Soundcraft Compact 4

Everything you need with XLR combos, a Phantom power supply, a Hi-Z input, RCA connectors for input decks but also main mix output and especially a well thought out routing to two independent headphone outputs and balanced outputs for sound card and monitor speakers.

If we wanted chippoter (and pay the little beast more expensive ....) it seems that nowadays it lacks a USB port.

UTILIZATION

Everything is under your fingers and if I write this review is to emphasize the hyper-practical side of this small console!

In two years she has already served me repeatedly:

- Save a musician with independent returns headphones for him and me
- Add two preamp inputs to an already full console
- Serve as backup preamp for recording guitar and voice via microphone static with its not great preamp but not ugly at all, the three-band EQ nicely colored and quite efficient and low-cut well placed
- Connecting my turntable without noise and with the right level of a Hi-Fi amplifier with only line inputs
- Serve as a controller for my studio monitors
- Serve my drummer Controller for his headphone and mixer return to his pad and click-station and all at once
- Serve as DI for my bass on stage when the quality of those who offered me was poor ....

In short you have understood this little thing has its place in a bag with your set-up and should never leave you!
And if I had known I would probably opted for the 10 entries ....

SOUNDS

This is a Soundcraft low-end but certainly a Soundcraft still hear and it immediately to your light colored Class A preamps and wide rather hot band EQ and ear has not fear of settings (not too much) extremes.
And elsewhere in this price level it is not impossible that it is hard to beat ....

OVERALL OPINION

I put my fingers on many small mixers "Chinese" of all brands like Behringer, Phonic and the best Yamaha and Mackie me but none has appeared sound as well as effective and most technically this little Soundcraft and this price!

Black spot, because unfortunately there is one: the knobs eventually crachotter with time even if the console is properly protected ... a blow bomb contact is not enough unfortunately always solve the problem.

Nevertheless a great choice as console to do all the home-studio owner / musician ....

already described on Audiofanzine

UTILIZATION

The general configuration is simple?
simple configuration in the limited buttons but without knowing the basic operation of a mixer, it takes a little searching and this is normal.
The manual is clear and sufficient?
yes but sufficient and clear English
Common functions are they easily accessible?
everything is on the front and easily accessible except the connection of the transformer on the side in the hollow. I still doubt if I pushed the cable.

SOUNDS

Its transparent but slightly colored, not breathing except when you push really into the preamps are great for condenser microphones. I have no experience with monitors.

OVERALL OPINION

How long you use it?
6 years
Did you tried many other models before buying it?
No, councils Audiofanzine
What is so special that you love the most, least?
The +
sound and convenience
The -
I saw how to use RAS
How would you rate the quality / price?
excellent
With experience, you do again this choice?
Quality yes (then I think it was better), to use my current minimalist, no. Besides, if I invest in monitors, I'll use it to plug it.

Comprehensive for the price 99E at the moment.
(RIAA on the 2 stereo line inputs, 2 mono inputs: class A preamp, 48V phantom power supply).
Each input is switchable to record or monitor.
See detailed manufacturer.

UTILIZATION

What she is beautiful!! the retro / futuristic it's terrible ..

super nice and easy to use, flexible in terms of possibilities.

This table is thought to be the focus of the home studio computer record / play / monitors.

Manuel very well done, very clear.

SOUNDS

At the sound, nothing to say, the quality is there. no color, no breath.

The preamp is correct, although a bit "cold" compared to my preamp tube.
No breath if you abuse it for gain.

Headphone not unpleasant.

EQ, personal touch I especially not!

OVERALL OPINION

I love everything about this console.

Everything is connected to it: sound card input / output, my monitors, my headphone, my phono + table mix,
my microphone static. it manages all!

Quality / price ratio excellent!

The same choice, ouiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii