Wow! This really is the best tutorial for the Soundcraft Notepad line-up of mixers. Very skilled at teaching as well. Many many thanks!
4 года назад+22
Wow! Finally, someone had the wonderful idea of showing the quality of the effects. All other reviews only show what we already know through the manual. I needed to hear the quality of the effects and you presented
In case anyone's wondering, the "hidden podcast feature that will blow you away" is the second headphone out jack in the top-right corner that can have its own mix.
That pre-fader stereo bus is really unique in the market of small mixers. If you're using mostly stereo inputs and a microphone, recreating the same functionality with other mixers will easily set you back a four-digit EUR/USD price, and you end up with a huge unit that's mostly wasted space and money. I have an older discontinued Notepad 102 for an overkill gaming/desktop setup with a single microphone, and that's pretty much irreplaceable these days. The only thing that comes close to the same functionality at an acceptable price (outside the US at least) and form factor is TC Helicon's GoXLR.
@@Shadowdncer it doesn't really matter what the feature is, the point is to help people out with avoiding the need to watch a 20 minute video with a clickbait title if they don't need the magic feature being promoted.
Nicely scripted narrative - no BS, no hype, just the facts, ma'am. I get so tired of other reviewers acting like celebrities - nice to have one just play it straight, although with enthusiasm and a bit of verve, a little salt and pepper with all the ego. Thanks. JT
It really blowed me away!!! I’ll share my quick story... After searching for weeks (about 3 months) several RUclips videos, after downloading several software (loopback, soundflower, blackhole)......I was going crazy. My girlfriend started to complain I don’t spend much time with her.... I came across your video. I watched to 2 times. I could not believe it!!! I ran to my laptop, started it up, set it up 2 minutes.......BANG!!!! EVERYTHING IS WORKING GREAT!!!!! Thanks to you sir!!! I will try recording on iPhone tomorrow... You made a man happy again. ....subscribed and super happy
Steve, thank you so much. I am embarrased to say I have owned one of these for a few years now and never took the time to undertand how everything works and undervalued what I had. Your tutorial was incredibly well done, easy to follow and most helpful. thank you!
Thank you for this video. I have been thinking about buying one of these instead of an audio interface and you have sold me on getting one of these Soundcraft notepad's.
Absolutely excellent review/overview. No bullshit, just plain, clear description....TOP MAN!! I agree too, the Soundcraft Notepad -12fx is a fantastic little mixer! (It's a shame yours are mainly Cubase videos: as a Logic Pro user, your clear, to the point tutorials could have been a great help).
24 hours ago, I didn't even know about this mixer series. Figured I'd go with Mackie or Yamaha. I've had years of positive experiences with Soundcraft, but I couldn't have imagined something that would compete in price, let alone surpass the features of the aforementioned brands. Now, I'm expecting delivery of a Soundcraft Notepad 12FX for my online music classes and youtube channel!
i had an engineer friend show me this one. highly recommended a Harman/Kardon unit. when i looked at it I found the 12fx has a 2x2 channel output to USB. now i see it also has stereo 2nd mix. I've been using aux send for a mono 2nd mix for ages now. this IS a game-changer.
After much consideration I got the FX-8 for my first ever mixer. And now with you being so pumped about it’s features I’m stoked I got it and so excited to start exploring. Thank you so much! Your explanation is much easier to understand than the manual😂
Wow, thank you so much! You were actually the only video that I was able to understand all the features in the Notepad. It helped me a lot! Thank you! 😁
This was really useful as I had one of these delivered today and you have explained it so well. Knowing about the extra features is also a bonus. Thank you :)
Thank you for the very clear video demo, I've had the 12fx for over a year and now I understand it so much better, the whole aux channel system was clarified. Yes I read the manual but ... I was trying to get over the learning hump of the 4 USB channels and was just confused.
a big thank you for all these explanations, top of the top, I tried by everything to find these explanations impossible to find them and not even on the Sound craft website, so BRAVO and Merci encore , I wish you an excellent day
Great video and so glad to see how well received this product is. I thought from the title you were going to refer to the built-in ducker feature, but you don't mention that. Perhaps that's the other secret weapon that no-one knows about?
That's a great feature, and one that wasn't available at first - it came out in a firmware update (and on newer models). I'm not sure they even updated the manual. I think there may be an extra insert sheet included in the documentation, now. www.soundcraft.com/en/news/harman-professional-solutions-announces-free-soundcraft-notepad-1-09-feature-update-at-namm-2018
Thank you for an excellent video. Great applications and demonstration of how to use this mixer. Would have been nice to compare the quality of the mic pre-amps with other mixers. However, great video and very, very helpful.
