OK, let's talk small mixers that also act as an audio interface.

[two fingers]

I'm talking about Soundcraft Notepad or Signature, Yamaha MG10XU, PV10 BT, Mackie ProFX and similar units.

Here's what I am thinking I want. And I am open to new ideas if my ideas are dumb.... not that I have ever had a dumb idea before now.

First and foremost I want a great little practice mixer. But it would be better if it could act as a two-person heaphone practice mixer. Splitting the headphone signal is not an issue. So a couple or more XLR inputs so we can at least talk to each other or even sing, and a couple or more 1/4" inputs for guitars and basses.

I want to be able to plug in a bass and jam along with music from my phone, computer, or even a drum machine. I want to be able to plug in my new lap steel and also feed the audio from instruction video downloads through the mixer into headphones.

Headphone level control is a must.

Compressor (yes I know it won't be studio quality) is a huge plus. Even a "one-knob" is fine. Effects would also be nice. I just want to be able to throw a little reverb on the lap steel. Again, I will not be trying to go for studio quality with this thing. It'll just be more pleasing to my ears as I practice if it has a little of the 'verb on it.

Here's the kicker. I also want to be able to record simple audio tracks. Say, for instance, someone here wants to hear what one of my basses or pickups sounds like. Or say someone here asks if I can record the line out from my Ashdown LB30 (which is a tap off the output transformer) because I brag about it so much. Or say someone here would like to hear one of the pedals I own. Or say @MarkoYYZ is hassling me about posting some audio and/or video of my kick A Hammersmith. (He hasn't mentioned it in months. I just like giving him crap. ) I just want to be able to post a quick and dirty little track. Or possibly I might even do a quick and dirty YouTube video (if the topic warrants) and sync audio and video in a DAW. (By the way, if it comes with a DAW that would be cool, even if it's a lite version.) I will not advertise them as studio quality. I just want to get the "audio picture" out there.

We're talking the phone camera pic version of audio. No, the sunset won't look as pretty as a professional photographer could do with years of experience and $40K worth of equipment. But it'll still look perty. (My totally amateur phone pics thread proves that you can get some really nice pics from cheap equipment if you just have an eye for beauty.)

I'm probably looking in the $200-$400 range. But if you give me a reeeeeeeeeally good reason I could pour a little more into it. This will mainly be for my own practice and a fun toy to play with. On occasion it would be nice to hash out some parts with another player without having to get loud.

So, whataya think? Small(ish) mixer with 6-8 inputs (or more), some effects (mainly reverb), compressor, possibly a DAW, and somewhere in the $200-$400 range +/- that also acts as a USB audio interface.

Fire away with any questions. I probably won't know the answers but it'll kick off a good conversation anyway.

Thanks

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

I purchased a Zedi 8 for work.
Haven't unboxed it yet so no comments at this point.
It has 1/4" M.I. inputs, and USB out.
I neede a computer interface and the Mackies that small don't have them.

 

[two fingers]

I purchased a Zedi 8 for work.
Haven't unboxed it yet so no comments at this point.
It has 1/4" M.I. inputs, and USB out.
I neede a computer interface and the Mackies that small don't have them.

Please report back after you use it.

 

[two fingers]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!! All of the YouTube videos about USB mixers are these podcast people! Talk talk talk talk talk talk TALK!!!!!!

If I wanted more talking I would marry another wife and have two more daughters!!!!

Please, oh TB community, rescue me from these horrible videos!!!! Point me to a good mixer for the money. I'm about to stab my eyes with a butter knife!!!

 

[ArtechnikA]

No experience with the models you listed, but I use a SoundCraft MTK22 and like it a lot.
A->D conversion is excellent as are the preamps.
So I'd go there just based on heritage.
I have a small Yamaha mixer (MG06) that does not do conversion and while it does what I got it for and the price was right (no regrets) it is not nearly as nice as the SoundCraft (and at a fraction of the price, I didn't expect it to be...)

 

[two fingers]

No experience with the models you listed, but I use a SoundCraft MTK22 and like it a lot.
A->D conversion is excellent as are the preamps.
So I'd go there just based on heritage.
I have a small Yamaha mixer (MG06) that does not do conversion and while it does what I got it for and the price was right (no regrets) it is not nearly as nice as the SoundCraft (and at a fraction of the price, I didn't expect it to be...)

