Inge
Man-At-Arms
Joined: 04 May 2003
Location: Nieuw Lekkerland @ Holland
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 Posted: Fri Mar 31 2006 10:01
[advice] Help for purchase of a small mixer |
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I've decided to buy the speakers (Behringer Truth B-2031A), but I'm still undecided about the mixer. I'm interested in the cute Behringer-mixers, and I'm doubting between the UB-802, UB-1002 and UB-1002FX. From what I can tell, they all lack balanced XLR-outputs, which apparently is quite a drawback.
The question is: are there mixers below 100 euro with +/- four line ins (and one or two mic ins) that are good and have a balanced output? Or should I neglect the latter and go for the 802 or 1002?
Update: the friendly people of Feedback pointed out that Phonic also makes very nice and budget-friendly mixers. Especially their MU 802, 1002 and 1202 are very nice. They're a bit confusing though. Two questions:
1: I thought a balanced output needs to be XLR, but Phonic says that the normal jack-outputs are also balanced. Some explanation would be nice.
2: What exactly does the following mean (taken from the MU 1202) concerning how many devices I can connect to it?
Inputs: 4 x Mic with 48V, 12 x line, 2 x stereo return, Channels: 4 x mono with 3 band EQ, 2 x stereo, 2 x FX return |
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Last edited by Inge on Fri Mar 31 2006 13:12; edited 1 time in total |
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Pablo
User
Joined: 22 Feb 2006
Location: Netherlands, Nijmegen
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Posted: Fri Mar 31 2006 10:20
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Okay let's start with possible answers:
1. only with a stereo Jack(3pins) it would be possible to have a truly ballanced connection. On a simple mono jack this is not possible although you'd still be able to connect a balanced mic/source to an unbalanced input.(ballanced=1 pin ground 1 pin input 1 pin input,inversed)
2. Simply: 4 mono inputs, and 2 stereo inputs(or 4 mono inputs)
This would mean you have 8 mono chanels you can fully regulate.
But.... The (send)Returns can allso be used as an input from wich you can only regulate het volume. |
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Inge
Man-At-Arms
Joined: 04 May 2003
Location: Nieuw Lekkerland @ Holland
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Posted: Fri Mar 31 2006 11:04
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| Pablo wrote: |
Okay let's start with possible answers:
1. only with a stereo Jack(3pins) it would be possible to have a truly ballanced connection. On a simple mono jack this is not possible although you'd still be able to connect a balanced mic/source to an unbalanced input.(ballanced=1 pin ground 1 pin input 1 pin input,inversed)
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Thank you. Noted. So XLR is not the only way to create a balanced line with a ground?
| Pablo wrote: |
2. Simply: 4 mono inputs, and 2 stereo inputs(or 4 mono inputs)
This would mean you have 8 mono chanels you can fully regulate.
But.... The (send)Returns can allso be used as an input from wich you can only regulate het volume.
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Thank you again. Does this mean that I can only attach two stereo devices? Or can I also connect stereo devices to two mono channels? That would leave me with four stereo inputs, if I'm not mistaken? For what purpose are mono inputs meant anyway? Which devices to connect are mono nowadays? |
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Pablo
User
Joined: 22 Feb 2006
Location: Netherlands, Nijmegen
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Posted: Fri Mar 31 2006 12:54
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It is the best option but not the only one, u only need a cable with 3 lines, 1 ground and 2 signal.
Yep u are correct, 4 mono = 2 stereo. So totaly you would have 4 stereo inputs.
Why mono? Mic inputs are mono. Most of the classical instruments used(guitars, drums, vocals) are picked up with microphones and then panned in to a direction. These mixers are used in small studio's or as a small stage mixer. For only stereo mixers look at dj-mixers or PA-mixers, Behringer has also a 2 mono 3 stereo micro mixer for 130,- http://www.behringer.com/UBB1002/index.cfm?lang=ENG
The question is more, for what purpose u want to use the mixer?
