Best Analog & Digital Audio Mixers
Introduction
Gone are the times when audio mixing necessitated the usage of enormous mixer consoles. The mixing expertise has improved at a fast clip, and now you will discover a digital mixing software that permits you to mix audio inputs, process them, and route them to PA systems or wherever you need to channel them.
But, regardless of the supply of digital audio workstations (DAWs), house studio owners and performing musicians still choose to use hardware mixers with actual knobs, buttons, and faders.
The fitting mixing console in your home studio (or any modest recording surroundings) will drastically enhance your scope of recording. They’ll deal with sums and indicators from a number of instruments and/or vocals to mix them right into a combined output signal.
You’ll discover a variety of digital and analog mixers in today’s market. Some have analog/digital hybrid design, others have nice low-budget items for summing, and others have super-transparent or superbly colored preamps.
Live sound mixers are referred to as sound system mixers or PA mixers. In case you are a performing musician and are searching for a digital audio mixer for live sound, you possibly can take a look at the following most really useful digital mixers for live sound.
Options To Look In Digital Mixing Console
Digital Mixing boards are often lightweight machines and could be simply taken to a number of venues and occasions with a choice to create and save presets. Selecting a mixer is totally based mostly on your private preference and, in fact, price.
There are a number of Digital Mixing Boards out there in marketplaces at cheaper rates with all the mandatory options you could choose, so when shopping for a digital mixing console do take into account our options mentioned below, as these would possibly aid you to get a better concept and allow you to create nice music with extra flexibility and customization choices. You may as well take a look at some musical gear like guitar amplifiers and a multi-track recorder to your studio. Things to consider.
Inputs And Channels
A digital Mixing Console ought to encompass all the mandatory options on the identical board comparable to channel strips, inputs, EQ, AUX sends, mute and solo buttons, channel faders, outputs, a digital screen for all the data, and so forth. The channel strips are used to manage the panning, and dynamics of the signals and also superior routing options.
Flexibility
Midas Digital mixers are usually versatile and are compact in measurement. The mixer ought to adequately present you channel equalizers and graphical EQs with higher processing. You may simply save totally different settings for various bands and musicians, which may be very useful when a number of bands are performing one after the other.
A mid to high-end digital board should let you create and set your personal tone and the software program updates ought to present performance for routing, mix busses, and so forth. You may pre-configure your effects utilizing software programs on tablets or Laptops through USB in an effort to have your channels and routing at all times ready to go.
Noise Reduction
The digital Mixers often produce much less noise when it comes to Analogue mixers and allow an operator to group channels rapidly without the necessity for rewriting. It additionally offers fluid and fewer restricted group assignments with layered faders. So, select a system with extra configuration choices.
Ready-To-Go
The Digital Mixers should let you save, edit, copy, or recall presets, that are actually useful throughout live exhibits or events and supply revolutionary methods to speed up your work. Trendy boards are typically modular with separate management for a floor, processor rack, and stage I/O box which offers a versatile choice without having to exchange the entire digital system.
We just want to let you know that we will list these audio mixers in no specific order. They are going to be randomized as we don’t want to sort them from best to worst.
Listed here are our Top 10 Audio Mixers for 2023:
1. Yamaha MG16XU
The Yamaha MG16XU mixer is the perfect mixer of the MG-XU sequence with very particular Digital SPX multi-effects which are fairly budget-friendly in addition to A+ high-quality grade merchandise. So right now we are going to see how Yamaha MG16XU 16 Channel Mixer is better than some other mixer out there.
This Yamaha MG16XU Collection mixer comes with completely different high-grade effects like Reverb, Delay, Phaser, voice changer, and so forth. It additionally has 8 mic inputs with Gain levels and Phantom Power.
The Inputs are designed properly with high-quality inputs switch frequency change and you may connect any kind of input like condenser mic, guitar, effect processor, and music keyboard, and so forth.
