I am looking for a small mixer, in the 6-12 channel range with direct outs to use as a foldback/cue mixer. I do not want anything from a brand that starts with a "B", and I would like to keep the budget commiserate with the intended function, which is not over-the-top.

I would prefer not to use the inserts as direct outs so that I can use balanced cables.

I do not need high quality mic pres since I will be using line ins, and EQ is also not needed.

I would like to add some comfort EQ to the vocals if possible, but that would require that the aux send be pre-direct out.

Any ideas? Thanks!

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James
"Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake" ~Napoleon Bonaparte~

Nobody, eh?

Just a friendly bump.

What about some of the smaller Mackies? I know the 1604 has 8 direct outs for the first 8 channels, and would probably work if I can't come up with something smaller.

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James
"Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake" ~Napoleon Bonaparte~

Hi DH,

What about the Oz Audio Q-Mix? I know it's been discontinued (mine was from 2000) but IIRC, didn't Mackie buyout the design and make them under their own name in the US? Maybe a second-hand one available in the States - they're very strongly made so could probably cope with several owners along the way.

It might not have the full spec you're after, but if it's primarily a headphone cuemix you want, it's definitely worth a look...

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"It's not pretty, also you can't dance to it." - Frank Zappa
www.bluelizardstudio.com

I thought you were a fan of the Hear Back system? Not cheap though... http://www.heartechnologies.com/hb/hearbackintro.htm

Anyway, for the job you describe what about a Mackie VLZ or similar (maybe even one of the ones with built in FX to give some comfort reverb?).

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Dynamite with a laser beam...

Quote Doublehelix:

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commiserate

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Commensurate surely?

Forum member w oxo cube is selling his A&H GL2. (I'm not suggesting you pick it up from 'Yorkshire, England', but maybe that's the kind of thing which would suit you?)



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TAKEN.BALL.GONE.HOME

@Blue Lizard:

Actually, that does not do what I need it to do, but thanks for the suggestion. I actually already own one! I bought it for my son's band's rehearsals. This way, they can practice with headphones, and don't have to set up the PA everytime.

@Steve:

I actually do already have the Hear Back System, and I love it! What I am looking for is something that will feed it 8 signals (stereo mix + 6 "more me" signals).

I am currently using a *HUGE* Soundtracs Topaz 32:8 mixer, and as I am rebuilding my control room, I am thinking about dumping the Topaz, and getting a small monitor controller (like the Audient or Dangerous), but I still need a small mixer to create the cue mixes.

The Topaz works great, but it is just so darn big!

Hearback does make a great device to do this called the "Mixback", but it is *very* expensive, and is way overkill for my needs at this point.

The Mackie VLZ might be a good option. I could use the 4 sub groups along with the direct outs.... Hmmmm... could probably work.

@Jimi:

I am a big fan of the A&H stuff, and my live rig employs an A&H mixer. Good suggestion! I'll look around locally for one of those as well.


Thanks for suggestions guys!

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James
"Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake" ~Napoleon Bonaparte~

DH, be aware that with the Vlz anything that runs through the main sub is sub standard.

If you use just the direct outs then you're good to go.

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Samplecraze
Stretch That Note

Zukan, I was not aware of this. In what way is the signal substandard? Do you mean the aux 1 & 2 buses, as well as the main mix are worse/noisier/whatever than the direct outs?
DH, the direct outs are not balanced on my 1402VLZPRO, you have to plug the plug into the jack only 1 click, and you get an unbalanced signal. The direct outs are really send/insert jacks for effects that can double as direct outs, so the TRS jack has the direct out on the T and S and the insert on the R and S.
Jorge

Soundcraft M series? Great value for money and dedicated direct outs for each channel.

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"It's not pretty, also you can't dance to it." - Frank Zappa
www.bluelizardstudio.com

OK, thanks for that Zuk. I am not familiar with any of the Mackie mixers, although I have played on stage many time where the soundman was using a Mackie board.

I am concerned about the sound quality, but if I am limited to the Direct Outs, that means I will lose the ability to add in some comfort reverb to the vox. I was thinking I could combine a few channels to the subs (drums, guitars) and then send the vox to one as well with some verb.

EDIT: I just looked at the specs for the 1604VLZ, and it also has direct outs on the 4 subgroups. Should work, eh?


Jorge: The 1604 has balanced outs on channels 1-8 and balanced outs on subs 1-4.

Blue Lizard: Good suggestion! I did not know that they had the direct outs! Excellent! That is one I did not think about before.

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James
"Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake" ~Napoleon Bonaparte~