I’m looking for a mixer, maybe around 8-12 channels that:
Allows me to send specific channels to an alternative stereo mix.
Also allows me to send FX. Mono is fine and return is not super necessary as I probably can sacrifice channels for this.
I want to use it with a sampler, so that I can listen to the main mix but send an alternative mix to the sampler for recording individual or combined tracks, but not the main mix.
I’ve seen the Mackie 802 VLZ3 or VLZ4 that seems to be capable of this. Would be nice to see what alternatives there aee though.
I’ve also looked at the Mackie Onyx8, since that also works as a sound interface (a plus), but unfortunately the aux send (that could be used for the alt mix) is in mono on those.
Also read about the Zoom Livetrak L6. Really promising and extremelly portable, but same thing here with the auxs being mono. I could use both mono auxes for the alt mix, but that would occupy an aux for the FX send.
You probably want to look for a mixer with one or multiple sub groups. I use a APB ProRack House and can send each channel to 2 mono sub groups and/or 2 stereo sub groups. Mackie ProFX16v3 has two stereo sub mixes for example.
I’m a big fan of the yamaha mg series. I’ve got an MG-124CX and an MG206C that can do this. Instead of using sends, there are small switches for each channel to route the audio to the master and/or the bus. I was also using a mackie CR-1604 to do something similar - the pre-vlz Mackies use the mute button as a way to route that channel to a separate stereo output. I was using this to send specific channels into my syntakt for processing on the FX bus.
Exactly, the Mackie 802 VLZ4 has that mute/alt 3-4 functionality. Of all the mixers you currently can buy new the 802 seems to be the only one in its size and price that can provide a bus separate from the main out in stereo. It seems to be a nice deal, especially for its convenient size.
I use A&H qu pac, he can do that, i think 5 stereo pairs plus main out, could also be canfigured as mono. And also has a matrix mix internally, you could route. The internal fx sound good.
I have the Mackie 802 VLZ4 and it’s pretty great for a lot of applications (in my little studio and also running sound for my band). The routing is really flexible for a mixer its size. When I think of upgrading it and look at more expensive mixers, I end up leaving unimpressed with their offerings. Including the stereo return and tape in, you actually get 12 inputs which is super handy. If you have the space and money, consider the 1202 (only omission is a headphone volume)
Only issue I have with mine is that one side of the main mix is a bit louder (but that’s easy to fix in post or with your speaker setup).
Somehow I’m leaning more and more towards the Zoom Livetrak L-6. Even though external FXs are nice, I was planning on using a Zoom multi-fx pedal and the internal FX of the mixer is probably on par with that one then given they both are Zoom, more or less. But more limited of course.
So I could still achieve stereo alt mix via the aux and then use internal FX. I can then recall a different scene of the mixer if I want to use external FXs, sacrificing the stereo of the aux for that. It’s bus powered and also works as an audio interface.
To be fair, I just tested it and it’s only 1-2 dB. It just looks like more on the level meters. It’s a minor frustration; I’m still very happy with the mixer. And I love the size but sometimes wish I had the 1202
I’ve been thinking about a mixer but unsure too. I was leaning more towards play different or xone 96. Mackie vlz and the older big board mixers are always in my mind as well. I’m just unsure where to commit my money to.
You’re stuck with the number of aux sends, channels, sub mixes etc. Picking something the leaves room for new gear is probably a good idea. Resell value of a play different mixer is probably higher than a low end Mackie, if you want to upgrade in the future. But then again, you can buy a bunch of Mackie mixers for the price of one Model 1
