If you've got a well-stocked studio of instruments, then having one of the best home studio mixers as part of your set up can make a huge difference in your workflow. Combining a variety of hardware instruments is much easier with a mixer, but with so many on the market in 2024 it can be difficult to choose.
The common debate is whether you should choose an audio interface or a mixer (or both) for your set up. An audio interface leaves you tied to a computer, but a good mixer can act as the core of your set up irrespective of being connected to a laptop. If you're just recording single instruments, a mixer is in all likelihood overkill, but if you have a range of different instruments, it could be just the thing to tie your set up together.
It all depends on your particular use case, and if you want to know more about what you should check out our FAQs section, which goes into more depth on this particular question. If you know a mixer is definitely for you, keep on scrolling to see our top picks...
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Our top picks
The BiG SiX builds on the heritage of SSL’s legendary, large-format studio consoles, but does so in a way aimed primarily at home and project studios. It offers a full 16-channel analogue mixer plus USB 24-bit/96kHz audio interface built-in.
This mixer bundles a 4x4 USB interface alongside GSPre boutique preamps and onboard effects for a powerful studio-ready solution. It's well designed, well built, well equipped, and great value for money.
Here you get eight analogue inputs comprising high-quality mic preamps, line-in inputs and even RCA connections, while there are also some neat tricks in the fact it has a channel which can accept Bluetooth audio connections - perfect for podcasting.
Best overall
As its name implies, BiG SiX is the larger sibling of SSL’s equally impressive SiX (see below). This model ups the ante by offering a full 16-channel analogue mixer. These include four mono channels that feature SSL’s SuperAnalogue mic preamps, each offering mic/line/Hi-Z inputs, a high-pass filter, SSL Channel Dynamics, an updated three-band EQ and a fully balanced insert point. These are joined by four stereo inputs with dual mono switching.
The analogue appeal is rounded out with three compressor flavours, one of which is an ‘Essential’ version of the classic SSL G-Comp Bus Compressor that features the well-known auto-release option. SSL compressors are a sought-after choice for their ability to ‘glue’ sound sources together and add punch to drums – and having that access to that in your home studio is a major draw here.
Crucially, BiG SiX also improves on the SiX’s biggest weak spot by adding a 16-channel USB 24-bit/96kHz audio interface. This is certainly not a cheap option, but the blend of analogue heritage and digital convenience makes this a fantastic device for small studio setups.
Read our full SSL BiG SiX review
Best budget
The latest update to A&H’s long-running analogue ZED series bundles a 4x4 USB interface alongside GSPre boutique preamps and onboard effects for a powerful studio-ready solution.
You get four mono mic/line channels (with phantom power) plus three stereo inputs. The first two channels include a high impedance DI mode, while the four mono channels feature separate balanced/unbalanced TRS and XLR inputs, with the stereo inputs on TRS jacks.
The GSPre preamps are super quiet and have bags of headroom, and all mic inputs include a 100Hz low-cut filter alongside 3-band fixed frequency EQ. USB operation is also sensible, with 3 routing configurations. Finally, an onboard FX send and processor rounds things off. The ZEDi 10FX is well designed, well built, well equipped and is great value for money.
Read our full Allen & Heath ZEDi 10FX review
Best for home
The PreSonus StudioLive AR8c neatly bridges the gap between audio interface and mixer by basically being both, and doing it really well. It comes in a few different sizes, with more connectivity the higher up the range you go, but for us, this 8-channel version is the sweet spot.
With it, you get eight analogue inputs comprising high-quality mic preamps, line-in inputs, and even RCA connections, while there are also some neat tricks in the fact it has a channel that can accept Bluetooth audio connections - perfect for podcasting.
Hook it up to your laptop and it becomes a fully-fledged audio interface, meaning you can record all the inputs simultaneously into your DAW of choice. A small selection of effects adds to the overall package, making it a comprehensive - and great value - option for small to mid-sized home studios.
Read our full PreSonus StudioLive AR8c review
Best mobile
We liked the previous ‘Pro’ version of Roland’s Go:Mixer, but this latest update is a significant improvement across the board. The Go:Mixer Pro X features 11 audio input channels (two more than the previous Pro version) and three output channels (one more than the Pro).
This is configured through two (L/mono, R) 1/4 inch jack inputs, two 3.5mm stereo line inputs, 1/4 inch Guitar/Bass input, a TRRS smartphone In/Out (stereo, CTIA) and a combo XLR/1/4 jack input. There’s also a headphone or headset jack (stereo, CTIA) and the obligatory micro USB socket to round off the I/O.
There’s also the much needed guitar/bass pad to help tame any high levels from active pickups etc. Further switching on the unit includes phantom power, on/off and the Loop Back function.
If you’re primarily looking for a mixer/interface to work with a smartphone or tablet (along with a few other devices), the Pro X might be the best option out there.
Read our full Roland Go:Mixer Pro X review
Best for podcasting
Podcasting is an interesting sub-genre for home studio mixers, in that there are a few features which may not make sense for musicians but will improve the quality of life for podcasters and content creators immensely.