Maybe we need to start a new toppic on mixers  |
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Inge
Man-At-Arms
Joined: 04 May 2003
Location: Nieuw Lekkerland @ Holland
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Posted: Fri Mar 31 2006 13:20
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Thanks for all that information. Tonight or tomorrow I'll head over to Feedback Rotterdam to gather all the stuff needed.
As for the inputs: I wish to attach atleast cd-player, md-player and my computer, and optional also a tuner and my mp3-player. I might want to use it in the future to make some radio recordings at home, so therefore my interest in stereo inputs.
But is it really necessary to use a mixer? Can't I use my current amplifier to pass through the signal without additional amplification? I don't think so (it only has normal copper wire outputs), but I just want to make sure that I'm buying things that I really need
[and topic is split from the previous one. bright comment, thanks.] |
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QBical
Registered User
Joined: 04 May 2003
Location: Utrecht , The Netherlands
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Posted: Fri Mar 31 2006 18:49
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I have the MU-802 mixer, it's great!
just don't let it sit under an open window when it's raining...
But it still works  |
PC: P4 HT 3ghz, 1gb ram, 500GB+ Storage, plextor DVD-rw, M-audo Audiophile 2496
Laptop: Apple Powerbook G4 15inch
Other Stuff: Phonic MU802 mixer, Alesis M1 Active Mk2 Monitors, Ipod 2nd gen. 20GB, maxtor firewire HD 80GB |
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Inge
Man-At-Arms
Joined: 04 May 2003
Location: Nieuw Lekkerland @ Holland
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Posted: Sat Apr 01 2006 09:49
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w00t! Everything bought, connected, and working Listening to speakers and speaking to the person at Feedback convinced me of buying not the Behringer, but go for the KRK Rokit 5. They're connected to the Phonic 1002. So far I've only been able to playback at low volume, but the transparancy and clarity are marvellous. Pictures will follow.
Thanks for all the advice. Sunbuster won, because in the end your ears must agree on the choice made. Too bad for Behringer, but they sounded like they were enhancing the sound too much. |
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Sunbuster
Registered User
Joined: 05 May 2003
Location: Finland
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Posted: Sat Apr 01 2006 10:25
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Yyaaaayh! I'll be expecting my prize by the end of the week then, eyh?  I guess you'll have to listen through all the compo entries again now and re-evaluate?  |
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xiphiuz
Beta-Tester
Joined: 08 May 2003
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Posted: Sun Apr 02 2006 07:34
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Sjew.. I've read this from first to last post. I am glad you've chosen the krk rp5's! much better than behringer. Behringer is indeed enhancing en there are only 'good' in mid hehe.
about the mixer: I would have chosen the yamaha MG series, but what the heck |
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Inge
Man-At-Arms
Joined: 04 May 2003
Location: Nieuw Lekkerland @ Holland
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Inge
Man-At-Arms
Joined: 04 May 2003
Location: Nieuw Lekkerland @ Holland
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Posted: Sun Apr 02 2006 14:29
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| xiphiuz wrote: |
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about the mixer: I would have chosen the yamaha MG series, but what the heck
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Yamaha was an alternative, but not in the price range I had in mind. Again, the Behringer was the worst option (according to the salesperson there), since their s/n-ratio would be pretty much aweful. I'm all happy now with the things I have |
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xiphiuz
Beta-Tester
Joined: 08 May 2003
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Posted: Mon Apr 03 2006 08:47
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Nice pictures!
BTW together with my dad I've also chosen the rp5's for my dad (1 year ago or something). As I said, they are much better then the Behringer 'Monitors'.
Phonic is about the same quality as behringer. Feedback is the nr 1 importer of Phonic, that's why all Feedback salesman are advising Phonic... |
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Sunbuster
Registered User
Joined: 05 May 2003
Location: Finland
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Posted: Mon Apr 03 2006 16:08
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I did some small comparisons on behringers UB-1002 and phonics MU-1002. Don't they look pretty damn similar? Makes me wonder if they're not using the same technology to a large extent... |
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