The 10 Best Analog Mixers Of 2024, Researched By Us

Piers Anthony By, Piers Anthony
Updated
Behringer Xenyx 1002B 10-channel Analog Mixer
Image credit: Amazon.com

The Rundown

1. Best Overall: Behringer Xenyx 1002B 10-channel Analog Mixer

With the Behringer Xenyx 1002B 10-channel mixer, you can create your own personalized sound. One of the best affordable mixers for home recording and live sound, this 10-channel mixer is equipped with all the power and flexibility needed to shape your sound. Read Review

2. Best Bang For The Buck: Soundcraft Notepad-8FX Small-format Analog Eight-Channel Mixing

This analog mixer with a channel strip layout is easy to use for beginners. The soundcraft notepad series provides a layout that's familiar to audio professionals and perfect for singer-songwriters and podcasters. Read Review

3. Best Sound Quality: PreSonus 14-Channel USB-C Hybrid Digital/Analog Performance Mixer

The PreSonus 14-Channel USB-C Hybrid Digital/Analog Performance Mixer is a two in two out SD recorder that also offers the capability to record and playback up to 12 channels of digital audio. Read Review

4. Best Smart Control: Samson Mixpad MXP124FX Compact, 12-Channel Analog Stereo Mixer

The Samson MixPad MXP124FX Compact 12-Channel Mixer can handle virtually any live audio application. With 12 inputs, 99 digital effects with FX level controls on each channel, and onboard phantom power. Read Review

Best analog mixers are an exciting piece of equipment. They’re old technology but remain relevant in modern recording and live environments. There are many reasons why you might want to use an analog mixer instead of digital mixing software or a digital mixer. In this article, we explore the pros and cons of analog mixers and some recommendations for the best analog mixers on the market today.

Our team, including qualified experts in this area, conducted a survey and carried it out for a tremendous amount of time to find the right products for a best analog mixers, nearly 13 hours. And after lots of effort, we have done it well. 

As a result, we found some top trending models on the market that many customers tend to search for. In addition, we believe that the Behringer Xenyx 1002B 10-channel Analog Mixerwhich has a switchable phantom power supply, 3-band EQ,  is one of the best options available to you. We have provided you with many other sound mixers so that you can decide which one is the best for your requirements.

