Like the name says, the ProFX4v2 is a professional mixer, with convenient features and sound that rivals that of some larger format mixers. Mackie designed the Vita preamps with live sound in mind to provide the quality of sound that is lacking in some compact mixers. Each channel features its own individual 2-band EQ and 100Hz low-cut filter for shaping the sound of your inputs. The ReadyFX digital effects engine gives you access to 16 different effects including reverbs and delays - Mackie even added chorus effects for your guitar. A 5-band graphic EQ can be assigned either to your main outputs so you can fine tune the PA or the aux output to easily get rid of feedback in your monitors. If you perform with backing tracks there are inputs for your laptop or MP3 player, a headphone output with individual level control, and when you add to all that phantom power for your condenser mics and the convenience of a hi-Z input for direct instrument input, you have no reason NOT to own a ProFX4v2. Yes, the ProFX4v2 is exactly what you need for mixing when the gig calls for minimal inputs, but that's not where its usefulness ends. Since you'll be mixing from the stage, keep the ProFX4v2 right next to you and you can use the headphone output with a set of in-ear monitors for your performance and just leave your floor monitors at home. Drummers you can use it for monitoring too - take the aux mix from the front of house board that would have gone to your wedges and plug it in to a channel on the ProFX4v2. Once your mix is set you have complete control over sound shaping and volume without having to get the attention of the mix engineer. Keyboard players, you can use it to mix your multi-instrument rig straight into your amp onstage.