The audio output is 24-bit / 192 kHz recording audio high quality. While it has 2in / 2out USB Audio capabilities. It additionally options USB connectivity and is able to offer two channels in and two channels out to your laptop at as much as 24-bit / 192kHz,
This mixer is right for recording live performances, demos, and more. Channels 1-8 are each geared up with D-PRE mic preamps, 3-band EQ, pan management, and a high pass filter.
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | Amazon Store | For EU Customers |
|---|---|---|---|
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Yamaha MG16XU |
- Type: Analog
- Channels: 16
- Computer Connectivity: USB (2 x 2)
- Faders: 16 Faders
- Inputs – Mic Preamps: 8 x XLR/TRS Combo, 2 x XLR, 4 x TRS
- Phantom Power: 12
- Inputs – Line: 4 x TRS
2. Allen & Heath ZEDi 10FX
The ZEDi mixers are perfect for any small home studio, particularly when you’re somebody who’s simply starting out since they are small and straightforward to use.
The reason we like them for home studio functions is that opposite to most reasonably priced mixers on the market, these ones feature a built-in audio interface, which means you can record all of the mono inputs straight into your DAW to individual tracks.
The ZEDi-8 permits you to record 2 simultaneous tracks whereas the ZEDi-10 and 10FX allow you to file as much as 4, and that is one thing that you are able to do with any audio interface if the channel count permits it, however with the additional advantage of getting the additional controls that a mixer supplies.
The ZEDi-10FX provides 4 mono mic/line channels (with phantom power), which are the ones that may be recorded individually onto the DAW, plus two stereo inputs in addition to built-in FX, corresponding to; delay, reverb, chorus, doublers, flangers, and extra.
Fortunately, this mixer comes with some free items of software that should enable you to begin recording and mixing instantly, without the necessity of spending any more money.
The included software program is; Cubase LE and Cubasis LE.
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | Amazon Store | For US Customers | For EU Customers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Allen & Heath ZEDi 10FX |
- Type: Analog mixer with USB interface
- Channels: 10
- Computer Connectivity: USB (4 x 4)
- Faders: 1 x 60mm Main Mix fader
- Inputs – Mic Preamps: 4
- Phantom Power: 4
- Inputs – Line: 4 x 1/4″ TRS (2 x instrument high impedance)
3. Yamaha TF1 Digital Mixer
Who knew that a console may unleash your creativity? Well, the Yamaha TF1 16-input digital console’s fluid TouchFlow Operation permits you to respond to the music onstage with easy velocity and freedom, guaranteeing that nothing restricts your inspiration.
Whether or not you are a skilled engineer or an entire novice, the TF1’s stage of refinement is nothing in need of astonishing, making it remarkably simple to attain an excellent mix. And after listening to the TF1’s great-sounding D-Pre mic preamps, we expect you may agree that this comfy, smooth-operating compact digital mixer does not skimp on sound high quality, either.
Gain, compressor, and EQ setup is kid’s play with the Yamaha TF1 16-input digital console. Whether you are a skilled FOH engineer or volunteering to run sound for a worship service, the TF1’s simplified 1-knob operation permits you to modify compressor and EQ settings with confidence.
With an easy twist of a knob, you can use a compressor to carry a guitar to life, add punch to bass, tighten up a snare, and make vocals sit clearly on the mix. On top of that, the TF1’s finely tuned EQ permits you to achieve excellent outcomes with minimal effort within the shortest doable time.
You additionally get a Vocal Mode for clear, well-defined vocals, and an Intensity mode for simplified management over EQ curves. Lastly, the TF1’s GainFinder optimizes your gain set up so you possibly can get Grade-A sound quality with little effort.
