Reddit reviews Mackie Mix Series, 5-Channel Compact Mixer with Studio-Level Audio Quality (Mix5)
We found 9 Reddit comments about Mackie Mix Series, 5-Channel Compact Mixer with Studio-Level Audio Quality (Mix5). Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
5‐channel compact mixer with proven high headroom1 mic/line input with studio‐level audio qualityDedicated stereo RCA inputs/outputs for playback or recording2‐band EQ with clean, precise tone shapingPhantom power for studio condenser mics
Well, you've got room to expand. :D I mean if you were to get something like a Verona DM-1 that's like 9 lines right there.
Probably helpful to start reading reviews wrap your head around the capabilities.
Mackie is a quality name in mixers.
Whatever you do, don't run out to guitar center and buy a behringer mixer. Behringer has a trash name for a reason, and a shitty mixer is just going to make everything sound like crap. Its not fun, its not joyful, but you can't cheap out on your mixer.
Alternatively, sell it, you might get $150 for it quickly, cheapest on reverb is $300 with a case. My 12 channel yamaha cost around that.
Something like this would suit your purposes probably.
Weighing the options, that thing is so overkill for anything you seem to be interested in doing, its going to be a huge dust collecting waste of space. I would get a small 6 channel mackie or yamaha mixer, they are pretty compact and you can even get them with built in effects if you so choose.
It might make sense to just buy a PA mixer, as you suggested. It should have RCA inputs. If it only has 1/4" inputs, you can buy some cheap RCA to 1/4" adaptors.
There are a few options.
The Mackie 2x2 big knob is a passive volume controller and switch only, there is no headphone amp, (and you're already monitoring your headphones from the Fiio), so keep that as is... then use a 3.5mm to dual 1/4" TS cable to go from the Fiio's line out (rear) to the Mackie inputs -
examples -
(or whatever similar)
-
...then two 1/4" TS to 1/4" TS cables to go from the Mackie's output to the JBL monitors.
example:
----------------------
That 2x2 is passive - meaning it cuts the signal, and doesn't boost it, nor does it have a headphone amp.
Mackie (and others) also make more complex active controllers - with headphone amps (and some have DACs), or as an alternative, I like to recommend a small desk mixer (you wouldn't need volume controller in this case). Just depends on how you see yourself upgrading later.
example:
yeah, a DJ mixer.
You can find them used for cheap at yard sales and craigslist. The preamps may even be better than the built in AT one.
Barring that, use the line out and simply get a mini desk mixer from Mackie like the Mackie Mix5:
...or a passive controller like the Big Knob Passive:
Edit: Most of this post assumes you have a "line in" available on your computer. Most desktops have this already, not sure if laptops do if that is what you game on. Also, the Mackie Mix8 would be better if you plan to use voice chat because you can use the aux send for voice chat.
What mic you need really depends on what you're doing. Some great streamers get by with just a headset mic. Some people have $600 microphones and don't sound wonderful.
If I had $200 and was just starting streaming, I would start small, and do a lot of research. Get to know the basics like the difference between dynamic mics and condenser mics. Understand what phantom power is. Learn the difference between unidirectional, omnidirectional, and cardioid microphones.
