Cheap Mixer

[gilscales]

Hry Guyes,

I need a small mixer for home use. Maybe an occasional garage jam mostly for vocals.
Not Trying to start any "this company sucks" threads. This is the price range I need.
Some of the things I wanted are sliders not knobs on each mic section. Do not care
about the board haveing main eq or effects. I would like to rack mount (some models
include them).

These are the ones I am looking at, any input.

Yamaha MG124C 12 Channel Mixer

Sampson MDR1248 12 Channel Mixer

Behringer XENYX X1222USB USB Mixer with Effects

Mackie ProFX8 Professional Compact Mixer



Robb

Just bought a soundcraft efx8 with 8 mic pre's for $295 no tax and free shipping off ebay, it's b stock from proaudiostar and I have bought from them before (a crown xti 1000 for $309 b stock looks and sounds new to me?) I am brand spanking new to live sound so will be using this to cut my teeth on!

[nola50]

Yamaha vs. Soundcraft comparison: What do you guys think?

[Sydney]

IMO: It depends upon the price/performance level you are comparing.
Many mixer manufacturers make a wide range of products from entry level to full pro.
A Spirit II has a nice solid sturdy feel and uses a lot of metal, But I have not had my hands on the entry level Soundcraft.
I purchased a smaller Yamaha for the school and it works fine so far. There are some things I don't like about Yamaha's approach to implementation, but not enough to not buy their products.
I'd rather a hands on case by case eval. than an across the board judgment.

Syd

[nola50]

At this time, I am being asked to provide a suggestion for 8 mic channels for a live theater with a tight budget. I'm looking at the Yamaha MG166C USB vs. the Soundcraft EPM8 or maybe EFX8.

[Sydney]

nola50:
That describes my scenario almost perfectly.
I got a great deal on that Yamaha and it had the features that I considered important so...

Syd

[Ron K]

Yamaha vs. Soundcraft comparison: What do you guys think?

Soundcraft over the cheaper Yamahas. Better sounding pres and EQ section but keep in mind put a high price

+4dbu input level max on the Yamaha means you run mic inputs cold as hell. +17dbu on the British Soundcraft board means the input will handle whatever mic you throw at it without loading up. Wider mid sweep on the low end on the Souncraft EQ as well. Just on virtue of Mic level input headroom I'd grab the Soundcraft.

I know your budget is constricting you but I'd really be looking at some Allen Heath products.They will give you an even better input and EQ section.+17dbu on the inputs and an even wider mid sweep all the way down to 120Hz. 4 auxs and the same price at the Yamaha and for the price of 2 Mic-Line adapters you can still have 8 mic channels. A little more cash overall but a better desk IMHO! No effects or anything but a good solid desk that will sound very nice. Once you use the AH EQ you wont find another sweeping EQ to match the shaping AH puts in theirs. It's very useful.

[nola50]

Yep... Soundcraft at 15 dB, A&H ZED at 17 dB

I never would have noticed that if it were not for your post!

Let's see what direction we end up. Thanxabunch!

[Ron K]

Once you get up into the better Yamaha boards then you get the added pad which allows more preamp headroom. The AH will still go up to +30dbu on their better boards.

[Rockboy]

Are you talking about $400 Yamaha or much higher $$$ ?

RR

[nola50]

Under consideration:

Yamaha MG166C $ 379

Soundcraft EFX8 $ 409

Allen & Heath ZED-14 $ 399

Allen & Heath ZED-12FX $ 499

[gilscales]

Go on eBay and type in soundcraft efx8 and you will see b stock starting at $295 as well as some better prices than $409 on new models

[nola50]

It just keeps getting better, doesn't it?

The value of this forum continues to grow along with the fabulous designs and tips!

+1

[Ron K]

Are you talking about $400 Yamaha or much higher $$$ ?

RR

O1Vs on up to LS9s and MC7Ls.Old PM series etc.