Yamaha MG12/4 Mixer
Review of the Yamaha MG12/4 Mixing Desk by
Bernhard Crosby
Yamaha have been making high end mixing desks
for as long as anyone can remember. Now they have released a range of budget
analogue mixing desks. The pedigree is certainly there, but are the desks up
to scratch considering they are manufactured in China.
It’s not like we’re stuck for choice. In
fact almost every major mixing desk manufacturer offers something that
compares to the MG12/4.
So what do you get from the Yamaha? Open the box and out jumps an attractive
looking dark blue desk, conventional wedge shape, an external power supply
with a screw-in locking connector (very useful for live use in particular) and
decent quality knobs and faders. The end cheeks can be used as rack ears, or
it stands freely as a desktop unit.
Plugging in
On the left half you will find the mono channels, for example bass would go
into channel 1. However, if you have a stereo synth, you can use channel 1 as
left and 2 as right ( a spot of general mixer info for you there).
Alternatively use an insert lead and plug the left and right outputs of a
synth into one of the stereo channels. On these channels there is the input
gain control, an 80Hz low pass filter which is switchable, and three band EQ
with a 15dB range.
Aux Send 1 and 2 are to be found lower down, 1 can be pre or post fader. This
means that you can send the signal to two different external effects;
compressor, reverb unit, whatever you want.
The Roundup
The main features are:
12 input channels
- 4 mono mic/line inputs
- 4 stereo line inputs
- 6 mic inputs with one Phantom Power switch for all mic preamps
3-band equalisers on each input channel
2 Auxiliary sends on each channel
Stereo Aux Return
On switch on each channel
Input gain
PFL
Headphone Out (on top panel)
Also: RCA inputs for CD players etc
In use
It’s fairly easy to get up-and-running; the manual is well written and
covers the basics of setting up and goes quite in-depth too. Soundcard inputs,
synths, guitars, you name it: plug it all in to the MG12/4, send a signal to
effect units via the Aux sends and to the monitors in the control room
section. And don’t forget about the bus group, maybe send all synths to
Group 1 and 2. All pretty simple.
Quality
For the price, the Yamaha MG12/4 sounds good. It’s not noisy, the EQ is
pleasant, there's enough gain and the case and faders are good quality too.
Would Bernhard Crosby recommend one?
In this price bracket, certainly. As mentioned at the beginning, there are so
many mixers from which to choose. The price is appealing and pleasingly the
quality of sound is more than acceptable. If you need even more channels take
a look at the MG16/4, or for 10 channels check out the MG10/2.
Buy the Yamaha
MG12/4 Mixing Desk
A bit about the author:
Bernhard Crosby knows his mixers: he needs something to plug his hardware
synths into, as well as guitars, bass, microphones, and all that usual stuff.
He uses them every day in his studio and live.
