For what it is, it's a little bit pricey at $70. Other mixers in this price range are made of much higher-grade materials and are designed very professionally and efficiently. However, those mixers aren't 3.5mm.
Maker hart is a small Taiwanese company with devices like this one that the audio market is only just beginning to see a use for. Not as many buyers means not so much product, which translates to higher prices for materials.
While I don't think that $70 is the fairest asking price for this device, I completely understand it, and I support the rare and extremely useful products these guys are making.
I saw on the company's website that they have a brand new 3.5mm mixer out, called Just Mixer 5, that also features bluetooth. That will be an exciting one to try!
But back to the Loop Mixer at hand:
PROS:
- A 3.5mm mixer with independent volume controls is quite hard to find, which probably explains the price; you won't even find one from Behringer on the market.
- Low noise floor (also better than other Behringer equipment in this price range).
- Lots of inputs means lots of devices. Not a musician? You can run a PC, a TV/monitor output (e.g. for listening to Xbox or Netflix), a phone or mp3 player, and maybe a tablet, and still have one port free - how about a laptop?
- Independent volume controls/gains as well as a master control.
- Low profile; can be velcroed to the wall, a desk, or other piece of furniture for mounting or improved stability (it has a tendency to slide on smooth surfaces)
- This mixer is amplified! I recently tried another mixer that wasn't powered, and thus couldn't amplify anything. Its independent volume controls were useless, since each device I added halved the total output volume, which meant I had to have all those knobs cranked to max and still couldn't get a usable result. The Loop Mixer solves this problem with one small power cord.
CONS:
- The casing is made of cheap plastic.
- The power button catches inside the casing and sticks if not pressed straight-on (very complicated powering on/off when set up in tight spaces). The cutout for the power button is too wide.
- When powering on, it causes your speakers to pop - this device does not have a 'soft start' or other feature to prevent popping. This can be avoided by turning this device on before anything else, but if you're like me and you use your speakers for applications outside of this device, your speakers are already on and you'll need to turn them off before powering the mixer on, then turn the speakers back on. *This is a common thing with amplified mixers, and is only listed as a con to alert people unfamiliar with mixers.
- The included 1/4" adapter is also made of cheap plastic, and felt like it was ready to break from the time I took it out of the box. The cable on it is very short, so the stress of 1/4" cable heads tugging on the adapter's cheap body may prove to be too much over time, especially if you do a lot of unplugging and plugging back in. You may want to use a more solid adapter of your own.
All of that being said, the construction of the mixer is still higher quality than you'd get from a factory in China. That should probably be added to the list of pros.
However, if you're looking for something to travel with, I wouldn't recommend going with this one. Rugged is definitely not in this mixer's repertoire. Lucky for me, this mixer sits in a stationary setup, so my primary concern is that pesky power button.
In summary:
- The adapter is iffy. I use it on the output, so that I can send the signal to my Rokit speakers, but sometimes I want to unplug the adapter from the back of the mixer and use headphones instead. This proves tedious as I have to be extra careful not to yank the adapter cable around, fearing it will crumble in my hands or the cable will come loose.
- I didn't test the loop feature of this device. I haven't explored the full capabilities of it, as I currently have no need to. The mixer is very well suited to the application I need it for, so I am happy!
- As I discussed, one reason I can see this device being so expensive for what it is, is being hard to find. Comparable hardware just isn't on the market right now.
For that, I give it 5 stars. If a little more effort went into the case design, and higher-grade plastic was used on both the case and the adapter, I think it'd be worth full price, but isn't enough of an issue to lose a star.
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Product Description
Loop Mixer
HOME / OFFICE USE
The ideal audio mixer for use in home/office settings for all you multi-taskers with multiple devices, the LOOP MIXER serves to fulfill a need that has not been met till now. Simultaneously play music, video games, watch TV, listen for notifications, etc. from your computers, tablets, phones, MP3 players, instruments and all your other consumer devices. With 3.5mm stereo jacks for input and output, plug in up to 5 devices with AUX cables and output to headphones, a sound system and/or recording device. No need for expensive adapters!
PROFESSIONAL USE
Whether you are a professional musician needing a lightweight and travel-friendly mixer for your music group or a novice DJ needing something simple, the LOOP MIXER is powerful and versatile enough to serve your needs. Powered by a 9V AC adapter, you can amplify and control the signal level for each input channel from Mic to Line level signals without fear of reduced volume, sound distortions or annoying extra noises. Record, output and monitor at the same time.
1 x DM2S Adapter is included for combining 2 mono (6.35mm/1/4") inputs into 1 3.5mm stereo plug.
*With the LOOP BUS cable, link multiple Loop Mixers to monitor each input device independently without affecting the audio output.
Loop Function :
Product Description :
Loop Mixer has 5 stereo input Audio mixer, therefore it could connect with 10 inputs at most. It also has amplifier for using as the Dynamic microphone.
When it is applied into the band for multiplayer practicing. It could connect with all loop in and loop out in series. In this situation, you could switch the voices upon your request as music mixer. That means you could choose not only to hear the voice you want but also not to hear the voice which you are not required. In addition, this situation will not affect the mixer output.
* Only dynamic microphone or Battery-powered condenser microphone can be used. (high-sensitivity microphones is recommended)
Features:
- Stereo & Mono compatibility: Up to 5 stereo input connections or up to 10 mono ones. Mono to Stereo DM2S adapter included. 3 output jacks.
- Amplify Signal: Powered by an AC adapter, the mixer allows you to increase signals from MIC to LINE level to a max gain of 50 dB for each input.
- The built-in LED indicator will help you monitor signal levels to assist you in delivering the best audio performance!
- The new REC OUT jack will enable you to connect the Loop Mixer to a recording device. Now you can record, monitor and deliver an optimum mix all at the same time
- Compatible with a wide range of devices including smartphones, microphones, computers, game consoles, electronic musical instruments, DJ equipment etc.
Specification:
- Stereo 5 in/2 out Configuration: 5 stereo devices on LOOP MIXER can connect up to 10 mono device.
- Microphone Setup: With the inclusion of SENS(Sensitivity) knobs, the LOOP MIXER can accommodate a variety of signals from microphone to Line level.
- Overload Indicators : The L/R OVERLOAD LEDs allow you to set the best signal level for optimum audio performance.
- REC OUT Jacks: Connection to a recording device can be made through these jacks.
- PHONES Jack: Stereo headphones can be connected to this jack for convenient mix monitoring.
Customer reviews
turn devices, iPhones, smartphones, tablets, and more into instruments
Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2019
That's what I do... you can see me on youtube creating live music with this thing and a usb hub connected to an iPad Pro and Zoom h6. I run my guitars and mics through the h6 and then I send the LOOP MIXER into the stereo in (channels 1 & 2). My iPhones, Mate 9 (android), and iPad which are connected to the LOOP MIXER become electronic instruments for tweaking sounds and creating synth and so much more.... and for live looping or live music production this is just so much FUN!
Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2019
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LOOP-MIXER - Miniatur Audio Mischer
Reviewed in Germany on November 24, 2018
