(Part 3) Best audio recording mixers according to redditors
We found 572 Reddit comments discussing the best audio recording mixers. We ranked the 74 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the products ranked 41-60. You can also go back to the previous section.
/u/cablexity provided a good workaround that doesn't involve replacing unless there's something wrong with the preamp. Another mixer choice would be an Allen & Heath ZED60-14FX which does 8 mic and 2 stereo ins plus USB 2 track output. What I would do is use the USB outputs for your livestream and use the left main XLR output to feed the auditorium and use the right main XLR output for the overflow.
Personally, i would go with A.
This is how i run my setup and its perfect for me, latency should not be a major issue, it will exist but can be sorted easily.
I have a 1616m and Ada8200 through ADAT, The 1616m has 2 midi ports but i have also added 2 Midisport x2 so i have 6 midiports in total and 16 audio in\out
The problems start when you buy synths with stereo outputs,
Your Nord Lead2r is multi timbral and stereo so will take up more inputs
Another option would be to get a mixer as you mentioned, but get a mixer with 16 channel usb recording like this https://www.amazon.co.uk/Behringer-UFX1604-Small-Format-Mixer/dp/B008R7F30K/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1484058166&sr=8-2&keywords=xenyx+ufx1604
The only way to real time record 16 separate channels would be with an interface with 16 discreet inputs.
Getting a 16 channel 8 bus mixer and then recording that into an 8 input interface would work without breaking the bank.
The mixer would be something like this.
Hey man,
So, without giving too much information away, I hosted an independent music podcast with a rather large podcast group back in 2005 when things were just getting started. (Averaged ~300K downloads per month) In fact, some of the episodes of my old show can still be found around the net. That being said, there are a few things that you can do to practice speaking for a show.
Step 1: Listen to other podcasts that you like - set your mind to dissect what people that you like are doing and try and figure out WHY they are speaking in certain ways. You're going to find that experienced podcasters are very conversational and warm. That's part of the appeal of most good podcasters. They speak as though everyone were sitting around the living room having a conversation.
Step 2: Work on carving out your own niche - When I first started out I tried to emulate the old radio DJ's and found that the style didn't fit me. It sounded strange and off coming out of my mouth. So I scrapped trying to sound like other people and started to add my own twists to things. That's when I discovered that while most podcasters may sound similar, each one has differences that make them unique. It's this uniqueness that sets them apart. Radiolab, for instance, sounds nothing like Serial and neither sound like The Moth. They may all be well produced but the content and the voice is unique to each one.
Step 3: Don't try to be everyone's cup of tea. Seriously. Some people are going to think you're annoying and some are going to think you suck and some are going to think that your podcast is the worst thing that has ever been downloaded to a smartphone. These people aren't your listeners. Don't even worry about them. You want people to listen to YOU and what YOU have to say. When you try and be everything to everyone you just end up diluting yourself and then your podcast REALLY starts sucking.
Step 4: Equipment is very important. I started out with an iMac only. I did my first three shows with the internal microphone of the computer and the quality was shit. Eventually, I moved to The MXL990 microphone and a Behringer 4 channel mixer. I hosted most of my shows in a big empty room at first and then moved to a tiny closet with egg crate foam on the walls. You learn these things as you progress, and there isn't any substitute for making shows. As you make more, you'll naturally get better, but there is a learning curve.
Step 5: Find a group of people who are doing what you want to do and reach out to them for help. There are a lot of podcasters out there who will be happy to talk to you about gear, formatting, editing, software, hardware, content etc, but YOU have to take the first step and ask. What I did was wrote a boilerplate letter and blasted it out to five or six podcasters until I stumbled upon one who was willing to help me learn. Ask questions and leave your ego at the door.
Step 6: Podcast. A lot. I had over 50 shows under my belt before I felt totally comfortable and even then I would still find myself editing out 'ums' and 'you knows' in post. It took me a few more shows to get comfortable with my pacing. Some shows were terrible and some were amazing. The difference was always how relaxed I was going in and how much fun I was having. A few beers also seemed to help.
