Hi there

I have an SP-404 that I'd like to use as a portable sketching/composing tool for my music. What I want is to be able to record my own samples using different instruments like electronic drumkit, mic'ed up acoustic guitar & bass, el-piano, synths etc. SO I figured I should buy a small mixer that I can plug my instruments into so I don't have to mess around with cables everytime I want to switch instruments. Can anyone here recommend me a good, affordable mixer? 6 channels should be more than enough and some EQ options on the mixer would be nice as well.

Any input is appreciated. Thanks!

Hey man, I use the Yamaha MG82CX.. CX means it has digital effects.. theyre pretty boring but the reverb is ok.

It might be a lil bigger than your needs, but it's useful - it has a send/return line for effects (u can control how much of the built in effects and how much of an external effect is applied). It has 2 mono channels which have a simple compressor on them (useful for bass guitar/pumpy drums), then 2 mono OR stereo channels, then a 3rd stereo channel that only has hi/lo eq (the first 4 channels have hi/mid/lo).. The first 4 channels have XLR & 1/4" inputs, the 5th channel has RCA & 1/4". It also has 'tape in' which is RCA, and that has its own volume knob, so u can use that as an extra channel if you like.

one thing it doesnt have is mute/solo buttons, but theyre not that necessary - it has knobs instead of sliders for volume (to save space) and its really quick to turn them down/up. Should be able to get it very cheap, but it is a decent quality product for its cost (just remember to never turn the volume above 0db, use the gain attenuators if sounds' not loud enough - much less noise floor than the volume knobs)

If you need something even cheaper, check out the behringer mixers

Thanks for your input man, I was actually checking out that mixer yesterday along with it's "cheaper brother" the MG102C (no digital efx). Alesis also have some decent ones in 6-10ch range.
I think I'll go for one of the Yamaha's though. Thanks again

mackie 802-VLZ3 8 channel mixer:



love the build quality on these and the sound is more detailed than the behringers. can't speak on the yamaha's

mackie is basically the next step up from the yamahas.. the mixers are pretty much the same specs but the quality's higher.. and the price

Yeah, I've had mackie mixers before and I was very pleased with both the build quality and the sound quality. So I ended up buying a Mackie 402-VLZ3

http://www.mackie.com/products/402vlz3/

yeah the 402 is great. i only suggested the 802 because it sounded like you needed more inputs than the 402 offers, plus the 802 eq is 3-band vs 2-band on the 402. boosting that mid range eq can often do wonders on snares