Fantastic Vid, super flexible low budget mixer, it's a perfect fit for my studio workflow and for my 3 year old daughter who loves to vocalize along to the songs I'm mixing, I can add FX for her and even record her part, so much fun and cheap as chips, thank you so much for your insight,
Hi Steve, love this review and all your helpful videos such great content on your channel great to watch and learn from you thanks for sharing your vast experience. I have the 12FX, I have found it very tricky to use live, so much so I bypassed it completely at the last minute and went direct into my DB es503 speaker (which thankfully had 3 inputs!) on my first gig with it, (having bought it specifically for that gig to make things simpler for a duo act over the RCF M18 we normally use 😄) in a last minute cold sweat panic : no power light, or LED on the power supply, in Europe at least, and no "ON/OFF" switch as you mentioned, so the only way to tell it's on before you go live is to activate the delay button to see the tempo light, but you won't see the tempo light if you activate all 3 FX at the same time, try remembering that important fact when you are seconds from stage time and your entire band is huddled around the unit like flies on shite wondering why there are no lights and therefore surely no power!? Now also keep that in mind when the inputs of the speaker you need to connect to are already taken by the act in front of you 🤣🤣🤣 So you do not want to be in tumbleweed silence at a wedding dinner, so bye mixer for the gig I bought it for 😄. Also no "FX mute" FootSwitch between songs and no channel mute between acts, a group mute would have been handy. Fine for podcasts or rehearsals or home recording in my humble opinion. A standard usb thumbdrive would be better for recording 2 tracks live, though that's why you'd buy the RCF M18 with a digital interface as if buying something this small like the 8/12fx for live gigging you wouldn't want the extra hassle of dragging a laptop or tablet simply to record your set, at least that's my particular use case. I noticed that the 12FX 'sends' FX without the Aux Master pot being activated, and listening to the Aux send output through a speaker simultaneously to the headphone output the FX cannot be heard in the AUX send, only in the Headphone output, so if gigging live probably best to use the headphone output as the monitor feed, so not sure what use the aux feed is in a live gig in that case as there are no FX so you can't really use it as an extension speaker feed as it will be too dry. Thanks for the excellent review, by far the best on YT 👍🏻 and subbed, great channel, cheers from Italy.
Whew! lol Sounds like you guys are in the market for a mixer that focuses more on live features than the recording/streaming oriented FX notepad series? With live performance being so diverse, its usually best to start with what the groups needs are first (Compact size, inputs, FX routing, Outputs, Busses) and then find the mixer that fits.
The two things I saw which kept me from a commitment are: only 16-bit 48k and secondly, no mute buttons per track. A mute function would have been great if the volume knob, when pressed, muted that channel.
Thank you for this wonderful review video. My only concern with these notepad mixers is that you can't turn off phantom/48v power for the first two or four inputs, depending on the model. Perhaps asking for a toggle switch is too much to ask at this price range given all the other features available. Still, by far, the best product in this price range if you're looking for a small desktop mixer with a decent audio interface.
I purchased this beauty last weekend and installed it with USB so i can use it as an audio interface and to use it with my DAWs. aside from the missing powerbutton i do not see drawbacks.
After setting the effectvolume with the blue knob in the inputline for the volume of the reverb. Can you set then the volume of the chorus aswell? Independently? Or is the blue inline knob a overall volume of all the effects together? Or independend for each different effect? Sorry for my english
How to purposefully utilities and tweak monitor and reverb on the fly ? In other words, If we want to reduce fx on a particular channel but not its aux volume, can we do that? If yes, how ?
The Notepad line of mixers has only (1) AUX Buss, so the FX send AND the AUX levels are both set by this one blue knob. You may want to look into a larger line of mixers that provide more than 1 AUX/Buss per channel.
Gracias totales por este increíble vídeo. Sumamente educativo para los que queremos comprarnos un mixer Soundcraft. Gracias amigo. Saludos desde Santiago de Chile.
Thank u very much for your information about the mixer,I have this mixer for a long time but I didn't know about the combo input 1 and 2 That allows XLR and 1/4 inch socket in same place with different functions.xlr allows 48 v fantom power supply for condencer microphone and 1/4 allows line in,now I m able to use line in with Bass,Trable and other settings without fearing that fantom power supply damage other device. Thanks Again.
This is a great review and tutorial! Thank you. It also helped me sort out how to use this compact Notepad mixer for a "mix-minus" online/local-room hybrid Zoom configuration as well. This is where you have microphones in the live space that need to go to the room speakers, plus the USB-in (from Zoom) also needs to go to the room speakers. But the the USB-out from the mixer back to Zoom must NOT include USB-in in the mix (or it will generate feedback/echo). On my Soundcraft Signature 12 I can simply select the AUX 1-2 bus for the USB-out Send mode and configure that AUX mix with everything except USB-in. So it was frustrating not to find an AUX to USB option on the Notepad - only various pairs of channels but not the full AUX. Plus the main mix. So that's the answer - use the main mix without USB-in as my USB-out and strangely use the AUX bus for the room speakers, getting a stereo output from that by using the wonderful output type = stereo phones button you were discussing. Understanding this output will be a bit hot as input into the amp. And to show my dedication to the brand - in another location I use a big Soundcraft GB2R 12/2! This is too old to have USB itself, so there is a Behringer UMC202HD connected, but since nothing else is using it I can use the Group bus just for USB-out, which means mix-minus is simply selecting main/group buttons off the single main mix :). Oh what fun.
This is a great example of the flexibility of these little mixers for sure! Using the AUX as your room speakers / monitor source is actually the more traditional way of setting up a live monitor cue and your setup is a perfect example. Great use of the older GB2R by the way!!
@@Featherlightstudio Thank you Steve - enjoying your videos. Many of these smaller mixers don't support the Zoom-with-room-speakers mix-minus configuration over USB, although in your comparison video I just learned that the Mackie ProFX6v3 possibly can with its Blend knob. Key to the Notepad use, in addition to a full AUX bus, is the "hidden feature" you describe which is that I can get the AUX bus in *stereo*, not just a classic mono monitor feed, and I need this because there will be music in and people should hear that in stereo in the room :). UPDATE: Actually, looking more closely, the AUX as Stereo Phones feature is not essential (just convenient) for my Zoom "mix minus" configuration as the regular Phones output can select AUX with the button there (but only on the 8FX, not the 12FX). So what is essential is having a real stereo AUX bus on this little mixer, with the USB-in feedable to AUX.
