Need a mixer.. not sure which flavor.

[waskelton4]

Hey group,

 

I have a need in my acoustic sound rig (the briefcase I carry my acoustic guitar and mandolin pre-amps in and use on stage)

 

I'm posting here because I think this has more to do with mixing sound and signal levels than anything else.

 

Here is my setup:

Acoustic w/ dual pickups running two channels via TRS Jack.

mandolin is mono now but I plan on adding another pickup to it eventually and running it like the guitar.

 

I own three pre-amp units I can use.

Presonus BlueTube (the blue front one with two channels)

Presonus Acousti-Q

Baggs Para DI

 

Initially all I wanted was to have the option to run the guitar stereo or to combine the two pickups into one channel. (and do the same with the mando when it was stereo capable)

would something like this work to combine the stereo guit. rig to mono or will the outputs of these preamps overpower it?

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

 

after thinking about it more, I figure if I can add a mixer that will also accept a Mic then I would have a self contained mixing rig (add power and speakers for full pa)

 

the question is.

What sort of mixer would accommodate all of the different signal levels present in this example.

 

I'd like to keep it so the whole rig can fit in my briefcase if possible, so smaller is better.

 

thanks for the help.

 

ws

[Craig Vecchione]

What you linked is a splitter, so that's not what you want.

 

Peavey, Soundcraft, A&H, Yamaha, all make compact mixers that would work fine (mixing and adjusting varying strength inputs is what they do) and might fit your briefcase. Look for units that have at the least, a gain/trim control on each channel, and possibly an input pad, to decrease the hottest signals. Note that you may or may not actually need any additional preamps, as each channel of a mixer is a preamp. Depends on the pickup types, and whether you use the preamp for tone shaping that might not be possible with a mixer's EQ.

[Audiopyle Sound]

I use an Ashly MX-206 mixer in my wireless mic rig. It has many options for getting the levels right and will mix to stereo or mono.

 

http://www.ashly.com/product/mx-206-2.htm

[waskelton4]

 

What you linked is a splitter, so that's not what you want.

 

It says on the unit splitter/combiner.

 

 

Note that you may or may not actually need any additional preamps, as each channel of a mixer is a preamp. Depends on the pickup types, and whether you use the preamp for tone shaping that might not be possible with a mixer's EQ.

 

Yeah, If I get a mixer i won't NEED them, but I do like them and two of them are para Eqs. I plan on having all of the pickups in both instruments passive eventually.

 

after some more research I've found the following products that will probably do what I want

http://www.rolls.com/products/mx124.php

http://www.rolls.com/products/mx122.php

 

and another splitter/combiner.

http://www.rolls.com/products/ms20.php

 

any thoughts on rolls stuff? good company?

ART also makes some similar products but i've never had a high opinion of them for whatever reason..

 

ws

[lifeloverwg]

We have used some of the Rolls products to good results for their cost level. I would think you might want more versatility down the road though. I think something like this would be more useful.

http://www.zzounds.com/item--YAMMG82CX

 

Still pretty small, but it will give you more control.

 

Winston