Moukey MAMX3 8 Channel Line Mixer Review

In this video I look at a new 8 channel sub mixer I have started using. My main USB mixer is completely full with my various synths and drum machines connected up so rather buy another larger mixer I opted to go for a 8 channel sub mixer and then connect the mixer to my main audio interface.
The Moukey 8 Mixer has 8 stereo inputs that can switched between stereo or mono mode and two outputs. Each input has its own volume control and stereo/mono mode switch. The mixer is powered by a 5v Micro-USB cable so you can power it from laptop or PC or via mains via the supplied adapter. I found running it from my PC handy as I am running out of plug sockets on my desk. The mixer is very solid feeling with a metal enclosure that feels like it would take a few knocks without any issues.
So I plugged in my Korg Volca and a few synths and then connected the mixer to my main USB audio interface. There is no noise coming from the mixer which is more than I can say about the Korg Volca! With the volume controls you can balance out the inputs and for £39.99 on Amazon it’s a simple and easy device to setup and get all your devices connected at once.

[@NEKRWSPHERE]

That little mixer is such a rare gem. It's what happens when the manufacturer intuits a market niche for a budget product correctly. I bought it for gigs originally, and currently temporarily using it for dedicated FX sends pre-mixer (until I pick a larger and more regulate-able stereo mixer for my studio). To me - the way you can connect the 2 sets, of 4 stereo channels unify the "outs", and in so doing - free up a port for monitoring headphones, - something you won't find in another budget mini-mixer on the market. Typically - monitoring headphone port is entirely absent from other budget mini mixer products, even all other Moukey mini-mixers. Not to mention it's difficult to find a "budget" 8 channel stereo mixer to begin with. Had prices been this bad when I was starting out, and computers and 64-bit encoding were still far in the future, I wonder if it would even have worked out for me.

[@ianpritchard6375]

Just the video I was looking for. Thanks!

[@TheLordcasio]

OK...I have the 8ch version and at first, it did my head in. The documentation is spotty at best. I ran my MPC Live into one stereo input via a single TRS-to-two-TS split and panned within the MPC to check the signal. HERE is what I learned: 1: A TRS (stereo signal) into one input set to stereo (via TRS) preserves the stereo...I was worried that you'd have to group channels 1/5, 2/6, 3/7 etc. 2. If the master output is set to MONO, channels 1-4 only show up on the first output BUT it's still in stereo (with headphones) and channels 5-8 show up on the second output...also preserving stereo signal (headphones). 3: If the master output is set to STEREO, both outputs will mirror each other IF you have a TRS plugged into the outputs (so headphones on one output and a TRS stereo feed to something down the line works). **Here is the "Gotcha!". YOU HAVE TO USE TS CABLES ON THE OUTPUTS IN STEREO MODE. Otherwise, you get phase cancellation of anything center panned. So be mindful when integrating this into your desktop synth set up. 4: If the output is set to stereo, you get a volume drop on headphones plugged into either output (makes sense...you're sending two stereo copies to two outputs vs one stereo output). Theres still a lot to test, but I don't have TS-to-XLR male (only TRS-to-XLR male) for my desktop monitors and headphones only show what a TRS does when connected to the outputs. The walk-away here is that, you could technically use 16 mono sources (hard panned) via TS-to-TRS Y-cables OR 8 proper stereo synth/grooveboxes on this cheap line mixer and either have two stereo feeds or a proper Left/Right feed BUT you'd have to make sure you're using a standard guitar type TS 1/4' cable on the latter.

