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Small Mixer Question.

Posted: Sat Dec 09, 2006 8:10 pm
by Atomic Marshmallow
Hello,

I would like to buy a small mixer to incorporate into my set up. I have narrowed it down to 2. Either the Yamaha MG 10/2 or the Soundcraft Compact 4.
Any opinions on them?

Thanks

Posted: Sat Dec 09, 2006 8:54 pm
by garyb
six of one....

pick the one that integrates with your needs best. if neither has better features for you flip a coin. both sound reasonably good, both are made by third party manufacturers(the yamaha is a phonic).

Posted: Sat Dec 09, 2006 9:38 pm
by AudioIrony
If you use Cubase at all - then the Yamaha will be the way to go I suspect

Posted: Sat Dec 09, 2006 9:39 pm
by Atomic Marshmallow
garyb wrote:six of one....

pick the one that integrates with your needs best. if neither has better features for you flip a coin. both sound reasonably good, both are made by third party manufacturers(the yamaha is a phonic).
Thanks for the response. First of all what is a "phonic"?
Secondly the only thing I see that puts me off the compact 4 is that most of the inputs/outputs use rca jacks. I remember reading somewhere a long time ago that RCA cables are inferior for audio. Is that true? The Yamaha has standard quarter inch jack in/outs but no Hi-Z guitar input. Would I still get enough volume for my guitar if I got the Yamaha (I don't want to use a DI box for my guitar).

Posted: Sat Dec 09, 2006 10:04 pm
by garyb
a 1/4" phone jack is more convienient for repatching. rca or 1/4" audio is idendtical otherwise.

the HiZ input on the yamaha is line level and there won't be enough gain for a mic level guitar signal, not without a ton of noise anyway. you'd need a direct box for that(a DI is no big deal).

phonic is the manufacturer of that yamaha board. phonic also manufactures many behringer, alesis and roland products, although they won't admit to exactly what they make for who as there are trade secrets involved. many phonic products are identical to the name brand versions, but phonic also makes many unique products under their own name. of course, phonic is a chinese corporation with international investors....
http://www.phonic.com/en/product/catego ... 1&group=en

Posted: Sat Dec 09, 2006 10:21 pm
by hubird
just get it :-D
Garyb is a real treasure of insight...

Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 1:31 am
by Lima
About 2 years ago I've bought a second hand Phonic mm1002a for about 50 euro:
Image

I'm really satisfied of it, it's not top notch in fact of signal/noise ratio, but its really flexible, cheap and reliable.

my 2 cents

Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 3:19 am
by erminardi
I have a Soundcraft Compact 4 and I find it better than yamaha, behringer, etc. because his slightly better sound and his complete routing capability.
His routing is alike the BIG mixer desks!!!
I use it live (that's the reason for compact4 instead compact10 choice...) ad in my studio: with this single little mixer (mainly I work inside Scope OS and I need few physical I/O) I can control all from instruments/computers/effects input to different_monitors/computers/effects outs.
My 2 cents :wink:

Image

Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 3:49 pm
by braincell
Mackie is best for this.

Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 4:01 pm
by garyb
mackie is made in china as well these days. i wouldn't pay the extra for the brand name. at least the soundcraft has a few cool features the others don't like the instrument input. that alone might tip the scales depending on what one was doing.

Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 4:29 pm
by braincell
I haven't heard that one but the Mackie sounds great! I have tried Yamahas and Roland mixers and they were horrid.

Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 5:28 pm
by dawman
The Japanese outsorced those mixers to the USA, as we have a large low paid work force amongst us.


:lol:

Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 5:35 pm
by garyb
drug addicts in prison?

Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 9:46 pm
by braincell
I bought a Mackie Spike recently and although it has some driver issues and it is made in China, It sounds exactly like the much older Mackies I have owned in my lifetime. I love the sound of Mackie. I sold my big one because I'm using Creamware mixers now.