The Rode RODECaster Pro II is a great example of this, offering up enough ‘standard’ mixing capability for most people but then augmenting that with pod-friendly additions like four headphone outputs, hot-swappable action buttons and the ability to record directly from the unit onto an SD card or external hard drive.
Four high-quality mic preamps mean your voice recordings will sound sweet, while we found the large touch screen makes adjusting levels and settings a breeze. It’s fairly expensive, and the additional bells and whistles may not be wildly useful for everyone, but if your home studio focuses on podcasting, vlogging or streaming - and your budget can stretch to it - then the Rode RODECaster Pro II is well worth your time.
Read our full Rode RodeCaster Pro II review
Best for bands
Korg’s SoundLink mixer series comes with some impressive names attached to it. Any musician with an interest in mixing technology will likely recognise Greg Mackie’s name, and the fact that he and equally notable, former Trident designer Peter Watts have had input into the design here gives Korg’s latest consoles some serious pedigree.
Korg describes the SoundLink range as being ‘hybrid’ mixers, implying a balance of analogue and digital tech, although that doesn’t quite pan out how you might imagine. The analogue side is very strong here, with excellent pre-amps and classically-styled channel strips that are easy and very satisfying to use. There are plenty of strong, musician-friendly touches too, such as smart monitoring features and handy mute groups.
There’s some decent digital technology onboard too, primarily in the form of Korg’s excellent DSP effects. However, its major downside compared to some other mixers on this list is a lack of audio interface – there is a single stereo streaming channel, but this is more aimed at recording from a digital source than true studio integration.
As a result, as good as the SoundLink mixers are, they excel in band or live situations more than they do home studio ones. That said, for those looking for a more old school, analogue workflow, who can cope without onboard recording or multi-channel streaming, these are still quality desks.
Read our full Korg SoundLink MW-1608 review
Also consider
FAQs
Do I need a mixer for my home studio?
It all depends on your particular use case. If you're just recording single instruments, then in all likelihood you'll be better off with an audio interface. However, if you have multiple synthesizers, guitars, drum machines, and other instruments, then a home studio mixer can help bring everything together, speeding up your workflow and improving the consistency of your recording.
Do I need both audio interface and mixer?
Depending on your use you probably don't need both of these. But then again you might. It's a complex question that is going to be different for every musician, and certainly too deep to answer in a single paragraph. Lucky for you, we've got an in-depth article that goes through all the likely scenarios where you'd need a mixer, audio interface, or both.
Read more: Audio interface vs mixer
How do I choose the best home studio mixer?
Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, there are a few things to consider when selecting the best home studio mixer.
First and foremost, audio fidelity reigns supreme. A good home studio mixer should deliver pristine sound quality, capturing every nuance of your recordings and performance. Look for models equipped with premium preamps and converters, ensuring optimal signal clarity and minimal noise interference, as these will give you the best platform on which to edit your sounds later.
Versatility is another key consideration. Home studio set-ups often require flexibility to accommodate various recording scenarios and equipment configurations. Opt for mixers with multiple input channels, allowing you to connect microphones, instruments and other audio sources simultaneously. This means you can effectively leave your various sound sources connected, ready to record when inspiration hits you.
Additionally, built-in effects and signal processing capabilities can be useful if you’re not planning on adding them later, enabling you to add different colours to your sound.
Are mixers beginner-friendly?
Ease of use is essential, particularly for those new to audio engineering. Intuitive controls and a user-friendly interface will help streamline the mixing process, allowing you to focus on your music rather than grappling with technical complexities. Look for mixers with clear labelling, ergonomic layouts and intuitive software integration, simplifying navigation and enhancing workflow efficiency. Some may come with built-in visual feedback, which could be a screen or could just be clever use of LED lights to display key information like gain or volume levels.
You may have a specific use case in mind. Features like USB and Bluetooth connectivity are great for podcasting, enabling easy communication with computers and mobile devices, and providing the ability to mix in phone interviews, for example, alongside the usual recording, playback, and streaming capabilities. Likewise, mixers designed for music production may include MIDI connectivity to help communicate with hardware equipment like synths and grooveboxes.
How long will a home studio mixer last?
While we’d wager most mixers will remain pretty stationary once they’re set up, durability is still a fundamental consideration, particularly for equipment that sees frequent use in home studio environments. Metal construction and high-quality materials - avoid those wobbly faders - ensure long-lasting performance, withstanding the rigours of daily use and transportation. Look for mixers from reputable manufacturers known for their commitment to build quality and reliability, providing peace of mind that your investment will endure the test of time.
How we test
Here at MusicRadar, we are experts in our field, with many years of playing, creating and product testing between us. We live and breathe everything music gear related, and we draw on this knowledge and experience of using products in live, recording and rehearsal scenarios when selecting the products for our guides.
When choosing what we believe to be the best home studio mixers available right now, we combine our hands-on experience, user reviews and testimonies and engage in lengthy discussions with our editorial colleagues to reach a consensus about the top products in any given category.
First and foremost, we are musicians, and we want other players to find the right product for them. So we take into careful consideration everything from budget to feature set, ease of use and durability to come up with a list of what we can safely say are the best home studio mixers on the market right now.
Find out more about how we test music gear and services at MusicRadar
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