[@depingus4960]

I've been looking everywhere for this info! I nearly bought the 6-channel version just to avoid all this confusion. But you cleared it all up! I appreciated you taking the time to post. UPDATE: I just got the 8-channel mixer. It works mostly as described above except for the "gotcha" about using TS cables for the stereo outputs. I tried a stereo source on Input 1 with a TRS cable, a mono TS cable on Output A, and another mono TS cable on Output B. This screwed up the stereo signal when panning on my source device. With the 1-8 mixer button pressed, I could hear sound coming out of both outputs. Panning left sounds made no change to the sound. Panning right made all the sound go away. So when you're working with stereo inputs using TRS cables, there are basically 2 modes. Button up means Output A does inputs 1-4 and Output B does inputs 5-8, both outputs in stereo. This mode turns this mixer into 2 x 4-channel mixers. Button pressed gives you Inputs 1-8 on both Output A and B at the same time; both in stereo. So you can send one output to your recorder, and another to your monitors. You can also set this up as a 4 channel stereo mixer where you have individual control of both L/R channels for all inputs and outputs. In this scenario Inputs 1-4 and Output A handle the Left channel, and Inputs 5-8 and Output B handle the Right channel. You would use all mono TS cables with all the buttons in mono mode. Overall, this is a very confusing mixer. I think the 6 channel MAMX2 might be a better option for some.

[@justinreilly3107]

Thanks, that’s a very in depth dive into what I neeeded to hear.

[@sichtbeton]

Thank you!

[@JoeChrist34]

Wait so the only way to record in true L/R channel "stereo" is to hook up 1 to 5 and 2 to 6 and so on? Because that's honestly the only reason I'm interested in this mixer. So I can edit the independent channels later on in my DAW using my audio interface. Thanks!

[@AlbertSodylicious]

I don’t get point #3, you’re saying in STEREO output mode works with a TRS cable plugged in but then you say you can only use TS cables in this mode?

[@LEDBOO]

Wow. I got lucky with this video. I needed to rearrange some synths, especially my noisy Volcas, and this is perfect. Thank you!!!

[@Gainn]

Great little mixer. Runs happily off the USB of an MPC Live too.

[@macstar8317]

I have one of these - great little mixer. I used a white paint pen to paint the grooves on the volume knobs so I could see where they were set to. Just ordered a MAMX2 for my synth/drum machine/effect pedal set up too.

[@alainszyller615]

Thank you for the tip, I also did the markings on the little knobs with a thin silver paint pen and it’s very very useful !

[@NEKRWSPHERE]

Which reminded me... so yeah I ended up filling the beveled ridge on the unit's original knob with Liquid Paper, waited until it dries, then gave it a few coats of clear Acrylic lacquer. Turned out the liquid paper I had fluoresced in the UV-B (black light). So that's how I found out that all the pots on the Moukey's PCB were installed sideways . 😮Originally, - I wanted to replace the knobs and ordered replacements. But because of the wrong orientation of pots the factory marked ridges on any D-type replacement knobs were at significant mismatch with Moukey. I suspect it may or may not have something to do with engineering around some of the limitations of constrained space. (Or just crappily made pots?) _ So yeah, both of my Moukey mixers, the "4" and the "8" have this issue so if you guys own one, - don't lose the original knobs😊 But yeah, despite that issue, - both mixers work just fine years later.

[@Lucrativecris]

Nice Korg Synthesizer

[@b.o.b.4911]

Good video thanks.....do you think this can be used to mix what I get from two different big mixers? And then connect the output to a camera, thanks!

[@alainszyller615]

Thank you for this very useful video. Sorry, I have many questions for you Any issues with multiple steps between your volcas-> moukey 8->big mixer->audio interface ? Input loss? On my side I use Moukey 8 because my steinberg audio interface has only 2 inputs I have my hardware -> patchbay -> moukey-> audio interface is it a concern ? What I currently do is using the stereo out puts as separate inputs on the Moukey but from what I ve read in the comments it seems I could use a Y TRS splitter to have both R/L using only one input of the Moukey, correct ? Then of course I have now other devices (a couple of effect pedals) I need to connect, I was considering getting a second Moukey 8 and use Y splitters for each Moukey output to each steinberg input. This would be the least expansive option, Some people told me it would harm the sound quality. And I should rather get a 12 or 14 input mixers with audio interface included, Which will make my connections much more direct. Thank you very much,

[@12345Flipside]

Can i plug in two headphones to get identical sounds? We are two guys and want to jam silent with headphones and with our Zoom G1Xon Guitar Multieffect Pedals in this mixer... But i see, there is CH1-4 on OUT A and CH5-8 on OUT B? But we need CH1-8 on A and CH1-8 on B, with two headphones? Is this possible in stereo?