Sorry for my ignorance but I'am confused. At the beginning of the tour, you indicate that 48v phantom power is automatically switched on for both channels and cant be switched off? I see you're using an SM 7B mic that doesn't use phantom power. Did I miss something, asking in all honesty. Thanks, great and concise tutorial. Also on the notepad 12, is the loopback function for podcasting, available for all 4 the first for inputs? One last thing, I have heard that the software to interface is really buggy and not recognized by Windows 8-10, has this been rectified?
The 48v phantom power is always on so just make sure all your connections are made before powering up the mixer. And phantom power doesn't affect dynamic mics like the SM7b and most others. The phantom power may be an issue for some, but not all, ribbon mics.
@@Featherlightstudio Great, thank you, I'm also assuming from your review, that the loopback like function in the software, is applicable to the notepad 12?
@@poalotesta7743 The 8FX and 12FX both work the same way in that regard. They both allow you to choose which set of inputs you want to record in the software console.
@@Featherlightstudio Thanks FLS, I was about to put in my order, with local music and audio store. Unfortunately the news just came down that all non essential services must close down, by midnight tomorrow.
In a live gig situation from the aux output mono signal you can link a monitor active speaker for yourself and other performers for better hearing. OK, but in this scenario the FX/Aux buttons cant serve at the same time for the monitor and for the main outputs. Am I right? Thanks
Because of the size and the low price of the mixer...they combined the FX send buss with the AUX send buss into one buss (Blue Knob) which means when you use the AUX send, technically the knobs still send that amount to the FX engine as well. Not as good as two separate busses but could be useful.
You take the same precautions with ANY mixer that has phantom power...drop the channel volume before connecting and disconnecting ANY microphone, especially ribbon microphones.
Steve, I just came across this video as I just picked up an 8Fx. Great video! So many features I didn’t know existed. I had a question; I have an effects pedal that i want to use with a condenser mic. The output cable from that pedal is a 1/4 cable. When plugging this into the 8FX, the input does not seem to recognize the phantom power needed for the condenser mic. Do you know why? Thanks again for a great video
Heh Andy, most pedals/guitar cables are just unbalanced 1/4" in/out and won't have the required 3rd connector to transmit phantom power with. However, you could instead create a loop of sorts. Plug your condenser into Mic input 1 or 2 and raise the blue AUX knob approx 1/2 way as well as the AUX Master knob. Then plug a cable into the AUX output and the other end into your pedal. Take the pedal output and plug it into mono Line inputs on the mixer. Use the channels AUX knob to mix to taste.
It is possible to use AUX to a effects processor like Behringer FX2000 and return to a channel on the mixer and this signal also be summed with internal effects to OUT LXR?
Top Video! This unit has been on my radar for a few years but my old PHONIC mixer refuses to die after 10years service! I think it´s time to upgrade to this --, especially as i was about to buy a new reverb pedal that´s half the price of this beauty.😁Just a question about the Phantom power, I get quite close to my sE V7 mic .. I don´t want 48volts in my kisser, Or would this not be a problem ?? 🎤 Cheers from Spain
Lol, you would literally have to strip the bare wires on the Mic cable to experience any real voltage and even that is unlikely as all modern mixers that offer phantom power circuits have Diode short protecters on board.
Brilliant Video- I did not see this question so please let me ask- I want to have a guitar, bassn and to mikes to go into a computer for Zoom talens show we are involved in, this should work for that right? Thanks in advance. Maybe the 12x might be better for two gits & mics?
Hey! Thank you soo much for making this video! Helped so much with the first steps! I was wondering, do you have any idea why would the sound come only to one side of the headphone (tried with multiple) although I regularly plugged them into headphones port (master R)?
I always check the basic stuff first, pan positions, and the state of the headphones button ( main / AUX ) and then work from there. If everything is always coming out of only one side in both switch positions, there maybe something up with the physical jack itself.
@@FiLmYReAcTiOnofficial The best budget friendly dynamic mic on earth is the Shure SM58. Used with a foam windscreen, sounds almost identical to a Shure SM7b at nearly a quarter of the cost. A comparison here: ruclips.net/video/82PQ0kcu5hw/видео.html
The Scarlett is a great interface as well but, if you need the additional control that a mixer can give ( plus the additional headphone mix ) the 8FX is hard to beat.
@@Featherlightstudio Absolutly , this is no brainer. This can do what scarlet can do and much more . I got this mixer for same price as scarlet. This video has been great . Upto the point explaination. Can you do a video on how can this be used for dual podcasters and record guests who are on skype / zoom. It would be of great help. SUBCRIBED !
Great review! Started setup today and am highly impressed with the incredible features on this highly affordable mixer. Question: can the effects be incorporated into the signal sent to PC via the USB cable? I can clearly hear the effects via the headphone connection and expected them to also appear on the Audacity track I recorded, but it was totally dry.
You could send your Mixer output to your home theater receiver 3 different way depending on your needs. 1. Use XLR to RCA adaptors for the Mains L+R output and control the level with the 8FX Main volume fader. 2. Use a Stereo 1/4" (TRS) to dual RCA cable out of the Main headphone output and control the level with the headphone volume knob ( it will be VERY hot so start very low ) 3. Use a Stereo 1/4" (TRS) to dual RCA cable out of the AUX output ( set the output type to "stereo headphones' ) and control the level with the AUX Master volume knob ( it will be VERY hot so start very low ) #3 gives you the most flexibility because you will have complete control over which channel goes to the receiver and you can control the level of each channel with each channels blue AUX knob. www.amazon.com/TISINO-Gold-Plated-6-35mm-Stereo-Splitter/dp/B07HFBR6XK/ref=sr_1_3?crid=21GCHPVQWLN73&dchild=1&keywords=trs+1%2F4+to+rca+cable&qid=1617814200&sprefix=TRS+1%2F4%22+to+RCA%2Caps%2C200&sr=8-3
The headphone output is before the master fader in the signal chain, as explained around 8:00 If you want the main mix over your headphones, plug them into the amplifyer that your main output is going to.
