Picked up a new Studiomaster rack mixer

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steve149

steve149

Shine on you crazy diamond
Staff member
Sep 26, 2011
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Connecticut
I had been looking at these mixers for a few years .. saw one on eBay that was basically new, made a lower than asking price offer and got it for $125 delivered .. used to sell for close to $350 (they're no longer made).

Nice little unit for simple setups (think ceremony, karaoke, etc.) ... 4 mic inputs (2 front panel, 2 rear) with monitor and aux sends (2-4 share the same EQ), 4 stereo inputs (also with aux/monitor sends), built in effects unit with reverbs and delays ..

Only downside is the front panel is silver and it's tough to read the knob labels .. might have to replace the knobs with colored ones per function.

www.studiomaster.com

C3X

C3X product Features 12 inputs 4 microphone inputs with 3 band EQ 4 stereo channels with 2 band EQ 2 aux sends Balanced input and output connectors Custom high quality DSP effects product Specification
www.studiomaster.com www.studiomaster.com

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I wish more people were making a solution like this. I bought the Denon 312X rack mixer a couple years back and it sounded like 💩

I know Rane used to make one too. But it seems like the market for them just isn't big enough to entice manufacturers to keep iterating on it.
 
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Albatross said:
I wish more people were making a solution like this. I bought the Denon 312X rack mixer a couple years back and it sounded like 💩

I know Rane used to make one too. But it seems like the market for them just isn't big enough to entice manufacturers to keep iterating on it.
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We'll see how it sounds ... I have a Rane MP4, which is limited on mic, EQ and others, though makes a nice backup DJ mixer. I've had better Ashly and Allen&Heath units, but again, many compromises. This has the features (except for the silver face) .. we'll see if it delivers.
 
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I use an APB-Dynasonics ProSpec 1U4M4S. It also has 4 mic and 4 stereo inputs. APB was formed by the former Crest team that didn't want to move from NJ to MS after Peavey bought the company. They make some of the best compact analog consoles. This unit lacks the EQ controls which I sometimes miss but you get a multi-color input level indicator LED. There is also a button that lets you direct the sound between the L+R or Center channels. I use this as my cue function and I direct the center to the headphone output.
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sawdust123 said:
I use an APB-Dynasonics ProSpec 1U4M4S. It also has 4 mic and 4 stereo inputs. APB was formed by the former Crest team that didn't want to move from NJ to MS after Peavey bought the company. They make some of the best compact analog consoles. This unit lacks the EQ controls which I sometimes miss but you get a multi-color input level indicator LED. There is also a button that lets you direct the sound between the L+R or Center channels. I use this as my cue function and I direct the center to the headphone output.
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I also look at the 2U version and scan eBay for it .. if I ever see a clean one under $500, I'll probably get that ..

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Still haven't played with it, but since I mentioned the downside of a hard to read front panel (op) I ordered a set of color coded knobs on Alibaba to replace the mainly black ones on the mixer. It was tough finding knobs that were the correct size and style (these were listed as Behringer style), but these seem to fit fine .. have the same type of shaft setup and more color on the ends, so it's a bit easier to see at a glance. Next up some testing.

Original:

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Updated (I used the color coding from my Allen&Heath mixer since I was familiar with it):

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For the money you guys are spending on these outdated 1U mixers you could have a digital QSC TM-8 on a 1U rack drawer.
 
Proformance said:
For the money you guys are spending on these outdated 1U mixers you could have a digital QSC TM-8 on a 1U rack drawer.
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Would love a TouchMix, but it requires more than 1U for a pull-out drawer.
 
I got my 1U mixer before TouchMix came out and as Steve points out, it requires more than 1U, especially if you leave things plugged in. I also got a much better deal on my mixer than the general public could get as APB was one of my customers.
 
Get a Touchmix or something like it and you'll get a 38U rack worth of audio power in something the size of a laptop.
 
Proformance said:
Get a Touchmix or something like it and you'll get a 38U rack worth of audio power in something the size of a laptop.
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I have the Behringer XR12, so I'm covered if I need processing.

I have no issue with the Touchmix, but you either need to put it in a rack with top rails, or use 3-4 RU so you can keep things plugged in. My events are fairly small, 4 mics is plenty.

I just like good analog gear .. usually easier to find controls quickly.
 
Steve, pardon my aging eyes....
but does that mixer have a CUE function?
 
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Ausumm said:
Steve, pardon my aging eyes....
but does that mixer have a CUE function?
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No, but if you're not running a foldback monitor, can always use the Mon output for a simple cue.
 
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Ausumm said:
And requires a lot more than $125.
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The indication offered is that they are willing to pay up to $500. That puts their budget significantly over the value of outdated analog and into the range of modern digital products.
 
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