(Part 3) Best mixers & accessories according to redditors
We found 582 Reddit comments discussing the best mixers & accessories. We ranked the 80 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.
Well now, this looks quite familiar.
My employer has asked me to start a podcast. I was hoping I could get a few questions answered here!
Thank you!
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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
I don't carry a monitor, but, the gator Mixerbag is really nice. I carry a TKL KB, mouse, all my cables, Xbox controller, portable speaker, PC, and still have room for a thin monitor (something like 15in I think) if I wanted. They sell bigger bags, mostly for music equipment, so they're nicely padded. Not a lot of compartments, but their comfort and quality make up for it. Link below so you can see if it suits your needs. I saw someone else post about using one for their Node and I tried it out and absolutely love it.
https://www.amazon.com/Gator-Cases-G-MIXERBAG-1515-Inches-Mixer/dp/B00T0OJG9S/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1501699802&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=Gater+mixerbag
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.
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.
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.
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?
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
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.
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.
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 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
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.
something like this cold have my headphones and speakers right?? https://www.amazon.com/LyxPro-MRB3-3-Channel-Audio-Mixer/dp/B0786Q5GCL/ref=pd_sbs_267_5?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B0786Q5GCL&pd_rd_r=M8C6PP0APZ0G1080A28Z&pd_rd_w=9fRJ6&pd_rd_wg=1Bz1F&psc=1&refRID=M8C6PP0APZ0G1080A28Z
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/
I couldn't find a clear picture of the back of a WK 3500, but it's outputs looks like two 1/4 inch cables with each being left and right.
You would get two 1/4 inch TS (tip sleeve, cheaper than TRS, tip ring sleeve) cables and they would probably go in the inputs on the M-audio labeled guitar line input, trying the MIC/LINE switch in both settings
http://www.amazon.com/Hosa-Cable-CPP202-Dual-Inch/dp/B000068O1B/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1451745839&sr=1-1&keywords=1%2F4+ts+cable
One day you might find yourself needing TRS cable though, which will also work here.
http://www.amazon.com/Hosa-HSS-010X2-Dual-Cable-4-Inch/dp/B00FC4Z842/ref=sr_1_58?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1451745885&sr=1-58&keywords=1%2F4+trs+cable