Very nice tutorial! I didnt quite catch something though. Can you add for example delay and reverb to the first channel and only reverb to the second one?
Unfortunately not as that would require more busses so, the selections you make in the 3 FX engines apply to all the channels, but you can change the amount that each channel has of the FX.
Great video...I cant seem to figure out how to connect my cell phone into the mix for live calls.... I am using a Windows 10 pc, and a denon DJ controller as well as using Virtual DJ to broadcast to the radio server and the FX8 for my microphone. Any idea how i can add a phone into the mix for live call ins??
Since you are using your Windows PC for the connection to the Mixer and Virtual DJ, you need to turn the input and output of your phone into analog signals the mixer can use. A simple TRRS splitter cable gives you access to both the mic input and the headphone output of your phone ( newer iphones require the lightning dongle). One solution with one of these splitters would be to connect a simple LAV mic to the mic input and stick it on your shirt. Then take the headphone output and connect it (via a 1/8" stereo to (2) 1/4" mono cable) into the mixers stereo channel 3+4. The LAV mic allows the caller to hear you while your regular mic allows the live stream to hear you. The Headphone out of the phone into the mixer allows the live stream to hear the caller as well.
Hi! Hope you're keeping well! I just want to enquire. To my knowledge This mixer doesn't have a phantom power switch and the phantom power is always on so will that effect dynamic microphones? I love this mixer but this is the only reason I'm hesitant about buying it.
Phantom power has no effect on dynamic microphones as dynamic mics have no active electronics to damage. That being said however, you should always make ALL your audio connections to ANY mixer before you power it up to avoid pops in the audio path, monitors and headphones. However, some types of Ribbon Mics CAN be damaged by phantom power and should be avoided.
@@Featherlightstudio Thanks alot mate I realty appreciate it! I have an Allen and Heath zedi 10fx and if you ever get your hands on one of these beasts please do a review and explain the usb routing cause I watched many videos and non of them seem to be helpful and I absolutely love your reviews! You're easy to understand and get straight to the point! Keep making awesome reviews mate!
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
Wow! This really is the best tutorial for the Soundcraft Notepad line-up of mixers. Very skilled at teaching as well. Many many thanks!
Wow! Finally, someone had the wonderful idea of showing the quality of the effects. All other reviews only show what we already know through the manual. I needed to hear the quality of the effects and you presented
I don't even think I got a manuel as mine just safety information
In case anyone's wondering, the "hidden podcast feature that will blow you away" is the second headphone out jack in the top-right corner that can have its own mix.
That pre-fader stereo bus is really unique in the market of small mixers. If you're using mostly stereo inputs and a microphone, recreating the same functionality with other mixers will easily set you back a four-digit EUR/USD price, and you end up with a huge unit that's mostly wasted space and money.
I have an older discontinued Notepad 102 for an overkill gaming/desktop setup with a single microphone, and that's pretty much irreplaceable these days. The only thing that comes close to the same functionality at an acceptable price (outside the US at least) and form factor is TC Helicon's GoXLR.
@@Shadowdncer it doesn't really matter what the feature is, the point is to help people out with avoiding the need to watch a 20 minute video with a clickbait title if they don't need the magic feature being promoted.
@@codingmasters That's a valid cause as well.
Nicely scripted narrative - no BS, no hype, just the facts, ma'am. I get so tired of other reviewers acting like celebrities - nice to have one just play it straight, although with enthusiasm and a bit of verve, a little salt and pepper with all the ego. Thanks. JT
It really blowed me away!!!
I’ll share my quick story...
After searching for weeks (about 3 months) several RUclips videos, after downloading several software (loopback, soundflower, blackhole)......I was going crazy. My girlfriend started to complain I don’t spend much time with her....
I came across your video. I watched to 2 times. I could not believe it!!!
I ran to my laptop, started it up, set it up 2 minutes.......BANG!!!!
EVERYTHING IS WORKING GREAT!!!!!
Thanks to you sir!!!
I will try recording on iPhone tomorrow...
You made a man happy again.
....subscribed and super happy
Awesome, great story! lol
Best mixer tutorial on you tube. Clear concise and no tech jargon . Great teacher
10/10 wow great in depth review and walk through! Great work!
Steve, thank you so much. I am embarrased to say I have owned one of these for a few years now and never took the time to undertand how everything works and undervalued what I had. Your tutorial was incredibly well done, easy to follow and most helpful. thank you!
Thanks Joe, I appreciate that!
Thank you for this video. I have been thinking about buying one of these instead of an audio interface and you have sold me on getting one of these Soundcraft notepad's.
This is a great video. Well produced. Sure convinced me that the Soundcraft Notepad-8FX is the one for me.
This is the BEST review and usage explanation about a mixer that I have ever seen! Thank you very much for all the time spend on this video!
Absolutely excellent review/overview. No bullshit, just plain, clear description....TOP MAN!!
I agree too, the Soundcraft Notepad -12fx is a fantastic little mixer!
(It's a shame yours are mainly Cubase videos: as a Logic Pro user, your clear, to the point tutorials could have been a great help).
