Baby Mixer to go alongside controller

[ukpartydj]

Does anybody use a small mixer alongside their controller?

I've recently got a Kontrol S5 which I'm very much enjoying but it's Mic input isn't very hot and it takes up a channel - how dare it!
I'd like to be able to plug a couple of mics and an RCA from my backup laptop into the unit along with the output from the S5.
What I could be interested in is a master EQ and Pan. What I'm concerned about is the potential of the mixer lowering the quality of the sound if I got a budget one or not being able to handle such a hot signal from my S5... I've had acoustic acts plug their mixer into mine before but I seem to remember years ago running into issues with double mixers.

Shame really as I thought the S5 would be alright by itself (well it is okay... just not ideal)

[Excalibur]

Does anybody use a small mixer alongside their controller?


Many do, as almost all mic inputs on controllers are not great. Run the output from your controller into a tape input on the ( if there is one ) and use the mixer for mics.

Quality? I'm happy with Behringer or Alto. More expensive ones are available. Take your pick.

[CRAZY K]

Does anybody use a small mixer alongside their controller?

I've recently got a Kontrol S5 which I'm very much enjoying but it's Mic input isn't very hot and it takes up a channel - how dare it!
I'd like to be able to plug a couple of mics and an RCA from my backup laptop into the unit along with the output from the S5.
What I could be interested in is a master EQ and Pan. What I'm concerned about is the potential of the mixer lowering the quality of the sound if I got a budget one or not being able to handle such a hot signal from my S5... I've had acoustic acts plug their mixer into mine before but I seem to remember years ago running into issues with double mixers.

Shame really as I thought the S5 would be alright by itself (well it is okay... just not ideal)

I use a small Phonic Mixer for feeding microphones, ipods and also my Cortex two channels as well as Mini Disc sometimes into my Yamaha box amp.

They seem to cost about £60 from Thomann.

My first one lasted about 6 years before the background noise and crackling pots forced me to buy a replacement, great product.

No apparent loss of quality.

[yourdj]

Apart from the stupid power supply (get a spare) the Berlinger gets my vote. It's lovely having a second mixer rather than just relying on the decks. You can plug all sorts into it and run a back up jack into it to bypass your playout. I also have the one up from this with two 3 band XLR's for ceremony music/mics and am thinking of getting another to replace my 502 and relocate it to a back up. Used mine since it came out and despite the power socket popping out at times, its awesome. Shame the done just use a standard 12 volt supply with a standard 12 volt connector. The little buttons can also confuse you at times and there will be no sound. Scratch your head, press the bottom one and hey presto, it works again. An on/off LED or switch would have been more useful.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Behringer-502-Xenyx-mixer/dp/B000J5UEGQ/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1467232826&sr=8-3&keywords=BEHRINGER+XENYX

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[ckpr2]

Apart from the stupid power supply (get a spare) the Berlinger gets my vote. It's lovely having a second mixer rather than just relying on the decks.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Behringer-502-Xenyx-mixer/dp/B000J5UEGQ/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1467232826&sr=8-3&keywords=BEHRINGER+XENYX

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I use one of these too. Its a good little mixer.

[rth_discos]

I've been considering something like this: http://www.maxking.co.uk/studiomaster-c3x-8-channel-12-input-1u-mixer.html

It's rack mountable which means I can leave it all prewired in the rack

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[Excalibur]

I've been considering something like this: http://www.maxking.co.uk/studiomaster-c3x-8-channel-12-input-1u-mixer.html

It's rack mountable which means I can leave it all prewired in the rack

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They're an attractive prospect in many ways, aren't they?

[ukpartydj]

Thanks for the info, I decided if a £30 mixer was okay then this alto one would likely do the trick and a few more :)

https://www.absolutemusic.co.uk/alto-zephyr-zmx862-6-channel-compact-mixer.html

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[CRAZY K]

Thanks for the info, I decided if a £30 mixer was okay then this alto one would likely do the trick and a few more :)

https://www.absolutemusic.co.uk/alto-zephyr-zmx862-6-channel-compact-mixer.html

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I am not sure what quality we are talking at £30, I dont know --all I know is the small but more expensive Phonic I have seems pretty good.

[Excalibur]

I am not sure what quality we are talking at £30, I dont know --all I know is the small but more expensive Phonic I have seems pretty good.

