best small desk mixer for modular recording ?

[rarecomponent]

I have a small 4 channel Sound craft mixer to input the signal from a modular into Sonar.
I think I need to upgrade...I only need 1-3 channels ....but want really good quality regarding E.Q. etc.
Does anyone have any recommendations?

[Stuka]

FWIW -

I'm using a Behringer XENYX 1002B with my Moog gear, and REALLY like it!
Nice EQ section,pre-fader MON send AND post-fader FX send, linear volume faders, can be battery powered, etc.

Not bad for around $100 US...

[EricK]

Peavey 6 USB (4 channels and two stereo) $99
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audi ... -usb-mixer

I bought one of these for my sister but I haven't heard it. I bought the pv14 usb for myself and the 6 is just as much a tank as the 14 is.

It functions just like a regular mixer except that it sends audio through usb.

[torinkrell]

For my 1973 Minimoog I just send it into a Yamaha E1010 BBD analog delay followed by a vintage Moog Parametric EQ. The level control on my Moog along with the one on the delay gives me enough level control, and the whole package is portable and versatile without unneeded complexity.

[Ledbetter]

You can get an Alesis USB 8 channel for around $130. I have one and have no complaints. Avoid digital effects--I use an EH Memory Boy Deluxe analog delay.

[muksys]

The past several months I have been comparing analog mixers to hook up all of my synths at once. I currently have a pos Samson 4 channel and ran out of channels long ago. I had narrowed it down to the Mackie 1402-VLZ3. I wanted to stay away from a board that offered built in effects as I feel these are more aimed at novice users. I wanted a good $400 mixer that does one thing well, not a somewhat good $400 with lots of bells & whistles that does everything so-so.

Blah blah blah. Anyway, I'm not getting it now because a friend is selling me his old A&H Mixwizard 16:2 for $300! Damn son, how could I say no! But yeah, maybe the almost-got will help ya.

[Portamental]

I have a Behringer Xenyx 802... Some people say it's noisy. Maybe. It's on my guitar rig, I use it to play MP3's, and to control effects, each channel has an effect amount knob. A bit of noise is something you get used to when you use pedals and a valve amp. I don't find it particularly noisy. $50 bucks well spent.

On my synth rig I use a Yamaha MW10C ... In a quiet room, all channels maxed, total silence. Touch a minimoog key and you get quite a blast from a 100 watts Sony amp and dual-woofer Klipsch tower speakers. This is a fine machine.

I really wanted a small Mackie 4 channels, they don't make them anymore. Onyx (a Mackie product) had a small mixer but it's gone too. I am looking for a used one. If I can't find a Mackie, I am going Yamaha again even though it's a bit bigger.

[Brian G]

In the Mackie world, take a peak at the 802 VLZ or the 402. A bit larger but also more flexible would be the 1202 VLZ 3. I have used Mackie mixers since the mid 90's and ave been very happy.

[Voltor07]

I use a rack mixer. ART MX-821 8 channel mixer, probably the best bang for the buck!

[Ledbetter]

Mx 821 is neither USB nor stereo. The Alesis is both, is a desk top unit and has more control over the sound output's tone:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audi ... fx-regular

Before reading this thread, I had just ordered a Yamaha MG166CX-USB. Haven't got it yet. My last Yamaha mixer still sounded clean after 25 years of service. The MG166 may be overkill, but I hope to "grow into it."

Reviewed here:

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/nov07/a ... haMWMG.htm

[Portamental]

In the Mackie world, take a peak at the 802 VLZ or the 402. A bit larger but also more flexible would be the 1202 VLZ 3. I have used Mackie mixers since the mid 90's and ave been very happy.

Ohh they are available... 402 has less features than I remember. 802 is just what I need. Similar Yamaha is half price. Tough call, but I think I want the Mackie. Hard to find locally.

[JohnLRice]

I use a Mackie 802-VLZ3 in my portable modular/synth setup and I am really happy with it. Build quality, sound quality and versatility are all excellent!

http://youtu.be/_B35lBn99Dc

[kslight]

I have a small 4 channel Sound craft mixer to input the signal from a modular into Sonar.
I think I need to upgrade...I only need 1-3 channels ....but want really good quality regarding E.Q. etc.
Does anyone have any recommendations?

I'm just curious...what's wrong with your current setup?


I don't think you're going to find anything that's a serious upgrade without spending serious money...thousands of dollars really. I don't see any budget requirements?

If I were looking at the "best" I'd probably instead be looking at outboard preamps with DI in and EQ...Chandler TG MK2 works well...

[Vsyevolod]

I'm with Kslight on that last point.

Stephen




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[Portamental]

Long live Abbey Road but most of us live on old dirt road.

Edit : with two b's