Maker Hart Loop Mixer - Mini Review and Demo

My first review. No affiliation with the manufacturer. Filmed this just because I really enjoy this tiny mixer.
Bought it on Amazon: www.amazon.com...

[@zerobeat2020]

I too have this mixer for my three Volcas and Minilogue and I love it. It appears to have a built in Ground Loop Isolators, because since I use this mixer my noise issues from the Volcas have pretty much completely disappeared. Very impressed with it, and great video demonstration.

[@TristanBaldi]

Hi, I'm interested in how you connect the volcas to the mixers: I read this mixer only accepts stereo inputs, what type of cables are you using? Thanks!

[@mickypoo4622]

@@TristanBaldi The Korg Volcas use 3.5mm stereo (headphone audio) outputs and the Loop Mixer uses the same stereo inputs SO I guess that is your answer! Just a 3.5mm plug cable at each end.

[@TristanBaldi]

@@mickypoo4622 Cheers!

[@bobz1736]

I was passing thru Taiwan so picked one if these units up - build quality looks great. Looking forward to using it when I get home. Lots of possibilities with 3 outputs ... Main, Rec & Headphones. Thanks for your review.

[@Omenabaka]

0:50 That many-colored Comic Sans

[@enemdisk6628]

3:44 sidechained the picture

[@lellocaso6041]

It is possible to connect several microphones at the same time and connect the output on a single mixer channel, then simultaneously hear more microphones on a single mixer channel

[@monomakes]

Wow, a really nice groove there!

[@TLGElectro]

Great video. I have two Volcas and a Korg Poly 800 that i want to use, this mixer looks perfect! Great Volca stand too! 😁 👍🏼 👍🏼 👍🏼

[@pitmastdzik8986]

Hi. Is rec output controlled by faders? If not, faders could be used like send levels to external fx

[@duketranslucent3rd]

Nice groove!

[@seanalexander6310]

You can adjust the volumes, but you can't pan left or right unless your stereo device has internal panning like a drum machine and etc.

[@laikrodiz]

You may adjust the panning using the Balance knob on each channel. It's just a different name.

[@seanalexander6310]

@@laikrodiz That's incorrect Turning the balance knob only decreases the left or right volume depending on which way you turn it. Most of the Volcas ouput the same mono channel over stereo cables. The best you get is a lower level at hard left or hard right. Typically, all your Vocals will just sound center panned and competing for the same space.

[@seanalexander6310]

I meant Volcas and not Volcals

[@laikrodiz]

Oh, now I get what you mean. I don't have the mixer near me to test if that's the case, but you may be right. Balance can be compensated using Gain knob though, to get similar effect to pan, if you're not aiming to actively change the panorama during performance.

[@xmetrix]

looks like a standard displayport cable for loop in loop out

[@ColibrisMusicLive]

super cool jam!

[@valentinamazzotta1820]

Hi, do you know what is better: Loop Mixer or Just mixer 5 ?( I mean which has less background noise) Thanks a lot

[@chrissalinas5657]

Can you hook this up to your phone or tablet

[@dave1secondago]

nice mixing

[@teodicealogodicea]

Nice review, thanks! Quick question about connecting equipment. Can you plug the Volcas and the Minilogue straight into the mixer sockets, perhaps using a stereo audio cable, and output sound on both left and right channels -- say, on both sides of a headset? Or do you need to use the adapter for that? The reason I'm asking is that the Korgs are mono sources and the mixer only has stereo sockets. So i'm trying to figure out how that works

[@laikrodiz]

All mono Volcas are actually double mono. Even though they are mono, they send the same signal to both stereo channels. You can still use the provided adaptor to connect one truly mono source like a guitar. Mani output on Minilogue is real mono, for example, so I was using a headphone output on it, which is double mono to have the signal on both sides.

[@csoren73]

How does it work with mono sources? I expect that if you connect two mono sources to one stereo pair, they will be panned hard right and left. Can you use one stereo pair as a single mono channel and control panning? They claim to support 10 mono channels, but how well?

[@laikrodiz]

Not sure. Let me test it and come back to you.

[@papaya160]

I'm interested in the dame question

[@LowryPeteD]

Would have been useful to see you plug the devices into the mixer ?

[@stagnatic]

Excellent video, thank you.

[@stonedapesociety5628]

Great video and set up! Can I eventually hook maker heart to a volca mixer? Big thanks

[@laikrodiz]

It’s just a mixer, so I don’t see why not.

[@stonedapesociety5628]

@@laikrodiz thanks for the reply.. I have a volca mixer and a maker hart mixer but I can't figure how to connect them both..

[@laikrodiz]

Well, it depends on what routing you're trying to achieve and what devices to mix. These two are mixers, so you can just plug the output of one of them into input channel of another one, and that should work.

[@stonedapesociety5628]

@@laikrodiz ok thanks! And how to record? Does it works with android smartphone?

[@robfordomjones]

hi great video...I have this mixer!!! have you recorded via rec out? if so what did you use to record with? cheers dude

[@laikrodiz]

robfordomjones I have an Elektron Digitakt connected to Rec out, so I can resample anything coming from the mixer. But it works just fine with any recorder.

