Review on Soundcraft Notepad-5 USB Analog Mixing Console (5085980US) - Compact Five-Channel Small-Format Console by Wayne Moody

After extensive research I decided on SoundCraft Notebook to use with my keyboard. This mixer is (almost) unique among small, inexpensive mixers in that it features a true monitor bus, similar to that found in larger, more expensive mixers. The monitor bus mix is independent from the main mix and has separate level controls for each input. I also found out that the monitor bus is a "covert" stereo bus and can create a stereo signal by connecting a simple 1/4" stereo plug to a 2x 1/4" mono line splitter with jack. This functionality provides just the right amount of control needed for a setup with one or more keyboards, allowing complete and independent control of the feed to the main amplifier system independent of the local monitors. It is important for a pianist/keyboardist to hear themselves. Very often the main speakers of the PA are in front of you or in an existing monitor mix the keys are switched off. Once the three guitars and horn section are up and running, I can turn on my personal monitors without changing the main PA mix. In other scenarios, I can mute or turn off the main PA mix while adjusting keyboard settings or doing a personal sound check (or determining which key someone is playing). You can use a stereo or mono main mix with this mixer. in any combination with stereo or mono monitors. The Notepad 5 has enough inputs for a stereo and mono keyboard and audio source, but it's small enough to fit on a keyboard or speaker. Notepad 8 and 12 can handle more keyboards or inputs for larger setups, have balance/pan controls and effects. I find Notepad 5 perfect for my needs. The USB functionality works great with Audacity on Windows 10, but I haven't tested the full USB functionality with different software. Two minor downsides for these devices: 1) The documentation that comes with it doesn't include an electrical block diagram. Every other mixer I've used or referenced has a block diagram, which is really the only way to really see how each signal path combination works. 2) No switch. Great functionality at a reasonable price. I have one in my studio and another in my gig bag.