Audio Mixer (8 Mic / 2 Line) Soundcraft EPM8

Hire 8 Channel Soundcraft EPM8 Analogue Mixer

8 Channel Compact Mixing Console

The Soundcraft EPM8 is Edwards NZ's compact general-purpose analogue mixer — a no-nonsense eight-channel desk built around Soundcraft's GB30 microphone preamps, the same preamp design used in the larger LX7ii and GB Series professional consoles. Clean, quiet, straightforward to operate, and built to Soundcraft's professional standard in a chassis weighing just 5.6kg. Hire code MX8S.

The EPM8 has six mono XLR/TRS combo input channels and two stereo line input channels. Every mono channel has the GB30 mic preamp with 55dB of gain range, 48V phantom power, a TRS insert point for external processing, 3-band EQ with a sweepable midrange, two aux sends, a 60mm fader, pan control, mute, and solo. The two stereo channels add a balanced line source — a laptop, media player, or keyboard — with 2-band EQ, aux sends, and a 60mm fader. The master section carries XLR balanced main outputs, two aux master outputs on balanced TRS, RCA phono playback inputs and record outputs, a 12-segment LED bargraph meter for the main mix, a front-panel headphone output, and global 48V phantom power.

The GB30 preamp delivers a noise floor of -128dBu EIN — a genuine professional specification that is significantly quieter than the preamps found in most compact mixers. The multipoint PEAK LED monitors the signal at several points through the channel strip simultaneously and illuminates more brightly as the signal approaches clipping — a more informative overload warning than a simple clip indicator. Total harmonic distortion is below 0.007% and frequency response is flat within 0.5dB from 20Hz to 20kHz.

What is included:

• Soundcraft EPM8 8-channel analogue mixing console
• IEC mains cable

Specifications at a glance:

• 6 mono XLR/TRS combo inputs with GB30 mic preamps
• 2 stereo line input channels
• 48V phantom power — global switch
• 3-band EQ with sweepable mid (150Hz to 3.5kHz) on mono channels
• 2-band EQ on stereo channels
• 2 aux sends per channel — globally switchable pre or post-fader
• TRS insert points on all mono channels and mix output
• 60mm faders on all channels, 100mm on master
• 12-segment LED bargraph metering on main L/R
• Balanced XLR main stereo outputs
• Balanced TRS aux master outputs
• RCA phono playback inputs and record outputs
• Front-panel headphone output
• Mic input EIN: -128dBu (150 ohm source)
• THD: less than 0.007%
• Frequency response: 20Hz to 20kHz +/-0.5dB
• Universal internal PSU: 85V to 270V AC
• Dimensions: 330mm W x 90.5mm H x 362mm D
• Weight: 5.6kg

Ideal for: Small corporate events and presentations, school assemblies and functions, boardroom and meeting room sound reinforcement, distributed speaker systems as the included mixer in ARTEC passive speaker packages, recording sessions requiring a clean compact analogue desk, podcasting and broadcast where a simple reliable mixer is needed alongside other equipment.

Available for self-collection or delivery and setup.

Frequently Asked Questions — Soundcraft EPM8 Hire

How many microphones can I connect?

The EPM8 has six XLR microphone inputs across its six mono channels. Each accepts a microphone via XLR or a line-level source via the TRS jack in the same combo socket. Phantom power at 48V is switchable globally — one switch applies phantom to all XLR inputs simultaneously. For condenser microphones requiring phantom power this is switched on before connecting any sources.

What makes the GB30 preamp worth mentioning?

The GB30 is the microphone preamp Soundcraft's chief designer Graham Blyth designed for the company's 30th anniversary — the same preamp used in the larger and significantly more expensive LX7ii and GB Series professional consoles. Its noise specification of -128dBu EIN from a 150 ohm source is a genuinely professional figure, quieter than most compact mixers in this size class. In practical terms this means microphones at low gain settings — quiet speakers, acoustic instruments, interviews — are captured cleanly without audible hiss in the background.

What is the sweepable mid EQ and how do I use it?

The midrange EQ band on each mono channel is a swept bell filter — the frequency control adjusts continuously from 150Hz to 3.5kHz, and the cut/boost knob adds or removes up to 15dB at that frequency. To use it: boost the mid cut/boost to maximum, then slowly sweep the frequency knob until you hear the offending tone — a nasal vowel resonance, a room ring, a harsh frequency — become exaggerated. Then switch to cut at that frequency and reduce by 3 to 6dB. This technique is called sweep-and-cut and is more effective than boosting other bands to compensate. The stereo channels have a simpler 2-band EQ without the sweepable mid.

What are the insert points for?

Each mono channel has a TRS insert point that breaks the signal path after the preamp and before the EQ, allowing an external processor — a compressor, gate, de-esser, or EQ — to be patched into that channel's signal chain. A standard TRS insert cable splits into two TS jacks: tip carries the send to the external processor, ring carries the return. Insert points are also provided on the main mix output for inserting a stereo processor across the full mix. For most hire applications the inserts are not used, but they are there if a technician needs them.

What are the aux sends for?

The two aux send buses have several uses. Pre-fader setting — the send level is independent of the channel fader — makes them ideal for stage monitor feeds, where the performer's monitor level should not change when the main mix fader is adjusted. Post-fader setting makes them useful for effects sends to an external reverb or delay processor. The pre/post assignment is a global switch applying to all channels simultaneously — both aux buses are either all pre-fader or all post-fader across the whole console.

Does it have any built-in effects?

No. The EPM8 has no built-in effects processor. It is a clean signal path mixer only. External effects processors can be connected via the aux send and return path or via the channel insert points. For events requiring built-in reverb and effects, the Yamaha MG20XU with its SPX effects processor, or one of the Soundcraft Si digital consoles with Lexicon FX, are the appropriate alternatives.

How does this compare to the Yamaha MG20XU?

The EPM8 is smaller, lighter, simpler, and has fewer channels — six mono inputs versus sixteen on the MG20XU. The MG20XU adds one-knob compression on eight channels, built-in SPX effects, four aux sends, four group buses, and USB recording. The EPM8 is the right choice when the input count is small, a clean and simple analogue mixer is all that is needed, and the compact size and weight matter. It is also the mixer included in Edwards' ARTEC passive distributed speaker packages, where it serves as the send source for the amplifier and speaker chain.

Is delivery and setup available?

Yes. The EPM8 is available for self-collection or delivery. Contact our hire team at (09) 571 0551 or hire@edwardsnz.co.nz to discuss your requirements.