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JimboSpins « Quiet Mixer »
Published on 09/24/12 at 23:13The Mackie 402-VLZ3 is a very small affordable mixer that is great for a home or personal studio. It cost less than 100 dollars and is a 4 channel analog mixer that has 2 microphone inputs and 4 different line inputs. The microphone pre amps are pretty decent though they could be a lot better but for less than $100 you really can expect much more. This mixer is perfect for home recording or out and about recording and running broadcast or “pod casting”. The small and compact size of the unit makes it very portable and easy to take around with you. I have dropped mine more times than I would have liked to but the only thing that happens is it will get a little scratched up, none of the knobs have ever broke off and I have had some pretty bad drops with it because I use to take it everywhere with me. I have been using the Mackie 402-VLZ3 for about 13 months now and it is still standing strong.
UTILIZATION
This mixer is simple to set up and only takes a few minutes before you are up and running like you have had it for a while. It does come with a manual but I don’t think I even opened it once. Mackie mixers are known for the quality and low price and this is no exception to that theory.
SOUNDS
The mixer is very quiet and does not generate much of any sounds like humming or hissing. EQ is decent, and depending on which microphones you use with it will depend on how good the final recording sound is. It is not just about the mixer, if you don’t have decent microphones to compliment it.
OVERALL OPINION
For the price, it will get you by for now at your home or small set up. Eventually I needed more which is why I don’t use this for home anymore. But I do keep it on me a lot when I am out an about to do certain things with it on the go and it works great for that. I am happy that I purchased it, and decided to keep it even though I don’t use it for a home set up anymore. It comes in handy when I have stuff going on outside because I am not afraid of something happening to it.
UTILIZATION
This mixer is simple to set up and only takes a few minutes before you are up and running like you have had it for a while. It does come with a manual but I don’t think I even opened it once. Mackie mixers are known for the quality and low price and this is no exception to that theory.
SOUNDS
The mixer is very quiet and does not generate much of any sounds like humming or hissing. EQ is decent, and depending on which microphones you use with it will depend on how good the final recording sound is. It is not just about the mixer, if you don’t have decent microphones to compliment it.
OVERALL OPINION
For the price, it will get you by for now at your home or small set up. Eventually I needed more which is why I don’t use this for home anymore. But I do keep it on me a lot when I am out an about to do certain things with it on the go and it works great for that. I am happy that I purchased it, and decided to keep it even though I don’t use it for a home set up anymore. It comes in handy when I have stuff going on outside because I am not afraid of something happening to it.