There's quite a few threads here that have been started with similar questions regarding the need for a small decent mixer resulting in so many suggestions along with a slew of information that is all over the place.

Considering the amount of outboard gear I have and my recent acquisition of various microphones (both of which are thanks to various members on here who contributed to threads I started where I asked a number of questions), I decided to start this thread as a somewhat definitive source for anyone else who finds themself in a similar boat to me.

Someone who might be looking for a small format mixer with various useful features that could help with incorporating it into a hybrid set-up.

Across the various threads (some dating back to 2007/2008) there are many suggestions, some of which aren't as viable as they used to be simply because a lot of the mixers recommended rarely pop up on the used market.

So, while I am looking for one myself I feel that this this thread could also be used as a resource for anyone who might be looking for a decent, clean, well built, small format mixer or mixing desk. Or if someone has come across a piece of mixing gear that people should be avoided.

Contributions from people who have had first hand experience with a piece of gear would be very helpful in establishing this thread long-term.

Also there's plenty of snark, bickering, bitching and generally negative comments amongst many of these threads too so if you have nothing to contribute then don't bother posting here.

Anyway, I am still looking for the perfect fit myself and one of the reasons I am starting this thread is to find myself and a particular brand and model to settle on.

My use case is to track and mix a small drum kit (kick, snare, hat) ,guitar, bass and synths. And to track out and mix multiple track outputs from my MPC.

Now, to conclude:

The only pre-requisites I have are:
12-20 channels
Compact
At least 8 direct outs,
At least 2 aux sends
At least 2 group outputs
Insert on every channel
Usable EQ (not essential)

I have a number of 500 and rack preamps, EQ's, compressors etc so the preamp and EQ quality is secondary and im not too interested in a rack mountable mixer.

And finally the shortlist I have compiled from reading the various threads on here:

Allen & Heath Zed-420
Allen & Heath Mix Wizard
Mackie 1640
Mackie 1604
Soundcraft LX7 II
Soundcraft M12
Soundcraft FX16 II
Soundcraft K1
Soundcraft Spirit M
Midas Venice 160
Studiomaster 16

Obacure/Outliers:
Allen and Heath GS2/3 (not exactly easy to find)
Tascam M2516

There really can't be a definitive low end mixer roundup as you havent even defined what is low end might be and honestly most of this quest is just a fools errand.

The starting list you have here has a bit of range to it and I wouldn't really call the Midas Venice "low end" as the 160 was $3500 back 15-20 years ago while a Soundcraft LX7ii or a Mackie 1604 are only $1300 and $1000 brand new today.

The Soundcraft K1 I'm not famiar with but it seems like it was above the others and probably at least on par with the Venice. I have either owned or used more than half the mixers on your list including the Venice but the K1 I have only seen the original price on and read about.

I know you said eq doesn't matter so much but it is one of the more major things that defines these mixers and the eq on the Venice is far nicer than most of the other mixers on the list. It's not some sort of amazing wonderful Neve thing just a very good solid useful working eq which is more than can be said for something like the 1604.

With a few exceptions mulling over the differences between budget sound reinforcement mixers isn't really going to help people much as most are rather similar and none offer Neve "magic" or even color beyond crunching and input to get some distortion. I do however find this useful on the Vence for snare drum and bass guitar but you aren't going to get some kind of subtle analog "warmth" even out of the Venice.

First of all I started this thread hoping to find myself a mixer by having others suggest possible options. I even listed what I was looking for in said mixer.

I also thought that instead of making another "recommend me XYZ" I thought it would be nice to help other people out in choosing a budget friendly mixer. After all this is a forum with a lot of collective knowledge and information.

I am not trying to define what low end is, I am just trying to compile an easy, effective and helpful list for other people to use considering that so many have asked similar questions over the past few years.

I stated that for my use case that the quality of the EQ on the mixer was not important, nowhere in my post did I state that EQ does not matter, I prefaced this with stating the fact that I own some 500 series and rack mount EQ's.

I also stated what I would be using the mixer for.

Secondly the LX7II and Mackie 1604 are both available on the used market for between £300 and £600 which easily fall into the low end price bracket. Right now there's a Soundcraft Spirit LX7 24 listed on reverb for $475 dollars.

Recently sold listings for a used Midas Venice 160 have been around the £500 mark here, same with the Venice 240.

Granted I should have mentioned that used/2nd hand options were a priority for me but it slipped my mind. That was obviously a grave oversight on my behalf.

Also I have no idea why you're mentioning Neve "magic, colour or anything like that. My post didnt even hint at the idea that I wanted a budget mixing desk that could rival the sound of a Neve and neither did I suggest that I wanted a mixer for the purpose of colouring my sound.

This is not about mulling over differences between budget mixers, this is a thread I was hoping to start in the hope that maybe, just maybe that we could come together collectively and put together something helpful for myself and others. Trawling through multiple threads with all the usual gearspace bickering, off topic suggestions, mindless tangents and digressing is not fun

I mean, it even says at the end of the topic title "Help me find".

"Help me find" certainly seems to imply you want to know the differences between these mixers ??? Umm... No ?

I got onto the weeds of mentioning Neve magic because it needs to be said to many people who are interested in the topic but have maybe never used these products and have some idea that mixing out of the box is going to give them some sonic advantage they can't get in the box.

So I'm not understanding your goal here I guess. Do you simply want people to make a long list of mixers under $X dollars but have no comment about them?

Most cheap mixers are rather the same, unless you get something sort of a step up like the Venice.

The most important thing really is to get one in good working order as you seem to be looking at used ones and many of these including many of the Venice boards have had a long hard life already.

No, because I clearly stated what features I was looking for in a mixer.

I can look into the differences between the mixers I listed because I know how google works.

There is no goal, I clearly outlined the reason why I started this thread.

It all seems worthless now and a complete wast of time though hahaha. Ah well.

I guess i'll just go with a used Allen & Heath Zed 420

/thread