Numark's Simplest Solutions: The M101USB and M101 Mixers
(ShackMan | Posted 2011-01-16)
As much as companies may tout their newest feature-laden piece of equipment and throw out advertisement for the top-of-the-line, newest-of-the-new, and usually the most expensive bit of gear in the category, there are still those consumers who just want something plain and simple with only the bells and whistles enough to make sound or get from point A to point B. Numark recognizes those customers with the M101 and M101USB mixers. No-frills, no-fuss, and exactly what it takes to get the job done right.
Both mixers feature a two-channel design with a built in two band equalizer for straight-ahead fine tuning. There are also two pairs of Phono/Line input jacks for turntables or other line-level devices along witha 1/4" microphone input jack. Output goes through a stereo RCA jack to an amplifier, powered speakers, or even another mixer along the way with the EQ and crossfader in the signal path. The M101 mixers also feature Numark's standard heavy-duty metal casing and can be rack-mounted while taking up only a little space.
The only difference between the M101 and the M101USB is just one jack, but it's a big difference. As you can probably assume, the M101USB has a USB input/output jack that can use your computer as an audio source. It can also record your entire performance directly to your hard drive instantaneously, which is a pretty sweet feature to have. Both units come with their own power supply and are scarcely different (if at all) in dimensions.
Again, Numark is keeping quiet about MSRP, but these should be near the bottom of the company's price range. I don't see any corners being drastically with either of them. They're just pared down to the bare bones features, and for a select group of us, that's just right.
James Rushin is a bassist, keyboardist, writer, and composer living and working in the Greater Pittsburgh area. He has performed with Selmer artist Tim Price, Curtis Johnson, guitarists Ken Karsh and Joe Negri. His compositions have been featured at West Virginia University and Valley Forge Christian College. He will be spending the Fall and Winter months working on playwright Frank Gagliano's Voodoo Trilogy and Bodoni County Songbook.
Got questions? Comments? James can be reached as ShackMan in the Music Gear Review forums, or you may e-mail him at James.Rushin@MusicGearReview.com.
