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I thought it would be fun to see what 100 US dollars could buy in a small, analog mixer that could be stowed in a laptop case, or sit on the corner of your desk, yet deliver professional performance. These little powerhouses are Pro all the way with clean mic pre-amps, TRS/XLR balanced connections along with control room and/or headphone loudness adjustment. While they are basic in features, they get the job done without taking up too much space or breaking the budget.
…with number 1 coming in at under 50 US dollars, you may have paid more for your mic cable than the mixer.
The real beauty is that any of these would work fine as your primary mixer, part of a traveling studio, or would be perfect for editing audio-for-video.
Behringer XENYX-1202 12 Input 2 Bus Mixer w/EQ
Main Features:
• Premium ultra low-noise, high headroom analog mixer
• 4 state-of-the-art XENYX Mic Preamps comparable to stand-alone boutique preamps; 48V phantom power
• Neo-classic “British” 3-band EQs for warm and musical sound
• 1 post fader FX send per channel for external FX devices
• Main mix outputs plus separate control room, phones and stereo CD/tape outputs
• CD/tape inputs assignable to main mix or control room/phones outputs
• FX to control room function helps to monitor effect signal via headphones and control room outputs
• Long-wearing 60-mm logarithmic-taper master fader and sealed rotary controls
• High-quality components and exceptionally rugged construction ensure long life
Street Price $89.99
Mackie 402VLZ3 4-Channel Compact Professional Mixer
Main Features:
• Ultra-compact 4-channel mixer featuring Mackie VLZ3′s signature low noise, high-headroom design
• 2 XLR inputs with studio-grade XDR2™ Extended Dynamic Range mic preamps boasting 130dB dynamic range and distortion under 0.0007% (20Hz – 20kHz)
• 4 high-headroom line inputs
• 2 selectable Instrument inputs – no DI box needed
• Balanced/unbalanced 1/4-inch line outs
• RCA inputs/outputs
• Headphone output
• 2-Band Active EQ (80Hz, 12kHz) and Lo-Cut filter on mic channels
• Phantom power for studio condenser mics
• Dedicated Stereo Line Input and Tape Input channels
• High-resolution 8-segment stereo meters
• Sealed rotary controls to resist dust and grime
• Sleek, rugged steel chassis
• Includes Tracktion 3 Basic Bundle for Mac/PC (download required)
Street Price $99.99
Tapco BLEND6 Tapco 6 Channel Mixer
Main Features:
• Two high-headroom mic preamps
• Two mono mic/line, two stereo line channels
• Pre-fader aux (monitor) send
• Post-fader aux (effects) send
• Effects-to-main control
• Effects-to-monitor control
• Level set gain-setting indicator LEDs
• 2-band EQ, Pan (mono channels) and Balance (stereo channels) controls on all channels
• Headphone output with level control
• Control room output with level control
• 8-segment stereo LED metering
• CD/Tape stereo inputs with Tape to Mix switch and Tape to Control Room switch
• Master +48 V phantom power switch with LED indicator
• Power LED indicator
Street Price $99.99
Yamaha Pro Audio MG102C-CA 10 Input Stereo Mixer
Main Features:
• Flexible 10-input channel configuration
• 4 High performance mic preamps with switchable phantom power
• Wide gain trim range: -60dB ~ -16dB (mic input) -34dB ~ +10dB (line input)
• Built-in channel compressors
• Easy-access connector panel
• Neutrik XLR, phone jack, pin jack connectors
• 3-Band Channel EQ and High-pass Filter
• AUX send controls on all channels
• Bright meters for visual level monitoring
• Stereo, Control Room, Monitor and Headphone outputs
Street Price $99.00
The Tapco MIX 50 5 Channel Ultra Compact Mixer
Main Features:
• Mono Mic/Line input (no 48V phantom power on the MIX50)
• Stereo Line Inputs
• Competitively priced for beginners & students
• Ultra-portable compact design fits almost anywhere
• Rugged metal chassis
• Features that make sense—no unnecessary fluff
• Intuitive layout gives access to all controls
• Kensington Security Lock keeps mixer secure
• Great for dorms, desktops, or music labs
Street Price $44.99
Best,
MarkJensen
