The "I need a mixer, what should I buy?" question seems to come up pretty often, the answer to the question is usually the same. Hopefully this will help people out.
Small Studio : Mackie 1202 vlz3
Price - 275 USD ish new, well under 200 used on Ebay
Inputs - 4 Mono with pre amps, 4 Stereo, several aux / tape etc.
If you are using a few different synths, gameboys or other sound sources and want to record in a studio type setting you probably want something like this. It is very difficult to recommend anything else at this price range, the mixer is built like a tank, I have had one for years, dragged it all over the place, not a single problem. Several other CM.O members also swear buy it.
LSDJ / Piggy tracker "live" mixer : Behringer 502 / 802
Price - 50 USD or 70 USD ish respectively.
Inputs - 1 mono, 2 stereo or 2 mono, 2 stereo with EQ.
If you are playing live and want to mix 2 gameboys and DONT want a DJ mixer (ie mixer with a cross fader) many chip musicians use these. They are very cheap entry level mixers but they seem to do the job.
I don't know much about DJ mixers but I haven't really seen many musicians bringing their own to shows, if anyone has a recommendation they think I should add, let me know.
If one of the above 2 options doesn't suit you for some reason, please post in this thread with the following information about the type of mixer you are looking for.
Live or Studio?
Do you want a DJ mixer?
How many inputs do you want?
What is your budget?
Do you want effects?
And any other useful information you have, one of our friendly technically minded member will probably help you.