Reddit reviews Mackie 802VLZ4, 8-channel Ultra Compact Mixer with High Quality Onyx Preamps

If you ever want to have callers/skypers/etc. on your show, make sure you get one that you can do a mix-minus with. Basically you'll want a mon-send or an fx-send. Look for at least a 2-bus mixer or you'll be limited to a single mix-minus connection.

I have a Behringer Q802USB - I should have just bought the 802 (not USB) for $15 less. Here's a little secrete I didn't know when I bought it - you can't use the USB bi-directionally. You're EITHER sending audio to the PC or receiving audio from the PC. So it didn't work for my needs to monitoring incoming audio from the PC and send my mic feed at the same time. I ended up buying a UCA202 USB interface and that solved my problem.

You'll hear the Behringer's are noisy. They are. If you drive the gain it gets really hissy. BUT keep the levels down and it works just fine. For under $80 it's really hard to beat.

If you're on a budget, and want to record 3 mic, I would maybe take a look at these:

Behring 1202
http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-1202-BEHRINGER-XENYX/dp/B000J5Y282/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1421430697&sr=8-1&keywords=behringer+1202

Alto Professional ZMX122FX
http://www.amazon.com/Alto-Professional-ZMX122FX-8-Channel-Preamps/dp/B004TM31FG/ref=sr_1_2?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1421430794&sr=1-2

Mackie 802VLZ4
http://www.amazon.com/Mackie-802VLZ4-8-channel-Compact-Quality/dp/B00EDHWLFI/ref=sr_1_33?ie=UTF8&qid=1421430841&sr=8-33&keywords=audio+mixer

Yamaha MG10XU
http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-MG10XU-10-Input-Stereo-Mixer/dp/B00IBIVL42/ref=sr_1_61?ie=UTF8&qid=1421430887&sr=8-61&keywords=audio+mixer

For a really inexpensive 2-bus mixer with a sub-group, maybe the Behringer Eurorack UB1204. You get 2 aux sends + a 3-4 submix. I've not heard anything about these mixers - so I can't tell you if the mic pres are at all acceptable. Anyone will tell you if you're serious to stay away from Behringer.
http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-UB1204-PRO-BEHRINGER-EURORACK/dp/B00551VDIM/ref=sr_1_sc_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1421430950&sr=8-2-spell&keywords=behringer+euroack

With this information, this is what I'm thinking:

• Audio-Technica AT2035
  
• Mackie 802VLZ4, 8-channel Ultra Compact Mixer with High Quality Onyx Preamps
  
• Sennheiser HD 598 Cs Closed Back Headphone
  
  Now, with those, how would I get my audio from PC 1 and PC 2 to come through the headphones?
  
  Currently, to hear PC 1 from PC 2, I have to just open Elgato Sound Capture software on PC # 2 which is kinda meh. When recording, I don't mind having to open programs, but just having to open stuff just to hear? Ugh. Big hassle.
  
  Also, I have my consoles (PS4 Pro, Xbox, Switch) and PC #1 all going into an HDMI Splitter, where the output then goes into the Elgato Capture Card inside of PC # 2 (I can switch what I'm outputting to the Capture Card). How do I capture the audio from this? Or will the Elgato still handle that, instead of the mixer?

Microphone:

• Audio-Technica AT2020 is totally solid (not the USB version obviously)
  
• Rode NT-1A would be a proper step up from there
  
  Since you're aiming to do everything in hardware, you will need a mixer, the Mackie 802vlz4 would be a decent option. Any Mixer that has solid preamps and effect inserts on the microphone channels will do here. Normally I'd prefer just using an audio interface, but they don't have inserts for hardware effects or volume controls for individual channels which you do need here.
  
  There are lots of mixers with integrated USB interfaces, but they don't usually allow you to send audio from the PC into the mixer and then back, they're just intended to allow recording the whole mix and often don't have proper drivers so they end up adding delay.
  
  Since this Mixer is purely analog, you need to add a really minimalistic audio interface like the ESI U24 XL or the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (which would already be somewhat overkill since it has mic preamps which you don't need).
  
  Finally, you need a proper compressor. For this part, someone else might have more to offer, don't have a very good overview over the market when it comes to hardware units like this.
  
  
• The DBX 266 XS should be very solid, has compressor and Gate/Expander
  
• FMR Audio RNC 1773 really nice, but more expensive option, and doesn't have a gate. You'd need to get another device for that purpose if you go for this one.
  
  This would be coming in at around $470 plus microphone. More if you go with the FMR compressor and a separate gate/expander.
  
  Oh, setup:
  
  Microphone -> Mixer -> Mixer FX insert -> Compressor/Gate -> Mixer FX return. The FX insert/return is actually one jack on the mixer, you need a splitter cable from stereo 1/4" to 2x mono 1/4" to use it.
  
  Mixer Master out -> USB Interface
  
  USB interface out -> Mixer (one of the stereo channels)
  
  Mixer headphone out -> well, headphones ;)

You dont have to know a LOT to get a good deal on a mic that will perform. I have two AT2020s and a Perception 200. Total spent? $50. The only reason i done have better quality on my podcast is I spend less time on the back end. As i stated before, and u/firelight pointed out, mine is portable so there is some give and take. Your best bet, IMO, would be a decent mixer (mine ran around $150 new ), some SM58s, and something similar to a tone port. This is going to give you the best bang for your buck. You do not need the same mixer that I have, a smaller one would suffice but I do other recording projects with our band from time to time so its kind of a jack of all trades.
edit
if you want to hear the change in quality look up Shiddy Cast Radio. (should be on mst podcast apps iTunes for sure) the first and third episodes have a HUGE difference. That was just from the mixer upgrade.

If I understand what you want to do correctly:

Since the 2i2 only has 2 ins, I think what you're looking for is a "studio mixer"

http://www.amazon.com/Mackie-802VLZ4-8-channel-Compact-Quality/dp/B00EDHWLFI

I am not necessarily recommending that particular mixer, but just as an idea of what it is, perhaps other users here can give a good recommendation.

You would route your PC's audio into the mixer, the turntable's audio into the mixer, and the iphone cable into the mixer on 3 separate channels and then the mixer's master out would route into your sound card (The 2i2) at LINE LEVEL. This would allow you to listen to and record from all 3 of those sources simultaneously or independently without unplugging anything ever

there is a Makie mixer with better preamps that will run quieter, the 402VLZ4 and the larger 802VLZ4.

But I promise you that what you really want is an interface, not a mixer. this one is very popular and will allow two mics. there are more expensive ones with more inputs. Then for a mixer, use a DAW. Reaper is free and fully functional.

I got a used Mackie mixer off of Craigslist for less than $200. I run it into my PC with a set of stereo audio cables and I plug both the mic and headphones into the mixer. My setup works great. Here's my setup:

Microphone:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004QJOZS4/ref=sr_ph_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1463590499&sr=sr-1&keywords=audio+technica+atr2100

Mixer:
http://www.amazon.com/Mackie-802VLZ4-8-channel-Compact-Quality/dp/B00EDHWLFI/ref=sr_1_8?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1463590526&sr=1-8&keywords=mackie+mixer

headphones (although you don't have to spend this much):
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-MDR7506-Professional-Diaphragm-Headphone/dp/B000AJIF4E/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1463590609&sr=1-1&keywords=sony+headphones+mdr7506

cables: (these aren't my brand, but you need two sets of this kind of cable)

http://www.amazon.com/Hosa-CMP-153-Stereo-Breakout-Cable/dp/B000068O3C/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1463590655&sr=1-1&keywords=quarter+inch+male+to+.35mm+male