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | For EU Customers |
|---|---|---|---|
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Yamaha TF1 Dig |
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- Type: Digital
- Channels: 16 – expandable to 40 input mixing channels (32 mono + 2 stereo + 2 returns)
- Inputs – Mic Preamps: 16 x XLR-1/4″ combo
- Phantom Power: 16 x Channels
- Inputs – Other: 2 x Stereo (RCA), 1 x 1/4″ (Footswitch)
- Outputs – Main: 16 x XLR
- Aux Sends: 8 x mono, 6 x stereo
4. Behringer XENYX 1202FX
The compact XENYX 1202FX mixer permits you to effortlessly obtain premium-quality sound, because of its four onboard studio-grade XENYX Mic Preamps and ultra-musical “British” channel EQs. Add to this our 24-Bit, twin-engine FX processor with 100 superior presets together with reverb, chorus, flanger, delay, pitch shifter, and numerous multi-effects – and the 1202FX turns into an extremely versatile mixer on your live performances.
The XENYX 1202FX will get its name from the legendary, excessive headroom XENYX mic preamps, which have been praised by audio engineers everywhere in the world. These state-of-the-art mic pres signify a significant step within the evolution of audio technology – and so they can simply hold their very own, even when in comparison with the costliest stand-alone mic preamps.
XENYX preamps offer a staggering 130 dB of dynamic range, with a bandwidth that extends from beneath 10 Hz to nicely above 20 kHz. Armed with these excellent mic preamps, the XENYX 1202FX offers such transparent, crystal-clear efficiency you simply may assume somebody upgraded your mics whilst you weren’t looking.
The 12-input, 2-bus XENYX 1202FX has four XENYX mic preamps with +48 V phantom power, making it attainable to make use of four dynamic or condenser microphones. The three-band British EQ is lauded all through the sound engineering world for its warm, musical sound.
You need to use the world-class onboard stereo FX processor or the FX Send jack for connecting to your favorite exterior effects. The built-in RCA CD/Tape Inputs (main mix or management room/phones assignable) and Outputs allow you to play music between units and record your signal to outboard recording gear, respectively.
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | Amazon Store | For EU Customers |
|---|---|---|---|
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Behringer XENYX 1202FX |
- Type: Analog
- Channels: 8
- Faders: 60mm Master Fader
- Inputs – Mic Preamps: 4 x XLR
- Phantom Power: 4
- Inputs – Line: 12 x TRS
5. QSC TouchMix-8 Compact Digital Mixer
The QSC Touchmix 8 is an ultra-compact, light-weight, and ergonomic live mixer, providing you with a transportable unit that does not lose any of the options of control you’d anticipate finding with bigger desks. Its touch interface implies that all the separate knobs and controls you’ll have on a regular desk are intact, and appear on an intuitive display screen as a substitute. The TouchMix 8 additionally comes with a padded carry case so you’ll be able to preserve it protected once you’re on the road.
You will have access to EQ, Compressor, Gate, Reverb, Delay, and lots of different effects, which means that you could actually improve live mixes and tailor instruments to suit particular venues or areas.
With 4 XLR inputs, 4 XLR/Line inputs, and a couple of Stereo Line inputs, this mixer is nice for a small venue or for a band seeking to take a compact mixing set up with them for gigs. This mixer is loaded with loads of output options with 4 Aux channels, Main L/R outputs, and a headphone output, making signal routing straightforward.
Don’t be concerned about placement either, as the entire desk may be controlled remotely through a free iPad app via the included Wi-Fi dongle for the desk.
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | Amazon Store |
|---|---|---|
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QSC TouchMix-8 Compact Digital Mixer |
- Type: Digital
- Channels: 14
- Inputs – Mic Preamps: 4 x XLR/TRS Combo, 4 x XLR
- Phantom Power: 8 channels
- Inputs – Line: 2 x 1/4″ (TRS, Stereo)
- Inputs – Other: Stereo USB / MP3 playback
- Outputs – Main: 2 x XLR
6. Mackie DL1608 16-Channel Live Sound Digital Mixer
The Mackie DL1608 16-Channel Digital Live Sound Mixer with Lightning Connector permits the complete strategy of live-sound mixing to be managed by an iPad. The DL1608 options 16 Onyx microphone preamps, 24-bit A/D & D/A converters, highly effective inner DSP processing, and an iPad docking faceplate.
