Mixers...

Garold86

Looking for some advice from the masses in terms of getting a new-to-us mixer.

We've been getting by with a 4 channel little Beringer thing for a while now, but time has come to upgrade to something a little better. That something would preferably have at least 8 XLR inputs, with onboard effects and would be analogue (or at least have faders for quickly changing levels mid-set if needed). However don't want some great hulking thing that struggles to fit in the car. Don't mind used - budget is £250-300.

So given all that, where should we be focussing our attention, in terms of boards / brands etc.

thomasw88

Personally having had Mackies, soundcraft, behringers etc the  best ones I've found for sound quality/reliability in the budget end are Yamaha..    Yamaha MGP16X for example, although the previous generation was really good as well.

  Has good quality sound, 3 aux outs, built in compression for some tracks, Plus effects aux.   
ebay
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ESBlonde

If you have a laptop/tablet/smart phone then the behringer xr12 is feature packed, portable and saves external fx comp etc. very powerful in a small package and slightly above your budget.

maltingsaudio

You should be able to pickup an AllenandHeath mix wizard for that budget great desks, sound really nice great eq loads of auxes , no wallwarts and repairable 

kennedydream1980

Soundcraft Signature 12 will do the job. I prefer their Mic pre’s to the Yamaha ones. They sound more musical to me.You also get Lexicon effects.

You should be able to pick up a used one well within your budget.

There is a new one here for £359.

https://www.scan.co.uk/products/soundcraft-signature-12-mixing-desks-compact-analogue-mixer-12-channels-2-usb-inputs?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=feed_clicks&utm_content=surfaces_across_google&gclid=CjwKCAjw6IiiBhAOEiwALNqncUxE7F5kyUbVRwFKpsxurh5pSH1IEZnuYNxUeY5W7a2fpuw9hP6JJBoClAUQAvD_BwE

Danny1969

maltingsaudio said:

You should be able to pickup an AllenandHeath mix wizard for that budget great desks, sound really nice great eq loads of auxes , no wallwarts and repairable 

That's my pick as well. 
Good headroom, great EQ and generous Aux buses .... also VERY reliable 

Kittyfrisk

I usually get by with tonic water & maybe coke or orange juice.

maltingsaudio

Danny1969 said:

maltingsaudio said:

You should be able to pickup an AllenandHeath mix wizard for that budget great desks, sound really nice great eq loads of auxes , no wallwarts and repairable 

That's my pick as well. 
Good headroom, great EQ and generous Aux buses .... also VERY reliable 

Indeed, I’ve just had mine serviced by my local vintage repairers, I’ve owned it for 20 years!  Doesn’t get much use now but still probably my favourite desk to use for small non commercial gigs! Much sweeter than my Zed or Signature, and I think sounds better than the QU!

John_P

Agreed.  If you’re not going digital then a mix-wizard is a great choice.    Love those desks.    

That said I’d look at the channel count you need, how many pre or post aux sends and eq bands and almost modern desk that fits will be ok - the difference in quality coming out of the PA will depend a lot more on the performance and mixing skills than the brand imo.  

Garold86

Thanks chaps, really appreciate the insight.

You're absolutely right - the quality of output is very much going to be determined by user, rather than board itself. That said, finding something easy to dial in and if necessary change on the fly (hence veering away from digital), whilst also being bulletproof is absolutely key.

Off to eBay for a MixWizard I go...

koneguitarist

I love the Allen and Heath ZedFX range, great eq and preamps, cheap and still British made I think.