High Quality 4x2 Balanced Analog Mixer Needed. HELP!

[gene]

Guys;

I have been on a quest for a solution to find a way to run my large towers fullrange with LFE and still have separate powered subs too. The only way I can do it now with my pre/pro is to shut off the sub channel, run the mains large and then connect my powered subs to the L/R front outputs. This works pretty well but gives me no control over adjusting bass on my front speakers. For music that's fine but for movies, the bass can be a bit overwhelming at times for my wife.

Last night while doing bicep curls I came up to a solution for our bass dilemma of combining mixed bass+lfe back into the large front speakers. It requires a pre/pro that has 3 independent sub outputs.

All you would need to accomplish this is a high quality 4x2 analog mixer.

So, you would set your processor bass management as follows:

• Front speakers: Large
• Bass Out: LFE only (that way the bass from the fronts won’t get recombined again to the sub channel)
• Sub configuration: 3 sub mono mix

Then you take the Left Front + Left Sub outputs into the mixer to produce a “Left Front + Left Sub” mix. Feed that signal to the Left Front amplifier which connects to your Left Front speaker. Do the same for the Right channel.

Then take the 3rd sub output and feed to your additional powered subs.

By doing this, you now have the ability to independently control subwoofer level for your front channels and your powered subs. So you will still have stereo bass for the front L/R speakers but a mono mix of LFE + summed bass from all small channels.

Sounds great right? Well, there is one problem. I can’t find a single solution out there for a basic high quality balanced 4x2 analog mixer. It doesn’t exist as far as I can see. The closest thing I found is from RANE but the specs on their mixer suck. WTF?

Do you know of any high quality 4 input to 2 output balanced analog mixers? I’m all ears if you do.

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

No shortage of mixers with 4 XLR inputs and 2 XLR outputs from Yamaha, Mackie, Allen and Heath among many others.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[gene]

Looks like i found a solution thanks to a recommendation from our friends at Emotiva:
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MX882?adpos=1o1&creative=55678035481&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=CKK68KzD2sQCFcZZ7Aod7TMA-w

 

[gene]

No shortage of mixers with 4 XLR inputs and 2 XLR outputs from Yamaha, Mackie, Allen and Heath among many others.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

Thanks for the links. Those are all consoles. Any rack mountable ones? I don't need all the fancy controls just a regular mixer with fad control maybe and that's it. But, I want it have a very high quality analog section.

 

[gene]

Hmm I'm a bit skeptical about the Behringer in terms of quality.

I found this Mackie which looks more impressive though it's not rack mountable.
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/1202VLZ4?adpos=1o1&creative=55678035601&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=CLyOyqPK2sQCFUkkgQodIkYAjA

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/412947-REG/Crown_Audio_28M_28M_Rack_Mountable_8.html
or this:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/371095-REG/Allen_Heath_GR05_GR05_5_In_4_Out.html

 

[highfigh]

Guys;

I have been on a quest for a solution to find a way to run my large towers fullrange with LFE and still have separate powered subs too. The only way I can do it now with my pre/pro is to shut off the sub channel, run the mains large and then connect my powered subs to the L/R front outputs. This works pretty well but gives me no control over adjusting bass on my front speakers. For music that's fine but for movies, the bass can be a bit overwhelming at times for my wife.

Last night while doing bicep curls I came up to a solution for our bass dilemma of combining mixed bass+lfe back into the large front speakers. It requires a pre/pro that has 3 independent sub outputs.

All you would need to accomplish this is a high quality 4x2 analog mixer.

So, you would set your processor bass management as follows:

• Front speakers: Large
• Bass Out: LFE only (that way the bass from the fronts won’t get recombined again to the sub channel)
• Sub configuration: 3 sub mono mix

Then you take the Left Front + Left Sub outputs into the mixer to produce a “Left Front + Left Sub” mix. Feed that signal to the Left Front amplifier which connects to your Left Front speaker. Do the same for the Right channel.