Combine your Lightning Apple iPad and complete the setup for a live sound mixing expertise that takes benefit of the iPad’s touchscreen capabilities and wi-fi management.
Use Mackie’s Master Fader app to combine live audio and access the DL1608’s inner processing, together with 4-band EQ, compression, gate, delay, reverb, and 31-band graphic EQ. Add a wi-fi router (not included) and mix with your iPad remotely, at varied areas of a venue, hall, and so forth. The DL1608 takes full benefit of the iPad’s flexibility, and options like Channel Images assist you to take photos of band members and use the photographs as channel markers for straightforward referencing.
The Mackie DL1608 encompasses a download for ProTools I First and Waveform software program and The Musician’s Collection plug-in bundle together with 23 high-quality plugins with BBD Delay, Level Lite, 304E EQ, and 304C Compressor. To authorize the software program, just enter the mixer’s serial number on the website.
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | Amazon Store | For EU Customers |
|---|---|---|---|
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Mackie DL1608 |
- Type: Digital
- Channels: 16
- Inputs – Mic Preamps: 12 x XLR, 4 x Combo
- Phantom Power: Switchable
- Inputs – Line: 12 x XLR, 4 x Combo
- Outputs – Main: 2 x XLR
7. Roland Go Mixer Pro
With the Go:Mixer Pro, Roland made nice enhancements on the earlier model to create a whole resolution for mobile content creators. If you want to have a number of audio inputs on your mobile gadget, the Go:Mixer Pro is your resolution.
A full band might stream on to Facebook or Youtube with simply the Go:Mixer Pro and a telephone. It even has a built-in stand-on for your device. Nevertheless, it’s not restricted to just live video; anybody using a telephone to seize video can harness improved audio with Go:Mixer Pro.
The Go:Mixer offers all the hottest inputs and a solution to mix and monitor them, all whereas capturing video from a smartphone. It has a plethora of inputs for almost every need. The XLR input additionally doubles as a ¼ inch tip sleeve (TS) input. It has two instrument inputs that pair collectively for stereo input. There’s additionally a ⅛ inch headphone out.
Lastly, it has a couple of switches like center cancel, loopback, and phantom power on and off. Even when phantom power isn’t wanted, having it on won’t hurt most mics. Nevertheless, for those who ever use a ribbon mic, leaving phantom power on will damage it.
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | Amazon Store | For US Customers | For EU Customers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Roland Go:Mixer Pro-X (this is the latest updated version) |
- Type: Mixer for Smartphones
- Input Channels: 9
- Output Channels: 2
- Analog Inputs: 2 x 1/4″ (instrument), 1 x 1/4″ (guitar/bass), 1 x 1/8″ (smartphone), 1 x XLR-1/4″ combo (mic), 2 x 1/8″ (line)
- Headphones: 1 x 1/8″
- USB: 1 x Type Micro-B
8. Presonus StudioLive AR16c
Constructed upon the success of the unique AR16-USB, the PreSonus StudioLive AR16c is an 18-channel hybrid performance and recording mixer properly-suited to a wide range of purposes including mixing and recording live exhibits, studio productions, band rehearsals, podcasts, and more.
Updates to the AR16c embody a USB-C connection, Bluetooth 5.0, and a refresh of the mixer’s structure and design. The mixer is filled with analog connections and digital instruments which might be highly effective, but easy to study and use. The mixer options Class-A preamps and 3-band EQ.
The StudioLive AR16c provides recording with or without a computer. Multitrack record and fly in backing tracks with its 24-bit / 96 kHz, USB-C audio interface or record and playback a stereo combine with the built-in SD digital recorder.
