Cheap Stereo Mixer

[brian badonde]

I need some advice on Stereo Mixers.

Basically i have 4 audio sources but only one pair of speakers.

So ive been looking at things like this;

http/www.studiospares.com/mixers-analogue/art-splitmix-4-mixer/invt/325760?source=215_74&gclid=CNOtrp3F3r0CFWzJtAodKysAZA#

Im just wondering is this the best way to go about this and does anyone know of anything a bit cheaper preferably with a master volume control aswell (i dont need the splitter stuff)

Thanks in advance it means a lot.

 

[jFiveNYC]

What are your sources of audio; DVD, cable TV, etc.?

 

[brian badonde]

What are your sources of audio; DVD, cable TV, etc.?

a pc

a mac mini

a 3.5mm cable to a bluetooth receiver conected to my phone (for
music)

and a monitor sending audio from my xbox one

 

[jFiveNYC]

a pc, a mac mini, a 3.5mm cable..for music, and a monitor sending audio from my xbox one

So all four devices feature a 3.5mm jack for sending audio out...correct? Both computers have a 3.5mm jack, as does the Bluetooth audio receiver; I'll assume the monitor also has this jack to output audio.

Would a simple A/V switcher be acceptable? It'll be the cheapest solution, however it will not have volume control and tend to "pop" when switching sources. This can be avoided by lowering the volume of your amplifier prior to pressing the button to switch or the final audio destination.
- http/amzn.com/B0032ANC8M
- http/amzn.com/B00005NCWK

There are micro-size audio mixers (a/k/a personal mixers), but they have input jacks (1/4" TRS-balanced or dual TS-inbalanced) that may require an investment in some special audio cables.
- http/amzn.com/B0002D0G18
- http/amzn.com/B0002BG2S6 (only THREE RCA inputs)
- http/www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/373759-REG/Behringer_MX400_MX_400_MicroMix_Four.html


Cables:
- http/amzn.com/B000068O3S (One Pair - Female RCA -> Male 1/4" TS Adaptors)
- http/amzn.com/B000068O17 (Dual 1/4 Inch To RCA Cable - 6.5 foot)
- http/amzn.com/B000068O3T (3.5mm TRS to 1/4" TRS Adaptor)
- http/amzn.com/B005HGM1D6 (3.5 mm TRS to Dual 1/4 in TS, 10 feet)

 

[brian badonde]

a pc, a mac mini, a 3.5mm cable..for music, and a monitor sending audio from my xbox one

So all four devices feature a 3.5mm jack for sending audio out...correct? Both computers have a 3.5mm jack, as does the Bluetooth audio receiver; I'll assume the monitor also has this jack to output audio.

Would a simple A/V switcher be acceptable? It'll be the cheapest solution, however it will not have volume control and tend to "pop" when switching sources. This can be avoided by lowering the volume of your amplifier prior to pressing the button to switch or the final audio destination.
- http/amzn.com/B0032ANC8M
- http/amzn.com/B00005NCWK

There are micro-size audio mixers (a/k/a personal mixers), but they have input jacks (1/4" TRS-balanced or dual TS-inbalanced) that may require an investment in some special audio cables.
- http/amzn.com/B0002D0G18
- http/amzn.com/B0002BG2S6 (only THREE RCA inputs)
- http/www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/373759-REG/Behringer_MX400_MX_400_MicroMix_Four.html


Cables:
- http/amzn.com/B000068O3S (One Pair - Female RCA -> Male 1/4" TS Adaptors)
- http/amzn.com/B000068O17 (Dual 1/4 Inch To RCA Cable - 6.5 foot)
- http/amzn.com/B000068O3T (3.5mm TRS to 1/4" TRS Adaptor)
- http/amzn.com/B005HGM1D6 (3.5 mm TRS to Dual 1/4 in TS, 10 feet)

Thanks for the reply.

i dont think a manual switcher is suitable as i want all audio sources active at the same time, so far it looks like ill just have to buy a few of those 3.5mm adapters and buy a mixer then, im unsure but i thought i saw that mx400 on another website and it said it was mono.

Cheers

 

[jFiveNYC]

that mx400 on another website and it said it was mono.

Ah, you are correct. According to the specs the jacks are TS-Unbalanced=MONO.

 

[brian badonde]

that mx400 on another website and it said it was mono.

Ah, you are correct. According to the specs the jacks are TS-Unbalanced=MONO.

just wondering does a mixer reduce sound volume or quality?

 

[jFiveNYC]

just wondering does a mixer reduce sound volume or quality?

The main role of a mixer is to manipulate "volume." It also has the potential to reduce sound quality via poor construction or engineering and/or low quality components (parts).