All user reviews of 4/5 for the Mackie MS1202

The Mackie 1202 is a small analog mixer that can be used for a variety of purposes. You can use it as a traditional mixer, or just for routing purposes. The application that I've used the 1202 for is a bit out of the ordinary, but it still works great for it nonetheless. I've used it as a headphone mixing station in the recording studio. In other words, we send channels from Pro Tools out to the 1202, and players in the booth or in the live room can set their own mixes using this mixer. While they certainly make boxes that are specifically designed for this type of use, the 1202's work just as well. As far as characteristics go, it's got 12 channels in total, with four mono channels and four stereo channels. It's got four microphone preamplifiers, and each channel has it's own EQ and aux sends. It's overall a pretty standard mixer and doesn't present anything out of the ordinary.

UTILIZATION

Using the Mackie 1202 is really not too difficult, but if you don't know your way around a mixer, any mixer will seem complicated. However, this is probably the easiest type of mixer to learn on if you are unfamiliar with the make up of mixers, since it really just has the essentials. A manual would be a good idea to have around if you are indeed a beginner, but definitely isn't necessary otherwise.

SOUNDS

I haven't done any recording with the Mackie 1202, as I've only used it as a headphone box as I previously mentioned. I have used another version of the 1202 for other applications, which I would imagine would be pretty similar to the original 1202, but I can't say so for sure since I haven't used the mic preamps on this one. I will say that it does a good job of allowing control to players in the studio trying to get their own mix. It definitely doesn't degrade the sound quality in any fashion when used in this way.

OVERALL OPINION

For a home studio owner, the Mackie 1202 wouldn't be a bad choice if you're looking for a simple mixer to route everything through. However, the only application that I could see it being used in a professional studio would be for a headphone mixer as I previously mentioned. The price isn't too expensive at all, as these can definitely be had for cheap since there are a number of other newer version of the 1202 out. I'd definitley consider it as a cheaper option to headphone boxes.

The Mackie MS (Micro Series) 1202 is a 12-channel analog mixer. The mixer consists of four mic channels with XLR and 1/4 inch inputs and four stereo channels with only 1/4 inch inputs. Each of the eight channels (four mono, four stereo) has built in equalization as well. It also has two sets of stereo auxiliary returns and sends as well as stereo RCA inputs and outputs. For your main monitoring, it has 1/4" outputs as well. The EQ is two bands, and there are also knobs for two aux sends and for panning. It isn't rackable as it is a mixer that is supposed to sit on your desk.

UTILIZATION

Using and setting up the Mackie MS 1202 is a pretty easy thing to do, as everything is quite self explanatory. If you have previous experience at all with analog mixers of this kind, you're all set as far as utilization goes. If you don't have much or any experience, I'd recommend doing some research about the types of connections and parameters that you will find on mixers of this kind, and everything should fall into place from there as the MS 1202 is standard through and through. I've never seen the manual for this, but unless you are a beginner I don't think that you need one anyway.

SOUNDS

I haven't used too many of the features on the Mackie MS 1202 that make any sound for itself (i.e. the EQ), as I've used it mostly for routing purposes. However, I will say that this is a clean mixer in the sense that it routes everything without adding its own color or anything like that. Since I've only used this for routing, I also can't say anything about how it sounds if you were to plug a mic into it. I have used the EQ a few times, and it is pretty clean sounding but definitely doesn't offer up much versatility. This wouldn't be the type of mixer that I would recommend if you're looking to get some EQ or other signal processing from it...

OVERALL OPINION

The Mackie MS 1202 has become a popular model for both the studio and on the stage for its easy to use features and set up. If you're looking for a small mixer for either of these applications that doesn't require too many inputs, this is definitely get the job done and at a good price. I'm not sure on if these are still being made, but you can definitely find them easily used otherwise if you'd like to seek one out...