Input mixer to go along with SP-404

[Liquid Legacy]

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!

[cartesia]

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

[Liquid Legacy]

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

[yo-yo crunch]

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

[cartesia]

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

[Liquid Legacy]

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/

[yo-yo crunch]

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