The 10 Best Mixing Console Of 2024, Tested By Our Experts
The Rundown
1. Best Of The Best: YAMAHA 6-channel mixing console built-in digital effects MG06X
Make your recordings sound professional with the new Yamaha MG06X mixer. It features a built-in SPX Digital Effects, EQ and High-pass Filters for professional audio quality and 4 mic/line inputs. The 1-knob compressor (MG06) is also built-in, giving you enhanced sound quality with a simple touch of the control knobs. Read Review
2. Best For The Price: Soundcraft Notepad8FX Small-format Analog Eight-Channel Mixing Console
The Notepad8FX is a compact, high-performance and versatile analog 8-channel mixing console with pristine audio quality. The Notepad8FX's sleek design and eight interchangeable channels, work seamlessly with your Mac or PC and its intuitive layout makes the Notepad8FX surprisingly familiar. Incredibly powerful and easy to use, the Notepad8FX delivers professional sound quality in a compact package. Read Review
3. Best Easy To Use: Neewer Mixing Console Compact Audio Sound 4-Channel Mixer
Never miss a beat with the Neewer Mixing Console. This compact and portable audio mixer features four high quality mic/line inputs, one input with a built-in headphone amplifier, and an incredible sound performance. The mixer is compatible with all types of microphones and instruments via phantom power. What’s more? It also has four XLR/TRS combo outputs to connect professional mixers. Read Review
4. Best Easy To Use: Professional Audio Mixer, Phenyx Pro PTX-15 Mixing Console, 4 Channels
The PTX-15 is a professional mixing console featuring four flexible channels, Bluetooth® wireless technology, USB compatibility and stereo graphic equalizer. It offers studio monitoring function as well to ensure that every musician can hear their performance in the best possible conditions. Read Review
If you’re just getting into music production, or you’re a seasoned veteran and need to upgrade your setup, then a great entry-level mixing console is probably top of your list. But choosing the right one isn’t always that simple. Thorough research needs to be done and there are so many different aspects to take into consideration: price, specifications, plug-ins support, features, build quality, and more.
Thankfully we’ve done the legwork for you with this comprehensive guide to help you find the perfect entry-level mixing console. Read on and discover what kind of features are most important when choosing the Best mixing console as well as our recommendations for the best options in each price range.
You are strongly encouraged to pay close attention to the YAMAHA 6-channel mixing console built-in digital effects MG06X as our top product. Or you can check the Soundcraft Notepad8FX Small-format Analog Eight-Channel Mixing Console as the other great option, even if the first option didn't meet all of your requirements.
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Our Top Picks
- Metal chassis designed to withstand wear and tear
- Optional BMS10A microphone stand adapter (sold separately) allows mounting
- Mono/stereo switch allows channels 1/2 to be used with two mono sources or one stereo source
Best For The Price
Soundcraft Notepad8FX Small-format Analog Eight-Channel Mixing Console
- Designed for singer-songwriters and podcasters, the notepad Series provides a layout that’s familiar to audio professionals yet easy to learn for beginners
- Work seamlessly with your Mac or PC to record, edit, and play projects using your favorite audio software
- Sweeten your mix with HARMAN digital signal Processing, including iconic Lexicon reverb, echo, and delay
- 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
- Get legendary Soundcraft quality from professional microphone preamps
- Portable and Compact Design: Weighs only 680 grams; Compact structure and sturdy metal housings; easy to carry around, can be used in different locations.
- 48V Phantom Power: on/off Phantom Power, the power source used for condenser microphones and direct boxes.
- High Headroom Anolog Mixer: Has ultra-low noise (Equivalent noise of main output) is -103dB and of a subsidiary, the output is -90dB)
- Great Performance: Features 2-band EQ and knob to control volume, for warm and musical sound; Great for indoor use, like family karaoke music appreciation or guitar play performance etc
- Note: if connect with Mac, need use 6.35mm to 3.5mm Headphone adapter cable. This item no USB port.
- 4-INPUT, 3 BAND EQ, +48V Phantom Power: This professional ultra-low noise discrete mic preamp has 4 mono input channels with gold plated XLRs and balanced line inputs. Ultra-musical 3-band EQ on all channels to imbue signals with incredible warmth and detailed musical character. +48V phantom power selection enables mixer to be used with condenser microphones and wired mics.
- DEVOTED SERVICE: Genuine Phenyx Pro audio products come with 12-month manufacturer assurance and supportive customer service. Welcome to come to us for troubleshooting or replacement of discontinuous/defective parts.
- HIGH QUALITY SOUND, VERSATILE USE: Extremely high headroom to offer more dynamic range. This audio mixer provides accurate, crisp and clear sound quality. The extra clean sounding effect makes it ideal for live mix in occasions like live gigs, shows, stage performance, DJ events, and karaoke. Besides, users can press ‘SOLO” button to monitor pre-fader unprocessed signal before output.