Thanks, something to consider
24 hours ago, I didn't even know about this mixer series. Figured I'd go with Mackie or Yamaha. I've had years of positive experiences with Soundcraft, but I couldn't have imagined something that would compete in price, let alone surpass the features of the aforementioned brands. Now, I'm expecting delivery of a Soundcraft Notepad 12FX for my online music classes and youtube channel!
i had an engineer friend show me this one. highly recommended a Harman/Kardon unit. when i looked at it I found the 12fx has a 2x2 channel output to USB. now i see it also has stereo 2nd mix. I've been using aux send for a mono 2nd mix for ages now. this IS a game-changer.
I just purchased the 12FX. Thanks for the review on the 8FX!
After much consideration I got the FX-8 for my first ever mixer. And now with you being so pumped about it’s features I’m stoked I got it and so excited to start exploring. Thank you so much! Your explanation is much easier to understand than the manual😂
Thanks Yuko!
Blown away. Excellent review. Excellent. Because of your review, my wife and I found the mixer we needed. Thank you. Thank you!
I just bought this mixer and your review was extremely helpful in understanding all of the features! Thank you!
Wow, thank you so much! You were actually the only video that I was able to understand all the features in the Notepad. It helped me a lot! Thank you! 😁
Excelllent .... you sir are a very natural and gifted teacher.. I have a 12fx and learnt so much from you. Thank you
Thanks. Just purchased this to follow my Scarlett interface. Nice to have more control.
thanks for breaking this down!
This was really useful as I had one of these delivered today and you have explained it so well. Knowing about the extra features is also a bonus. Thank you :)
Thanks boss. After much digging on Amazon I saw this product and it appears to check all the boxes I wanted. You confirmed it!! thanks again.
Great to hear!
Thank you for the very clear video demo, I've had the 12fx for over a year and now I understand it so much better, the whole aux channel system was clarified. Yes I read the manual but ... I was trying to get over the learning hump of the 4 USB channels and was just confused.
I saw a karaoke feature, that wasn't mentioned in your video. Could you please explain what that is about, and do a video so we can hear that. Thanks.
Highly informative! Thank you, very well laid out and helpful examples, too!
Hey That was really cool...... Helped alot in understanding its features.... Thnq so much :-)
Just got the same device and this is just the best tutorial from youtube
This is the best video explaining everything of the mixer. Thank you very much
What a fantastic review / tutorial!! Thanks for shedding light on this little gem! All the best
Thanks for checking out the video, it really has become my little Swiss army knife here at the studio.
a big thank you for all these explanations, top of the top, I tried by everything to find these explanations impossible to find them and not even on the Sound craft website, so BRAVO and Merci encore , I wish you an excellent day
Thank you brother
Amazing mixer and excellent demo!
Great video and so glad to see how well received this product is. I thought from the title you were going to refer to the built-in ducker feature, but you don't mention that. Perhaps that's the other secret weapon that no-one knows about?
Great suggestion
That's a great feature, and one that wasn't available at first - it came out in a firmware update (and on newer models). I'm not sure they even updated the manual. I think there may be an extra insert sheet included in the documentation, now.
www.soundcraft.com/en/news/harman-professional-solutions-announces-free-soundcraft-notepad-1-09-feature-update-at-namm-2018
Really excellent demo. Thank you.
Thanks for checking it out, great bass playing btw!!
Is it possible to Multitrack with this mixer, as in separate inputs to separate tracks in the DAW?
yes, absolutely, you set that configuration up in the Audio Control Panel app.
best video so far...been having this mixer for awhile now
Very good Video !👍
Great review.! I’m planning to change my mixer
A talented musician and good teacher, thank you for the video!
Excellent, professional and informative review. Thank you!
Much appreciated!
Thanks for the information.
Thank you for this clearly detailed video. I cannot believe what you can get for your money these days. Just ordered the 12!
These guys really are powerful little Swiss army knifes for their size and cost!
Fantastic video, just bought the 8-FX and loving it
Thank you for an excellent video. Great applications and demonstration of how to use this mixer. Would have been nice to compare the quality of the mic pre-amps with other mixers. However, great video and very, very helpful.
This is soooooo informative - thankyou and stay well!
Fantastic Vid, super flexible low budget mixer, it's a perfect fit for my studio workflow and for my 3 year old daughter who loves to vocalize along to the songs I'm mixing, I can add FX for her and even record her part, so much fun and cheap as chips, thank you so much for your insight,
Hi Steve, thank you for this video! Appreciate! Cheers from Italy. Greg
Hi Steve, love this review and all your helpful videos such great content on your channel great to watch and learn from you thanks for sharing your vast experience. I have the 12FX, I have found it very tricky to use live, so much so I bypassed it completely at the last minute and went direct into my DB es503 speaker (which thankfully had 3 inputs!) on my first gig with it, (having bought it specifically for that gig to make things simpler for a duo act over the RCF M18 we normally use 😄) in a last minute cold sweat panic : no power light, or LED on the power supply, in Europe at least, and no "ON/OFF" switch as you mentioned, so the only way to tell it's on before you go live is to activate the delay button to see the tempo light, but you won't see the tempo light if you activate all 3 FX at the same time, try remembering that important fact when you are seconds from stage time and your entire band is huddled around the unit like flies on shite wondering why there are no lights and therefore surely no power!? Now also keep that in mind when the inputs of the speaker you need to connect to are already taken by the act in front of you 🤣🤣🤣 So you do not want to be in tumbleweed silence at a wedding dinner, so bye mixer for the gig I bought it for 😄. Also no "FX mute" FootSwitch between songs and no channel mute between acts, a group mute would have been handy. Fine for podcasts or rehearsals or home recording in my humble opinion. A standard usb thumbdrive would be better for recording 2 tracks live, though that's why you'd buy the RCF M18 with a digital interface as if buying something this small like the 8/12fx for live gigging you wouldn't want the extra hassle of dragging a laptop or tablet simply to record your set, at least that's my particular use case.