[@islandtony5009]

Do you know if the inputs and outputs are balanced or unbalanced?

[@dantediego]

wish it had L/R output. i need a mini mixer for multiple inputs going out to a pair of studio monitors

[@inf3243]

This would be perfect if it had panning controls as well!

[@work4synths]

Hello! How is this mixer working after 6 months? I want to buy one but saw reviews of people complaining about the USB connector breaking and that the mixer is noisy. Did you have problems with it?

[@IanDixonTDL]

no issues so far

[@KristianNowak]

do you think that mixer would work for drums

[@adamfrancissmith5511]

Might be a daft question, but can you just set it to stereo and adjust both L/R channels with one knob? I use a pair of Yamaha monitors as computer speakers and just need something to connect everything together and provide a volume control. My 15 year old Xenyx mixer is a bit corroded inside and dying. This might be a simpler solution than directly replacing it...

[@st1flersteve]

It looks like it has two audio outputs so you could do it through their but these are usually just for mix downs to main mixer or for live

[@Traynoramp08]

Just to be sure can I plug a guitar straight up?

[@waysiiide]

Hi thanks for the video! I've recently bought the 6 channel version, I want to run some synths/drum machines/samplers into the mixer which have L/R outputs. Would a 6.35mm 'TRS Stereo Jack to 2 x 6.35mm Mono Tip Ring Cable' work to go into a single input on the mixer? Was hoping this would so I can use all 6 channels, and assuming I would need to press the stereo button, however I've seen it said that I need 2 x TS cables running into 2 channels/inputs of the mixer is needed which means I would only have 3 channels available for gear with L/R outputs. Is that correct? Any help much appreciated! :)

[@IanDixonTDL]

I am using it in mono so I will have to double check.

[@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

[@IanDixonTDL]

It should be, they are not pre-amped so I have only used synths and drum machines with it

[@jkx2007]

Are the two Outputs independent? I mean, I manage the volume with the first potentiometers and do they have an effect on output A ?

[@IanDixonTDL]

Yes, it's stereo so the pots control both channels

[@metalerox]

hello, can you record the tracks individually but at the same time? example: a bass and a guitar and that each one remains on a different track. Or does he make a mix of both? thank you

[@IanDixonTDL]

It mixes them into a pair of stereo or a singlemono output

[@AlbertSodylicious]

I’m having trouble conserving the stereo image. I did a simple test with plugging iPad into TRS input, click STEREO, output is set to STEREO with TRS cable to speakers. However if I pan the iPad L and R, the sound does not change and continues playing from both speakers.

[@IanDixonTDL]

I had to get the right cables, but once I did that it worked fine. You need stereo TRS cables in and out.

[@jasontovey8635]

Hi - which connection do you use to connect the moukey to your main mixer?

[@IanDixonTDL]

Top Right, standard audio jacks

[@Markgogole]

Hello thank you for the review! Do your prefer Moukey or Behringer?

[@IanDixonTDL]

I have both, the Moukey feels a bit better

[@Markgogole]

@@IanDixonTDL thank you!

[@JoeChrist34]

I'm a bit confused by this mixer. I currently own a Scarlett 2i2 audio interface and need more inputs for my synths and beat machine. How do the stereo inputs work exactly? If you press say, 1 and 2 into stereo, with one instruments L/R channels plugged in and output that to stereo to the Audio Interface, would it record both left and right channels of the instrument plugged into 1 and 2? And so on with the other inputs? I'd ideally like to hook up 4 instruments. 3 synths and my beat machine to my audio interface and record each instrument at a time in actual stereo with Left and Right channels in my DAW. Will this device with my interface be able to pull that off? I'd appreciate the help. Thanks.

