looking for a rack mount mixer

Justice C. Bigler

Justice C. Bigler

Senior
Jan 11, 2011
698
0
16
Tulsa, OK
www.justicebigler.com
I'm looking for a rack mount mixer, 1or 2U tall, doesn't matter. But I need four XLR inputs switchable between XLR and line level. I need two outputs. But the outputs have to be absolutely discrete and no cross talk between them. I would prefer XLR outputs also--I hate barrier strips, pheonix, molex connectors, RCA, 1/4", etc...

Suggestions?
 
Re: looking for a rack mount mixer

Also, I need a recommendation for a 70 volt amplifier for our backstage and lobby page and program system. One input and one output. I need one in the 120 watt to 160 watt range, and one in the 60 watt to 80 watt range. The Amps need to have a provision for a chime or bells sound to be triggered via a contact push button or similar.

Suggestions?
 
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Re: looking for a rack mount mixer

Steve Payne said:
How about this?

http://www.apb-dynasonics.com/downloads/ProSpec/ProSpec-1U-011911.pdf
Click to expand...

That looks like a really nice little 1RU mixer! But, what else would you expect from APB?

For your amplifiers, you may want to consider (these fit well within your price range):
http://aa.peavey.com/products/index.cfm/item/117721/ - for the larger size... rated for 150 watts, and has a module bay.
http://aa.peavey.com/products/index.cfm/item/117720/ - for the smaller size... rated for 75 watts, and has a module bay.

Then, you can use one of these for the tone generator:
http://www.toaelectronics.com/mod0003.asp#S-04
...yes, it plugs right into the back of the Architectural Acoustics amplifier's module slot. The Toa 900 series modules and the A/A modules are interchangeable.

Of course you could also use one of Toa's own mono amplifiers to get the job done, but they are not nearly as flexible and useful as the Architectural Acoustics amplifiers are. Though these seem to cost a bit more than you are willing to spend.
http://www.toaelectronics.com/amp0002.asp

So anyway, there are a couple of solutions to your question. Honestly, with the A/A amplifiers, you would be well served to just buy the larger size amps for all if you can't get the smaller size ones. Having the extra headroom never hurts and standardizing your models can be useful. The price difference is very minimal. Personally, I'd go with the A/A amplifiers because of the price. They perform extremely well and have some great options for the 70V system, including the option slot where you can stick the Toa module.

Have fun and good luck out there!
 
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Re: looking for a rack mount mixer

Steve Payne said:
How about this?

http://www.apb-dynasonics.com/downloads/ProSpec/ProSpec-1U-011911.pdf
Click to expand...

That looks really nice. I must have missed it on the APB website. Has anyone used on of these? Does the pan knob to select left or right pan all the way to one side or the other? with no cross talk or minimal signal between the two channels? I don't really need or want the stereo inputs. If it just had four mono inputs and two or three outputs I would buy it in a heartbeat, no matter what the price is (as long as it will route each input discreetly to one side or the other.
 
Re: looking for a rack mount mixer

Dunno if it quite meets your needs - I don't think it switches between inputs, but it does have discrete stereo outs (abit balanced 1/4 TRS, but that's just a space thing I'm sure) -

http://www.ashly.com/product/mx-406-2.htm

Amp wise these are pretty much the standard -

http://crownaudio.com/ca_htm/ca-a.htm

Both of the above products would meet your budget I do believe.
 
Re: looking for a rack mount mixer

Justice C. Bigler said:
That looks really nice. I must have missed it on the APB website. Has anyone used on of these? Does the pan knob to select left or right pan all the way to one side or the other? with no cross talk or minimal signal between the two channels? I don't really need or want the stereo inputs. If it just had four mono inputs and two or three outputs I would buy it in a heartbeat, no matter what the price is (as long as it will route each input discreetly to one side or the other.
Click to expand...

We did some beta testing on this unit early this summer. It is exactly what you would expect in a unit from APB. Superb build quality and sonics. I don't know the specs, but panning hard left or right should give you the equivilant of discreet outputs with a minimum of crosstalk. I guess JP or Taz could spout the exact numbers.
 
Re: looking for a rack mount mixer

Steve Payne said:
I don't know the specs, but panning hard left or right should give you the equivalent of discreet outputs with a minimum of crosstalk.
Click to expand...

I can't deal with a "minimum" of cross talk. I have to have NO crosstalk. This will be used to mix our program feed which goes back stage and to our lobbies with the SM page mic to back stage and a lobby mic to the lobby. I can't have the SM pages going to the lobby in the middle of a show.

Edit: So I just called APB, and they swear to me that each of the mono input channels will pan/assign discretely to each of the LCR outputs. I think I'm going to go with this unit for my rack mount mixer needs. I'm going to be very disappointed and will probably hold a lifelong grudge against APB if I find out that this thing functions otherwise
 
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Re: looking for a rack mount mixer

Justice C. Bigler said:
I can't deal with a "minimum" of cross talk. I have to have NO crosstalk. This will be used to mix our program feed which goes back stage and to our lobbies with the SM page mic to back stage and a lobby mic to the lobby. I can't have the SM pages going to the lobby in the middle of a show.
Click to expand...
Get 2 of these. 'Y' the inputs for the program feed and plug the SM input only into the mixer sending to backstage. No possibility of crosstalk.
 
Re: looking for a rack mount mixer

Justice C. Bigler said:
I can't deal with a "minimum" of cross talk. I have to have NO crosstalk. This will be used to mix our program feed which goes back stage and to our lobbies with the SM page mic to back stage and a lobby mic to the lobby. I can't have the SM pages going to the lobby in the middle of a show.

Edit: So I just called APB, and they swear to me that each of the mono input channels will pan/assign discretely to each of the LCR outputs. I think I'm going to go with this unit for my rack mount mixer needs. I'm going to be very disappointed and will probably hold a lifelong grudge against APB if I find out that this thing functions otherwise
Click to expand...

May I suggest that you contact our local rep in that area; JMS Marketing at 800-266-2384. Please ask for Analis Bellew who can set you up with the right person who covers your area, and arrange for a demo of the unit to make sure it is what you are looking for before you commit. I don't want anyone to have a "grudge" against us when everything can be verified in advance if the unit operates as you would like. I know we have a good unit here but I don't buy mixers, so it is best that you come to your own conclusion.

Chuck Augustowski
APB-DynaSonics
 
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