Small/portable mixer advice

[Ryan Collings]

Hello,  

I'm after a small mixer of decent quality. To clarify, I have an old be!@#$%^& eurorack which a) is too big & b) sounds like absolute crap & introduces noise & hiss etc etc. 

So I need 3 stereo channels. It doesn't need any to have any xlr inputs or preamps as I'll only be putting line level into it. If it has a couple of extra channels or mic pres I don't mind.

Ideally it would be relatively low on power usage as I'll be running it for busking with a battery as the power source. 

I don't really want to spend a whole package on it, but I'm not really sure what sort of price range I should be looking at. 

If anyone could make a reccomendation or perhaps someone has one they are looking to sell?

Ps. I am running this mixer into a loop pedal which then will run into 2 Roland ba-330's which have mic pres & channels within them. The only thing I need the mixer for really is to sum down my mic, guitar & drum pad signals. 

Thanks for any advice  

[Milo]

Allen & Heath Zed 10 RRP $299 (could get you a better deal): 4 xmic/line in, 2 x guitar in, 2 x stereo incouple of aux, usual output section. Built like a tank, very small

www.tag.com.au

[Ryan Collings]

Thanks john :- )

looks like a nice little mixer. You would suggest one of these over a mackie or other brand?

What kinda deal are we talkin here?

[audioio]

Allen & Heath Zed 10

Had occasion to use a ZED22FX (I think that's the model) the other day for a live gig. Set-up time was very short, so we probably didn't optimise the gain structure, but it seemed very noisy and the headphone amp is even wimpier than the original GL2 (which I otherwise quite like).

[Milo]

Ryan;

pm me if you're interested.
They're not noisy, and the eq is nice, as are the preamps. The Mackie eq is virtually unusable, only sounds decent when everything is flat (I've got one, never use it)

[Kurt]

If you only need to mix line level stuff why not get a tiny passive mixer off ebay for under $50?

[Ryan Collings]

That is an excellent idea I didn't actually know they existed.

Any specioc model or brand you would suggest?

Is there any problems that I might have that an active mixer wouldn't?

Yep, I only need line level.

I had a quick look on eBay. I couldn't see one that had 3 stereo / 6 mono channels. Do you know of one?

[Kurt]

Never needed to buy one so I have no personal experience with them. I didn't know you needed stereo, must be quite the busking setup! The only stereo one I came across was the ART Splitmix. 4 stereo inputs to one stereo out (or vice-versa) for $75 on eBay.

[Ryan Collings]

Thanks Kurt,

That looks pretty cool I got a couple of questions that you guys might be able to help me with. 

It has TRS stereo 1/4" inputs. If I use one of those adapters from jaycar to take my two mono cables to one stereo trs, would that degrade the signal at all?

Secondly, I'm using relatively high quality gear throughout my chain so I'm slightly concerned about anything that will degrade the signal along the way to the amp... Judging on the following description & specs, can anyone see how this passive mixer would impair the quality of the signal?

Ps. Yeah, I've pretty much been spending the past year or so devising, designing, buying & building this rig. It's gonna be pretty epic (as far as I know, no-one else has anything like it) & will also double as my personalised foldback system with line outs when playing larger venues. My main goals when designing it were relative portability, relative quality of sound, all the pedals I want & quick setup/teardown time. I'll share the YouTube video with you guys once it's done if you're interested.

The specs & description of the mixer are as follows

ART - SPLITMIX4

FOUR CHANNEL STEREO/MONO MIXER

BRAND NEW, BOXED, UN-USED, READY 2 GO!


 

PRODUCT INFORMATION:

What's for Sale Today? - ART SPLITMIX4
 
Any questions regarding the item please ask.
 
Please Note OverSeas Customers: I am more than happy to ship anywhere in the world, anytime. The item will be sent, marked as a gift and you may also nominate the value of the product to avoid any further taxes in your country. 
 
All payments accepted - PAYPAL, DIRECT DEPOSIT, CASH ON PICK UP, MONEY ORDER/CHEQUE.
 
ART SPLITMIX4 - The SPLITMix4 is a fully passive hybrid mixer that offers a wide variety of configurations. Mix 4 stereo input channels down to 1 stereo output, split a stereo input signal to distribute 4 stereo output channels, or combine the configurations for a wide range of applications. You can even configure the SPLITMix4 as 4 stereo input channels thru 4 independent level attenuators to 4 stereo output channels.
Independent stereo level controls are provided on each channel. All 1/4-inch connections are stereo TRS (Tip, Ring, Sleeve) and all channel connections have intelligent switching to allow for a wide variety of configurations. Plugging into a mix input channel removes it from the splitter bus, and plugging into a splitter output channel removes it from the mix bus. Stereo or mono operation is determined by the type of 1/4-inch plug and cabling that you use.

The fully passive design of the SPLITMix4 has no active circuitry to add noise or distortion, and virtually any signal level can be handled. The Level attenuators cover a wide range and offer over 90dB of attenuation and channel isolation. The SPLITMix4 is designed primarily as a line level device with medium input and output impedances.

Features

Four Stereo Input Channels
Stereo Output
Independent stereo level controls are provided on each channel
Passive Design (No Power Supply Required)
Over 90dB of Attenuation
Specifications:

Frequency Response: 20Hz –20kHz, +/-1dB
THD: <0.005% @ 1kHz (typical)
Phase Response: <10 degrees @ 20kHz
Input/Output Connections: 1/4-inch TRS stereo
Input Impedance: 25k -100k Ohms
Output Impedance: 1k - 4k Ohms
Insertion Loss: 12dB (typical)
Maximum Attenuation: >90dB (typical)
Channel Isolation: >90dB (typical)
Power Requirements: None (fully passive)
Dimensions (HxWxD in) : 1.85 x 4.6 x 4.1
Dimensions (HxWxD mm) : 47 x 117 x 104
Weight: 0.84 lbs / 0.38 kg

[DarkSky]

...can anyone see how this passive mixer would impair the quality of the signal?

I don't specifically know the Splitmix, but I'd suggest that if sonics are a priority you might be better to look for something a bit more exacting.

For instance, you might look at something like this unit from Ashly:

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Ashly-LX308-8-Ch ... 830wt_1141

[Kurt]

If you "don't specifically know the Splitmix" how can you say the other unit is more anything, other than expensive? Do you have personal knowledge of the Ashly?