I noticed that the 12FX 'sends' FX without the Aux Master pot being activated, and listening to the Aux send output through a speaker simultaneously to the headphone output the FX cannot be heard in the AUX send, only in the Headphone output, so if gigging live probably best to use the headphone output as the monitor feed, so not sure what use the aux feed is in a live gig in that case as there are no FX so you can't really use it as an extension speaker feed as it will be too dry.
Thanks for the excellent review, by far the best on YT 👍🏻 and subbed, great channel, cheers from Italy.
Whew! lol Sounds like you guys are in the market for a mixer that focuses more on live features than the recording/streaming oriented FX notepad series? With live performance being so diverse, its usually best to start with what the groups needs are first (Compact size, inputs, FX routing, Outputs, Busses) and then find the mixer that fits.
Amazing video explained so well with examples of how they can be used I different ways.
The two things I saw which kept me from a commitment are: only 16-bit 48k and secondly, no mute buttons per track. A mute function would have been great if the volume knob, when pressed, muted that channel.
Great overview. Thanks.
awesome for this very thorough demo !
Thanks for this! I just bought a12FX (Boxing Day special) and was thoroughly confused, but this helps a lot!
This is awesome I have this mixer and I recording with 2 smartphone and it's work very well
Great review, really helped 👍
Awesome mixer! Great video
Thank you for this wonderful review video. My only concern with these notepad mixers is that you can't turn off phantom/48v power for the first two or four inputs, depending on the model. Perhaps asking for a toggle switch is too much to ask at this price range given all the other features available. Still, by far, the best product in this price range if you're looking for a small desktop mixer with a decent audio interface.
How do you setup a mix minis on this?
This goes over more detail at 14:25
Excellent presentation. thank you.
I purchased this beauty last weekend and installed it with USB so i can use it as an audio interface and to use it with my DAWs.
aside from the missing powerbutton i do not see drawbacks.
Thx so much 😊. Beast of a mixer
Excellent video, thank you.
Impressive demo
LOVE FROM INDIA ! NICE EXPLAINED THIS MONSTER MIXER
After setting the effectvolume with the blue knob in the inputline for the volume of the reverb. Can you set then the volume of the chorus aswell? Independently? Or is the blue inline knob a overall volume of all the effects together? Or independend for each different effect? Sorry for my english
The blue knob is a global FX send but the parameter knob gives you some basic control over each individual effect.
Great video and demo, super informative! FYI your Harman hashtag is spelled wrong.
Thanks for the heads up.
Damn I feel like a total idiot now.
This really changes the way I can record my radio shows.
Thanks a ton for the update. I'm using the 12FX. 🍻🎶👍
Thank you for this video it helps me a lots
How to purposefully utilities and tweak monitor and reverb on the fly ? In other words, If we want to reduce fx on a particular channel but not its aux volume, can we do that? If yes, how ?
The Notepad line of mixers has only (1) AUX Buss, so the FX send AND the AUX levels are both set by this one blue knob. You may want to look into a larger line of mixers that provide more than 1 AUX/Buss per channel.
great information very handy!!
Soundcraft is different from comparable Yamaha MG series due to being able to use simultaneous multiple effects.
Great job!
Thanks!
Gracias totales por este increíble vídeo.
Sumamente educativo para los que queremos comprarnos un mixer Soundcraft.
Gracias amigo.
Saludos desde Santiago de Chile.
Gracias mi amigo
Thank u very much for your information about the mixer,I have this mixer for a long time but I didn't know about the combo input 1 and 2
That allows XLR and 1/4 inch socket in same place with different functions.xlr allows 48 v fantom power supply for condencer microphone and 1/4 allows line in,now I m able to use line in with Bass,Trable and other settings without fearing that fantom power supply damage other device.
Thanks Again.
sooooooooo helpful thank you sm
This is a great review and tutorial! Thank you. It also helped me sort out how to use this compact Notepad mixer for a "mix-minus" online/local-room hybrid Zoom configuration as well. This is where you have microphones in the live space that need to go to the room speakers, plus the USB-in (from Zoom) also needs to go to the room speakers. But the the USB-out from the mixer back to Zoom must NOT include USB-in in the mix (or it will generate feedback/echo). On my Soundcraft Signature 12 I can simply select the AUX 1-2 bus for the USB-out Send mode and configure that AUX mix with everything except USB-in. So it was frustrating not to find an AUX to USB option on the Notepad - only various pairs of channels but not the full AUX. Plus the main mix. So that's the answer - use the main mix without USB-in as my USB-out and strangely use the AUX bus for the room speakers, getting a stereo output from that by using the wonderful output type = stereo phones button you were discussing. Understanding this output will be a bit hot as input into the amp. And to show my dedication to the brand - in another location I use a big Soundcraft GB2R 12/2! This is too old to have USB itself, so there is a Behringer UMC202HD connected, but since nothing else is using it I can use the Group bus just for USB-out, which means mix-minus is simply selecting main/group buttons off the single main mix :). Oh what fun.
