Mixer for practice space

[G Man]

The mixer we've been using has crapped out, so we are in the market for at least an 8 channel, possibly 12  channel, mixer that has outs for both mains and monitors.  Not looking to spend a ton of money and used is okay.  ATM running 4 mics and 2 inputs for keys What do you all recommend?

[JOE_CPWE]

I have a Behringer XR18r and for the money, you can't beat them for small(ish) band needs.  You need a tablet or laptop and a separate router is recommended, you get 18 channels, 6 aux sends, some effects and can save configs.

if you go old school analog, I think a new/used Yamaha would be a real safe bet.  They're nice, sound good and can be had new/used at a decent price w/ aux send(s), basic effects, compression on a few channels.

I have a MG12X I bought used a number of years ago, or maybe the 16 for you? I dislike how they all count channels these days.  The 12 is really 8 because they count stereo inputs as two channel.  The MX12 has 8 channel faders, so IMO it's an 8 channel mixer.  All manufacturers are doing that.

[scottcald]

10 hours ago, JOE_CPWE said:

I have a Behringer XR18r and for the money, you can't beat them for small(ish) band needs.  You need a tablet or laptop and a separate router is recommended, you get 18 channels, 6 aux sends, some effects and can save configs.

if you go old school analog, I think a new/used Yamaha would be a real safe bet.  They're nice, sound good and can be had new/used at a decent price w/ aux send(s), basic effects, compression on a few channels.

I have a MG12X I bought used a number of years ago, or maybe the 16 for you? I dislike how they all count channels these days.  The 12 is really 8 because they count stereo inputs as two channel.  The MX12 has 8 channel faders, so IMO it's an 8 channel mixer.  All manufacturers are doing that.

I agree with all of this except for the XR18, in my opinion, you NEED another router/wireless. When I had one and used the internal wireless, it's 802.11g, which is about 4 or 5 generations behind current wifi standards.  I found it slow to respond. My 2 cents. 

[hamerhead]

For rehearsal we used this Mackie 1402-VLZ Pro for quite awhile and it worked just fine until we needed more mic inputs (it claims to be 14 channels!). They make bigger and smaller versions. It's solid and really great for the money ($100-$200 around here), but no onboard effects.

Sold it to get this Soundcraft FX16ii, a legitimate 16-channel with 16 actual mic inputs. With ears, it fits in a rack. The built-in effects are decent, although somewhat lacking in adjustability. Tons of ins/outs. $400-$500 used. The only thing I don't care for is there is no resistance in the sliders and it makes them feel cheap (IMO). 

Or do this (which is the best one for what it all does):

Tascam Model 24: 16 actual mic inputs (plus others), built-in effects, AND a 22-track simultaneous digital recorder. Records to a memory card. The effects are good but limited. The faders feel great. It has enough ins and outs to cover pretty much anything (I used it with a 5-piece band, fully mic'd or direct). It'll plug into your computer. They run $1200 new and $700-$800 used. While the learning curve is a little steeper, its a great mixer that just happens to be a great bang-for-the-buck recorder, too.

ETA: none of them have wireless/WIFI stuff because that's too hard for my brain.

 

Edited yesterday at 02:33 PM by hamerhead

[Jimbilly]

 I'll be dragging my old Yamaha out with the old small rig to support my daughter singing at a wedding tomorrow, I'm excited!  Yamaha is a great choice, - among many.  Pawns shops and craigs or facebook marketplace should have something.  I would add that you might want 16 claimed channels, because you might need them, and a 16 isn't going to cost much more or be much larger than a 12.  Also some built in effects for a little reverb, along with sweepable midrange controls (if you want it to sound good), -sweepable mids would be a 'must have' on my list.  I have the old Yamaha Mg16/6fx, those should be $200 ish used.  Newer stuff probably have all sorts of awesome features, like bluetooth to send music in from your phone etc.

[G Man]

Thanks for the info all.  Went with the Yamaha MG12X 12, got a good price on an open box version via Reverb with a 45 day store warranty.  Should fit the bill for this band, guitar, bass, keys and drums.

[lastchild]

The  behringer x18 is great.you will have 6  monitor channels.The x32 is even better.