Looking for a new mixer (home studio)

[Torniojaws]

I currently have the Behringer MX602A, which is fine for straight-through recording, but since I'm thinking about attaching both my speakers and headphones to it, I'd like a mixer which doesn't affect the sound quality of the speakers so much.

Here's my needs for the mixer:

· Must have at least 2 x XLR inputs (more than 4 not needed)
· Does not affect monitoring sound quality much/if at all
· An output for both the headphones (3.5mm, or 1/4" TRS through an adapter) and monitors (1/4" TRS or XLR) with a volume control
· Has good quality recording sound/doesn't affect recording sound
· Is not too big
· Price range: up to 500 euros (600 $USD)

Or I'm also open for any other types of devices that provide those. I've checked out the Edirol UA-25, which seems nice, but some people tell the sound quality leaves something to be desired and also that USB connection is not very good for audio stuff.

Here's a few mixers I've been looking at:

Mackie 1202 VLZ PRO
http://www.thomann.de/thoiw3_mackie_1202_vlz_prodinfo.html

Mackie ONYX 1220
http://www.thomann.de/thoiw3_artikel-171587.html

Mackie DFX 6
http://www.thomann.de/thoiw3_mackie_dfx_6_prodinfo.html

And finally my current gear:

Shure SM57
Behringer MX602A
Behringer Truth B2030A
M-Audio Delta Audiophile 2496
+ possibly Røde NT1A

 

[Razorjack]

It doesn't sound like you actually need a mixer. Instead you could get something like the Presonus Central Station for the output features would be a good choice, then you can get an FMR Really Nice Preamp or some similar stereo pre-amp.

 

[cornerarea]

http://www.soundcraft.com/product_sheet.asp?product_id=121

That should be a quality mixer for your purposes.

 

[006]

+1 for the SoundCraft. They make great mixers. If I had to pick between all of these for the purpose, I would say either the Mackie Onyx or the SoundCraft. The Mackie Onyx is reallllly good too though. We've been looking into switching over to those instead of the Mackie 32x8 that we have there now. The Onyx preamps are suppose to be top-notch. Good luck.

~006

 

[006]

I use to own a Mackie DFX-12 mixer. It fried like a month after I had it. Only used it a couple of times, and it was just running audio through it to speakers so I could hear the range of the EQ's it had. It just *stopped* working in the middle of doing that one time, and I opened it up, and like three things were all blackened and had that burned smell, lol. I don't know if this is just a freak ocurrence or if it's typical of the DFX series. I haven't heard of anyone else having a problem with them, but still, heads up.

~006

 

[Torniojaws]

Yeah, I was asking around at another forum and it seems that Mackie used to do quality products in the early 90's, but nowadays makes cheap stuff that isn't all that great.

But anyways, I've decided to go with the Soundcraft Compact 4 based on all research I've done It seems like it's perfect for what I need.

 

[006]

Great choice, you'll be happy with it.

~006