This is a great example of the flexibility of these little mixers for sure! Using the AUX as your room speakers / monitor source is actually the more traditional way of setting up a live monitor cue and your setup is a perfect example. Great use of the older GB2R by the way!!
@@Featherlightstudio Thank you Steve - enjoying your videos. Many of these smaller mixers don't support the Zoom-with-room-speakers mix-minus configuration over USB, although in your comparison video I just learned that the Mackie ProFX6v3 possibly can with its Blend knob. Key to the Notepad use, in addition to a full AUX bus, is the "hidden feature" you describe which is that I can get the AUX bus in *stereo*, not just a classic mono monitor feed, and I need this because there will be music in and people should hear that in stereo in the room :).
UPDATE: Actually, looking more closely, the AUX as Stereo Phones feature is not essential (just convenient) for my Zoom "mix minus" configuration as the regular Phones output can select AUX with the button there (but only on the 8FX, not the 12FX). So what is essential is having a real stereo AUX bus on this little mixer, with the USB-in feedable to AUX.
Sorry for my ignorance but I'am confused. At the beginning of the tour, you indicate that 48v phantom power is automatically switched on for both channels and cant be switched off? I see you're using an SM 7B mic that doesn't use phantom power. Did I miss something, asking in all honesty. Thanks, great and concise tutorial. Also on the notepad 12, is the loopback function for podcasting, available for all 4 the first for inputs? One last thing, I have heard that the software to interface is really buggy and not recognized by Windows 8-10, has this been rectified?
The 48v phantom power is always on so just make sure all your connections are made before powering up the mixer. And phantom power doesn't affect dynamic mics like the SM7b and most others. The phantom power may be an issue for some, but not all, ribbon mics.
@@Featherlightstudio Great, thank you, I'm also assuming from your review, that the loopback like function in the software, is applicable to the notepad 12?
@@poalotesta7743 The 8FX and 12FX both work the same way in that regard. They both allow you to choose which set of inputs you want to record in the software console.
@@Featherlightstudio Thanks FLS, I was about to put in my order, with local music and audio store. Unfortunately the news just came down that all non essential services must close down, by midnight tomorrow.
In a live gig situation from the aux output mono signal you can link a monitor active speaker for yourself and other performers for better hearing. OK, but in this scenario the FX/Aux buttons cant serve at the same time for the monitor and for the main outputs. Am I right? Thanks
Because of the size and the low price of the mixer...they combined the FX send buss with the AUX send buss into one buss (Blue Knob) which means when you use the AUX send, technically the knobs still send that amount to the FX engine as well. Not as good as two separate busses but could be useful.
What happen with the phantom power when connecting and disconnecting microphones that work with it?
You take the same precautions with ANY mixer that has phantom power...drop the channel volume before connecting and disconnecting ANY microphone, especially ribbon microphones.
Steve,
I just came across this video as I just picked up an 8Fx. Great video! So many features I didn’t know existed. I had a question; I have an effects pedal that i want to use with a condenser mic. The output cable from that pedal is a 1/4 cable. When plugging this into the 8FX, the input does not seem to recognize the phantom power needed for the condenser mic. Do you know why?
Thanks again for a great video
Heh Andy, most pedals/guitar cables are just unbalanced 1/4" in/out and won't have the required 3rd connector to transmit phantom power with. However, you could instead create a loop of sorts. Plug your condenser into Mic input 1 or 2 and raise the blue AUX knob approx 1/2 way as well as the AUX Master knob. Then plug a cable into the AUX output and the other end into your pedal. Take the pedal output and plug it into mono Line inputs on the mixer. Use the channels AUX knob to mix to taste.
@@Featherlightstudio Thank you Steve, I'll give that a try.
It is possible to use AUX to a effects processor like Behringer FX2000 and return to a channel on the mixer and this signal also be summed with internal effects to OUT LXR?
Thank you so so so much
Top Video! This unit has been on my radar for a few years but my old PHONIC mixer refuses to die after 10years service!
I think it´s time to upgrade to this --, especially as i was about to buy a new reverb pedal that´s half the price of this beauty.😁Just a question about the Phantom power, I get quite close to my sE V7 mic .. I don´t want 48volts in my kisser, Or would this not be a problem ?? 🎤 Cheers from Spain
Lol, you would literally have to strip the bare wires on the Mic cable to experience any real voltage and even that is unlikely as all modern mixers that offer phantom power circuits have Diode short protecters on board.
@@Featherlightstudio Thanks. i don´t have braces so should be ok then !!
Hey thanks for the how-to. I've been looking to see how to control the outputs on the stereo headphones vs master independently. This is great!
Thank you so much
Brilliant Video- I did not see this question so please let me ask- I want to have a guitar, bassn and to mikes to go into a computer for Zoom talens show we are involved in, this should work for that right? Thanks in advance. Maybe the 12x might be better for two gits & mics?
Definitely the 12FX would give you more channel flexibility.
@@Featherlightstudio Thanks Steve- Keep on rocking!!!
Can the usb port be used as an out to your usb in on your computer😮
Hey! Thank you soo much for making this video! Helped so much with the first steps! I was wondering, do you have any idea why would the sound come only to one side of the headphone (tried with multiple) although I regularly plugged them into headphones port (master R)?
I always check the basic stuff first, pan positions, and the state of the headphones button ( main / AUX ) and then work from there. If everything is always coming out of only one side in both switch positions, there maybe something up with the physical jack itself.
Good review...👍👍. I have a question..Can I plug my mobile output into channel 3/4 or 5/6 instead of through the RCA 7/8..line input?
Of course, with the right adapters.
Can we use dynamic Mic with this Mixer?