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 Behringer Xenyx 1002B 10-channel Analog Mixer
Our Score:
9.9
Behringer
  • 3-b EQ
  • 1 x Stereo Channel
  • Battery-powered Capability
  • 10-channel Mixer with 5 x Mic Preamps
  • 1 Pre-fader/1 Post-fader Auxiliary Send Per Channel
TOP Choice #2 Soundcraft Notepad-8FX Small-format Analog Eight-Channel Mixing
Our Score:
9.7
Soundcraft
  • Sweeten your mix with HARMAN digital signal Processing, including iconic Lexicon reverb, echo, and delay
  • Get legendary Soundcraft quality from professional microphone preamps
  • Designed for singer-songwriters and podcasters, the notepad Series provides a layout that’s familiar to audio professionals yet easy to learn for beginners
  • Getting a great mix is easy with a familiar channel strip layout that Includes EQ, aux send, master fader level and rotary headphone volume control
  • Work seamlessly with your Mac or PC to record, edit, and play projects using your favorite audio software
  • 14x4 24-bit/96 kHz, USB 2. 0 (over USB-C connection) audio recording interface; record every channel plus the main mix
  • Complete recording solution: Includes Capture live-recording software and Studio One Artist DAW for Mac and Windows
  • Global +48V phantom power
  • 2x2 SD recorder (record main mix); supports SD and SDHC formats up to 32 GB
  • 14-channel analog mixer with 8 balanced microphone inputs with XMAX mic preamps plus two instrument inputs, 12 balanced line level inputs, 2 insert points, Stereo Super Channel (Ch. 13/14) with Bluetooth 5. 0 wireless, RCA inputs, 1/8-inch stereo input, and switchable SD/USB stereo playback, Stereo effects processor with 16 presets, dedicated send and return, and bypass footswitch jack.
  • Onboard phantom power
  • Compact 12-channel USB mixer with five faders and digital effects
  • Four Mic/Line channels with professional quality Mic preamps
  • 99 digital effects with FX level controls on each channel
  • Four Stereo channels with balance controls, Peak level LED"s
5 Soundcraft Signature 12 Analog 12-Channel Mixer
Our Score:
9.2
Sound-Craft
  • Signature 12 (US)
  • Artist roster includes world's most famous pop, rock and jazz musicians
  • Authentic reproduction of the circuitry from the "Modular 55, 35 & 15" Series
  • Vintage-sounding CP3A-M Mixer module from the '70s
  • Module features 4 input channels with separate controls and 2 sets of 2 outputs
  • Master Gain for overall control of output volumes
  • MG Series mixers feature a rugged, impact resistant, powder coated metal chassis
  • 1 Knob compressors allow easy control: Resulting in livelier guitars, punchier bass lines, a tighter snare and a cleaner vocal sound.
  • 3 band EQ and high pass filters give you maximum control and eliminate unwanted noise, resulting in a cleaner mix
  • 6 channel standalone mixer (No USB)
  • Featuring studio grade discrete class A D PRE preamps with inverted Darlington circuit: Providing fat, natural sounding bass and smooth, soaring highs
  • Neo-classic 'British' 3-band EQs for warm and musical sound
  • Studio-grade compressors with super-easy 'one-knob' functionality and control LED
  • Premium ultra-low noise, high headroom analog mixer
  • 4 state-of-the-art Xenyx Mic Preamps comparable to stand-alone boutique preamps
  • [Excellent Reverberation Effect]It has a built-in digital reverb effect that makes the vocals delicate and full, which is responsive and precise. The built-in digital reverb effect can automatically beautify and modify the vocals to get more pleasant music.
  • [3-frequency Independent Adjustment] Three frequencies of audio can be adjusted independently. The audio of the music is more distinct and can make up for the lack of range in the vocal line to make the human voice more full and delicate through the independent adjustment of the high / medium / low frequency.
  • [Ingenious Interior Design]The power supply module is independent of the analog circuitry in the internal design, which helps to reduce the chance of noise generation while increasing the lifetime of the internal components.
  • [Reverb Adjustment Knob] You can adjust the reverb depth and delay effect with this knob to make the music more extended, fuller, and more intense to easily achieve high-quality studio-grade sound quality.
  • [+48V Phantom Switch] This switch can be turned on when you are using a condenser microphone that needs to be powered. This phantom power feature allows for greater frequency and higher sound quality in condenser microphones.
  • RUGGED CONSTRUCTION: With a rugged all-metal chassis and protective side cheeks, you can count on this mixer to handle the abuse that would destroy most compact mixers
  • HIGH-SOUND QUALITY: Using quality components throughout, including the proven sonic quality of Mackie mic preamps, the Mix8 Mixer delivers high-headroom, low-noise performance that maintains audio quality from any source and always sounds great
  • DESIGNED FOR A VARIETY OF APPLICATIONS: This professional and affordable Mix Series Mixer gives you the right set of features for straightforward audio mixing applications
  • BUNDLE INCLUDES: Mackie Mix5 5-Channel Compact Mixer, Knox Gear 20-feet Balanced Professional Series XLR Cable, and Kirlin 3.5 mm TRS to Dual 1/4-inch TS Stereo Breakout Cable
  • GREAT TOOLS: With the right mix of I/O, EQ and routing, this mixer is designed to provide the features you need at a great price. Features like phantom power and dedicated FX sends offer flexibility to dial in a great mix
Product Images, Product Titles, Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API

What to Look For in a best analog mixers?

Until now, numerous customers trust the information and advice we offer them, which means our offers to you are accurate and up to date all the time. This objective is being pursued with tremendous zeal and attention. 

It's necessary to keep in mind the following points for selecting best analog mixers:

Portability

If you are looking to bring your mixers with you, portable mixers will be the best choice. Mixers that are too small may not be the most efficient. Larger mixers are also more portable. Mixers are often required to transport large shows between venues. You probably know exactly what mixer you require if you are looking for large and portable mixers.
A smaller mixer is more convenient and portable in most situations. A mixer that has less than 16 channels is best if you are concerned about portability. While 16 channels are not an exact rule, they represent the compromise between small and large mixers. Make sure your mixer is protected and has a strong chassis. Mixers can even come with knobs or faders that have very delicate settings. This is important!

Connection Types

It's not enough to be able to identify the sources that you will connect to your mixer. A mixer that has enough preamps for microphones is a good choice if you intend to connect them primarily. To reduce the number of direct boxes, ensure that your mixer includes at least one line input if you intend to connect line-level sources.

