I have a pretty simple set-up; just a keyboard(YamahaP120)+ module(E-MU Proteus2000)+ effects pedal(Boss Fender Reverb Amp) and then a single RCF ART310 active PA speaker. Would it be ok to plug straight into the speaker... or is this not recommended? Should I get a small mixer? If so, can you suggest a very small mixer that would do the job?

Many thanks,

SP

Edited by sunpalm (05/02/12 12:52 PM)

I've always used a mixer for this sort of thing as you can match levels better and generally be more flexible with personal monitoring and PA feeds. My usual mixer is an ancient folio Notepad - no longer available but replaced by the Soundcraft Compact 4 and Compact 10, I believe. Mackie (wash my mouth with soap and water) do some small mixers and of course B****nger do lots. Of those makes I'd go for the Soundcraft. Not sure there's a Zed series from Allen and Heath that's small enough - can somebody help here? That'd probably be the best all round for quality and robustness.

Having the mixer to hand to control everything is a boon, in my opinion. And for me it gives the option of mixing various keyboards and having them all go through my Tube Rotosphere as well.

Oh, I should say that for years my keyboard rig was just a Roland piano and an Oberheim Hammond module. Since I used the Roland's midi out to trigger the module, I used the mixer to fade the piano or organ up or down as required. I have to say that if you end up doing that you'll be much better off with a mixer that has faders rather than knobs for the output level.

I agree with Tacitus. Mackie's 402-VLZ3 is a good option, it's small (it sits on my keyboard), reasonably flexible for such a tiny fella, and surprisingly decent quality (Mackie's have improved recently).

If it doesn't have enough inputs for you (look at the website for details) go for a slightly bigger Mackie, or a Soundcraft. I would avoid Behringer because they're likely to be a bit hissier and less reliable (although Mackie and Soundcraft can also be a bit unreliable).

Soundcraft Notepad 124 is still on at a good price at DV247 if you're in the UK.

Yamaha MG102C might be worth a look.

Other small Soundcrafts amd Yamahas are also available at price-points below the A&H ZED-10.

Cheapest ZED is the ZED-10 at £170 (UK); that's what I'd recommend if you can stretch that far. Good sound quality and well-built.

I can never get too excited about the Mackie range; I've used plenty and they're OK, but I always feel the sound is not what it could be (at the price-points) or that the build-quality is up to life on the road. Of course, others will disagree.

Thanks for the advice guys; I'm looking into them.