Good luck with your show and if I can be of any more help then drop me a line. It's been almost eleven yeas since I closed the doors to the show, but I still miss it sometimes.
Thank you so much for the reply. This helps me understand a lot better and helps me plan for the setup.
I think the processing and EQ would be a big reason to leave it in the setup. One of our biggest issues was that the the aucoustics in the room are horrible and none of the mic locations are static.
This is a very narrow and tall stadium style auditorium (built in the 1940's), so we have to fight with space all of the time. This led to bad sound, and the request is always "louder". So having the ability to quickly make adjustments to individual inputs would be a great benefit.
My department is the only one that will be touching the sound equipment, so I dont have a huge worry of having inexperienced people up there(besides me of course :p). So what I think I will do is move all of our existing inputs over to the mixer. Then use the a line out to feed the streaming rig and the left main goes into the digital mixer. I think that is what you suggested, correct?
We have one remaining output on the amp, so I will just wire down some speakers into the overflow from that. We are looking at getting some in ceiling speakers, so I need to do some research on those.
Thank you so much for your help.
One other thing, 1402 Used on ebay like This or a new 1402VLZ4 like this.
My suggestion is to get a stereo mini mixer; Rolls makes a number of different models but other brands are out there. Read reviews, but definitely buy a self-powered (not passive!) model. Trust me on that one. The advantage of the mixer over a switch is that you can turn on whatever source(s) you want without being limited to only one at a time. I have two MacBooks, my Asus Laptop, and an aux cord for my iPhone connected to Rolls MX44s; works great! (Edit: I just grabbed the first Amazon link that popped up; I didn’t buy all that extra stuff...)
If you want to step it up even more; I use a Rane SM82 stereo line mixer in my home studio rack with connections for my PC, laptop, DirecTV, PS4, X32 core, and controller/mixer, and a couple spare channels for future expansion.
Whatever you choose, then just buy patch cables at whatever length you want with the appropriate terminations (connectors, such as XLR-F to RCA).
Slightly higher than what you said you wanted to spend, but this is what I use and it's freakin' fantastic. I can control my mix from my ipad without getting up from behind the kit.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JMYNDN0/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1YR1BAO1OSTJZ&coliid=I3PWGWMYFXV2EQ
You should see an increase in audio quality going from a USB mic to a mixer, even if the mixer is also connected by USB. All microphones capsules output a low voltage analog signal. In order to connect them through USB you need to first amplify that signal and then run it through a DAC (Digital Audio Converter) in order to get a digital signal that can be sent over USB.
A USB microphone has a built in amplifier and DAC. However, since they are generally lower-priced pieces of hardware, the amplifier and DAC are not very good quality. The amplifier and DAC also have a lot to do with how much static or internal noise you will get, especially if you are pushing the gain on your amplifier past 80% or so.
By using a better amplifier and DAC on a mixing board you can get a much cleaner signal than you would get on a USB microphone. You should also be able to amplify your sound more without noise or distortion. Now you should be asking yourself if that is worth your money, or if that is something you are having issues with. If so, here are some suggestions.
Yamaha MG10XU ($200 Mixing board)
Mackie ProFx8V2 ($180 Mixing board)
Yamaha Steinberg UR22MKII ($150 Audio interface)
There are less expensive mixing boards and audio interfaces, but if you are upgrading for better amplifiers and DACs then this is the lowest I would recommend. They are a bit more than you were looking to spend, but you may find some deals with black friday around the corner. If you really must have a cheaper solution then I've heard good (but mixed) results with the Scarlett 2i2. I had driver issues with the one I got though.
Well now, this looks quite familiar.
I don't think it would make that much of a difference (if any) if you were to use either the PS4 or TV SPDIF.