Thanks much! When you get a sec, would you mind doing me a favor? Often I am finding that units with more or fewer channels also gain and drop features. Based on your experience, I would love to know if you think the 12 channel version loses something important that the 22 channel version has. Maybe if you could look up the 12 and see what you think? I am just not well-versed enough in the topic to know what's a "deal breaker" and what isn't.... or why. The 12 seems like an incredibly versatile small multi-track for around $450.

 

[ArtechnikA]

Thanks much! When you get a sec, would you mind doing me a favor? Often I am finding that units with more or fewer channels also gain and drop features. Based on your experience, I would love to know if you think the 12 channel version loses something important that the 22 channel version has. Maybe if you could look up the 12 and see what you think? I am just not well-versed enough in the topic to know what's a "deal breaker" and what isn't.... or why. The 12 seems like an incredibly versatile small multi-track for around $450.

Yes, it gets complicated in a hurry.
Since I needed the centerpiece of a live sound & recording business, I knew I needed the channel count, and I have not been disappointed.
This _should_ be the head's-up comparison link on Sweetwater:
Product Compare | Sweetwater

What I see at a glance:
12 - 1 subgroup; 22 - 2 subgroups. (I have used both in a live sound setting and it was nice.)
12 - 1 effect processor; 22 has 2 (nice for live sound, recording maybe not so much)
12 - 3 monitor mixes; 22 has 5
12 - 2 Hi-Z inputs; 22 has 4 (I've never needed more than 2, but I have a box of DI's...)

the 22 has 100mm throw faders which are nice, but the USB channel outputs are pre-fader so not a big deal in studio use.

The 12 looks really nice but I have no regrets going with the 22 (except the cost, weight, and stage space sometimes. Even the Gator hardcase is expensive in that size - but if anything happened to the mixer I'd be screwed. And have to consider its rackmount equivalent that was not yet available when I bought my MTK22...)

Like most interfaces I think it came with 'Something (Ableton?) Lite' which I have never used.
Spend the $100, get Reaper.

My blues band recorded our last live gig.
2 channels of vocals routed to a subgroup sent to offboard compression.
Miked snare, kick, floor tom, 2 rack toms, two overheads.
Guitar amp mike
Keys (direct) - no amp
Bass (direct) - no amp
2 channels of vocal compression return, routed to another subgroup (main mix)
Main mix routed to a subgroup and then two 2 more channels of offboard compression.
2 channels of main mix compression return routed to the main bus fader.
4 monitor mixes, one to each performer.
Guitar and drums were for recording only - they did not make the FOH mix (already quite loud enough).

Light chorus/reverb and delay (both FX channels) on the vocal channels, uncompressed vocals only sent to monitors.

 

[two fingers]

Yes, it gets complicated in a hurry.
Since I needed the centerpiece of a live sound & recording business, I knew I needed the channel count, and I have not been disappointed.
This _should_ be the head's-up comparison link on Sweetwater:
Product Compare | Sweetwater

What I see at a glance:
12 - 1 subgroup; 22 - 2 subgroups. (I have used both in a live sound setting and it was nice.)
12 - 1 effect processor; 22 has 2 (nice for live sound, recording maybe not so much)
12 - 3 monitor mixes; 22 has 5
12 - 2 Hi-Z inputs; 22 has 4 (I've never needed more than 2, but I have a box of DI's...)

the 22 has 100mm throw faders which are nice, but the USB channel outputs are pre-fader so not a big deal in studio use.

The 12 looks really nice but I have no regrets going with the 22 (except the cost, weight, and stage space sometimes. Even the Gator hardcase is expensive in that size - but if anything happened to the mixer I'd be screwed. And have to consider its rackmount equivalent that was not yet available when I bought my MTK22...)

Like most interfaces I think it came with 'Something (Ableton?) Lite' which I have never used.
Spend the $100, get Reaper.