Little Alto and Behringer are around £60. Personally, as I'm always keen to have spare capacity, I'd recommend having more mic channels, and FX. I've got a Behringer 1202FX, and a roughly equivalent Alto would be the ZMX122FX.
You pays yer money............................

[ukpartydj]

I am not sure what quality we are talking at £30, I dont know --all I know is the small but more expensive Phonic I have seems pretty good.

This is what I thought personally Toby & Mike seem happy enough with a £30 Behringer mixer though. It seems a little too cheap for me... but then I've no idea the quality of the mixer that you find in controllers, probably not too much difference!


Little Alto and Behringer are around £60. Personally, as I'm always keen to have spare capacity, I'd recommend having more mic channels, and FX. I've got a Behringer 1202FX, and a roughly equivalent Alto would be the ZMX122FX.
You pays yer money............................

The one I bought was £70 well it worked out at £56 because the people at absolute music are awesome. My main reason for getting a larger one was 3 band EQ on all channels.
I shall have to wait and see if it sounds any different tomorrow!

[yourdj]

This is what I thought personally Toby & Mike seem happy enough with a £30 Behringer mixer though. It seems a little too cheap for me... but then I've no idea the quality of the mixer that you find in controllers, probably not too much difference!



The one I bought was £70 well it worked out at £56 because the people at absolute music are awesome. My main reason for getting a larger one was 3 band EQ on all channels.
I shall have to wait and see if it sounds any different tomorrow!

Looks very similar to my larger one. Nice to have more options with those ones should you need them.
The £30 is just a smaller version, so just with another channel added, thats all, same quality. :)

Reviews seem good, although it also suffers the power supply issues also:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Alto-ZMX862-Professional-6-Channel-Compact/dp/B004TM323C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1467383561&sr=8-1&keywords=alto+zmx#customerReviews

Break this plug and you'll find spares very hard to find. I tried one adapter bought from Maplins - and it actually caused the desk to burn itself out - mid gig. If the plug breaks, you've effectively just cost yourself between £80 - £100. I have reported this fault to Alto - but they were un-sympathetic and actually accused me in an email of not looking after the plug properly. ABSOLUTE RUBBISH!!

Alto do a similar range and I am guessing they are probably produced in the same factory.
Its a bit like the ADJ and ACME lighting, identical but with cosmetic changes only.
I personally prefer the Beringer as its cleaner looking, much better when fumbling in the dark LOL.

Looking to get a cheeky Ebay deal on a new one soon (av price £25). Keep the £30 as a back up.

My larger mixer (£50 RRP):

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[Shakermaker Promotions]

I've got the Xenyx 1202fx. Bought it for £89.00 a few years back and it's great.
I don't use it that often but it's great for Small PA's, Karaoke etc....

I don't understand why Behringer can do decent little mixers and rack effects systems etc but aren't too great (in my opinion) when it comes to DJ mixers.
I had one when I first started out that was so stupidly obviously a wannabe Pioneer DJM but it was rubbish. Build quality was flimsy, buttons came off and the sound quality wasn't great. It looked the part.....pity it wasn't!

[CRAZY K]

Looks very similar to my larger one. Nice to have more options with those ones should you need them.
The £30 is just a smaller version, so just with another channel added, thats all, same quality. :)

Reviews seem good, although it also suffers the power supply issues also:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Alto-ZMX862-Professional-6-Channel-Compact/dp/B004TM323C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1467383561&sr=8-1&keywords=alto+zmx#customerReviews



The plug sounds a serious negative to me, no problems with Phonic, still got the original from 10 yrs ago as a back up.

[ukpartydj]

Looks very similar to my larger one. Nice to have more options with those ones should you need them.
The £30 is just a smaller version, so just with another channel added, thats all, same quality. :)

Reviews seem good, although it also suffers the power supply issues also:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Alto-ZMX862-Professional-6-Channel-Compact/dp/B004TM323C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1467383561&sr=8-1&keywords=alto+zmx#customerReviews

Break this plug and you'll find spares very hard to find. I tried one adapter bought from Maplins - and it actually caused the desk to burn itself out - mid gig. If the plug breaks, you've effectively just cost yourself between £80 - £100. I have reported this fault to Alto - but they were un-sympathetic and actually accused me in an email of not looking after the plug properly. ABSOLUTE RUBBISH!!


The plug is a bit annoying but it's used on lots of equipment so not too bothered. It says it's a 18v 1a plug which I can find for a tenner on ebay... Cannot see why that would blow it but who knows I guess!