[clarnibass]

Hi

I need to replace my mixer. There's too much wrong with it to repair and it would be great to replace it with a smaller one. The one I have is a Yamaha MG12/4 (an older model) which I like (except its size).

I need to buy locally. I know the prices are much higher (though they include VAT) but yeah... I found a few options:
Mackie 802 VLZ3 - $350
Yamaha 102C - $225 (another option is the MG82CX - $270)
Soundcraft Notepad 124FX - $265 (haven't found the non-FX model here)

I need 4 "real" channels so I'm not sure about the Mackie since I'd have to use some channels without a gain button, etc. The Yamaha seems like the best value but is biggest. The Soundcraft got decent reviews and is the smallest which would be nice for the rare occasions I would want to take it. Regardless, being smaller is an advantage.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

 

[Alastair Grant]

I don't know if you want effects but the Yamahas with the C designation do not have effects but the CX indicates onboard effects. The yamaha range aslo have compression on some of the channels which may or may not be helpful/useful for you.

 

[clarnibass]

Yes, that's pretty much a non-issue, or at least way down below basic sound, durability, size, controls, etc.

 

[Souportwenty]

I've had my Mackie 1202 mixer for many years now. It has four "real" inputs (XLR, adjustable gain control, metering,...) and a total of 12 inputs. It is small and low noise (no effects). I've never regretted purchasing it. I've never used the 802, but I can tell you my 1202 has been great.

 

[MartinMusicMan]

I've used a Mackie DFX6 for a few years. It has gain on each channel, EQ, reverb, phantom power, other features. Very versatile and it's been very reliable. The new model looks like it's called ProFX8 and in the US it's only a little more than the 802VLZ3 which doesn't have the 4 "real" channels that you need.

The Yamaha is smaller and has compression but I don't know how important that is to you.

The Soundcraft Notepad looks small and has all the features you want and is also the least expensive. I might be tempted to try that. But if you don't want effects, the Soundcraft Notepad 124 is even less expensive here. Is there any way you can order it or are you dependent on what's available there?

 

[Oric Muso]

We use a Mackie too. Not sure of the number, but it's very sturdy and reliable. I think ours is a 16 channel.
Make sure you have enough phantom power options.

 

[hakukani]

I would have to recommend against the soundcraft notepad. The mic pres have insufficient gain for one thing, and for another, they can make it that small because the power supply is external to the unit (wall wart--a BIG wall wart).

 

[MartinMusicMan]

I would have to recommend against the soundcraft notepad. The mic pres have insufficient gain for one thing, and for another, they can make it that small because the power supply is external to the unit (wall wart--a BIG wall wart).

haku has a good point. My Mackie does NOT have an external power supply. If the Soundcraft Notepad has a big one, that's an important strike against it in my book. That's something to check with all the small mixers.

 

[clarnibass]

are you dependent on what's available there?

Yes. Ordering, with shipping and VAT, would end up more expensive and without a decent warrenty.

I would have to recommend against the soundcraft notepad. The mic pres have insufficient gain for one thing, and for another, they can make it that small because the power supply is external to the unit (wall wart--a BIG wall wart).

Bah... I was leaning towards the Soundcraft and it got the most favorable reviews so far (i.e. significantly less bad reviews)... An expert I asked said it doesn't really matter as far as quality and all three are about the same...
Insufficient gain for what...? Right now I'm using about 50% gain on my old Yamaha (on the few channels that still work...) and it is definitely loud enough. My speakers are not even close to loudest.

I don't know about the PSU. My old Yamaha has a pretty big PSU already and the mixer itself is bigger than all of those options, even the Mackie ProFX8. So do the newer Yamahas I mentioned and the Mackies really don't have anything other than a regular cord from mixer to wall?
Since I'm used to this big Yamaha with a pretty big PSU I don't know if I mind that. It's much easier to carry a small mixer with a seperate PSU than a bigger mixer.

The Yamaha is smaller and has compression but I don't know how important that is to you.

Well, the ProFX8 is still smaller than what I have now, though not by much. But it's way too big to carry anywhere. It's also more expensive, costs about $450 here.
The Soundcraft is the only one small enough to have here and carry (well I guess not if the PSU is about the size of the mixer...). The Yamaha MG102C is cheap enough to also buy a Mackie 402-VLZ3 for carrying, compromising panning, but really nice small setup. To be honest I could even use just the Mackie 402, use the hard panning at home for the computer and no panning for live. I would just have to switch cables every time I want to practice at home which is a bit of a pain... so I rather not.

 

[hakukani]

If you happen to have a mic that needs to have a lot of gain at the pre stage, then it's pretty important to have a clean, well designed mic pre for that first stage. Otherwise, you're just amplifying the mic pre's noise. The soundcraft notebook (and let me tell you, I've used successfully a LOT of soundcraft pro gear--so it's not like it's Bose or Behringer) just isn't a well designed device.

 

[Pepertje]

Allen & Heath offer since a little while little mixers, the ZED-10FX and without internal effects the ZED-10. I can't speak from own experience but saw a rather positive review here http://www.musicradar.com/gear/all/recording/mixers/zed-10fx-258623/review.

Roland made I thought the DX10. A little digital mixer. I think you can still get it here and there http://www.roland.com/products/en/M-10DX/

 

[clarnibass]

Thanks. I looked at the A&H and it's a little bigger than the Yamaha, which is already the biggest I was hoping to get...

 

[FilmDir]

I have a Mackie 1202 VLZ PRO and it's been great. I've never used the 802.

 

[Pepertje]

Alesis has also quite a few mixers, also little ones: http://www.alesis.com/mixers

TC Electronic has nice audio interfaces which you can use as a mixer. I wanted to buy their Studio Konnekt 48 with that remote control but then I saw they also offer a so called Impact Twin interface with with more than enough possibilities for me.

Sites:
http://www.tcelectronic.com/impacttwin.asp
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jan10/articles/tcelectronicimpacttwin.htm

http://www.tcelectronic.com/studiokonnekt48.asp
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/apr08/articles/studiokonnekt48.htm