what small 4 channel mixer for drums???

[boomtat2.0]

i'm looking for a small 4 channel mixer for micing drums...kick-snare and 2 overheads (condenser) so it needs phantom power ..a USB would also be nice if i wanted to record w/ it...my main purpose is for live sound...my son (guitarist) would like to use it for demo recording (he needs the US...don't want to spend a bundle on it (under 200.00 if possible)...i've looked at Mackie, Yamaha and Behringer...they all have mixers in that range but the reviews are all over the map...

so, what are you guys using???...i trust the reviews here more than anywhere else...thanks...

 

[kip]

i'm looking for a small 4 channel mixer for micing drums...kick-snare and 2 overheads (condenser) so it needs phantom power ..a USB would also be nice if i wanted to record w/ it...my main purpose is for live sound...my son (guitarist) would like to use it for demo recording (he needs the US...don't want to spend a bundle on it (under 200.00 if possible)...i've looked at Mackie, Yamaha and Behringer...they all have mixers in that range but the reviews are all over the map...

so, what are you guys using???...i trust the reviews here more than anywhere else...thanks...

I've heard good things about the little 4 channel mackies, and I've used the 4 channel Yammies....
for a quick 4 channel drum mix to send to 1 channel on the main board, it works w basic EQ (high, mid, low)
its not going to give you lots of options, but it will let you submix and send to the main mixer with out much hassle

 

[storsav]

A Used Mackie 1202 can be had for about $100.

 

[shaolin_cb]

I've been using this:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MW10c?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=PPC&utm_campaign=none&gclid=CNCbhuDrwrQCFUOK4AodzgwAYA

Yamaha MW10

I like it and the usb out is nice. The only problem is the only output is stereo. If you actually want to record 4 tracks separately you are screwed.

I would be careful limiting yourself to 4 channels. You may only want 4 now but what about later?

 

[kaosotis]

I have a Tascam that I think they discontinued. Was $199, I got it for $99 on a deal. Has 6 mic inputs, USB for direct multitrack recording. Works great.

Any brand name board will be fine, however if your son wants to record you have to check if the USB does a 2 channel stereo mix or individual channels (like mine).

 

[stickinthemud]

I use a Yamaha MG102C, and am very happy with it. Inexpensive, four XLR inputs and extra channels for other devices, and also has a quick and simple compression adjustment for the first two channels.

 

[LimaPop]

I use a Mackie 1202 also, perfect sub mixer.... Excellent preamps , nice and quiet.

 

[BennyK]

Alesis . I picked it up used for 100 . Some nice features,compact and easy to figure out. About 9 inches square. Four regular( 1/4 and low imp.each) inputs and two channels for DJ stuff I guess .

 

[saydlowski]

I use the Mackie

 

[Stone Wilcoxon]

Let me cast another vote for the Mackie 1202. Built solid as the proverbial brick (out)house, and has lots of flexibility in signal routing. One unique feature is the ALT3-4 OUT. When you push the "mute" button on any channel, you expect it to mute the channel, right? It does, but it also sends that signal to a stereo pair of output jacks on the back panel called ALT3-4. I use it in my in-ear monitor system to send some channels to a comp/limiter, then bring them back in on one of the line-in stereo channels. Look for the newer 1202VLZ3 model. Just about everything else in this class is just a copy of the Mackie. I use the next model up, the 1402VLZ3. It has two more mic preamps.

 

[jmacderm]

Here's mine.(broken attachment removed)

 

[RogersLudwig]

I use a Soundcraft EPM8 8-channel mixer for the drums, but Soundcraft makes a 6 channel mixer, too. I'm extremely happy with it. I can run all of my overhead and drum mics through the mixer and then plug the two output cables into the PA. Works a treat.

I agree with Shaolin, four channels might not be enough if down the road you want to increase the number of mics you're using.

 

[Dave H.]

