How much to pay for a used mixer?

[Big Hoss]

I currently have a Behringer XENYX 1202FX / UCA222 setup that works for recording / mixing everything BUT a live drum rig. (Drums take a butt load of mics to get right!). Typically I don't futz with a drummer (My apologies to any drummers out there) I usually play with a guitarist, keys, and a pre recorded drum track.

After discussing the issue with a friend that plays with a full band, a minimum setup for mixing / recording a full band with drums should be something similar to the Behringer XENYX X2442 USB mixer... (Not that model specifically, just that input count etc...)

I came across an older model XENYX mixer, a XENYX 2442FX, same mixer as the X2442 USB but no integrated USB audio interface.

They seller is asking $250.00 for it. It seems a bit high by my math. I am wondering if I am being unreasonable and is that a fair price?

The current model with the integrated USB interface, AND a 3 year warranty goes for $379.99 on Amazon. I have always been of the impression that you shouldn't pay more than 50% of new market for used electronics due to the assumed risks from being out of warranty. Not to mention the fact that it is the older model and lacks the integrated audio interface (which is both a good and a bad thing).

The seller says it is 100% complete, in like new condition, so it should have the mixer, along with the UCA200 external interface, as wel as the RCA cables to connect the UCA, so it would connect if I need it to, however, like I said I already have a UCA222.

I gave him a counter offer of $200.00 which is in my feeling throwing him a $10.00 premium just for the condition. He wants to remain firm on $250.00

He has had the listing up for 3 weeks...

Am I being unreasonable, or is $250.00 actually a good deal for this mixer?

Should I simply hold off until we have a drummer to work with and have the drummer cough up for a mixer to accomodate his input needs? Like I said, we are doing fine so far with the 1202FX, a PC and pre-recorded drum tracks.

 

[seamonkey]

I don't have much use for big analog boards anymore. Digital mixers, or just interfaces give me a lot more options.

For $200 you can get a Tascam us-1800 and add another 16 simultaneous inputs. 8 with mic pre's. More discreet tracks. Drums on more tracks means you'll have a easier time with the drum replacement (sample replacement) software when you realize you didn't get a good drum sound. This is an older article but you'll get the idea http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/mar11/articles/cutting-edge-drums.htm

Using ASIO4ALL you can combine several interfaces into one DAW. Some DAWs can do this by themselves.

More and more digital mixers are coming way down in price
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/XR16
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/TouchMix8 Add a hard drive and you're mixing to/from disk.

 

[Shabz]

Watch out for the fact that some USB mixers often don't provide all their inputs through the USB interface, often at the PC all youll get is the stereo mix so if you want seperate tracks for all your mics it's no good. Have a careful read of any specs if you are expecting to get in your DAW and see a device that has more than 2 channels, its something that seems to catch a fair few people out.

A brief read of the description suggests that is how that behringer works, whereas the Tascam us-1800 interface seamonkey linked to above will give you all the channels in your DAW

 

[Big Hoss]

Aside from drums, I am pretty happy with the rig I have now, for how we use it... The methodology thus far has been we generate a drum line in software, and then I lay down a track over the drum track, usually independent of the drums (Play the drum track, I play to it, record my bass line. Mix the drum and bass to our liking, repeat with that file and the guitarist lays down his riffs, and finally, vocals are all recorded at once over the mix, I end up with a file with drums, a file with bass, a file with guitar, and a file with vocals, and the various stage mix files which are just scratch pads. We then work our final mix and knock it out. We have recorded just flat out jam sessions though, get our mix where we like what we hear, and just play... Not super professional or anything,

I think moving forward, if we are going to up our game recording wise, I think you guys are right though, and we need to give some serious consideration to that Tascam us-1800. The price isn't horrid either... Or something similar...