If you want to get into pro audio, which it sounds like you do, I would recommend you should opt for a small mixer, maybe something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Mackie-Mix-Mix5-5-Channel-Mixer/dp/B00ND1K8T6/ref=sr_1_4?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1485752991&sr=1-4&keywords=Mackie+Compact+Mixer
I would recommend a mixer rather than an interface (such as a Scarlett Solo) because a mixer ultimately gives you more options. The Scarlett Solo is a beautiful device, I have one, but it's good for one voice optionally paired with one instrument, each on mono channels. That small Mackie mixer, which is about half the price, lets you have one voice paired with two stereo channels. Right now I'm sporting a 14-channel mixer I picked up used for $125, and it has more options than I need. Interfaces are supposed to have amazing analog-to-digital converters, meaning the sound they capture is more accurate, but I feed the "main out" from the mixer into a "line in" on my PC and I notice no appreciable difference. I am not an audiophile, though. To do that you'd need a cable like this:
https://www.amazon.com/TNP-Premium-3-5mm-Audio-Cable/dp/B01CNMSRA2/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1485755363&sr=1-2&keywords=6.25mm%2Bmono%2Bto%2B3.5mm%2Bstereo&th=1
Pair the mixer/interface, whichever you go with, with an XLR microphone. I'd recommend starting small. This dynamic mic sounds decent for a realllly low price:
https://www.amazon.com/Shure-SM48-LC-Dynamic-Microphone-Cardioid/dp/B0002D0HY4
It's what I currently use. It's kind of a dumbed down SM58. I started with a Sterling Audio ST55, because GiantWaffle uses that and I think his stream sounds great. It turns out my house is super noisy, so the ST55 which is a condenser mic picked up crazy amounts of noise. All the running computers in the room, the air conditioning, pets running around, people talking across the room, people stomping around upstairs, you get the idea. GiantWaffle didn't have that problem because he uses sound dampening materials in his studio, and keeps noisy stuff far away from his microphone. I tried out the SM48, and it works better for my environment, but if I had known better a couple years ago I probably would have bought this instead of the ST55:
https://www.amazon.com/AKG-PERCEPTION-Professional-Instrumental-Microphone/dp/B00167QUWI
A friend of mine has it, and it sounds amazing. It has similar sound qualities to other condenser mics, but it doesn't pick up nearly as much room noise.
I'm sure the AT2035 is great. It's a condenser mic, so it can pick up really quiet sounds, and it likely picks up a huge range of frequencies resulting in a super full-sounding voice. Just make sure if you go with this one that you streaming in a quiet room. Also, it needs phantom power, so make sure that the mixer/interface you're using can support it.
Be sure to buy an XLR cable. Some microphones don't come with one.
Pop filters are cool, but aren't strictly necessary, especially if you aren't singing.
Scissor arm mounts are nice if your desk can accommodate them. Remember you get what you pay for. A normal mic stand will work alright if you have enough room for it.
I should also mention the AT2020, Blue Yeti, and even the Blue Snowball sound great. If you simply want to plug, play, and forget with no options after that, they will suit your needs. Some headsets also have pretty good microphones on them, too. Like this one:
https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-PC-350-Special-2015/dp/B015ZKJIYI/ref=dp_ob_title_ce
Good luck!
Although they make relatively inexpensive gear, I'm not a fan of Behringer products.
Granted, I've only ever owned one of their mixers, but I ultimately I had to return it due to bad crosstalk and channel mutes that didn't fully cut the signal to the mains. I suppose it could have been a one-off faulty board, but when it comes to audio gear I don't do second chances. Take a look at this:
http://www.amazon.com/Mackie-Mix5--Watt-5-Channel-Mixer/dp/B00ND1K8T6/
I've never had a problem with Mackie mixers and this one is the same price and spec as the one you posted.
splitter cable could work to make dual mono but tbh I'd probably just replace both the micro mixers with a compact stereo mixer like this
The presonus fader port isn't really going to be of any use if you are doing multitrack mixing. It is useful if your just demoing/playback a track that is already mixed.
There is no such thing as "best" for FL studio. There is only what fits your needs. So you need to figure out what your trying to do and invest in a tool that helps you with or fulfills that need.
Obviously digital consoles would work best with FL studio but an analog console will also work. For example, lots of twitch streamers use analog consoles like this one. I don't recommend Berhinger as a brand. Instead a Mackie would be a better choice. Such as this one
There is also mastering consoles but they tend to be very expensive.
Passive Big Knob? Schiit SYS may do the same.
However, you may need an active controller since the line out from the Mani may not have enough gain.
From _fuma_ · 2 months ago
>Examples of entry level desk mixers with balanced outputs:
>
>Soundcraft-Notepad-5-Small-format-Analog-Console
>
>Mackie-Mix-Mix5-5-Channel-Mixer
>
>These will allow you to feed monitors with hotter +4dBu (or higher) signal.