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uk

I've decided to sell my mixer which I used with turntables Vestax PMC-05 Pro2 and purchase a fairly compact minimum two channel mixer so one of the channels can hold my computer output and the second one could be spare for recording, or playing or anything. Up to 4 channels would be perfect i think. I'm not looking for too many fancy banks with effects, basic EQ will do the job. Can someone recommend a good brand and/or a model to look for? What to avoid and what should I pay attention to when choosing?

Thanks!

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Matthew Joseph Payne

Your question is a little confusing.

Your subject says "digital mixer" - most digital mixers are pretty big, minimum 16 channels. I might think you're talking about digital effects, if you didn't already say you don't want them. Maybe you're talking about a mixer/interface like Alesis' analog mixers with multi-channel firewire and USB outs?

You say you want a "two channel mixer", but I'm assuming you mean two stereo channels. Stereo channels as a default are unique to DJ mixers such as your vestax - most small format mixers have 1 to 4 mono channels with mic preamps, then 2-4 stereo line channels, which are what you'd want to use with your laptop.

Finally I'm assuming that by "using the other channels for recording" you mean that you want to use them as extra inputs. Unless you get one of the aforementioned multichannel interface mixers with a firewire or USB port on it, that won't let you record multiple things onto separate digital channels at once, but you can record multiple things to a mix through whatever input you're using already. This will get confusing quick if I keep talking like this.

Here's actual answers to your questions; lots of chip people use Behringer stuff. I can't stand it and avoid it like the plague. I have yet to hear anything made by them that doesn't sound obnoxious and brittle to my ears. Maybe that works for chip people in general, but if you want to use the mic preamps for anything, you'll regret it. Avoid Behringer.

Here's some neat, cheap stuff. Not sure how the pricing or availability will change in the uk.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audi … 5000000000
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audi … ompression (compression would be handy for recording)
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audi … udio-mixer
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audi … 8000000000 (USB audio interface built in, 16bit, 44.1)

Each of these models has bigger and bigger versions, but they're all brands that I've had decent experiences with.

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uk

What I meant is that I don't need phono inputs like for a turntable. I don't really know what a firewire is and what USB mixer does. Does it make recording to a PC easier? And why would you want mono channels on a mixer? Sorry for dumb questions smile

All I want to have is a channel for my PC, and channel for Gameboy/any other inputs and the output will go to an amp and then to the sub/speakers.

I have used Behringer mixers before and just like you I wasn't impressed with them either. Thank you very much for the links, that gave me some good ideas and I found a couple of good items on ebay.

By the way my Vestax mixer is for sale on e-bay if any UK guys are interested. link

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Tokyo, Japan

I owuld get a small mackie 1202 VLZ or 802 VLZ and keep it for life.

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uk

I was thinking about http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audi … fx-regular
And mackie is a bit too expensive for me smile

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mackies are expensive cause they STOMP BALLS AT MIXING.

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uk

Haha, I'm sure they are! What can you say about Alesis Multimix 8 FX? I found one for $130 on ebay and thinking of buying it.

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England

http://www.dv247.com/studio-equipment/s … 102--68859

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Matthew Joseph Payne
platforma wrote:

I don't really know what a firewire is and what USB mixer does. Does it make recording to a PC easier?

Yes. Either one handles your analog to digital conversion, usually at a higher quality than the computer can on its own.

And why would you want mono channels on a mixer? Sorry for dumb questions smile

Typically, the mono channels on a mixer are those with mic preamps. Increasingly, they have an input designed to have a guitar level instrument (a guitar, a bass guitar, a contact mic) plugged in.

All I want to have is a channel for my PC, and channel for Gameboy/any other inputs and the output will go to an amp and then to the sub/speakers.

Get something with at least two stereo channels. It will probably have at least one or two mono channels on it also, which you can ignore until the inevitable day you will be glad you have them. smile

I have used Behringer mixers before and just like you I wasn't impressed with them either. Thank you very much for the links, that gave me some good ideas and I found a couple of good items on ebay.

Fantastic! No problem.

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Abandoned on Fire

That's what I have on my desk at home.  I really like it.

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uk

Okay. So I can't decide between:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audi … nnel-mixer
and
http://www.dv247.com/studio-equipment/s … 102--68859

First one has got usb recording, plus a bunch of effects but only one stereo RCA input.
The  second one has got..3(?) stereo inputs, but no usb recording and no bells and whistles.
The difference between the price that I found is about $20 more for alesis. Really can't decide big_smile

Mackie 402-VLZ3 would have been perfect if it had the usd feature though, looks awesome too!

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Matthew Joseph Payne

You can always use RCA-> 1/4" adapters on the Alesis, and the USB recording would be helpful.
However, the Soundcraft might be a better sounding mixer.

What it really comes down to for you, I think, is that the Soundcraft has four stereo channels, which you will find more useful than having four mic preamps.

You could always use the extra money to buy a recording interface later.

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uk

Thanks for your help, kineticturtle, and everyone else! Bought a Soundcraft, hope it's worth the money smile

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Abandoned on Fire
platforma wrote:

Thanks for your help, kineticturtle, and everyone else! Bought a Soundcraft, hope it's worth the money smile

Cool, I think you'll really like the sound quality.  Also the reason I picked that particular one is that the effect sends are pre-fader, a feature that you can't always find in lower end stuff.