Because this mixer dont have on off switch for phantom power
Yes, dynamic Mics are not affected by the Phantom Power, however, if you have a ribbon Mic, check with the manufacturer as most ribbons cannot.
Thanks a Lot Sir.
Can You Please Suggest a budget friendly dynamic mic for RUclips videos
@@FiLmYReAcTiOnofficial The best budget friendly dynamic mic on earth is the Shure SM58. Used with a foam windscreen, sounds almost identical to a Shure SM7b at nearly a quarter of the cost. A comparison here:
ruclips.net/video/82PQ0kcu5hw/видео.html
It will work fine with soundcraft 8fx
@@FiLmYReAcTiOnofficial Absolutely
Thank you so much! I can not record the sound from my computer with the 8fx. Someone knows how to do it please? Thank you
I have an Emu 1212m,how do I route the balanced outs and ins of this card to this desk?
You wouldn't have to, the Soundcraft can replace your internal
Would you get the fx is you engaged the monitor mix?
The FX are only routed to the Mains output
Focusrite scarlet solo just got delivered today Gen 3 and watching this now .. M might probably switch to this returing the scarlet.
The Scarlett is a great interface as well but, if you need the additional control that a mixer can give ( plus the additional headphone mix ) the 8FX is hard to beat.
@@Featherlightstudio Absolutly , this is no brainer. This can do what scarlet can do and much more . I got this mixer for same price as scarlet. This video has been great . Upto the point explaination. Can you do a video on how can this be used for dual podcasters and record guests who are on skype / zoom. It would be of great help. SUBCRIBED !
Great review! Started setup today and am highly impressed with the incredible features on this highly affordable mixer. Question: can the effects be incorporated into the signal sent to PC via the USB cable? I can clearly hear the effects via the headphone connection and expected them to also appear on the Audacity track I recorded, but it was totally dry.
Keko Torres Yes, if you go into the sound craft control panel and choose to record the Mix L+R output
Can I use the headphone out with a jack to rca(converter) to connect with my receiver's input?
I'm asking this because most mixers have a standard 1/4 left and right output to connect to receivers and/or amps.
Or can I use the xlr out by using an xlr to rca to connect to my receiver's (home theater) line in?
You could send your Mixer output to your home theater receiver 3 different way depending on your needs. 1. Use XLR to RCA adaptors for the Mains L+R output and control the level with the 8FX Main volume fader.
2. Use a Stereo 1/4" (TRS) to dual RCA cable out of the Main headphone output and control the level with the headphone volume knob ( it will be VERY hot so start very low )
3. Use a Stereo 1/4" (TRS) to dual RCA cable out of the AUX output ( set the output type to "stereo headphones' ) and control the level with the AUX Master volume knob ( it will be VERY hot so start very low )
#3 gives you the most flexibility because you will have complete control over which channel goes to the receiver and you can control the level of each channel with each channels blue AUX knob.
www.amazon.com/TISINO-Gold-Plated-6-35mm-Stereo-Splitter/dp/B07HFBR6XK/ref=sr_1_3?crid=21GCHPVQWLN73&dchild=1&keywords=trs+1%2F4+to+rca+cable&qid=1617814200&sprefix=TRS+1%2F4%22+to+RCA%2Caps%2C200&sr=8-3
Faboulus. Great introducing. But why do I hear my mic in my headphones, and every sound in the room too? Please advice.
The headphone output is before the master fader in the signal chain, as explained around 8:00
If you want the main mix over your headphones, plug them into the amplifyer that your main output is going to.
Very nice tutorial!
I didnt quite catch something though.
Can you add for example delay and reverb to the first channel and only reverb to the second one?
Unfortunately not as that would require more busses so, the selections you make in the 3 FX engines apply to all the channels, but you can change the amount that each channel has of the FX.
Great video...I cant seem to figure out how to connect my cell phone into the mix for live calls.... I am using a Windows 10 pc, and a denon DJ controller as well as using Virtual DJ to broadcast to the radio server and the FX8 for my microphone. Any idea how i can add a phone into the mix for live call ins??
Since you are using your Windows PC for the connection to the Mixer and Virtual DJ, you need to turn the input and output of your phone into analog signals the mixer can use. A simple TRRS splitter cable gives you access to both the mic input and the headphone output of your phone ( newer iphones require the lightning dongle). One solution with one of these splitters would be to connect a simple LAV mic to the mic input and stick it on your shirt. Then take the headphone output and connect it (via a 1/8" stereo to (2) 1/4" mono cable) into the mixers stereo channel 3+4. The LAV mic allows the caller to hear you while your regular mic allows the live stream to hear you. The Headphone out of the phone into the mixer allows the live stream to hear the caller as well.
Hi! Hope you're keeping well!
I just want to enquire. To my knowledge This mixer doesn't have a phantom power switch and the phantom power is always on so will that effect dynamic microphones?
I love this mixer but this is the only reason I'm hesitant about buying it.
Phantom power has no effect on dynamic microphones as dynamic mics have no active electronics to damage. That being said however, you should always make ALL your audio connections to ANY mixer before you power it up to avoid pops in the audio path, monitors and headphones. However, some types of Ribbon Mics CAN be damaged by phantom power and should be avoided.
@@Featherlightstudio Thanks alot mate I realty appreciate it!
I have an Allen and Heath zedi 10fx and if you ever get your hands on one of these beasts please do a review and explain the usb routing cause I watched many videos and non of them seem to be helpful and I absolutely love your reviews! You're easy to understand and get straight to the point!
Keep making awesome reviews mate!