[@IanDixonTDL]

In stereo mode you need TRS cables, but what you want to do should work.

[@interloper28]

Hi, do you know if you can connect the output to the input microphone jack of your computer to have all channels as one audio source? Thanks.

[@IanDixonTDL]

yes you can

[@interloper28]

@@IanDixonTDL Thank you!

[@MarkPanado]

I don't know about audio devices, but I need this exact device for my desktop so I can use a controller for a pair of speakers for my MacBook, PC, Consoles. Question, if the input is in mono mode, can the output be in stereo? for L and R speakers? I need this exact device because it has two output, I will use the first output for my headphone, then the second output for a pair of speakers. That's possible, right? :D thank you!

[@themrtechne]

Can you plug in 1/4 " mics to it? Looking for a mixer to to mic my drums using my 5 Pyle mics

[@IanDixonTDL]

It's a line level mixer so I don't think so, the input are for line level devices like synths

[@torma1985]

Hi, nice video!! Would you be able to tell me where would I be able to add the NTS1 into the mix so everything runs through it? Thanks!

[@IanDixonTDL]

You could put the output of the mixer into the NTS1 but there is no aux send like a traditional mixer

[@torma1985]

@@IanDixonTDL thanks! So what does that mean? Sorry, I am only getting into the whole mixers and synths scenario 🙂

[@IanDixonTDL]

If you plug all your synths into the mixer and then the output of the mixer can go to the NTS1 . That way all the sounds the synths will go through the NTS1. If that's what you want it will work fine.

[@torma1985]

@@IanDixonTDL right, and then the nts1 will then go into the Audio Interface. Got it! Thanks man! Appreciate it!

[@IanDixonTDL]

I am thinking of getting a NTS1 so it will be interesting to hear how you get on

[@squishmusic]

Ive seen these and it as in my basket. Then I posted to a music forum and the response was no no no. Get a behring 502/802 instead. Now I see your main mixer is a Behring. So what is the NOISE floor of the Moukey. I heard in the video you said 2x "low noise". I guess I need to hear it 10x :D How does the Moukey 'noise' compare to your main mixer noise floor. Cheers 4 reply. This is going to make or break my decision :)

[@IanDixonTDL]

I can't detect any noise. I will try capturing some in my DAW. The TR505 puts out a slight hiss which is the only thing I can here and the Volcas are very noisy! I wanted something small and simple and is working well for me.

[@squishmusic]

@@IanDixonTDL i am also on the small simpe quest. Would be great if you could add a screenshot to the end of video with noise profile. I think MANY will have that as the main Q :D

[@PhrygianPhrog]

The issue (I think, could be wrong) is that people are plugging the mixer into their PC or a power source that's already supplying the synths/devices that are going into the mixer. This creates a ground loop. I use a power pack and have had no issues at all.

[@squishmusic]

@@PhrygianPhrog i got a cheap Behring in the end. 12-04ch and FX.

[@PhrygianPhrog]

@@squishmusic Fair do's!

[@gmm1904]

Works using your computer sound card if i don’t have nothing fancy?

[@IanDixonTDL]

You could plug the output the mixer into your PCs input (mic) port but better if you had some kind of USB audio interface

[@gmm1904]

@@IanDixonTDL thanks i want to connect 3 keyboards i hope this 8 channel mixer can do what i need

[@IanDixonTDL]

Yes but I would look at a USB sound interface

[@gmm1904]

@@IanDixonTDL yea that can give me extra 2 inouts if i get usb interface

[@IanDixonTDL]

Yes, but you may get latency

[@feelbeatzz6736]

Can I use it with a power bank?

[@IanDixonTDL]

I think so yes

[@danielortizdecaracas]

Its audio interface too?

[@IanDixonTDL]

No, just USB powered

[@Smobus]

Your thumb nail is so weird