Recommend a rackmountable mixer?

[Newc]

Ok, I sold my 2 Akai DPS-12s, since I do all my music stuff in the computer now, and was using them merely as a convenient interface to the soundcard. So, now if I want to get sound into my PC I have to swap cables around (bad planning on my part).

So, can anyone recommend a good single-space rackmountable line-type mixer with 1/4" inputs and RCA outputs? I'm eyeing a Rolls RM-203 at the moment, and don't have room in my PC for another PCI card like the Echo units use.
Haven't really tried USB-audio interfaces, so I'm not too familiar with them. Would that be a better way to go in terms of extraneous noise/AC hum? Do they offer multiple inputs so I can plug everything in and leave it that way (i.e. stereo guitar rack, stereo drum machine, bass POD, stereo synth - probably 10-12 channels total)?

Since I'm kinda cramped for space and not playing or recording live anymore, I'm trying to keep everything in as small a space as possible, hence the 1U rackmount desire. I don't need EQs or faders and such - maybe a string of LEDs to show the signal strength or peak/clip proximity - so a table-type mixer would be overkill.

Also looking for something well under $300 (read: $299.99 is not "well under" $300)

[YetAnotherOne]

Re: Recommend a rackmountable mixer?

It comes nowhere near your 1U need but I've had good luck in the past with the Alesis Studio 12R. Very quiet and you can usually pick one up on the 'bay in the low $200s.

[Newc]

Re: Recommend a rackmountable mixer?

Yeah I was looking at this one before I posted:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Alesis-Studio-12R-Ra...1QQcmdZViewItem

What is that, 4-space? I've got a loaded 6-space gear rack (MP-1, FX rack, QSR, and 3630s) and a loaded 4-space Anvil with more gear in it, but if I can't find what I want in a 1U I'll probably hafta go for something like that. Or if someone made a 6"x6" cube that has 12+ inputs pre-wired to L/R, 1 set of RCA outs, signal indicators, and one Gain knob per input [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

Hmmm. What would I need to Newcenstein a patchbay to route all inputs to a pair of RCA outs? Say I got one of those PCB/card-type units that you can pull and swap without tools and replaced one card with RCA outs? What I gotta do, just wire jumpers from the other Ins to the RCA card? Or would I have to introduce a power supply or other powered circuit to maintain a decent signal level? I know with some passive stuff the more you plug in the weaker the signal (like Y-adapters and such).

[hippietim]

Re: Recommend a rackmountable mixer?

Newc - find a Roland M-120 - I have one - works great.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ROLAND-M-120-LINE-MI...5QQcmdZViewItem

[Newc]

Re: Recommend a rackmountable mixer?

Thanks - added one to the watchlist [img]/images/graemlins/toast.gif[/img]

[hammer84]

Re: Recommend a rackmountable mixer?

I use an USB interface with a couple of mic pres and aux in and outs. Works great.

The are also some mixers that have an USB connection.

[mm2002]

Re: Recommend a rackmountable mixer?

I also have the Alesis Studio 12R, and if you can make the rack space it's a very good mixer for the money. I also toyed with the idea of a 1U mixer, but I couldn't find anything with the features I wanted. I got a cheapo $35.00 patch bay, and routed all the inputs to it for front panel access. I got the Alesis on eBay for $150.00. By far the most bang for the buck equipment purchase I've ever made.

[Newc]

Re: Recommend a rackmountable mixer?

What about the Behringer EuroRack Pro RX1602 Line Mixer? Anyone ever use one?

All the USB stuff I've seen in my price range only has 2 inputs, I need at least 12, but would prefer more.

As I said, basically I'm looking for something I can plug everything into and not have to swap cables to get sound into my PC, like I could do with my DPS-12s, but in a small (rack sized) box.

Maybe it's me, maybe it's the box, but I can't get Audition to see my Canopus DV FireWire box, which has L/R RCA inputs. I can record sound with it into my video apps, but it doesn't show up in the list of device options for Audition.

[hippietim]

Re: Recommend a rackmountable mixer?

Newc - I have the Behringer PA head. It's great as long as you like thin and hissy.

As for the audio from your Canopus goes, that's because it isn't an audio device per se. It is coming to your video apps as part of the camcorder driver so Audition would need to support video input devices as well as audio.

[Newc]

Re: Recommend a rackmountable mixer?

My ex-drummer had Behringer effects gear and none of it was thin or hissy. Must just be the PA head?

As for Audition and the Canopus box, I thought Audition would "know" to look at USB and FireWire ports for any audio-capable device.

[Newc]

Re: Recommend a rackmountable mixer?

Well, since I'm in a hurry I went for the Rolls RM203X from AMS. It's got 10 stereo channels (20 inputs total) and RCA outs like I want. It's amazingly similar to something I sketched out at work the other night, before I even knew of this particular Rolls model.
Spooky [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[hippietim]

Re: Recommend a rackmountable mixer?

[ QUOTE ]
My ex-drummer had Behringer effects gear and none of it was thin or hissy. Must just be the PA head?

As for Audition and the Canopus box, I thought Audition would "know" to look at USB and FireWire ports for any audio-capable device.

[/ QUOTE ]

Music apps don't look to the USB or FireWire ports at all. They ask the operating system for available audio devices which your Canopus device apparently doesn't implement.