Tapco Blend 6
It seems there is a $60 mixer by another manufacturer that seems to be considered ‘the podcasters budget choice’. In you are in the market for a ‘budget’ mixer, perhaps you should consider paying 40 bucks more for the Tapco Blend 6. Why? Genuine Mackie Preamps. The quality of the pre’s included in a mixer will make a big difference in sonic quality, and noise in the signal chain will be less of an issue. The Tapco has 2 mic-pre’s, 2 dedicated instrument inputs, stereo aux returns, 2 aux sends, 8 segemnt LED output meter, and separate phone and control room level controls. $99 US.
-ptfigg.
Paul,
Thanks for the tip on this mixer.
It’s not $99. It lists for $149 and is going for $119.95 on most places online.
Would you go for this one over the Yamaha? Based on what’s being said on the forums I crossed the Behringer off my list.
It looks like the only complaint is not having slide pots. I don’t think we would be changing levels so often on voice recording, so that’s probably not an issue for our podcast.
–Mike
Nevermind. I found it for $99 at Sweetwater. I ordered one!
Thanks, Paul!
–Mike
Mike,
Keep me up on this .. I want to hear about it when you have time.
-ptfigg.
No Inserts on this one though.
I checked the website and it looks like you have to go up to the Tapco Mix260FX to get inserts. Even the ‘220FX doesn’t have them.
If it works have as good as it looks, that would be quite a mixer though. The comparable Yamaha one is pretty ugly.
Regards,
Matt
Hey guys
Do you know if there is much differance sound quality wise betwen the Tapco blend six and the ultra compact mix series i.e the Tapco mix 60?
Dave
Dave,
I doubt there is any difference in the sound quality. My guess is that since Mackie is behind this line, the quality *should* be consistant. It’s possible the higher end ‘ultra compacts’ house improved pre-amps, and/or electronics in general. Not sure.
If the selling price of the ‘Blend’ represents your budget, I would suggest purchasing one of the newer models.
-ptfigg.