Moreover, the mixer encompasses a Super Channel, which lets you connect 4 stereo analog and digital sources directly, enabling the mixer for use with high-tech units including smartphones and tablets for wi-fi Bluetooth streaming. The StudioLive AR16c ships with a power cord, USB-C cable, a rackmount package, Studio One 3 Artist production software program, and Capture recording software program.
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | Amazon Store | For EU Customers |
|---|---|---|---|
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Presonus StudioLive AR16c |
- Type: Analog Mixer with USB Interface
- Channels: 16
- Computer Connectivity: USB (18 x 4)
- A/D Resolution: 24-bit/96kHz
- Faders: 17 x 60mm
- Inputs – Mic Preamps: 12 x XLR
- Phantom Power: Global
9. Soundcraft 40-Channel iPad Control Digital Mixer
The Soundcraft Si Impact is a compact digital console optimized for live sound. It’s highly effective, but easy to make use of, with intuitive controls, constant color-coded suggestions, and fast parameter access. Options resembling analog, MADI, and USB I/O as customary, motorized faders, the Assignable Channel Strip (ACS), tOTEM quick mix entry buttons, and VCAs, mean that any side of the efficiency could be served to the floor right away, with analog-style management of its complete feature-set.
The Soundcraft Si Impact is a 40-input digital mixing console and 32-in/32-out USB audio interface that helps distant iPad mixing utilizing a proprietary app. The console is designed to be so simple as an analog mixer, however, affords workflow enhancements because the FaderGlow system, which illuminates every fader monitor in several colors to supply at-a-glance standing data on precisely what the fader is controlling.
That includes studio-grade reverbs, delays, and modulations from Lexicon, dbx dynamics, and BSS graphic equalizers, the Si Impact comes absolutely outfitted to mix everything from rock bands to stage performs. Additionally, with a 32-in/32-out USB audio interface, the Si Impact mixer delivers skilled digital recording onto your DAW, and comes with a free download of Ableton Live Lite 9.
- Type: Digital
- Channels: 40 Input Channels, 80 Mix Channels (via Si Impact Firmware update)
- Inputs – Mic Preamps: 32 x XLR
- Phantom Power: 32 x Channels
- Outputs – Main: 16 x XLR
- Outputs – Digital: 1 x XLR (AES/EBU)
10. Tascam DP-24SD 24-Track Digital Portastudio
Typically a brand new piece of equipment has a way of the familiar about it – and that’s actually the case right here. As we began taking part in with the DP-24SD we discovered remembering more than we anticipated and were stunned by how related it’s in use. It’s very related.
Very, very related. In fact, so far as we can tell, it’s precisely identical besides that it doesn’t have an optical disc burner. So – if you wish to know about the DP-24SD, you might be in the place to be!
Permitting you to record hands-on without the necessity for a pc, the DP-24SD 24-Track Digital Portastudio from Tascam can monitor as many as eight sources concurrently with support for up to 24 tracks on playback. It options 8 combo XLR/TRS mic preamplifier inputs, with the eighth input additionally supporting Hi-Z sources corresponding to guitar and bass.
For hands-on management of your mix, the unit has 19 whole faders (together with the master), in addition to a wide range of EQ, compression, and guitar-based effects for tweaking your mix.
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | Amazon Store | For US Customers | For EU Customers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Tascam DP-24SD |
- Simultaneous Rec Tracks: 8
- Simultaneous Play Tracks: 24
- Sample Rate: 44.1/48kHz
- Bit Depth: 16-bit/24-bit
- Effects: Yes
Conclusion
Well, we believe that we compiled a nice list of various digital, analog, and smartphone audio mixers that you can get for your need. It is for sure that you will have your work done easily and there is no doubt about that.
If you believe that there are some models that we missed and are very good and worth mentioning in our list, please let us know and we will create part 2 with the mixers we’ll get as a suggestion.
