richard_cooper Posted September 30, 2011 Share Posted September 30, 2011 I know that this topic has been done to death, but I want to ask this question again with, obviously, my own set of conditions. Budget "in the region of" £300 I need to get a new mixer, with minimum 6 mic channels and 2 stereo channels. I don't need any subgroups (preferably none for the inexperienced operators), and would like probably 4 auxes. EQ is as flexible as possible given the price point, and HPF on mic channels is a must (with as high as possible frequency). I'd also really like it to have an internal power supply, so it only needs an IEC lead. Preferably XLR out on main outputs (auxes as well but unlikely at this price). I'm not bothered either way by internal effects, and I'm not interested in cheesy 9 band graphic EQ's. Single knob compressors also don't interest me, but again don't really count against. USB in/out, not interested unless there was a product with all the above with 4 or more channel USB/Firewire input (again not likely). Reliability and robustness also a consideration. Usage is mainly small presentations (with one stereo source and a couple of mics), small "talent" events (four vocal mics, instrument mic or two, a CD Player, and computer), etc. All this in an education environment, where the operator is less than skilled so needs a simple set up. I've not got any experience of this sector of the market, I deal in either tiny £40 2 channel utility mixers, or 01V96 and up. I see many offerings around these features from the likes of Soundcraft (efx, mpi etc), Allen & Heath (Zed range), Mackie, Yamaha, and then all the cheepies (Behringer, Phonic, Alesis, et al). Can anyone give me any recommendations based on products that fit the bill, that they have used? Many thanks, Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Steve Posted September 30, 2011 Share Posted September 30, 2011 Now discontinued, but probably around online used the Mackie DFX6 is good. Internal PSU, 4 mic inputs, stereo inputs, real faders, phantom, 2 way EQ per channel, XLR out, HPF on two of the mic channels, small, easy, cheap. Downsides would be only 2 auxes, only two HPF mic channels, and not available new (!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J Pearce Posted September 30, 2011 Share Posted September 30, 2011 Ive put two A&H Zeds into the music classrooms at work which are doing grand at multi input 'silent' bands and recording classes via the USB. 4 auxes will be your problem at this frame size and budget, most only have 3max. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richard_cooper Posted September 30, 2011 Author Share Posted September 30, 2011 4 auxes will be your problem at this frame size and budget, most only have 3max. Ahh, let me refine that to 3-4 auxes, capable of 2 pre fader, one (or two post fader)! "probably 4 auxes" was not the clearest form of words! Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J Pearce Posted September 30, 2011 Share Posted September 30, 2011 Have a look at the zed14.Might push your budget a little depending on your relationship with your suppliers and whether you're counting VAT, but its a cracking little desk, and fits most of your spec. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richard_cooper Posted September 30, 2011 Author Share Posted September 30, 2011 Thanks, I'd actually missed that specific model for some reason, and that's two recommendations for the range. Might push your budget a little depending on your relationship with your suppliers and whether you're counting VAT I'm including VAT here, and my budget is "in the region of £300", I'm also a firm believer in "the wrong tool at the right price is still the wrong tool" school of thinking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plinque Posted September 30, 2011 Share Posted September 30, 2011 Yamaha MG 166C. It's got more channels than you're asking for, and has the compression, is not IEC and has group outs, but the price is right. The layout is very straightforward, so even inexperienced operators should be able to understand what's going on. I use an older version of this on lots of events. It's taken lots of abuse, but just keeps on going. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbuckley Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 I was going to say Ato L-12 (which I have) and has the four auxes you need, and meets most of your other needs (but no HPF, and only four of the six XLR equipped channels have sweep mids) but it seems its history, replaced by the ZMX124 which seems functionally the same but with better DSP and USB. Its a dandy little mixer for thopse gigs where you just need a few channels and a bit of flexibility. Mixers with flexibility, auxes and groups tend to have many input channels, so this is unusually outputted for the number of inputs, which was exactly why I bought the thing. Not many little mixers have a back panel like this: http://altoproaudio.com/images/products/ZMX124FXUSB_back_NU_MEDIA_WEB.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobbsy Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 Eleven years ago when my son's school asked some advice for a similarly specced mixer, we ended up going with a Yamaha MG series (can't remember the exact model now). Last I heard, it's STILL going strong which, considering a school environment, is darn impressive. Nowadays, I'd probably go with an A&H Zed series but either brand would likely serve you well. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mac.calder Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 Another vote for the ZED series from Allen&Grief. We have 12 in our general rental stock at one venue - one that is well renowned for killing gear. 18 months on and still going strong. Not a single one has gone out of service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
savage1 Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 I think I paid £260 for my Zed14 a few years back. It's a great desk and has served me well.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomo2607 Posted October 6, 2011 Share Posted October 6, 2011 Our school make use of the zed 24... Gets used alot by students and seems to cope well with the novice users... We purchased ours through studio spares for around the £400 mark so im guessing that the zed14 may just be in reach Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gordontech Posted October 15, 2011 Share Posted October 15, 2011 I'd fully second this. I own 4 of the MG series including one thats been dropped down too flights of stairs, robust and stupidly good to work with. I've just sold an MG12 for £60 second hand on ebay, you can get them for well under your budget Yamaha MG 166C. It's got more channels than you're asking for, and has the compression, is not IEC and has group outs, but the price is right. The layout is very straightforward, so even inexperienced operators should be able to understand what's going on. I use an older version of this on lots of events. It's taken lots of abuse, but just keeps on going. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimmyP1955 Posted October 16, 2011 Share Posted October 16, 2011 Find a nice used MixWiz. Better quality, easier & cheaper to fix. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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