My blues band recorded our last live gig.
2 channels of vocals routed to a subgroup sent to offboard compression.
Miked snare, kick, floor tom, 2 rack toms, two overheads.
Guitar amp mike
Keys (direct) - no amp
Bass (direct) - no amp
2 channels of vocal compression return, routed to another subgroup (main mix)
Main mix routed to a subgroup and then two 2 more channels of offboard compression.
2 channels of main mix compression return routed to the main bus fader.
4 monitor mixes, one to each performer.
Guitar and drums were for recording only - they did not make the FOH mix (already quite loud enough).

Light chorus/reverb and delay (both FX channels) on the vocal channels, uncompressed vocals only sent to monitors.

Thanks!!!

Yeah unless I get ready to record a full band live (which hadn't even crossed my mind until now) I thing the 12 would get me done.

Preshate your thoughts.

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!! All of the YouTube videos about USB mixers are these podcast people! Talk talk talk talk talk talk TALK!!!!!!

If I wanted more talking I would marry another wife and have two more daughters!!!!

Please, oh TB community, rescue me from these horrible videos!!!! Point me to a good mixer for the money. I'm about to stab my eyes with a butter knife!!!

That's exactly how I feel about AM radio. Except that I want to stab them all in the face with a soldering iron.

 

[two fingers]

Anyone else? To be sure with 20,000+ musicians on this forum I can't be the only one talking about a mixer with USB.

 

[ArtechnikA]

Anyone else? To be sure with 20,000+ musicians on this forum I can't be the only one talking about a mixer with USB.

In fairness, you posted it in Miscellaneous - not Recording Gear & Equipment or Live Sound...

 

[Garret Graves]

I have the Allen and Heath ZED 10FX that I like a lot. Have been able to record straight into ProTools on my PC with little problem at all, once I was set up and figured it out on my end. The FX on the board are great sounding too, and the pre amps in the channels are quiet and clean, with HP and LP filters, FX blending per channel, etc. I have not used the board live, but the reviews are great on that also. It's great to have in the practice room, with drum machine, phone, bass, mic all patched in for practice, and coming through studio monitors, a great tool for home. I will be recording a lot with it in the coming months!

 

[two fingers]

In fairness, you posted it in Miscellaneous - not Recording Gear & Equipment or Live Sound...

Wait. There's a recording gear section????

 

[wmhill]

Here is my 2 cents- I have had several of the Peavey PV series in various configurations. Worked well & absolutely no issues. Sold a smaller one to buy a bigger one. then I wanted a smaller backup mixer down the road, and I found a deal on Mackie Profx B-stock on ebay (Mackie's factory direct store). I bought it and i didn't need it right then so I left in the box. By the time i did need it, it did not work at all and the 90 day (yes really 90 days) warranty was up. I called and the best they would do is sell me that parts for a DIY repair, for about $50 more than I paid for it to start with. Now that I was upside down by a couple hundred bucks, I cheaped out and bought a Behringer XENYX 1222 (another factory direct B-stock, but with a FULL warranty). It is a decent mixer and was priced right. It cost less than the parts to fix my brand new mackie that never made a noise. Results may vary

 

[twinjet]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!! Point me to a good mixer for the money.

$150 for 8 tracks – headphone, monitor and mains control. 4 XLR & line-level inputs. 4-band EQ per channel. Small array of effects. USB 1.0 to PC for studio quality recording.

Done talking.

 

[DirtDog]

@two fingers - do you need simultaneous multi tracking capability? If so, the smaller "USB ready" mixers generally only send/receive a stereo signal (2x2, in audio interface speak). The Alesis MultiMix 8 is a prime example of this.

If you do need digital multitrack capability in an analog form factor at a modest price, take a look at the Presonus AR series (18 x 4 interface) or Soundcraft Signature MTK series mixers (14 x 12 interface)

 

[DirtDog]

Thanks much! When you get a sec, would you mind doing me a favor? Often I am finding that units with more or fewer channels also gain and drop features. Based on your experience, I would love to know if you think the 12 channel version loses something important that the 22 channel version has. Maybe if you could look up the 12 and see what you think? I am just not well-versed enough in the topic to know what's a "deal breaker" and what isn't.... or why. The 12 seems like an incredibly versatile small multi-track for around $450.

