Soundcraft Notepad-5 Small-Format Analog Mixing Console with USB I/O, 5-channel mixer (

As a multi-instrumentalist songwriter, I find myself switching back and forth between instruments a lot as I record, making small changes in how the different parts fit together. I had a 2x2 interface that I used for a long time, but it really cramped my workflow, since I had to unplug/plug/set levels every time I wanted to change. So, I went in search of a better way.At first I looked at upgrading my 2x2 to a 6x4 or 8x6 interface. But I couldn't find anything I liked. Most of the step-up interfaces still only had 2-4 preamps, and the TRS inputs on the backs often lacked a way to set gain, making them nearly useless for recording stereo trs instruments direct. Also, many of the cheaper interfaces don't have a second headphone jack, which is handy when you're recording your bandmates. The interfaces i did find that were large enough and fully featured enough to cover all my needs were way out of my price range. Bummer.Then I discovered this gem. The soundcraft notepad 8fx. What a brilliant little piece of hardware. It has a 2x2 interface built into it - but instead of statically routing the two preamps to the computer, it comes with a control program that allows you to route any of the first six inputs on the board to USB. This means I can leave all my instruments plugged into the board and leveled properly, then just use the soundcraft panel in my computer to flip between inputs, without touching a single cable or dial. It's the perfect solution to my problems. To top it off, the aux jack doubles as a second stereo headphone jack, so I can run two pairs of headphones when I'm recording my buddies, without the hassle of using a splitter.Since we're talking about recording, let me just say that the preamps in this thing are excellent. It will easily compete with any 2x2 interface in this price range. They remind me a lot of the way focusrite preamps sound, but without as much sibilance, which I think is actually an improvement. Fun fact, one of the founders of focusrite later went on to found soundcraft. So perhaps the similar sound is no accident.The electronics in this board are dead quiet, beginning to end, and the converters work well. Overall, the sounds I get out of it are clean and clear, both from the USB, and from the analog outputs. I use the main outs to drive my studio monitors, and since I do all my work in the same room (home studio) I love that I can source my headphones mix from the aux bus - because it means I can have different mixes for the monitors and the phones so the mics don't cause feedback when I decide to bring up the mains to listen to the mix on my monitors.A couple things you should know about this board if you're looking at it - the aux bus sends are pre-fader, which is exactly what you want if (like me) you're using the aux as a mix bus for your headphones or other monitor system, but since the aux bus doubles as the FX bus, when you're using it for FX you have to be mindful of the fact that your FX do not scale up and down with the main level on the channel.The other thing you should know is that you need to install the soundcraft control panel to switch the usb to inputs other than main L/R sends. I saw a review of someone complaining that they couldn't change their input and it didn't sound like they installed the software to be able to do so. The different inputs do not show up as separate sound interfaces in your computer, because this is not a true 8x2, it's a 2x2 that can select between four input configurations. You must install the software to make the selection.The only cons I can think of are that I kind of wish it had a power button and indicator LED, but I'm not going to ding it a star for something that petty. I use a power strip in my studio to turn it on with all my other equipment anyways, so do I really need a power button? No, not really.Also, it bears being mentioned that, even though I bought this as a portable recording and livestreaming interface, it also makes a great little mixer for small gigs or test purposes. I've found myself digging it out to try out speakers and other audio equipment when I didn't want to drag out my regular, full-featured mixer.All in all, I'd say soundcraft knocked it out of the park on this one, and the price puts it right in line with other recording interfaces. If you're in the market for a 2x2, consider one of these instead. Not only do you get great sounding preamps, you get a device that can accomplish more and perhaps even improve your workflow.

First impression: this is a fantastic little mixer. I researched all the small sub-$200 mixers. The Notepad 12FX emerged as my top choice in the features I most cared about: sound quality, small size, at least 8 line inputs, and USB recording. It's a little more expensive than most of the competition, but it's smaller than most, has more inputs than most, has 4 USB inputs instead of the usual 2, and comes in a sturdy metal enclosure.My only hesitation before buying the Notepad 12FX was due to seeing many reports of people with USB driver problems on Windows 10. I'm happy to report that I've experienced none of those issues. I installed "Notepad Firmware and Control Panel Setup v1.09 (Windows 7/10)" before plugging it into a USB port. I connected it when the installer prompted to do so, then completed the installation. At no time did I see any messages about unsigned drivers, nor have I ever disabled driver signatures on this computer. After installation was complete, I checked the installed driver version in the Windows Control Panel, and checked versions in the Soundcraft Control Panel. All look up to date (v1.09 firmware, v4.13.0 driver).Then came the real test: run Ableton Live and record 4 tracks simultaneously. It worked wonderfully. Ableton saw all 4 input channels. I easily recorded 1 mic and 3 synthesizer channels playing at the same time into 4 audio tracks. For one test I purposefully let each track go silent for 5-10 seconds at a time before playing some notes, to verify that my device does not suffer from the problem of delayed recording some people had with earlier firmware or driver versions.In short: everything worked as expected. No driver installation weirdness, no chopped off recording, 4 channels of USB audio recorded with excellent sound quality, all in a very small footprint.This is only a first impression review. I haven't played around with the onboard effects (not important to me, but if they sound good I may use them) nor the equalizers. The things I don't like about this mixer are things I already knew about before purchase: no mute buttons per channel, no power switch, weird routing of channels 9/10 and 11/12 when you're using USB or external effects. But all the other little mixers I researched had similar compromises, apparently necessary to stuff a lot of functions into a small low-cost device.I think I made the right choice for my needs. I'll report back if I run into issues after using it for a few months.

ProsInputs - can connect all types of inputs! XLR, stereo, Phantom power, RCA etc, plenty of them too!Routing - lots of configuration options, versatile use cases (usb, audio out, monitors, aux, fx loop). Takes some work to figure out how to use it fully but the functionality is thereFX - onboard reverb is pretty useful, sounds pretty good to fill out mix!USB - 4 simultaneous channels or 2 channels + entire mix can be sent over USB, an unparalleled feature for the price range. Software drivers / app are capable enough (no bugs or hangs). The live multitrack recording capability from this feature is the big appeal for this mixer.ConsAesthetics - ugly as sinFit - kinda bulky, awkward to fit on a deskNoise - not sure if it's a ground loop, poor preamps etc, but it's noisier than it should be (whining / buzzing) and has sound bleedthru between USB and Mixer modes no matter how I connect it.USB Audio Out - Quieter than it should be, requires a lot of volume boosting in my DAW to be a usable level.OverallPretty good, not perfect but for the price you get a lot compared to the competition. Would recommend as a first mixer for starting a home studio or for band practice. Not pro gear but it's not a pro price.Solid entry level gear, big wins for 4 channel USB recording!