When choosing a studio mixer we’re usually looking for a combination of features and sonic fidelity, and where in a live situation we might be willing to forgo some of that fidelity in favour of reliability or simply more inputs, in the studio there’s always going to be a nagging feeling if we fail to get the best sound possible.
With that in mind, it’s not uncommon to head for vintage analogue gear, however prices can be steep and quality variable. Here we’ve put together a buyer’s guide that has a bit of everything, incorporating cheap, expensive, analogue and digital.
Some of these desks offer traditional simplicity, while others modern flexibility, and in many cases incorporate USB DAW integration and other forms of multichannel interfacing.
So, whatever your needs and budget there should be something here that ticks the right boxes and will hopefully assist with the tricky business of choosing the right studio mixer.
These are the best home studio mixers you can buy
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The ‘pro’ version of Roland’s smartphone-friendly mixer can handle up to 3 mono and 3 stereo inputs and includes one XLR combi input with switchable phantom power, one HiZ ¼” instrument jack and one mini-jack mic input for lapel mics. Further inputs are two stereo line inputs on a pair of minijacks, and two mono line inputs on ¼” jacks. There are five level knobs (four input and one output) and the physical output is on a single mini-jack. The four input knobs blend the 9 input sources to one stereo mix. Go Mixer Pro is also a 2 in 2 out USB interface (iOS, Android, Windows and OS X compatible) and can be bus or battery powered. You can even prop up your tablet or phone in the groove. Overall it provides a great miniature option for the mobile producer.
The latest update to A&H’s long-running analogue ZED series bundles 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.
Art’s 5 channel mini mixer includes 2 mic, 2 line and 1 Hi-Z instrument input with optional amp simulator effect. The mixer’s tube credentials are via an assignable 12AX7 tube stage, which can serve either the pair of mic inputs or the single instrument input. There are 4 mixer strips (3 mono and 1 stereo) and all include 3 band EQ, 2 auxiliary sends and pan.
USB connectivity is 2 in / 2 out with a dedicated USB Return level. Meanwhile, either the USB output or the main mix can be switched to the rather nice VU meters. Finishing off this very retro-styled mixer are wooden end panels. All told it’s a stylish desk and an ideal all-in solution for small studio setups.
This mid-range configuration from Mackie’s well established analogue range, includes 10 Onyx mic pres, 2 stereo group buses, 4 auxes with dedicated stereo returns and a host of rear panel connectivity, all at an amazing price. You get 16 inputs in total arranged as 8 mono and 4 stereo channel strips. The mono channels get 3-band EQ with swept mid, while the stereo channels have 4-band fixed frequency EQ.
All channel strips can route to the 2 stereo group buses (the pan pot allows you to blend between them) as well as main the stereo mix bus, and the first 8 channels also include a post fader direct out, which is available on the back panel. Further options include selectable pre and after fade solo, two headphone outputs and a stereo in/out tape loop on phono connectors. The 1642 VLZ4 is a traditional analogue desk with no DAW interfacing, but delivers a clean signal path, solid Mackie build quality and is ideal for recording small groups.
Quality analogue design, Soundcraft heritage EQ and familiar layout form the basis of this surprisingly affordable recording desk. Add in multitrack USB interfacing on the MTK version (24 in 22 out) and things step up quite considerably. You get 22 inputs arranged as 14 mono and 4 stereo channel strips. These incorporate 16 Ghost preamps, Soundcraft’s 4-band Sapphyre EQ and dbx limiters on the first 8 channel strips. Four of the inputs can also handle Hi-Z instruments. There are 5 auxiliaries and dual-engine Lexicon effects hardwired to Auxes 4 and 5. Meanwhile, channel routing incorporates 2 stereo buses plus the stereo mix output. All channel strip outputs are sent to the USB interface and USB DAW outputs can be selected on each channel strip using the USB return button. Long throw 100mm faders help if feel like a professional desk, and overall the Signature 22 MTK is ideal for tracking multiple mic setups such as bands.
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