfaces (e.g. Motu hybrid) provide 8 or more IO + ADAT expansion with onboard mixing and DSP that can be midi controlled.
You can save preset matrix routings and detach from your computer so it functions as a standalone mixer with a small midi fader controller
1 Like
Thanks for the suggestions.
Just looked at the kmix a bit, it’s neat but doesn’t have proper return channels so would have to burn 4 input channels just for two stereo fx, leaving me strapped for channels.
Motu idea could work but it would have to be an interface + midi controller, which would probably exceed a traditional mixer in size and hassle.
Think I’m just looking for something analogue here - need those hands-on volumes and sends.
Just exploring this topic myself again as it’s been hard bonding with the sometimes perplexing routing possibilities … when I was doing live things with a collaborator this was great as you could route a bus or two direct digitally to the other mixer over a bespoke RMDB cable
This imho, even more than the OT, requires constant usage to keep its depth under control … I mastered it before, but this bike is taking some getting back onto … sorta thinking about going simpler, so may (only may) be tempted to sell/trade this … I do need a small mixer with bus flexibility and maybe fx, but not too big … scenes and midi fader capability not required
Just a long-shot thought, if this had ever been on your radar, I’m testing a few unused items out right now
Edit: sorry, much bigger than your soundcraft !!
Edit 2: +1 on motu idea, that’s what I do mostly - an iPad sits on top of it and takes NO room
plus just saw you want analogue - 1202 and 1402 mackie’s do look v nice - i’d only been browsing Behringer but they both look great - 1202 would be on my radar if I were to swap the Roland out
The mackie is really gonna be your best bet I think. Such an awesome mixer.
Thanks avantronica but I would much prefer easy access to sends…
Jeffe it looks that way, just wanted to make sure I hadn’t overlooked anything obvious. Already got lots of ideas for using that mute/34 submix feature in my setup. Cheers!
1 Like
yep can’t beat hands on …
why not be pragmatic
http://www.dv247.com/studio-equipment/behringer-xenyx-1204usb-12-channel-mixer-with-usb-audio-interface--71176
I have the 1202 vlz4 and think it’s great. It’s really not that big and it’s built like a tank. Sound quality is quite good for the price, much better than the older vlz’s. I dig that it’s all analog and that what you pay for is not wasted on cheap dsp and extra features, not that those are bad, just you’d have to pay much more for them to be quality. It’s nice as well to have an all analog signal path from synth to speaker, without ever being digitally converted. The alt 3/4 is great if you have an OT or other sampler, whatever you choose to sample just hit alt 3/4. Be aware that only one of the sends can be switched from pre or post fader, and the other one is always post fader. I definitely recommend…
Resurrecting this thread 'cos it touches on a contemporary need.
I’m after a small mixer for my live set-up. Ideally four to six channels, with two sends and which will gracefully handle at least one instrument level signal. I’m happy using full channels for FX returns, especially if they have EQs - for mangled dub delays. My actual channel list is: 1 mic, one mono synth track, return from Mood (hence instrument level), return from reverb (actually the spring tank in the Syntrx). Originally I wanted to avoid the mixer completely, but the Syntrx mic inputs are absolutely terrible and it wasn’t great with the Mood.
I’m currently using an SSL Six for this job. It has the channels, sends and instrument toggles I want, plus bonuses like the bus comp… but it’s heavy, valuable and has way too many controls and routing options to be “safe” on stage. It’s significant overkill and I feel stupid taking it out. I’ve messed up parts of a show already thanks to accidentally hitting the master insert switch. I’d like something cheaper, simpler, and, ideally, lighter.
The OG suggestion of the VLZ4 1202 looks pretty close. It’s slightly too big and has three more mic pres than I need. It doesn’t have toggles for instrument level signals, but maybe it has gain enough for those? The smaller VLZ4s only have a single aux send, so they’re ruled out.
What have I missed?
Plus a preamp for the mic, I guess. Still would be quite compact and not that expensive.
Another option would be the 1010 Bluebox. Not sure how does it handle instrument level, but it has 3 assignable stereo outputs (if you count the main output and the headphone output), so you can use them as two stereo sends (and maybe even as 4 mono sends, gotta check the manual for that).
The TangibleWaves looks worth investigating. Thanks!
Definitely v.small. However, I should also have said:
- must have physical controls and no screens.
1 Like