Mixer types

From your list of equipment above, you "could" use up 4 channels of a mixer with your MPC alone. Also, if you want to hook up a turntable you will need a mixer with a phono pre-amp (or an external DJ mixer, or an external phono pre-amp.) So, that will take up another two channels right there, now you are up to six. Add in one microphone and now you are at 7 channels. Now if you add a keyboard/synth you will either have to juggle channels or run it mono if you have an 8 channel mixer, and we haven't even reserved at least two channels for you to monitor back your laptop.
As you can see, mixer channels can add up fast, and this doesn't factor in what you need if someone comes over with THEIR equipment.

I would say, total up how many you need right now or in the immediate forseeable future and then bump up one size from that if you can. In my example above, I would not hesitate to buy a 12-channel mixer.

Now, the next question is, how many channels of audio do you expect to be able to record into your laptop/DAW at one time?
If more than two, then you will need to move up to a 4-buss (or more) mixer.

Also, this is just my opinion, but I would steer clear of anything that says "Behringer" on it.
There's a reason it looks just like a mackie but costs 1/3, and it ain't just because they've figured out how to exploit global supply chaining.

Does anyone on here have any experience with this board:Soundcraft Compact10? It has 10 channels, but 6 of them are STEREO channels (which technically adds up to 16 channels) and it also has a phono-preamp. From a connectivity standpoint it looks great, but I have never seen one in person and have NO IDEA how they sound. I do know that Soundcraft makes some good sounding stuff on the upper-end, but do not know about their lower-end lines. Anyone?

So can a DJ mixer work like a regular mixer?

Mr. Flam wrote:So can a DJ mixer work like a regular mixer?

That's a Yes, BUT...

A traditional "mixer" will have some flexibility like auxiliary sends and EQ on each channel, plus you can typically send the channels to separate outputs (buses) for recording or monitoring. These type of features are usually non-existent or very limited on most DJ mixers (but you may find them on more high-end DJ mixers.) Most traditional mixers have microphone pre-amps built in to multiple channels too. DJ mixers often only have one mic pre-amp (and some don't have any, but that is rare).

So what kinds of brands out there carries mixers that include 8 channels and is affordable? I believe I will be using 8 channels since I'll be using my MPC, laptop, turntable and speakers, is that about right? (I know that sounds very retarded, but I want to be very sure and accurate) Right now I ain't got no job and I'm just waiting on my tax return.

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/pr ... sku=630142

SOMETHING SIMILIAR TO THAT WILL WORK. NOW THAT U NO THE SPECIFICS OF WHAT U NEED FROM A MIXER, U SHOULD BE ABLE TO DECIDE WHICH ONE WILL SUIT UR NEEDS BEST.

PS, I USE A VARIATION OF THIS MIXER AND HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH IT

Mr. Flam wrote:So what kinds of brands out there carries mixers that include 8 channels and is affordable? I believe I will be using 8 channels since I'll be using my MPC, laptop, turntable and speakers, is that about right? (I know that sounds very retarded, but I want to be very sure and accurate) Right now I ain't got no job and I'm just waiting on my tax return.

Your speakers will be connected to the L/R outputs. They don't plug into the input channels.

Mixers have mono and stereo channels. It sounds like you'll need at least 4 stereo channels (mpc = 1 stereo channel, turntable = 1 stereo channel). You'll want at least one mono channel too if you want to hook up a mic.

btw...my turntable connects to a dj mixer that has 2 outputs. One goes to the mpc for sampling and the other goes out to a 16 channel mixer. I can sample when I need to and playback simultaneously with the mpc as needed without having to rearrange cables.

Mr. Flam wrote:So what kinds of brands out there carries mixers that include 8 channels and is affordable? I believe I will be using 8 channels since I'll be using my MPC, laptop, turntable and speakers, is that about right? (I know that sounds very retarded, but I want to be very sure and accurate) Right now I ain't got no job and I'm just waiting on my tax return.

Mr. Flam,
Not sure if you have found a mixer yet, but I just saw this while walking around Best Buy last night and thought that it might fit your bill:
Tapco Mix 120
The only thing it DOESN'T have is the phono pre-amp.
8 channels, 4 of which are STEREO (so technically 12 channels in all).
Best thing is the price... 50-twice. Was in stock at the Best Buy with the music store inside, ready to walk out the door with you. (I live in a rural area and so am not really accustomed to being able to just run to the store and buy something music-related and bring it home, so GC, BestBuy, (and also Ikea, FWIW) just fascinate me

I bought one of these for my son's setup a couple of years ago:
Mackie 1203
It would provide you a bit more flexibility due to the alt-bus, extra auxiliary send, and 3-band eq on EVERY channel - but then it IS three times the price (we picked ours up at a GC clearance just before the VLZ3 model came out, so it was the VLZ2? but functionally the same thing - and for half the price new.)

The only thing I have seen in this range with a phono pre-amp actually built in was that model I mentioned in a post up above (the soundcraft) but again, I have NO experience AT ALL with that particular mixer - in fact I have never SEEN one in person so I can't say any thing more than it looks like it would be good from a feature and connectivity standpoint and that Soundcraft has a good reputation in the higher-end market.

hth,
Tim

Best Buy sells mixers, huh? Didn't know that. Thanks.

Mr. Flam wrote:Best Buy sells mixers, huh? Didn't know that. Thanks.

yea aint that some sh!t. i kno they do sell equipment but now they got mixers? anyway i got a tapco mix260fx that i really like. 4 mono tracks, 8 stereo tracks, fx, control room outs. ive got the main outs going into a emu 1212m and the control room outs going to my amp and speakers.

http://www.pssl.com/!edvV4fwAKf-GcGPGLy ... -Effects-s

i chose this over a berhinger anyday.

Mr. Flam wrote:Best Buy sells mixers, huh? Didn't know that. Thanks.

Best Buy appears to be taking on Guitar Center in select stores.

They have sectioned off a part of the store and have a complete music store inside - complete with instruction rooms. They have keyboards, drums, guitars, live sound, DJ, and computer soft/hardware for sale. The one I went to was organized VERY well to be so small. I don't think I saw any MPC's there, but I do think I saw some MPD's.

It's not EVERY Best Buy location though... my guess is that it is only ones close to a Guitar Center (common practice of letting some other company do all of your market research for you to see where the ideal location for a store is - ever wonder why so many auto parts stores open up just a block away from an AutoZone?)

Anywho, in this case the Guitar Center I go to could use a bit of competition, IMO.

i got a best buy by my house and all they got is cheap m audio sh!t, geloppy wack dj controllers and samson karaoke mics. they've had sh!t up there for a year or so but everytime i go there selection gets worst.