like a podMIX...but cheaper

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Daniel Postilnik

Junior
Jan 14, 2011
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San Francisco, CA
So, whirlwind makes this:
Whirlwind podMIX Passive Mixer PODMIX B&H Photo Video

...which would be perfect for my SOS (powered) setups when folks use one mic and plug in an ipod, nothing more.

Up to this point I have been using Yamaha MG series compact mixers because I get a lot of inputs for cheap. Turns out, it's way too many inputs for many gigs, and there's no xlr output, so I'm always using adapters. Why do small mixers never have xlr outputs?

This little whirlwind box does exactly what I need, but costs about the same as a new yamaha (maybe more). I feel bad giving up so many features and paying the same price, so does anyone know of a similar, cheaper product that accomplishes the same (or similar) job? Answers of "you pay more for specialization" are acceptable. Thanks.
 
Re: like a podMIX...but cheaper

Daniel Postilnik said:
So, whirlwind makes this:
Whirlwind podMIX Passive Mixer PODMIX B&H Photo Video

...which would be perfect for my SOS (powered) setups when folks use one mic and plug in an ipod, nothing more.

Up to this point I have been using Yamaha MG series compact mixers because I get a lot of inputs for cheap. Turns out, it's way too many inputs for many gigs, and there's no xlr output, so I'm always using adapters. Why do small mixers never have xlr outputs?

This little whirlwind box does exactly what I need, but costs about the same as a new yamaha (maybe more). I feel bad giving up so many features and paying the same price, so does anyone know of a similar, cheaper product that accomplishes the same (or similar) job? Answers of "you pay more for specialization" are acceptable. Thanks.
Click to expand...

I'm in the same boat. The little Yamaha's are cheap and do the job, but I have an install where I need fewer things to screw around with. 1 mic, 1 MP3 player, vol for each would be great and of course XLR outs.
Thanks for posting that.
BJ
 
Re: like a podMIX...but cheaper

"This little whirlwind box does exactly what I need, but costs about the same as a new yamaha (maybe more)."

You get what you pay for. The Whirlwind is a high quality product that will out last most ot the people who buy it!
 
Re: like a podMIX...but cheaper

Rob Spence said:
The old Mackie 1202 and 1402 have both TRS and XLR outputs.
Cheap on eBay.

Swiss Army Mixers :)
Click to expand...
Rob, if I were always the one using the mixer, this would work fine. However the abundance of features and some strange UI decisions (like mute / solo function and routing of the RCA input channel) make the Mackies a bad choice.

Chuck Simon below is right; it's a specialized product, and the price reflects that.
 
Re: like a podMIX...but cheaper

I wouldn't recommend used Mackie mixers, ever. They all develop problems over time.
Buying one used is probably buying one that's already got issue or will soon have issues. I've purchased and used over 1000 Mackie mixers over the past 15 years. They all go bad and aren't worth repairing because either the repairs don't last or something else give out soon after (pots, switches, ribbons, etc). I'd recommend a new Behringer tiny 8 channel mixer over a used Mackie anything. They're $70 and more versatile than a PodMix.
 
Re: like a podMIX...but cheaper

Here's my wish list for a current install. 1 XLR in, 1 or 2 pairs of RCA ins, volume control for each, single xlr out (stereo pairs summed). Sprinkles on top would be a hidden pad since it's going into a balanced mic level in.

For now I will have to use the little Yamaha's and look for a stereo combiner DI with a pad.

BJ
 
Re: like a podMIX...but cheaper

BJ James said:
Here's my wish list for a current install. 1 XLR in, 1 or 2 pairs of RCA ins, volume control for each, single xlr out (stereo pairs summed). Sprinkles on top would be a hidden pad since it's going into a balanced mic level in.

For now I will have to use the little Yamaha's and look for a stereo combiner DI with a pad.

BJ
Click to expand...

Shure SC262 or SC268... can't remember which one is mono. Pre-sum the RCA.
 
Re: like a podMIX...but cheaper

I own several of each but can never seem to remember which is which. As Ben pointed out, the prefix is "SCM", too.

Robust little mixers, transformers inside, sound decent. Internal PSU.
 
Re: like a podMIX...but cheaper

We use the SCM268s at my job every single day, and they are pretty much bombproof. A few things to keep in mind:

1. The Mic/Line switch on the back can get finicky over time…make sure you exercise it regularly and don't push it too hard (same with the Phantom Power switch).
2. Mic inputs have a 6dB/Octave HPF (-3dB @ 80Hz) on them. If desired, you can bypass them by replacing some internal components.
3. 0dB = 0dBu
4. Meter ballistics are for "peak" readings

They're solid performers and certainly hold up over time. I don't know the specs of the transformers, but don't feed them too much LF - they'll saturate and it'll sound, uh…not good.
 
Re: like a podMIX...but cheaper

Thanks guys...I am a Shure dealer and seem to never think about these cool little mixers for installs. Looks like the SCM262 is perfect. Even has an option for summing stereo to dual mono.
BJ
 
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