 
I have my PS4, XBOX, TV, etc. going to my powered monitors via a mixer.
This is connected to my TV. - SPDIF DAC
Which goes to this. But you don't really need it unless you have multiple sources you want to easily switch to. - RCA Switch
Switch is connected to this. - USB Mixer
Or you can get the smaller version.
Or one cheaper without the USB.
I just got one of these and I'm very happy with it. Great price, nice tube warmth, simple controls, smallish footprint for smaller home studios.
ART TubeMix 5-ch Mixer w/USB and Assignable Tube https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074WG5TCQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_bs5SCbP7SN5NW
Soundcraft Signature MTK 12 would work, USB taps before the EQ - I don't see that as a problem, because I mix from the DAW into mixer and then back into the DAW if I want the analog EQs into the DAW. Roland MX-1 could also work - and it also has those fancy beat based effects.
Anyone have any experience with the Mackie ProDX mixers? I'm doing a small upgrade to a system in a stadium club lounge that will be used by experienced techs and standard laypersons for conferences and basic music playback. I like that the input volumes can be changed without a device; perfect for my scenario I think.
Behringer has a reputation, like em or not.
Sounds like you don't want to break the bank either, so Mackie is great. Just depends how much you want to spend.
8 channel for $72 Basic but does the job for the price.
12 channel with effects and usb
16 channel w/effects, rack mount, etc
I use one of these:
https://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-MG12XU-12-Input-4-Bus-Effects/dp/B00IBIVLKQ/
There's also:
https://www.amazon.com/Mackie-PROFX12V2-12-Channel-Compact-Effects/dp/B00VUU7B7E/
https://www.amazon.com/Alto-Professional-Live-1202-12-Channel/dp/B00HG8WGU6/
Etc.
The biggest difference would probably be a better mic preamp in something with a bit larger $tag. You're still not getting premium preamps or plugs, but they're generally going to be better than what a basic, el-cheapo mixer offers.
I'm using a Behringer Xenyx 502 - it only has one mic input so you may want to look into the Xenyx 802 (2 mics) or the 1202 (4 mics) if you need more.
I'm actually happy with most of our set up now:
I own an iPad, so:
$600, just to round up.
I could invest in costlier mics, but the V250 I just bought worked great for the latest episode of the podcast.
Maybe I'd buy better pop filters, nicer stands, and some headphones.
just set on USB because I don't have any firewire inputs XD
I could get a firewire PCI card, but USB works too and wouldn't require a card
that Allen & Heath mixer looks super rad, thanks for the tip. looks like it can send 18 of the 24 channels over USB...odd that it's not all 24.
any insight into this Mackie mixer? fine print says "Integrated 4x2 USB interface" ... I'm guessing that means you can break up the mixer inputs into four separate stereo outputs over USB? not ideal...
I don't do large PA setups. I have a history with small rock shows and theater. I still have a soft spot for Mackie's compact consoles. My favorite currently is the 1642VLZ4 and you can get one for $700.
Enough I/O to run a 4 piece rock band with monitors.
http://www.mackie.com/products/vlz4-series-compact-mixers/
http://www.amazon.com/Mackie-1642VLZ4-16-Channel-Compact-4-Bus/dp/B00EA18VT2/
Makie makes a budget version of this mixer, the major difference is far fewer channel inserts, however the mixer integrates compression and other effects which can cut down on costly external equipment. It's $400.
http://www.mackie.com/products/profx16/
Do they sound good enough for song making? You say they aren't great, what do you mean?
I think I've found something good.
BEHRINGER, QX1204USB Premium 12-Input 2/2-Bus Mixer Xenyx Mic Preamps & Compressors Klark Teknik Multi-FX Processor Black
https://www.amazon.com/BEHRINGER-QX1204USB-12-Input-Compressors-Processor/dp/B00CTKI5WO
How can I tell it's Max Sampling Rate? Does that even apply to mixers? Is the QX1204USB 192KHz?