Problems I should look out for when getting a cheap mixer?

[Nic.]

I'm considering getting a cheap 8 channel mixer.

Most venues here would already have a mixer and a supplied PA system, but I would like to get something that I can fall back on in the event that it doesn't.

I don't need a lot of fancy features on the mixer. Just need something basic that can mix and send out to PA.

I will be plugging 2 to 4 mics into it, up to 2 guitar amps, 1 bass amp, and a keyboard into it. Mics will definitely need a preamp on the PA; I assume amps, bass and keyboard wouldn't.

What should I look out for when searching for a mixer? What are some common problems that occur with cheaper mixers? Some that I can think of-

1) Breaks down easily?
2) Noisy/poor sound quality?

How valid are these?

 

[N.F.A.]

Flimsy knobs that break or get too loose.

 

[b4nny]

Make sure the power supply connects firmly and won't ever be knocked out of connection while on stage. I once bought a really cheap mixer with a power supply that would lose power if you looked at it wrong... I promptly returned it!

 

[KillerQuebec]

Just buy a used Mackie 808S. They are about $500 and bulletproof.

 

[tobie]

I don't need a lot of fancy features on the mixer. Just need something basic that can mix and send out to PA.

That's the important thing if you buy 'cheap'. Stay away from a mixer with effects because the effects may be of poor quality. Or as in the case of one of my 'cheap' mixers: when you switch off the effects, it does not bypass it completely - you can still hear a bit of reverb & echo in the background.

 

[craig.p]

Here's another vote for durability.

 

[Nagrom]

If you're looking at an 8 and already have all the strips full maybe you should think 12 or 16 channels. And make sure that all the channels are equal, often the last couple are 'stereo' channels meant for plugging a deck into and not very usable for instruments.

 

[StuartV]

Test out every channels mic input - including testing phantom power. A board can have just one input (or other) channel go bad.

 

[agreatheight]

I can't believe I am gonna say this, but look at Behringer. I have had two of their mixers and they work way better than I paid for. If I had to get what you are looking for, I'd get this:

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.co...RORACK-Pro-Rackmount-12Input-Mixer?sku=631275

 

[KeithAlanK]

Behringer mixers don't last.
Yamahas have terrible mic preamps.
The other affordable brands are a joke.

Just get a Mackie.

 

[Wes Whitmore]

I vote for a Behringer 2442. 10 XLRs They are under $300 new. I have had one for over 10 years with not a single problem. I have used it a lot for FOH, and have been using it for 2 years as a monitor mixer. Leave it in the box it came in, or get a $100 case for it for protection.

 

[Nic.]

Forgot to mention, portability was also important, 8 seems to be the least number of channels I can probably get away with.

Physical durability should be fine, I think I can probably open up and replace pots or knobs or sliders. Circuitry, I'm not too sure...

Just buy a used Mackie 808S. They are about $500 and bulletproof.

Actually that's slightly over budget for me too.

I can't believe I am gonna say this, but look at Behringer. I have had two of their mixers and they work way better than I paid for. If I had to get what you are looking for, I'd get this:

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.co...RORACK-Pro-Rackmount-12Input-Mixer?sku=631275

Yeah, I was looking at the Behringers...

Behringer mixers don't last.
Yamahas have terrible mic preamps.
The other affordable brands are a joke.

Just get a Mackie.

For the Behringers, do they fall apart or does the circuitry break down? I've seen Behringer rackmounts being used for years of almost daily gigs and they seem to be okay.

Was also considering a Yammie... when you say the mic preamps are terrible, I assume you mean the sound?

 

[tobie]

For the Behringers, do they fall apart or does the circuitry break down?

They are rock solid but refer to my notes above.

 

[Nic.]

They are rock solid but refer to my notes above.

Ah... the Behringer's effects are not bypass then? =/

 

[TimmyP]

Powered mixer or no? If powered, get a used Yamaha (I forget the series, sorry. A friend has one and likes it - his usual mixer is a Midas Venice). If no, get a used Allen & Heath MixWiz for $500.

 

[Wasted Bassist]

Behringer has mixers without the crappy effects. My band's old PA set up included a Behringer mixer.

 

[tobie]

Ah... the Behringer's effects are not bypass then? =/

Correct. In general it's not a problem, as I mostly use it with the effects. But sometimes when you want to switch them all off when sharing with other musicians, it's a nuisance.

 

[KillerQuebec]

if you just need a mixer with no power, a small mackie mixer only is cheap and a bigger one is cheap on the used market. The good news is that mackie is so omnipotent in the industry, there are tons of good used units on the market.

And FYI, the reason a Mackie 808S is such a great item is that when you finally decide to go balls out and get a real PA, that mackie acts like a 3 channel amp and you can run 3 separate monitor sends thru it from the aux outs on a good mixer. So all you really need to step up from a mackie is a good mixer and some power amps for your front mains and subs. Where are you going to get 2 600W (one stereo & one mono) amps for $500?

 

[D.A.R.K.]

ime, the behringers will fall apart before the mackies do.
i have had a bunch of small mixers by both, the mackies are still around, the behringers are all dead. no big deal,
for the cost, i got enough use from all of them to be worth the money. if you spend a couple hundred bucks on a 12 input mixer and it works for two years, it is only 8.30 per moth to have that mixer. that's nothing, if you gig a couple times a month. we must be aware that we are buying crap at this level, no matter what the brand, and have a realistic expectation of use and value.

 

[Nic.]

At the moment the only small stuff on the used market locally that I can find is a Tapco. Any idea about that? Gonna continue keeping an eye out. Thanks for all the advice so far!