I'm also curious -- some of the ones featured/used by members here are very expensive models..

Yes, ideally it would be a reasonable price. Could be a new model or an older one. I would be open to looking for a used one in addition to a new one.

8 stereo inputs is quite a large amount so it might limit your choices. AFAIK Most mixing desks seem to have mostly mono inputs with only a few stereo inputs so maybe you need to check 19" rack mixers, but since they are geared more towards pro users they will be on the more expensive side:

https://www.thomann.de/gb/racksized_mixers_19.html

Do you actually need a mixer? Are you going to be actively mixing all 16 (8 stereo) channels at one time?

Or do you just want to be able to easily select between different models?

Because if it's just for switching between sound modules, I'd recommend either a patchbay or an audio switcher instead of a full-blown mixer.

Shponglefan wrote:

Do you actually need a mixer? Are you going to be actively mixing all 16 (8 stereo) channels at one time?

Or do you just want to be able to easily select between different models?

Because if it's just for switching between sound modules, I'd recommend either a patchbay or an audio switcher instead of a full-blown mixer.

Great suggestion. I'm not familiar with audio switchers but maybe a product like this one could work?

MMaximus wrote:

Great suggestion. I'm not familiar with audio switchers but maybe a product like this one could work?

Yup, something like that should work.

What I'm currently using is this switcher from Audio Authority: 4:1 Component Video Autoselector. Originally bought it for game consoles back in the day, but now use it for switching sound modules on my PC. It supports digital inputs/output as well (coax and optical) which I find handy for modules with digital outs.

Thanks for the suggestions guys. That is good information for me to consider on how I want to arrange the use of my sound modules.

What I did for my setup is create a passive mixer... you can get all the parts off aliexpress for a few bucks... under $10 for sure for a few connectors and 1k-ohm resistors.

https://cdn.instructables.com/FL9/NRB4/HFSHEH … EH6S.MEDIUM.jpg

I did mine without the level adjustment (10k pots) because, like you, I don't actually need to "mix", I am just too lazy to push another button on a selector to change audio sources, so I can leave them all connected all the time.

The ideal thing for retro would be a stereo matrix switch backed up by a mixer.

An Akai DPS12 multi-track recorder provides 3 stereo analogue inputs along with one digital (SPDIF) stereo input . It, or similar vintage units from Roland or others, can be purchased for less than 200$ US in North America (probably less if you can find one locally in a pawn shop or used music goods store) . Add a 20-40$ mechanical analogue switch (component audio and video ones can still be found new locally where I live) and you have a very flexible, high quality setup .

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002BG2S6

That is the mixer I use for combining output from my mt-32 or cm-32l and sound blaster.

Really depends on what kind of setup you want to have.
I use a Phonic AM55 linked to a Yamaha UW500.
This is a great setup for me, because I can mix my MU2000's digital toslink output with a computer's analog output and send them both to the main analog output (going to my speakers), and convert the analog line to digital (USB to my modern PC for recording) all at the same time with no lag or dropouts. The UW500 also doubles as a USB-MIDI interface for my modern computer as well.

SuperDeadite wrote:

I use a Phonic AM55 linked to a Yamaha UW500.

Never heard of that Yamaha UW500. I looked into it and that's a really nice device. I might have to pick one of them up.

Rolls RM203. 10 stero inputs.

I have my modules and awe32 connected to it, I feed one set of outs to a bookshelf amp (lepai) the other set of outs I feed back to my main pc into my recording box.

Personally i want to have all my stuff connected without changing cables.

I use a Nedis 3 channel stereo mixer because when i bought it in 2019, i wanted to connect my Macintosh LC475, the Roland MT32 and the Apple external cd rom drive. In 2020 i bought more stuff and i changed my setup.

Now, i have three computers, two Macs and one PC, five midi devices and one pair of speakers. I need totally 8 inputs. What i have done?

The sound blaster is connected on one of the input ports of the mixer.
One of the two Macs is connected on the second one. When i want to use the other Mac, i have ready the RCA cable to be connected on the mixer.
A four port audio switch is connected on the third port of the mixer. Four midi devices are connected on the audio switch and the 5th one remains out but also i have an RCA cable behind all this stuff ready to be connected on the mixer 😀.

So, for one set of speakers i have 8 sound inputs but i can have simultaneously connected 6 of them right now. Two remain out.

I would like a 8 channel mixer but I guess it would be expensive. The audio switch do a nice job.

I'm also interested in buying a 4-channel mixer.

How does the MX51s Mini-Mix 2 look? It's nice and compact but the first channel has an XLR jack (which I can probably get an adapter for?) but it lists a different gain and optional "phantom power" ?

Phantom power is for microphones, so don't worry about that. Most mixers will have it, don't use it. 😀