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Mixers for the Volca series
Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2014 2:01 am
by Dean Scott
My apologies if this topic has been covered, but I am looking for an affordable mixer under $100 for using with the Volca series. Can anyone offer some suggestions?
I looked into some Behringer mixers that seem good, but as I am new to all this, I wasn't sure which mixer would work best with the mono outputs of the Volcas (I'm pretty sure they are mono). I'm looking for a small, 4 channel mixer to use for live performances.
Any help would be highly appreciated! Thanks.
Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2014 9:36 am
by volcaPaul
The volca output is via a stereo jack with the same audio on both channels.
I have a behringer mixer, a xenyx q1002USB, and that has mono inputs, but it also has stereo channels where it takes a mono input for left and right respectively. To use it I can use any of the following setups:
a 3.5mm stereo to 2 x 6.35mm mono (1 each for left and right channels) cable,
a standard 3.5mm stereo to 3.5mm stereo cable and a 3.5mm stereo to 6.35 mono converter plugged into the mixer
a 3.5mm stereo jack to 6.35mm mono socket plugged into the volca and a standard 6.35 mono to 6.35 mono cable to the mixer
the same logic would apply to any mixer.
it's worth thinking about the future though when buying a mixer - having an all mono channel mixer will be limiting if you want to add stereo effects further down the road. Also, some of the behringers include onboard effects for very little extra money (eg the qx1002usb).
Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2014 10:41 am
by Tom 62
If I remember correctly the Volca Keys has a stereo output.
Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2014 11:11 am
by volcaPaul
yes, stereo 3.5mm jack - same output on both left and right channels so they play nice with headphones. same with all 3 volcas.
Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2014 12:08 pm
by Tom 62
volcaPaul wrote:yes, stereo 3.5mm jack - same output on both left and right channels so they play nice with headphones. same with all 3 volcas.
I meant actually the signal not only the jack. If I remember correctly the delay fx of the Keys is stereo. But maybe I'm wrong.
Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2014 12:20 pm
by volcaPaul
I've just ran the vkeys with the delay set to full through wavelab and the audio is identical for both left and right.

Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2014 10:07 pm
by Dean Scott
Thanks everyone for the information. Should've realized they are obviously stereo, being that they are compatible with headphone use. Have any of you looked at the Behringer Micromix MX400? Looks like a nice entry-level little mixer.
Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2014 10:27 pm
by volcaPaul
That's 4 mono ins mixed to 1 mono out (TS connectors are mono) - does that work for you?
Doesn't leave much scope for bring effects into play further down the road - especially when you compare it to the other relatively low cost behringer mixers that add a lot more features like usb audio interface, effects send/built in effects, stereo etc
Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2014 10:58 pm
by Dean Scott
You're right about the limitations. I'll most likely look into getting the qx1002usb in anticipation of doing more with my mixer down the road. Thanks for the help and info.
Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2014 7:46 pm
by volcaPaul
I changed my q1002USB for the qx1002usb which arrived today. I think given the small difference in price it's a no-brainer and I wish I'd bought the qx from the getgo. The built-in effects aren't breaking new ground, but it's nice to have them readily available.
fwiw, here are the effects:
<img src="
http://i1300.photobucket.com/albums/ag8 ... a229df.gif" border="0">
Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2014 11:03 am
by Maine
The Volca Sample has a true stereo output, don't forget. It's the first in the range to have a pan control.
Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2014 1:16 am
by Dean Scott
I'll be receiving a Rolls MX44S Mini Mix IV for Christmas to use with my Volcas. Anyone have experience with them? Nothing fancy, but it seems like it will work well with my (soon to be complete) Volca series.
Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2014 10:29 am
by Tom 62
Dean Scott wrote:I'll be receiving a Rolls MX44S Mini Mix IV for Christmas to use with my Volcas. Anyone have experience with them? Nothing fancy, but it seems like it will work well with my (soon to be complete) Volca series.
4 Inputs for 4 Volcas, battery operated, tiny size = perfect!
Posted: Sat Dec 27, 2014 6:46 pm
by LouisJB
I plug these in to my ADAT I/O and mix them digitally in the PC. But for on the move, as a small mobile setup I'm thinking an Alesis Multimix 8 2.0 FX might be a good choice? That can give all channels to the PC over USB also if optionally connected to a DAW.
However, I plan to do the multi-out on the beats, that's probably about say 6 channels
Bass
Snare
Toms
Hats
Claps
other PCMs
And possibly 3 out for the Bass, one per OSc. So even just the two little boxes could need 9+ channels, however when out and about I suspect pre-mixed signals should be ok, they can be split and recorded individually when there's something worth recording.
Anyone tried the Alesis Multimix 8 2.0? In particular the new 2.0 model, not the previous one that only had 2 channels to the host PC over USB 1.x
Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2015 7:04 pm
by Flaken
volcaPaul wrote:I changed my q1002USB for the qx1002usb which arrived today. I think given the small difference in price it's a no-brainer and I wish I'd bought the qx from the getgo. The built-in effects aren't breaking new ground, but it's nice to have them readily available.
fwiw, here are the effects:
<img src="
http://i1300.photobucket.com/albums/ag8 ... a229df.gif" border="0">
I, I got all three Volcas, reading and analizing this post I think the QX is the more versatil Mixer for the Volcas and I also plan to add an Ipad and maybe some more stuff. Also, the possibility to record via the usb output to the Computer looks great. Do you thinks thatthis option is still the best one nowadays?
Many thanks, I am totally new in this music world and ai really appreciate some help in taking dessisions
