[Tech1] Small mixer

[Alan Taylor]

Small mixers with USB outputs tend not to have much in the way of decent EQ or dynamics.  I assume that they were designed to be used with digital audio software which offers much more comprehensive options as part of the software, but using it to feed microphones into Zoom calls wasn’t really planned for.

If you’re using a Mac and simply want the equivalent of a cabled microphone, plugging an iPhone into a USB port ( using the normal charging cable )  allows you to use it as an external microphone.  You either use Audio/MIDI Setup or the Sound control panel to select it as the audio input once you have plugged it in. I think there are similar wheezes for PCs and Android phones too. It’s not exactly a Neumann, but it’s pretty decent and has the advantage of being free.

Alan Taylor





> On 24 Apr 2021, at 13:55, Dave Plowman via Tech1 <tech1 at tech-ops.co.uk> wrote:
> 
> I wanted a small inexpensive mixer for Zoom. Small enough to leave on top
> of the computer when not needed. Two channel would have been enough, but
> since using personal mics wanted better EQ than just bass and treble.
> Faders not a problem, as it would be basically pre-set.
> 
> Got a Yamaha MG102. Far more channels than I need but OK size wise at
> about 1 ft square. Has 3 band EQ, a selectable and gentle compressor, and
> phantom power. DC in is also a 3 pin DIN. but the locking version.
> 
> USB only would have been convenient, but couldn't find one with any EQ at
> all, let alone 3 band. Or at least at an affordable price.       
> 
> 
> 
> In article <158e68f5-b185-08e2-6944-7f0747434cdd at gmail.com>,
>   Bernard Newnham via Tech1 <tech1 at tech-ops.co.uk> wrote:
>> I have a 1202. It's very good, apart from a couple of small things. The 
>> power socket is rubbish - a DIN plug which falls out at the slightest 
>> thing. And there are a couple of  little buttons labelled "USB 2-track", 
>> which I only get right by trial and error. I'm sure it's easy for you 
>> sound chaps.  All round though, it does what I need for not much money.
> 
> -- 
>    Dave Plowman     dave at davesound.co.uk     London SW 12
> 
> 
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