[@arcanetwix]

You can use a PC with Audacity for example or a field recorder with an Audioinput like tascam dr05 or zoom h2n :)

[@Stadsjaap]

Also: Love your Volca stand. Home made?

[@laikrodiz]

Joe Botha thanks. Yep, it’s diy

[@bebop2115]

Thanks for the info!

[@MrCartershow]

where did you get this acid smiley stickers m8 ?

[@laikrodiz]

They just gave them away at some random party years ago. I’m pretty sure you can buy similar with a few minutes of googling.

[@lemelstudio]

Is the phones volume independent from master volume? Meaning: can you audition output on phones when master is at zero?

[@laikrodiz]

Just checked. Yes, it's two completely different outputs with separate volume controls.

[@GoldenBlue2000]

Can the gain knob drive the signal to distortion (as adding distortion effect)?

[@laikrodiz]

It can, but it's not the pleasant type of distortion to my ear

[@seck100]

Hi, I have a question: Can you use the loop in/loop out cables for make a send e return chain effects from computer?

[@laikrodiz]

No, these are proprietary connections to connect multiple mini mixers.

[@frankardos4211]

if your interface/sound card etc.. has a line out you should be able to but not sure of the strength or quality of the signal at that point? Good question though.

[@andrasbihari5573]

Hi, thanks for the review I just ordered ... Anyway next time please don't put the camera tripod to the same place where your speakers are :D .

[@Pchild]

I liked the tripod being next to the speakers, let me know he was rocking out. +1

[@flourfree2K]

Does it come only in WHITE PLASTIC?! I'd prefer it BLACK. Or (even better) in an ALUMINUM case.

[@DrDAAD]

Hi! Great! Did you try to use the 3.5 to 2 Mono jacks adaptor to the main output mixer in stead of a channel input? It should work but is it suitable technically speaking? For sending the mixer signal to a main mixer / PA. Thank you!

[@AbdulAminGani]

Hi, Is there any delay between the inputs and output? What about noise? I'm looking to use it for competitive gaming and music, thanks for the video!

[@laikrodiz]

AbdulAminGani its analog, so no delays. There is almost no noise, definitely less then on my small Behringer mixer. The headroom is quite average though, but I don’t see it as much of a problem for a device of this size.

[@NoyzBot]

why the hell is it called the loop mixer when it has no loop function!?

[@LouigiVerona]

I would assume this is because it is made for DJs, and DJs are using loops.

[@CaseyKoplinCk13]

NoyzBot I been wondering the same thing, it’s in its name but no where do we see any explanation or example of its “ looping function”, if it’s just a mixer that’s fine and they should just say so.

[@SuperClau07]

i think it's called loop because you can loop multiple mixers

[@WrvrUgoThrUR]

@@SuperClau07 That's some dubious bait-and -switch marketing there.

[@WrvrUgoThrUR]

Actually according the answers on Amazon (4.5 stars out of 5 btw) "Those (loop) connectors enable you to link multiple Loop Mixers to monitor each input device independently without affecting the mixed audio output (Cable will be made available in the future). It can be used for music groups and for Mix Minus purposes. Please contact us if you need additional information. Warmest regards, TrueToSource Customer Care" Still a little dubious with the marketing.

[@bakerbakerbaker305]

Do you think it sounds kind of soft

[@laikrodiz]

Not sure what you mean to be honest. The headroom isn't as great as on large mixers, so it may not be as loud if you're trying to keep many devices playing without distortion, but I haven't noticed it changing the sound in any way.

[@bakerbakerbaker305]

@@laikrodiz as in it can the master volume output louder, to me this recording does not sound loud enough, this could be for many reasons but i wonder if its the mixer

[@bakerbakerbaker305]

@@laikrodiz i agree it has great clarity

[@_EightySix]

I have yet to see a mixer with anything other than plastic knobs bud.

[@claudimogensen6668]

Where do you buy the small mixer

[@laikrodiz]

claudi mogensen Amazon

[@user-zi5rs1by7b]

"Power led"? It's just a light... call it a "power light" Calling it a "led" sounds like you're trying to make tech from the late 80's sound like some new thing... it's the standard now... so it's just a damn light. It's L. E. D. for light emitting diode. If you're going to shorten it to anything but it shouldn't be "led" it should be light.

[@RobyUanKeRoby]

It's the worst mixer out there, really. Those faders are the last thing You want to move on this earth

[@laikrodiz]

RobyUan KeRoby Do you know anything else of this size and functionality with better faders?

[@RobyUanKeRoby]

@@laikrodiz if you want faders, you should really get something bigger. Longer for Shure.

[@laikrodiz]

@@RobyUanKeRoby That's for sure. This mixer though is more of a compact summing box you can carry around to live gigs. If you want really good headroom or better controls, you should definitely get something bigger.

[@RobyUanKeRoby]

@@laikrodiz My 2 cents are, is better to give up on faders if you need something portable. Just go for knobby mixers, there are plenty. Faders must be long and well built, or they aren't good. Those on this mixer are even unplayable, at least, for me. I have a Zoom L8, the faders aren't top quality, but still far way better than this. Also it weighs like 1.5 kilos...