The first thing to go is multiple AUX busses/routing options in the lower priced mixers. You may get one or two AUX busses (or one AUX with the second set up as an FX bus). As you move up the price continuum, you get more channels and more AUX busses/routing options, generally speaking.

 

[MTN.bass72]

I'm talking about Soundcraft Notepad or Signature, Yamaha MG10XU, PV10 BT, Mackie ProFX and similar units.

Here's what I am thinking I want. And I am open to new ideas if my ideas are dumb.... not that I have ever had a dumb idea before now.

First and foremost I want a great little practice mixer. But it would be better if it could act as a two-person heaphone practice mixer. Splitting the headphone signal is not an issue. So a couple or more XLR inputs so we can at least talk to each other or even sing, and a couple or more 1/4" inputs for guitars and basses.

I want to be able to plug in a bass and jam along with music from my phone, computer, or even a drum machine. I want to be able to plug in my new lap steel and also feed the audio from instruction video downloads through the mixer into headphones.

Headphone level control is a must.

Compressor (yes I know it won't be studio quality) is a huge plus. Even a "one-knob" is fine. Effects would also be nice. I just want to be able to throw a little reverb on the lap steel. Again, I will not be trying to go for studio quality with this thing. It'll just be more pleasing to my ears as I practice if it has a little of the 'verb on it.

Here's the kicker. I also want to be able to record simple audio tracks. Say, for instance, someone here wants to hear what one of my basses or pickups sounds like. Or say someone here asks if I can record the line out from my Ashdown LB30 (which is a tap off the output transformer) because I brag about it so much. Or say someone here would like to hear one of the pedals I own. Or say @MarkoYYZ is hassling me about posting some audio and/or video of my kick A Hammersmith. (He hasn't mentioned it in months. I just like giving him crap. ) I just want to be able to post a quick and dirty little track. Or possibly I might even do a quick and dirty YouTube video (if the topic warrants) and sync audio and video in a DAW. (By the way, if it comes with a DAW that would be cool, even if it's a lite version.) I will not advertise them as studio quality. I just want to get the "audio picture" out there.

We're talking the phone camera pic version of audio. No, the sunset won't look as pretty as a professional photographer could do with years of experience and $40K worth of equipment. But it'll still look perty. (My totally amateur phone pics thread proves that you can get some really nice pics from cheap equipment if you just have an eye for beauty.)

I'm probably looking in the $200-$400 range. But if you give me a reeeeeeeeeally good reason I could pour a little more into it. This will mainly be for my own practice and a fun toy to play with. On occasion it would be nice to hash out some parts with another player without having to get loud.

So, whataya think? Small(ish) mixer with 6-8 inputs (or more), some effects (mainly reverb), compressor, possibly a DAW, and somewhere in the $200-$400 range +/- that also acts as a USB audio interface.

Fire away with any questions. I probably won't know the answers but it'll kick off a good conversation anyway.

Thanks

I had a Mackie Pro FX8.. It had everything you're looking for.. came with recording software too, plus usb... It was the version 1 , so no fx.. but the v2 has simple fx.. no comp, though

 

[St_G]

I have an Allen & Heath, though I can't recall the model. It's got four XLRs and built-in effects. It works really well, and I've been happy with its sound, functionality and reliability over the past couple of years. My only complaint is that signal routing can sometimes be a little finicky when you want to record something other than one of the first four channels. You can do it, but it's a bit of a faff every time.

 

[LowDownHawkeye]

I have the Yamaha MG12XU. I bought it for reasons similar to the OPs. I have it connected to an e drum, a mic, used to have it connected to a synthesizer, and at times have run my amp and a multi-effects pedal into it. Output to small powered studio monitors and a powered sub.

I hesitate to voice an opinion about using it the way the OP wants to, for a couple reasons. I haven’t tried to hook it up to my computer yet-have used the POD HD500 for that. My daughter moved the synth to a more convenient location (to her), and I plug my headphones into the drum module when I practice those.

So, I like the Yamaha’s feature set, and I has worked well for the things I’ve done with it, but I certainly haven’t pushed it at all yet.