Then take the 3rd sub output and feed to your additional powered subs.

By doing this, you now have the ability to independently control subwoofer level for your front channels and your powered subs. So you will still have stereo bass for the front L/R speakers but a mono mix of LFE + summed bass from all small channels.

Sounds great right? Well, there is one problem. I can’t find a single solution out there for a basic high quality balanced 4x2 analog mixer. It doesn’t exist as far as I can see. The closest thing I found is from RANE but the specs on their mixer suck. WTF?

Do you know of any high quality 4 input to 2 output balanced analog mixers? I’m all ears if you do.

I thought specs don't count. I don't what to believe, anymore! AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Have you looked at mixers with sub-out capability? This is used for live and recording, all the time- often for drums and keyboards. Smaller ones will have 6-8 channels and 4 outputs. That leads to a question- if you want to mix 4ch + LFE, don't you need more than 4 channels, or are you mixing only the front/LFE?

What model is the Rane?

 

[gene]

I thought specs don't count. I don't what to believe, anymore! AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Have you looked at mixers with sub-out capability? This is used for live and recording, all the time- often for drums and keyboards. Smaller ones will have 6-8 channels and 4 outputs. That leads to a question- if you want to mix 4ch + LFE, don't you need more than 4 channels, or are you mixing only the front/LFE?

What model is the Rane?

No b/c I just want to mix LFE + all channels set to small back into the Front Channels.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MLM82S?adpos=1o2&creative=55674776881&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=CNv2y4PW2sQCFXRo7AoddiYAbA

 

[gene]

Here is another Rane unit but only has 1/4" I/Os.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SM26S?adpos=1o1&creative=55674776881&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=CJnVncvZ2sQCFRc8gQodxIcAEA

 

[TLS Guy]

Gene, I have done something similar since setting up my system.

The lines are potent enough that I do not need a discrete subs. The large TLs are potent enough to demolish the house.

Now the fronts are dual lines. The big bass lines have two 10" divers. The top driver is fed the bass of that channel plus the BSC signal of that channel and is stereo.

Now the LFE signal is fed a balanced signal to a one in two out buffer amp, which is blended into the outputs of the electronic crossover going to the amp supplying the upper 10 inch drivers. The amps supplying the lower drivers are fed the LFE signal only which is mono. So the upper drivers in the line carry the bass + BSC for the midlines and the LFE.

The lower 10" drivers just carry the LFE.

I thought of using a mixer but decided it was overkill. The blended feeds only need to be set by instruments once. Since the original set up I have only done spot checks to make sure nothing has wandered and it hasn't.

I think you could also use this solution.

If you want a low Z balanced mixer I have one.

It is a vintage Tapco 6/2 mixer circa 1980.

It is an excellent mixer and does not use input trim pots. This was the first mixer ever to use IC opamps and have the input pots in the feedback loop. So as you turn down a fader SN ratio is increased and not decreased and head room increases as you turn down gain. This enormously reduces the chances of clipping the first stage with wide dynamic range material. This is the issue that really sorts mixers out. In my view, few still have enough head room.

Here is the mixer installed as my dubbing mixer in my old studio. When I first bought it I used it on location recording, until I bought my 16 channel Tapco/Electrovoice. I mainly used it for voice over commentary for my Public Radio productions. Here is a picture of it installed in my old studio. I have not used it since 2006. I have the original instruction manual.

If you want it, I will sell it to you for $250. Obviously it will be tested and serviced.

If you want a good mixer, I will sell it to you. This unit has superb fidelity. I would imagine it surpasses the Behringer by miles in terms of what really counts, which is headroom. That is the issue the compromises most mixers in my experience.

 

[highfigh]

YOU had an ADC equalizer??????????????????????


Which PCM unit is that?

 

[TLS Guy]

YOU had an ADC equalizer??????????????????????


Which PCM unit is that?

I don't remember fir certain, but it is a Sound Shaper 10. I have it still, it is in storage.