Purchasing a mixer this weekend

That's right... I'm going down to my local guitar center and purchase a new mixer this weekend.
I have a new external synth so a mixer is a must, but I never purchased a analog mixer before except for a dj mixer.

I want to have a shopping list of all the things that I need so any advise will be much appreciated.

As of now I basically want to connect my 2000xl, and my synth into the mixer so what type of cable accesories will I need?

My synth has one 1/4 inch output, and you all know what the XL has.

Any advise will be much appreciated.

how much can you spend?

I'm not trying to spend anymore than $350.
I was looking at the behringer series mixer, or the smaller mackies. I might be able to find a good deal on a used mixer since my local guitar center carries alot of them.

But, what type of cables will I need?
All I am trying to hook up for now is my yamaha synth with one 1/4 inch output, and my 2000XL.

you will need 1/4 to 1/4 cables to connect your mpc and synth to your mixer. the berhinger mixers are pretty good. I have owned 3 myself.

look at the mackie 1202vlz...should be able to get one for around 300....

The Mackie 1202vlz is a very good mixer. I've read some reviews that say the Behringers don't sound very good. Also a certified seller told me that their customer support is terrible. He said it takes months to get a new one when it breaks. Also look at the Yahama MG 12/4. It sounds good. You'll get the best advice if you give an idea of how you plan on recording your music and what equip. you want to get next.

I'm hearing alot of mixed reviews for the behringer series mixers. It seems some folks don't have a problem, and some do.
I'm also defenitely going to check out the mackie series mixers too. My local guitar center have the 1202 for $150 dollars.

As far as what I am trying to do next?
Well.. after all this I'm either planning to upgrade my 128 ram, p3 733mhz, computer to go with a software based recording, or I might just invest my money into a hardware multitrack.
I'm not sure as to go hard or soft, but my next move is going to be recording defenitely.

As far as the cable goes..
Ok, I know that I will need a 1/4 to 1/4 from my synth to the mixer, but what about for the 2000xl? Do I use the headphone jack, or the L&R stereo output?

I really appreciate all the help.

well you havent stated if you have the eight out board for the mpc, in my opinion this is a must have, i had my mpc for a year with out it, and kinda lost faith, in it. but saying tht its all well. never buy cheap cables some proper shielded 1/4 inch are fine.
as for the mackie, those desks are great. i worked with them for 7 years live. the vlz mic pres are the bomb. and it is very quiet. as for channel leakage, they do leak a bit, but nothing to worry about. the eq on them are clinical, but they do the job.
beringer hmmmmm, well to be honest tht company got sued by mackie some years back, because they were actually pirating the electronic compositions, of the board, they settled it out of court. basically what you get is standard sounding, with cheap build, i would never buy a desk from them, cause i ragg my desks. so they couldny stand that treatment. also longevity , not sure, i personally wouldnt trust them.
yur spending dollars, so icouldnt advise you on prices.

mixing desks are the most complicated bit of gear in preparation of buying a studio. why?
look at this eg, the 1202vlz if i remember correctly it is 12 inputs
ok
you have 8 from the mpc
1 stereo from the synth
thts 10
what about effect returns
and say hmmmmm one more synth.
your mixer is finished, no more inputs.
so what do you do know, buy a next one?
money burning away!!!!

the first rule in buying a mixer is to establsh, how much gear you have, how much more you plan to get, in a couple of years time.
count the outputs from them and add an extra 8
from there calculate the amount of inputs you need for your mixer.
you can never have have too !!!! much inputs.

if i were you i would hold back and save to buy at least!!! very least!!!!!
16.4.2 it may be long saving but it is worth it.
if you cant wait, buy a cheap ass desk, like a peavey or something 20.2 desk and save to buy a decent desk
thts my view, but good luck!

I've been looking for the 8 out option, but I can't find it anywhere so I am stuck without it.
So what are my options without the 8 out? How would I go about recording thru a mixing board like the mackie 1202vlz without the 8 out?

I really appreciate the help.

Also.. what about the cable from my MPC to the mixer? Since I don't have the 8 out option, what kind of cable will I need?

I just want to be prepared when I get to my local guitar center.

you goona get frustrated when you realsie you cant multitrack from mpc plus also since you only have 1 out put from a synth and two from the mpc buy someting cheap well cheap and horrible, but anyways here goes. 2 1/4inch jack, male to male from output of mpc to input of mixer thts it! same cables as 8 out.

skalawa wrote:you goona get frustrated when you realsie you cant multitrack from mpc

Well.. I don't want to get frustrated after the fact, that is why I am here now trying to get all the advise/help that I need before I go and spend money.
I want to know why I can't multitrack from the mpc without the 8-outs? I've heard, and read about alot of peoples that does not have 8-outs that are still multitracking.. I think either 1, or 2 tracks at a time.
Could you elaborate why I can't multitrack from the mpc?

you can do it 1/2 tracks ( multitrack means several tracks at a time, a two track recorder is not regarded as a multitrack, dont get me wrong) yes the mpc can reocord 1/2 tracks at atime but it is time consuming plus if you have
kick into channel 1 on mixer
snare ch2 on mixer
hi hat ch 3
bass ch 4
sample loop ch 5
percussion ch6

etc then you can eq , mix add outboard effects and balance the whole lot from the mixer live, have a mic on one channel. and just do a mix right then and there, you basically "have a product somewhat"

the key element is tht you can "nice up each track indivdually easier because its not coming as a stereo out from the mpc, although the mpc has an internal mixer, some of us like to mix it from the board and spice up things from there

Skalawa, I've seen everybody in here reccomending the 8 outs for EQ on the MPC but isn't it a pain in the ass to have to adjust the EQ settings on your mixer everytime you load a new beat? Seeing as how you can't save the settings on the mixer

hey skiggy, listen to this.
i personally enjoy mixing, and sound creation, i believe that this is an integral part of making music. sure you can save it for the next beat, and more than likely your next beats instruments will sond very similar to that of the first, i never want to get in that habit, using template beats or sounds, for my creation

but everyone has thier own preferences, its really down to you....