Compact Mixers

[Joe Harwell]

Does anyone have an experience/opinion on the quality of Tapco and Soundcraft compact mixers?
$100.00, more or less range.

Basically want to split a single instrument input signal routing it to 2 amps
and controlling back up tracks for performance.
Nothing "complex".

I've ordered a Soundcraft Compact 4 but the Tapco's looked good also.

All brands seem to be of Chinese manufacture in this price range.

Thanks for any of your insights.

[Jeremy Steele]

I have a 6 channel Alesis Multimix that I love...got it used on eBay for about a hundred bucks...it has phantom power and digital effects, as well as being built like a tank.

[Tony Prior]

I purchased a Behringer 6 channel for I think $39..Ebay...It's great!

it's still in the box

[Joe Harwell]

Thanks for that info.

Both have their strengths.

Options and price.

We've certainly got access these days to equipment choices.

[Chris Tarrow]

I went with this:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Mix60/

so far it's been great, no complaints.

[James Cann]

Here's a vote for a Behrenger MX-602A, working for me (with an Alesis Nanoverb) now some four or five years with no hiccups. Originally cost $100, but now somewhere in the 60s, I think. No hard feelings.

[Joe Stoebenau]

I have an Alesis 8 channel Multi mix that also has a firewire jack so I can hook it up with my laptop. This is a great setup for live recording. I use Cuebase and Soundforge for the recording. Ok so it's not a hundred bucks but for about 400 bucks you are ready to go.
Jam On,
Joe

[Joe Harwell]

Got my little Soundcraft Compact 4 for 75.00 shipped.
Supposedly, Soundcraft checks each one for quality assurance.

Downside in this price range of all units to me
is no on/off switch and external power supplies.

I believe the Peavey for around 125.00-150.00 range has the on/off switch.

In my price range, the TapCo from Mackie designs would have been my second choice.

You can do the computer recording but have to use a mini jack for interfacing.

But my main goal was to get one input signal split out to 2 amps.
I figured I could get a little more mileage this way than a dedicated aby switch.

Also, I wanted to control my accomp tracks.

Will post more after checking it out more.

Thanks everyone for their input and ideas.

[Joe Harwell]

In all fairness to Soundcraft, unit was return unit.
Apparently the company didn't check it before shipping.

Gonna try a TapCo. It was really my first choice.

One day I will learn to following my first impressions.

Will update on the Tapco.

[Joe Harwell]

Well, I got a brand new Soundcraft mixer for what I paid for the B stock.

It sounds great and does what I wanted.
(tho not the way I anticipated)

Very quiet and very transparent.

I suspect it would do well for some simple recording.

Highly recommend.