Test4Echo
Max Output Level: -88 dBFS
- Total Posts : 104
- Joined: 2008/01/19 21:35:22
- Status: offline
Best mixer for a few hundred?
Looking for the best mixer for an entry level price $100 - $200. Used is fine with me. Not that interested in the effects because I like to record dry and add that later. Would the quality of the preamps be the main feature? There's a Behringer Xenyx 802 new for $50.00. Can it be any good at that price? Thanks for any info.
|
Beagle
Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
- Total Posts : 50621
- Joined: 2006/03/29 11:03:12
- Location: Fort Worth, TX
- Status: offline
RE: Best mixer for a few hundred?
2009/03/20 22:06:16
(permalink)
If you've got $200 I'd go for a Mackie 802VLZ3 for new or go for a 1202 VLZ used. preamps are really decent.
behringer actually makes decent mixers on the Xenyx models (not the older ones) but if you've got a little more to spend those mackies are pretty good for that money.
|
rumleymusic
Max Output Level: -60 dBFS
- Total Posts : 1533
- Joined: 2006/08/23 18:03:05
- Location: California
- Status: offline
RE: Best mixer for a few hundred?
2009/03/21 00:25:42
(permalink)
There's a Behringer Xenyx 802 new for $50.00 No, I had one, well the older version. Berhinger mixers have a very stale sound to put it in basic terms. I'd go for the Mackie VLZ3, their smallest one is only around $100. I use an 802VLZ3 for road work. XDR2 preamps in those small mixers are arguably better than their ONYX version.
|
zungle
Max Output Level: -48 dBFS
- Total Posts : 2745
- Joined: 2006/02/15 13:00:33
- Status: offline
RE: Best mixer for a few hundred?
2009/03/21 02:12:29
(permalink)
XDR2 preamps in those small mixers are arguably better than their ONYX version.
I had read that somewhere else? Could you give a little more detail.....................? For some reason the guy at the local music store isn't hip to the VLZ3 and I am confused....... I have heard and tested the Onyx pre's a and thought they sounded pretty nice..........they had a slight feeling of air, smooth with some depth...the EQ section was very nice as well........I A/B'd the Onynx against the Yamaha MG , Alesis Multimix, Behringer Xenyx and, ART MPA pre's.. ...the Onyx sounded smoothest and cleanest with the ART MPA coming in at #2 with a thicker more agressive tone and the XENYX close to the ART.........except a darker and smoother tone..........the other mixers weren't even close. How would you describe the XDR2 pre's?
|
rumleymusic
Max Output Level: -60 dBFS
- Total Posts : 1533
- Joined: 2006/08/23 18:03:05
- Location: California
- Status: offline
RE: Best mixer for a few hundred?
2009/03/21 17:36:43
(permalink)
I use both the Onyx (1200F) and a VLZ3 mixer. The XDR2 are similar to the Onyx in specs, but with a different character. The XDR's are a little cleaner, less analog sounding, with a more controled bass, though they still have a very dynamic, detailed, and punchy sound. The Onyx are smoother, slightly more like vintage outboard equipment. I say arguably better because they are both very good, and depending what you are doing, one could be preferable over the other.
Overall, the Onyx boards are better, they have a nicer vintage style eq, more routing features, better master section with studio talkback, direct outs, and an optional FW. It is a nice sounding mini studio.
The VLZ3 is more of a location recording workhorse and studio accessory, where a more analytical sound may be desired, or you may be using it as a reinforcement mixer for other gear. I would trust my cleaner standalone pres through the VLZ more than the Onyx.
|
JonD
Max Output Level: -39 dBFS
- Total Posts : 3617
- Joined: 2003/12/09 11:09:10
- Location: East of Santa Monica
- Status: offline
RE: Best mixer for a few hundred?
2009/03/23 22:06:58
(permalink)
Another enthusiastic vote for Mackie. Although you may be tempted to get the cheapest model (402vlz3 @ $100), be aware that you can't go direct out from the mic pre, because there's no insert point. So with all the extra circuitry to the main outs, it'll be noisier (granted, it's just a tiny bit of noise -- only the purists among us may care about this). The 802vlz3 and 1202vlz3 models, however, have insert points, so you can utilize a shorter, cleaner path from your mic to DAW. If you don't know what I'm talking about, read Ethan Winer's article about using a 1402vlz mixer with a DAW here: http://www.ethanwiner.com/mixer2daw.html BTW, the adapters mentioned in the article are readily available at Radio Shack. I paid about $7 for two a couple months ago. (Ethan suggests that you may have to order them, but my local store had a bunch hanging in the "hi-fi" section). JD
post edited by JonD - 2009/03/23 22:31:25
SonarPlat/CWbBL, Win 10 Pro, i7 2600K, Asus P8Z68 Deluxe, 16GB DDR3, Radeon HD5450, TC Electronic Impact Twin, Kawai MP11 Piano, Event ALP Monitors, Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro, Too Many Plugins, My lucky hat.
|
hgj1357
Max Output Level: -83 dBFS
- Total Posts : 378
- Joined: 2007/07/23 18:33:59
- Status: offline
RE: Best mixer for a few hundred?
2009/03/23 23:28:08
(permalink)
Do you want a mixer in order to get a pre-amp, or because you need to get multiple signals into your DAW? Will you be recording voice? Guitar/bass? Drums?
Is your soundcard going to convert your signal to digital or are you looking for a converter as well?
|
VigilantSound
Max Output Level: -81 dBFS
- Total Posts : 474
- Joined: 2008/07/06 13:17:59
- Location: Vancouver,BC
- Status: offline
RE: Best mixer for a few hundred?
2009/03/27 15:51:45
(permalink)
Good mixer for a few hundred? There is no such thing!
ASUS P5BV-C, Intel Core 2 Quad 2.8 Ghz, Q9300, 4 gigs Ram, Win7-64 bit OSX 10.6 ADK 9000 I7, 6 gigs Ram, MacBookPro I7, 4 gigs Ram MOTU 828Mk3, MOTU microbookII SONAR PE X2A, Pro Tools 9.0.6, StudioOnePro 2.5.4 Ableton Live 9, Waves V.9, www.jesseahemmanuel.com
|