Cheap field mixer

commalot

commalot

Well-known member
Last edited:
Boy, it seems as if this is the new over-asked question (used to be: What's the best cheap mic).

Sorry, Dave, I digress.

I had (and still have) a 1002, and it is basically terrible. Noisy as heck. If you search the archives for this, you will read an amusing story about the first time I used my (old) Mackie replacement for the 1002. Suffice to say that a $300 Mackie blew away the 1002.

Phil
 
Thank you Phil. I should have asked the question differently. I like good audio and have read quite a bit in this forum. I'm settling on a couple $500 mics. What I didn't know was does a cheap mixer tend to degrade the sound. I also have a Mackie. The only mixer I've owned. Never had a cheap mixer. So, I guess I'll have to cough up a few more hundred bucks for a pro unit.
Dave M.
 
By the way, your right. I should have done a search first. Just did. Being a novice I'll occasionally get this great idea and quickly post my thought on the forum only to find out it's been asked and answered too many times already. New operating basis - search first, then ask.
Dave M.
 
Hey Dave,

Didn't mean to pick on you - it's just that this question has come up a lot lately.

Anyway, there are a lot of options in portable mixers vs. ac powered mixers. The general consensus is that the best way to go is the Sound Devices 302 at a minimum (3 channel). There are other brands that are well thought of - such as Cooper, but now you're talking big bucks. The AlphaMix from PSC has mixed reviews, but looks interesting. It really depends on the type of work you're looking to do. If you have access to power in any form, then go with something like the Mackies. I used a 1202 for a couple of years and it was rock solid.

Oh and welcome to the group!!!

Phil
 
You could check the ENG-44 a $550,- 4 channel mixer, better then nothing, mixed reviews too.

New kid is the Wendt X3, (3 channel mixer).
 
Don't get a Behringer anything, especially a mixer. Mackie is really the lowest you should go in the small mixer field. Your preamp quality is of equal importance to your mic quality, so spend the time to choose carefully.
 
Yup, 302.
I spent a few months asking myself the same question. I almost went for the ENG, but I'm glad I spent the extra and bought the 302.
 
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