- STEREO GRAPHIC EQUALIZER, 16 ECHO EFFECTS: Sturdy construction to ensure greater durability. Built-in sound effects processor provides 16 echo/delayed effects, with detailed documentation to provide a better personal mix. This 4-input audio mixer also equipped with stereo graphic equalizer provides tone control and precise high-quality sound over different frequencies.
- USB/BLUETOOTH FUNCTION: Compatible with USB/flash reader/MP3, allowing users to stream music into the mixer and record to USB stick or Windows PC . The Bluetooth function enables users to wirelessly stream music in from iPad and smartphone to mix music. Built-in controls to play/pause/switch between modes.
- LED Indicator Lights: The recording mixer has LED indicator lights and rotary adjustment knobs for user convenience. It has input selection, master volume controls, independent channel balance and high, plus, low frequency adjustment.
- 6 Music Modes: natural, P0P, rock, jazz, classical, country music,equivalent input noise -122dbu, residual output noise < -90dbu.
- Audio Mixer: 3 stage equalization regulate,by adjusting knob to adjust the reverb depth and delay effect.
- Intelligently Compatible Various Equipment: It has complete functions and can be connected with various electronic equipment with audio input interface, and can be used for more large, medium and small occasions.
- Mono/Stereo Channel Input：With +48V Phantom Power Supply, Support Wired/Wireless/Capacitive Microphone Input, High Quality Microphone Amplifier.
- 4 INPUTS: Aside from bluetooth connectivity it also has a USB audio Interface for pc/flash drive reader connection, (2) XLR/14" combo audio LINE/mic inputs, 1/4" (6.35mm) mono/stereo input. Works w/ smartphone, tablet, laptop, computer
- INDEPENDENT AUDIO CONFIGURATION: Equipped w/ rotary knobs and LED indicator lights to easily adjust the gain, high, low, fx/send, pan tone of each channel. Also has an LCD digital display w/ ID3 tag readout that displays song title / artist
- 4 CHANNEL: 4 channel mixer digital studio DJ mixing system has the ability to mix microphone audio and instrument like guitar/keyboard into one output signal. It features BUS audio control sound routing, MP3 digital audio file compatibility
- BLUETOOTH COMPATIBLE: Hassle-free audio streaming ability directly to the console unit. Mix your iPad, iPhone, android smartphone music to your DJ session. This audio mixer allows you to wirelessly stream music tunes from pandora/spotify
- +48V PHANTOM POWER: For a reliable power source, the portable audio mixer USB has a +48V phantom power and comes w/ a wall power adapter. The mixer is great for professional DJ studio use, audio recording, on-stage performance, live gigs, karaoke
- built-in analog effects with LED display
- each channel 3 segment equalization
- USB input, with lyrics display, 7-Bit LED display.
- can be connected to digital effects peripherals
- 8 channel mono input with 48V phantom power supply.
- 2 Matrix out - 1 Mono out
- 32 Line Inputs (24 mono and 4 stereo)
- 24 Mic Inputs with 48V Phantom Power and HPF per Channel
- 6 AUX Sends + 2 FX Sends
- 4 GROUP Buses + ST Bus
- 🍀With XLR(L/ R) & 1/4"(L/ R) stereo output jacks and REC(L/ R) & headset interfaces;With USB input interface and LCD display as well as control buttons.
- 🍀Effect level and output MAIN Faders, REPEAT, EFF SEND, DELAY, SEND, RETURN knobs on the master section.
- 🍀The PEL switch allow you to monitor the channel that the PEL is turned "ON" only;AUX send & return jacks for connecting all kinds of effects from outside.
- 🍀With power and output level indicator lights for easy monitoring and operation.
- 🍀12 channels mixing console with XLR, LINE inputs and 48V phantom power;Each channel has GAIN, 3-band EQ, AUX, EFFECT, PAN control knobs and volume control faders.
- 【Compatible】 The tuner can be connected to various types of audio equipment, which is convenient for use in various occasions, such as power amplifiers, mobile phones/computers, microphones, electronic musical instruments, and influences.
- 【High quality】16 mono microphone/line channel inputs, 1 stereo input, with microphone balanced input jacks. With +48V phantom power supply.
- 【Connection】Support wireless Bluetooth, USB access, built-in Bluetooth function, support most Bluetooth-enabled electronic devices wireless docking, fast docking, enjoy wireless, support mobile storage device U disk, can store songs in the U disk, insert For playback.
- 【Mode】Nature/Pop/Rock/Jazz/Classical/Country
- 【Feature】The LCD screen MP3 player can be directly inserted into the U disk to play the song files in it, with a blue-ray LCD screen, which clearly displays the working status in real time.
What to Look For in a best mixing console?
Compatibility
EQ
Connection Types
Inserts And Direct Outputs
Channel Count
Buses
Portability
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!
Analog Or Digital
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FAQs
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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.We decide facts since we are product consulting professionals with extensive expertise. Even so, we maintain and update the list of best mixing console so the information is correct and up to date.
After reading this article, you should discover that selecting a best mixing console that is both handy and economical to you is not difficult. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you require assistance.
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