while a mixer is the cornerstone of a producer’s studio, technically you don't need a mixer to record the mpc500, because there are only two audio outputs, and a computer has two audio inputs. mixers give you a higher degree of control over your playing and sampling experience, but the latter (i've found) is the most useful resource for sample based production. i use a maxie 1202. and it's invaluable because i have several audio sources running into it (dvd, microphone, turntable, cd, tape, vhs, ect.) and with the push of a button i can send any source to the mpc for sampling. I haven’t used the yamahas, but i've seen them and they look great. they also have some features that are harder to find on budget mixers. i.e. faders and sends. my only concern is that the unit i examined at guitar center seamed really light, and thus, maybe fragile. i'm looking for a mixer myself, something under 100 for live performances (i increase my two mpc500 outputs to five, with the addition of a chaos pad return and at least one microphone. i've got my eye on this peavey, because it's affordable, has the bare minimum inputs i need, and perhaps most alluring, the main out is a fader, which allows for better master volume control.
