Rolls RM65B 6 x 4 Mixer

Rack-mount, console-type mixer. Ideal for small clubs or small performing groups who need a good quality portable mixer.

Overall User Ratings (based on 14 ratings)
  • Overall:
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Sound:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Features:
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Ease of Use:
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Quality:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Value:
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Manufacturer Support:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • The Wow Factor:
    5 out of 5 stars
Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
(14) (see rating details)
Submitted April 13, 2004 by a customer from sbcglobal.net

"Little surprise; BIG bang for buck."

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
Again, I'm very pleased. There's always a thing or two you'd like to have additionally, but you just can't beat this piece. I literally scoured the internet looking for something like this (small, feature-ful, not a million dollars, SOUNDS GOOD) and I kept coming back to and eventually bought this one. It's been almost a year and I keep finding myself really glad I have it. Many of my peers inquire about gear after hearing "the show" that has resulted in at least two of them purchasing one for themselves. I'm set up and ready to rock in 20 minutes AND I can fit the whole rig in the back of a Subaru Legacy (stands, keyboard & all). - All due - in large part - to the RM65.
Sound
Apples to Apples, this thing sounds great! It is what it is; over-all sound is good, but, considering the price/convenience - phenomenal! I use the RM65B w/ TCElectronics M300 (ALSO recommended!) Multi FX to mix my solo Vox/Keez/MIDI-back-trax LIVE (haven't tried w/ recording) w/ pair of Mackie SRM450's (ALSO recommended!!)having scaled down from a Promix 01V mixer. Sound-wise, it's not really possible to compare the Rolls w/ 01V. That said, I bought the Rolls in hopes of downsizing w/ little or no compromise in live sound. If you know the 01V, you know what kind of a leap we're talking about, here, and can probably imagine my guarded "sounds good on paper" optimism. BOTTOM LINE: I couldn't be more pleased.
Features
Again, apples to apples ... Mic pre's are really decent. Plenty of gain. Balanced I/O's. Phantom power (switchable per channel). FX loop. Aux-In. Headphone out. Stereo Outs. Mono monitor send. Pan per channnel. ALL in a single rack-space! WISH LIST: More functional meter(s) WHINE LIST: Mid EQ. Truly not MISSING it per se (maybe it's the Mackie's), but would like it. SPOIL-ME LIST: separate Tape (RCA) I/O's (stereo, of course ...)and/or 2 more channels.
Quality
- Not quite as tight as, say, a Yamaha product. Mechanicals all seem solid. Contols are really small & fragile-looking. However, I've had it on the road for almost a year in New England shizo-weather; So far so good.
Value
I'm a fairly meticulous guy re; gear/performance. I'll pay more $$ for gear if it delivers. So far, - and at the risk of sounding hyperbolous - RM65 is worth double what it costs. (in fact, the relatively small price tag was a big part of my initial apprehension a.k.a. "it can't be that good for that price") It's small, it does alot per sq. inch, it sounds good, and it's reliable. BIG bang for the buck here.
Manufacturer Support
Called Rolls w/ many-a-question before I took the dive. Easy enough to reach. Tech guy was a little terse. However, problems solved, Q's answered. Haven't needed repair or service.
The Wow Factor
In fairness, it should be stated that this reviewer is absolutely a function-OVER-fashion guy. Hence, the raves above. Sex Appeal? What sex appeal? This piece has none. (For the record, in this reviewer's opinion, the whole "silver"-ness thing in comtempo gear design is haneous ...) Ergonomically, it is a nightmare. (BUT, that's ALOT of stuff on the face of ONE rack-space). Seriously, though, to me RM65's features-per-inch and bang-for-buck far outweigh any aesthetic short-coming.

Musical Style:

Rock -n- Pop
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Submitted June 5, 2006 by a customer from mindspring.com

"Deserves Wider Recognition!"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I'm always on the lookout for the best & the most compact tools, but the only other unit I've seen that compares, requires more juggling of settings & trade-offs, that just make the Rolls unit still the winner. I have it in my rack, and use it for solo gigs (I play sax/flute, w/tracks), small ensemble work, or as my personal submixer for larger shows & festivals, with a feed to the soundman (which allows me to have the exact sound I want)....
Sound
I've been using the RM65 (I have two) ever since I found out it existed, which has been probably 10yrs or so. Of course, due to packing so much in a single rack space size, some things are not optimal, as more EQ control would be ideal, but it's sufficient for live gigs.
Features
For its size, it can't be beat, at least so far as I've seen. My only real complaint was that the effects return was not stereo, but the new models not only remedied that, but also include a headphone out, which makes recording directly from the unit a breeze!
Ease of Use
What's to know? It's as easy to use as any mixer, the only difference is again, the size, so the controls are a bit on the tiny side. However, even with my large hands, I've not had a problem with that. The one complaint I had is that the unity "notch" on the knobs was invisible, so I had to paint a white line at midpoint, to see it.....
Quality
I've used mine constantly for about ten years, with no problems ever....
Value
An INCREDIBLE VALUE! I'm amazed more players don't have these, but I guess that's because I don't ever see them in music stores, or even in many of their catalogs. You've got to either see someone using one, or find it online.....
Manufacturer Support
Never needed servicing, and the couple questions I've ever had were answered....
The Wow Factor
Not "sexy", but it's bang for the price (& size) sure makes it quite desirable!

Musical Background:

Active Musician/Bandleader

Musical Style:

Jazz/R&B/Rock/Ambient, etc...
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Submitted October 24, 2008 by a customer from hotmail.com

"Great performance and features in a small rack-mounted package and a small price tag to match."

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
The mixer offered (for me) everything I wanted in a small and inexpensive rack mounted design. Selectable XlR/LINE inputs with pre-fader monitor outputs and pan controls. Was in expensive and have seen very little out there that even compares in features, but especially in its price.
Sound
Pretty good. Very clean. Lots of headroom on the mics. Very light weight.
Features
The feature list of the unit is pretty good, but when you consider that its all jammed into a 1RU unit, it becomes impressive. A PFL button (or some switch to let me monitor the inputs via the headphone jack) would be a nice addition. A couple of LED's for output level is all you get for any indication that its alive. There isn't even a power LED.
Ease of Use
Very easy to use. Comprehensive controls. Plugged it in and started using it right away. The controls are a little small to use.
Quality
The controls are a little cheap to the touch, but so far have held up very well. It uses an external power supply, i would have preferred a standard power plug and have the transformer in the unit.
Value
Fantastic value. Cheapest 1RU 6 channel mixer offering a monitor output that I have seen in awhile.
Manufacturer Support
So far, no problems, however their homepage is very comprehensive so i assume they offer fair and reasonable support.
The Wow Factor
NONE. This is the un-coolest looking mixer ever. But when you are in the middle of a live performance, how it looks is far less important than how it sounds and its performance reliably.

Musical Background:

Live sound/band tech

Musical Style:

Rock
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