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I have an emx an r3, a Casio and another keyboard. What is the best way to play these live? I usually just play r3 in the audio thru on emx but I have more keyboards now and the sounds just contestantly get sucked out from this. Would I need a mixer or some other kind of device?[/list]

You're right about the effect this has. I'm running my R3 through the EMX just because it's fun to be able to gate it with the sequencer, but there's a few issues that come up:
-it's only a mono input (this sux)
-the AudioIn/Comb voice competes for polyphony with the other 13 parts
-they both use the same synth engine so you've gotta be careful about oversaturation and sounds overtaking each other.

None of these by itself (with possible exception of the mono-input) is a dealbreaker, but just something to be conscious of when you're building up sounds. You're probably gonna want a mixer of some kind unless--to you--the tradeoff of being able to gate/effect/filter the R3 is worth losing stereo sound and having increased risk of cutting out competing frenquencies. Where I've got my R3 set up to be played through my ESX's arpeggiator/sequencer into the EMX, it's fun having everything connected and self-contained, but in your situation (particularly if you're more about playing keys) you may be better served with a mixer.

I don't know anything about mixers. How do they work and what kind should I get?

sirkzz wrote:I don't know anything about mixers. How do they work and what kind should I get?

A mixer basically provides you with input 'channels' and combines them together to a single pair of outputs. You can control the level and pan of each input channel (track).

Depending on what you get, you get more features like being able to send various amounts of each track to a different 'FX loop' for 50:50 wet:dry like delays and choruses etc, sometimes built in effects, alternate output busses, stereo channels. Built in PA power amp in some models.

I'd recommend a standard console mixer rather than the DJ type if you are working with many inputs. They're ultimately more flexible but more of a 'set it and leave it' solution whereas DJ mixers tend to only be two or four inputs but have crossfaders and are aimed at 'performing with', as in actually using it as a part of your performance rather than just to sum some signals together.

If you've used recording software before you're probably familiar with the standard multi-channel mixer, as there will probably be one in software. Most of this kind of model will also have a two, three, or sometimes four band EQ for each track, which can greatly help in bringing out certain frequencies in certain instruments to make your mix fit together better.

ok. i don't live near a guitar center or anything so i'm going to the radio shack and looking around to see if i can find anything. do you have any links i can go to to look at any models?

would something like this work?

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/802

i don't really understand much how they would work but i'm guessing i'd plug emx in line one, r3 in line 2 etc. and use the l/r outputs for sound or the headphone jack?

Mackie wrote an excellent compact mixer guide:

http://www.mackie.com/support/compactmixer/index.html

It's a great introduction for beginners.