Inserts And Direct Outputs

Channel inserts can be used to add outboard processors, such as equalizers or compressors, to channels. The channel insert point can be found right after the preamplifier in its signal flow. It may use individual send or return jacks, but only one 1/4" insert jack. This requires an insert cable. Direct outputs, on the other hand, send only a portion of the preamplifier signal from the board. This makes them ideal for individual feeds to external recorders or audio interfaces.

EQ

A great audio mixer should have an equalizer section. A simple, three-band equalizer is fine. However, there are times when it is helpful to have more precise EQ options, e.g. when working with live music and nuances. A Graphic EQ, however, will help you achieve the best tone possible because it covers a wider range of frequencies.

Channel Count

Frame size, also known as channel count, is the number of sources that can be attached to a mixer's input channels simultaneously. A 24-channel mixer, for example, will let you connect 24 sources simultaneously, but there might be other inputs such as Talkback and Tape. A few smaller consoles can provide stereo channels as well as mono channels. Even though they are part of the same channel, stereo channels count as two inputs. It is crucial to remember this when making your choice.

Buses

Mixers can transmit at most one mix to the stage. Auxiliary buses, also known as "aux buses", are used to do this. Every channel has a level controller for each aux send. By setting individual aux-send levels on any channel you wish to hear in your mix, you can build your own monitor mix. An aux bus output can be used to connect an in-ear or stage monitor. You can make a number of different monitor mixes if you only use aux busses for monitoring. Aux buses can be mono so two aux buses will be required to create a stereo mix of monitors for your in-ear system. Consider your requirements.

Compatibility

The mixer must be compatible with your software. You will have problems recording or running a live performance if the software is not compatible. To ensure that the mixer is compatible with DAWs, it's important to verify compatibility during the search. It must be connected to a USB port on your computer. Without a USB interface, your DAW might not function. Although it is unlikely, it is better to be safe that sorry.

Analog Or Digital

There are generally two types of mixers: digital and analog. Analog mixers use electrical circuits and filters. Digital mixers convert the analog signal to digital audio data which is then sent to an onboard processing unit. The signal is then converted back into the analog domain and sent to personal monitor systems or speakers. Both mixers will offer basic levels and pan control. However, there are advantages and disadvantages to each type. An analog mixer is more cost-effective and easier to use, while digital mixers are more complicated but provide more functionality. This will be discussed in greater detail below.

FAQs

How Long Do Audio Mixers Last?

Audio mixers are expected to last between 3-5 years. They are able to return the money they invested. Audio mixers with a life expectancy of 5+ years are not considered obsolete. These mixers can last for a very long time, and they are easily scaleable to accommodate technological changes.

Does A Mixer Improve Sound Quality?

An audio mixer's primary purpose is to mix and match sounds, as well as alter the bass, middles, and treble. The sum of all the input channels can be merged to produce better sound. A mixer can optimize sound but also filter it. The mixer improves sound quality at the input.

Do I Need A Mixer If I Have An Audio Interface?

A mixer is a great addition to your purchase if you find that you need more audio inputs than your existing interface allows.

Can A Mixer Replace An Audio Interface?

You can, to a certain extent... however, a stereo mixer will not work the same as a multichannel interfacing which allows you to simultaneously record different audio sources from multiple tracks.

Can You Get A Mixer With A USB Mic Input?

Professional mixers don't have either a USB input or interface. This is because USB mics don't have as strong a connection as 1/4" or XLR jacks. USB microphones are great options for those on a budget who need to connect directly to the computer. However, audio mixers have a greater capability. Some mixers include a USB interface.

What Softwares Work Best With Audio Mixers?

It takes careful planning and consideration to find software that is reliable. The best softwares can be free or they can cost you money. Wondershare Filmore and Adobe Audition are our top picks.

What Is The Difference Between An Analog And USB Mixer?

A standalone analog mixer can mix audio from multiple sources. You can then output the audio to a PA system or speaker system. An USB mixer can do this same thing but also has an interface. You can also connect the USB mixer to your computer so you can record it in software.

Why Are Audio Mixers So Expensive?

They are worth every penny for their quality, functionality, and reliability. Mixers for audio require much effort, labor and are time-consuming. A well-balanced transformer is a costly and time-consuming task. Audio mixers can be a good investment.

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About Piers Anthony

Piers Anthony

Piers Anthony is a freelance writer and computer expert who enjoys helping others get the most out of their technology. He has written extensively about laptops, soundbars, and other computer-related topics, and he currently serves as the editor of The Audio Insights website. When he's not writing or tinkering with his gadgets, Piers can be found spending time with his wife and family.