Is a Boss LS-2 the smallest active mixer?

bongomania · #1 08-02-2009, 06:20 PM

I plan on building a very small buffered mixer box for myself. But in the meantime, I'm looking for an off-the-shelf solution. No level or blend controls are needed, just clean buffered active mixing of two inputs into one output.

So: Anything more compact or "better" in any way than the Boss LS-2?

kevteop · #2 08-02-2009, 07:09 PM

If you don't need any stomp switches or anything, I'm sure you could find something more compact. The LS-2 isn't that small once you've got six jacks stuck in it, and they're all so close together you either need a compact jack solution or a pedalboard with holes in the floor to swallow the right-angles.

Lindsay · #3 08-03-2009, 03:14 AM

I've been looking for a small mixer lately also. I don't really want to spend a lot and this was the best I could come up with:

http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/MX400.aspx

Any better ideas gratefully received.

dannybuoy · #4 08-03-2009, 04:04 AM

You might be able to use a Barge VB-Jr by just putting your other signal straight into the fx return socket and not using the fx send.

**Bryan R. Tyler** · #5 08-17-2009, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannybuoy

You might be able to use a Barge VB-Jr by just putting your other signal straight into the fx return socket and not using the fx send.

Never tried this- it works?

3toes · #6 08-17-2009, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bryan R. Tyler

Never tried this- it works?

*I* sure hope so

phatbass · #7 08-17-2009, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lindsay

I've been looking for a small mixer lately also. I don't really want to spend a lot and this was the best I could come up with:

http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/MX400.aspx

Any better ideas gratefully received.

Just make sure it'll take instrument level inputs - I suspect that it *might* be intended only for line level inputs from equipment such as keyboards. There's a good chance I'm wrong as I'm not directly familiar with this unit.

Nyarlathotep · #8 08-17-2009, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bryan R. Tyler

Never tried this- it works?

I have actually done that with my VBjr when experimenting with wah/fuzz mixing. 1 signal to input, 1 signal to FX return. Output to whatever.

I prefer my custom made 4ish x 3ish (micro pog size) 4 channel mixer with 2 outs made by Wounded Paw.

**Bryan R. Tyler** · #9 08-18-2009, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nyarlathotep

I have actually done that with my VBjr when experimenting with wah/fuzz mixing. 1 signal to input, 1 signal to FX return. Output to whatever.

I prefer my custom made 4ish x 3ish (micro pog size) 4 channel mixer with 2 outs made by Wounded Paw.

I'll only need 2 ins and 1 out, so the small size and jack location of the VB-Jr is pretty ideal for me if it'll work.

Nyarlathotep · #10 08-18-2009, 01:14 PM

Trust me. It works. And works good. The only thing to remember is that the LS-2 allows you to control the volume of each channel independently with a volume cut OR boost. Same with the mixer I got from Wounded Paw.

The VBjr on the other hand is a little different I think. AFAIK when the knob is in the center the volume of both "channels" is basically @50%. It might not affect you too much if you have the ability to boost the chans before the VBjr.

The only reason I mention it is that if you use the VBjr to activate the 2nd channel, the volume on the 1st channel basically gets a volume cut (again AFAIK) and then is mixed with the 2nd. With the LS-2 you can set it up so that your "input" channel is always at a constant level and you basically ADD the 2nd layer to it.

**Bryan R. Tyler** · #11 08-18-2009, 01:17 PM

Good point- didn't think about that. I thought that dannybuoy was suggesting that going with just the effect return would bypass the blend pot and just allow two ins.

Jazz Ad · #12 08-18-2009, 02:53 PM

I forgot about Nobels. 4 channel mono, 44 x 104 x 70 (mm).

Nyarlathotep · #13 08-18-2009, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bryan R. Tyler

Good point- didn't think about that. I thought that dannybuoy was suggesting that going with just the effect return would bypass the blend pot and just allow two ins.

Definitely does NOT bypass the pot. That I know for sure.

**Bryan R. Tyler** · #14 08-24-2009, 01:12 PM

Bongo, did you ever find anything smaller than the Behringer Micromix? The Boss and the Nobels are the same size, and even though I generally don't support Behringer, it's the smallest as well as cheapest option I've seen.

bongomania · #15 08-24-2009, 01:14 PM

I haven't looked into it further yet... it's on the "to do" list.

**Bryan R. Tyler** · #16 08-24-2009, 01:17 PM

At least I'm old enough to use it:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...i_sku=10333937

Nikoubis · #17 08-24-2009, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bryan R. Tyler

At least I'm old enough to use it:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...i_sku=10333937

bongomania · #18 08-24-2009, 02:19 PM

Ah, but are you tall enough?

**Bryan R. Tyler** · #19 08-24-2009, 02:34 PM

I'm 5'8". I'm not tall enough for anything

I got my new amp today which doesn't have the cool built-in ABY my EA Micro had, so I'll be ordering something tonight- probably the Behringer. It's a shame too, because I don't need four ins or volume controls. I just need something that's basically a Y cable to get two instruments going into the same input, but a Y messes with the impedance and signal.

biggs1249 · #20 08-24-2009, 08:15 PM

I am happy with my rolls MX28.

I talked down guitar center to $56 for it new.