Small 6-XLR mixer for pub shows

[Wissen]

I have a side project acoustic duo, for which I picked up an EV Evolve 50M. It has been working famously. However, there may be opportunities in the future to invite a guest musician to join us. For that to work, we would need two extra channels, preferably XLR.

That means I'm looking for a small footprint, easily totable mixer with 6 XLR inputs. I've done my own searching and have a handle on what's out there, but I'm curious to throw this out to the TB DIY crowd to see if there's anything I missed.

 

[s0c9]

XR12 or XR18 (better value)

 

[MuseChaser]

I've owned and used a Mackie 1402VLZPro for decades. It's a great, flexible, inexpensive workhorse with good sounding mic pres.

 

[DonaldR]

I have a small discontinued Mackie ProDX8 that I got for $100. Very easy to use with phone/tablet app.

 

[fokof]

A&H ZED series

 

[richntiff]

Go digital. I run a Soundcraft Ui16 for shows our sound crew can’t do, and it’s a great piece of gear. Easier, far more intuitive interface than the Behringer, and so much more powerful than an analog board.

 

[Anemic_SluG]

If it were me I’d pick up a Soundcraft ui12. No app needed. Super compact and has all the things like compressor, reverb, gates etc. under $300 for open box.
https://www.proaudiostar.com/soundcraft-ui12-open-box.html

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I like the digital mixers, but if I'm playing and running sound, simple is better to me. Give me some faders and knobs.

If you want 6 XLRs, you end up needing a ~ 12 channel mixer. I wish they would just call "channels" what we really want and don't consider the RCA inputs as 2 channels. So, in the totable and 6+ XLRs, the smaller digital mixers with a dedicated tablet is probably your best bet.

 

[60bass]

Did you just want the basics? No frills and fancy effects? If so, it's had to beat the Soundcraft EPM6. Or as others have mentioned the Soundcraft ui12. Or if you really need the cheapest one there's any number of import digital mixers available. One thing to consider is if you think you only need six inputs and you want them to be all XLR then you probably should look at an 8 or 12 channel mixer. Because it seems like anytime you think you have enough you always need a couple more.

 

[Jeff Hughes]

I have a Version 2 Mackie Profx 12. Lots of options for inputs and outputs. I use it for rehearsals. Works pretty well.

Sometimes the cheaper small mixers have loose knobs and noisy components. And they aren’t always that much cheaper.

Used mixers can be a value, but they do require a lot of going through to check channels.

 

[Wissen]

Thanks for the suggestions, all. My short list was the Zoom Live-Track, the Zed, and really saving up and going for the new CQ-series.

The Ui12 is tempting. In a previous iteration of this project my partner had it's bigger brother, and he liked it.

Small size is the most important factor of all, because when I do need it, I'll be toting it in with three instruments, pedal board, PA, all that jazz.

 

[D.A.R.K.]

MR18 is insanely good (would get over the XR or Ui, in fact I did). Just be sure get a decent 5g wireless router, for any of those, if using a tablet.

 

[4-stringB]

Soundcraft Signature 10. Effects, XLR in and out, 3 independent monitor mixes. Had one for years.

 

[s0c9]

Thanks for the suggestions, all. My short list was the Zoom Live-Track, the Zed, and really saving up and going for the new CQ-series.

The Ui12 is tempting. In a previous iteration of this project my partner had it's bigger brother, and he liked it.

Small size is the most important factor of all, because when I do need it, I'll be toting it in with three instruments, pedal board, PA, all that jazz.

I suggested the XR12 over the UI12 (they’re the same price BTW ) because the UI is NOT expandable. It’s why I bought the X32R over the UI24.
I added an SD8 into the rack and have 24 in, 16 out. I’d have needed an 2nd UI24 for that going with SC.
The UI series are great mixers tho.

Always get an external router/WAP with all these small digital consoles. Their built-in WiFi is less than stellar.

 

[SoCal80s]

There are 3 absolute truths in life: death, taxes, and you will always end up needing more channels than you think you do. Go for about 12 channels. If you want to stay analog, try the Yamaha MG12.

 

[amper]

Honestly, any of the popular brands are going to be sufficient. You should probably be thinking about whether or not there are any particular features you might want that some manufacturers may offer while others don’t, or what kind of power supply you want to have. At that level of mixer, there’s very little to distinguish between them.