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As the search function dug up nothing for me, I was hoping someone would be able to give some advice. I am looking for a cheap mixer (even 4 tracks is fine) for recording to the four recordable tracks on my tape machine simultaneously. Is there any option other than Behringer? (please let there be... please!)

Thanks!

What's the tape machine you are recording to?

sounds like you'd need a mixer with at least four direct outs so that you can send each individual signal to each track of the recorder

Do you need a mixer, or would 4 pre-amps do? If you're sending 4 sources to 4 discrete tracks, there's not a whole lot of 'mixing' going on...

That said, sometimes you can hack a solution (as I do with an Alesis 12r) by using pre-fader sends, panning (right/left renders main buss two discrete outs obviously) and/or inserts to maximise outs from cheapo mixers.

The 12r is a pretty good, cheapo mixer for that type of hacking, not sure if you can get anything cheaper that has so many tinkering options.

If you can find a used one go for a Soundcraft Spirit M4, brand new is not cheap but used it is. They are better quality than most behringer&co stuff.

Consider that if you're going to make overdubs and you need to listen to pre-recorded material while recording you could prefer a mixer which could split between line/mic Input or having the double the channels of you recorder. This way you avoid to disconnect and connect cables each time, not a big task with a 4ch but can save you time.

With the Soundcraft you can't change between line and mic in with a button but you can patch the tape returns of your machine to the 4 stereo inputs available while keeping your outboards connected (if you have).

Look for early '80s Tascam boards.

You can get 8 Ch 4 buss boards with weird preamps and Eq for next to nothing. They are big but built well.

Like this...



Sometimes less than $100 on Ebay.

+1 on the Soundcraft boards. I just got ahold of a mint condition Rac Pac board and this thing is really nice.

Try to find a used Yamaha MX. The MX series has 4 group outputs, and (with appropriate cables) you can use the inserts as direct outs. Great sound, low noise preamps, simple singnal path, dirt cheap.