If you think you need a 4 channel mixer get a 8 or 12 channel. Do you really need a drum mixer? If there are enough channels on the main mixer someone out front can mix your drums better for the front of house mix.
Dave Huffman

 

[Formula428]

I've had experience (including professional audio gigs) with many manufacturers, so I thought I'd chime in. However, I'd like to offer a suggestion - don't limit yourself to just 4 channels. What happens if you want to add tom mics? I'd gun for an 8-channel or even 12 channels. The extra few channels may cost more at first, but will be much cheaper than buying another console (and selling yours for almost no $). Alternatively, you could pick up a powered mixer 4, 6, or 8-channel for $50 if you look. Those things are practically thrown away. If you don't need the power amp, put some tape over the jacks in the back (so that nothing accidentally gets plugged into it) and just use the direct outs/aux outs. Just double check that it has phantom power first.

Anyways, regarding buying new (or used)...

Behringer - Junk. Period. It will break, guaranteed. The only good thing is the price. I wouldn't take a Behringer piece of equipment even if free. A band I was in once had a Behringer console. In 1 year, it lost 7 channels and 2 auxilaries. Good thing it had 32 channels and 8 auxiliaries to start with!

Yamaha - Yamaha's top lines are one of the best. The lower lines, such as the MG line, I find the preamps to be a little dirty. My old Mackie 1202 can bounce the clip indicators without any distortion, but the MG24 our church had broke up/distorted around +3 dB. Therefore, I wouldn't recommend running the preamps too hot. However, the boards are good considering their price point. Our church uses an MG24 and it's been flawless for many years now, other than the preamp issue. Perhaps they've improved the design with the newer models?

Allen & Heath - I've only had (very positive) experience with the GL series, but I heard that the MixWiz series is phenomenal as well. If I were going for an analog small-format console, I'd buy an Allen & Heath for sure. After using a Behringer for another band, and swapping it out for an A&H the next night, I could actually hear the difference in quality.

Mackie - An interesting tale for Mackie. I own a 1202 (4xlr, 4 stereo channels) console, and it's been running flawlessly since the early 90s when my father purchased it. That console has seen thousands of hours for funerals, weddings, small PA gigs, etc. No problems. However, I've heard that the newer Mackie consoles have gone down hill. Most people avoid them these days and buy Allen & Heath instead. That being said, another church I subbed for ran a newer VLZ 16-channel console, with no problems in the last 4 years since it was purchased.

Soundcraft - I've only ran the large format Soundcraft consoles (48 channels), but I've heard positive info about Soundcraft's lower end consoles. I'd probably still choose A&H, though.

The others I've used, Midas, Presonus, don't appear to be applicable for your use.

 

[bamamule77]

I found a used peavey 4 channel on eBay for $25. It's a lot easier to carry around than my big board, if I know ahead of time the room I'm playing in.

 

[Formula428]

I found a used peavey 4 channel on eBay for $25. It's a lot easier to carry around than my big board, if I know ahead of time the room I'm playing in.

I also use a similar thing, a Sunn (made by Fender) 4-channel 150w powered unit. It's great when I want the Mackie 1202, but also need power amps. A church was throwing it out, only because they bought a new system. The unit is practically brand new, and very clean sounding too. I also scored an older Mackie 16-channel console, in case I don't want to bring my StudioLive 1642.

 

[boomtat2.0]

thanks so much for the responses...keep 'em coming...

i already have a 16 channel yamaha board if i need to go big ( more mics.etc)...i was just looking for a small 4 ch to handle kick-snare-2 condenser overheads...no one near me carries Allen & Heath that i know of unless it was used....i'm leaning toward the yamaha because of the compression feature...still open to all experiences and thoughts on the matter...

thanks again.......

 

[Hater]

A word of caution:

A lot of the small mixers with a USB out...you don't actually get separate tracks when you record them. Obviously there are a lot of options out there, but I had to learn the hard way.

I've got an Alesis MultiMix 8 USB mixer. It's got phantom power for my mics. The thing has worked flawlessly for over a year and half, and it get used (and abused) a lot.

For recording purposes though, even though it has 8 channels, it doesn't matter. You only get one stereo track out or two mono outs.

Just throwing that out there. It may not matter to you, but I feel it should be mentioned.