I spent some years in a church ‘cage,’ learning the details of mixing and producing quality output for a church auditorium with a 500-person capacity. I have always loved music and promised myself that I would have a home recording studio. The dream began to come together in 2020 as I bought an AudioBox USB 96 audio interface, a PreSonus microphone, and a pair of headphones. The following year, I got some monitors. I needed more control over my mixing, both manually and for multiple channels and simultaneous recording. Due to that, I needed to get a studio mixer.
A sound mixer is a sound mixing board that receives sound signals and tunes or blends them into a desirable output signal. The output can be single (mono) —all sounds coming out through a channel— or combined (stereo) —all sounds coming out through multiple channels. It gives you manual control to tune a voice/sound coming into the board for a desired output.
Usually, a mixer’s output is sent to speakers or monitors. To use studio mixers with a PC, then you need one that has a USB to PC port.
If you are considering options for a mixer for a home recording or a mid-size studio, I have something for you. From personal experience and as a sound quality freak, here are some options to choose from.
PS: Please do not confuse studio/analog mixers with audio interfaces (or soundcards). Those are totally different things.
PSS: I didn’t include prices because they are constantly changing due to global economic situations.
1. YAMAHA MG10XU
Model: Yamaha MG10XU
Channel: 10-channel mixers. 4 combo TRS and XLR input channels, and 3 stereo line inputs
Features: A small LED display screen showing only input/output levels
Knobs: High, low, mid, FX, Pan, and Level knobs. Compressor knobs (Ch 1-2) and gain knobs (Ch 1-4) Monitor/Phone knobs and Level FX return
Performance: This is a cool mixer. Solid enough for a home studio, but this won’t be giving you a power output for a regular studio or an audience of 50
Multitrack recording: No
Line/USB Option: It has both line and USB options. This makes it compatible with digital audio workstations (DAW) such as Cubase and StudioOne. It is easily discoverable (sometimes without needing a driver).
The first sound mixer on my list is the Yamaha MG10XU. It’s a budget mixer ideal for a home studio. I wouldn’t recommend this for anything outside a small space. Yamaha made this one for those on a small budget, so there are few expectations. It offers the high, mid, and low equalizer buttons.
It also provides FX and Pan knobs for output panning and the general volume/level knob. It has a stereo output with line jacks (TRS) and XLR cables. It possesses a phantom power (+48V) for each of Ch 1-4.
The color is mostly black, with some blue areas. The design is smart and comfy; you can control it from a tabletop or stool.
Here’s a video guide on maximizing this mixer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWa9o4RBjo8&embedable=true
Pros:
- This model has Yamaha’s SPX digital multi-effect processor, which adds digital effects that can enhance the spread and depth of your recordings.
- It is affordable
- Compact
Cons:
- It can get a little hot when the load is a bit heavy.
- It does not offer individual channel output. So, you only get a stereo output and cannot add special effects to each channel rack on your DAW.
- Limited functions: All channels don’t get compressors and high/low filter passes.
2. G-MARK MR80S
Model: G-MARK MR80S
Channel: 8 input channels.
Features: Offers effects and a monitor switch
Knobs: Apart from the preamps and aux/pan, you get a monitor/headphone volume adjuster, recording level adjuster, effect input, and output adjusters. It also offers an individual compression knob.
Performance: Users claim this is a good one, working for a comfortably large band or house party. DJs say it is great, too. You get a decent phantom +48V phantom power.
Multitrack DAW recording or not: Does not record to DAW at all. It only records a stereo channel through the record AV jacks to the left and right.
The
This Mark mixer is an 8-channel mixer with 7 individual XLR jacks and TRS lines. It is fully analog, with a level display LED screen. It is incredibly slim, with the back featuring a power input source and button and there are cooling fins at the back, too.
From the reviews, some complaints include funny echo sounds and malfunctioning channel lines; however, those are some random individual comments about their particular unit. It could be an individual hardware problem.
I mean, I also have a PreSonus AudioBox unit whose microphone jack decides to have white noise whenever it chooses to, and there’s nothing I can do about it.
The G-MARK MR80S offers right and left stereo faders. XLR and TRS stereo-out options. It offers left and right record options, with return and send. It is USB drive compatible and can accommodate external effectors and amplifiers, or they can directly go to your speakers.
It allows users to switch between the Line 8 option and MP3. You can only use either, not both.
If you would like to use this with a DAW, here is a video that will help on how to connect analog mixers to a DAW on your PC.
Pros:
- It is cheap for the value it offers.
- It is light and has a compact size.
- There are enough channels for group performance.
Cons:
- It looks cheap and boring
- There is no USB-to-computer port, making it impossible to use it directly as input for DAWS like Ableton Live , FX, or Cubase.
Yamaha MW12CX Studio Mixer
Model: Yamaha MW12CX
Channel: 12 Channels: 6 XLR mic cables, and all channels 1–12 have 2-line inputs (L/R) that can either go in through the left or the right channel.
Features: 6 level gain, 4 channels compressor, 16 stereo effect mix, TRS and XLR output options, offers switch between monitor out and USB out
Knobs: For each channel, you get the following knobs: High, Mid, and Low knobs (green) with aux knob (blue) and effects knob (white), then pan. Compressor (Ch 1-4) and gains (Ch 1-6). It has a giant effects knob that lets you set the kind of effect you want to add to the channels, whether echo, chorus, flanger, etc.
Performance: This performs better than the earlier version reviewed. In fact, when it comes to mixing beats, I prefer this to the PreSonus Audiobox, as it gives a solid and satisfying mid and bass. The master panel allows you to set the volume going into the DAW recorder and the main stereo coming out from the speakers.
The best part of these mixers for me are the PFL, REC, and ST buttons, which you can use to control what channels you want to record and what output channel you want them to go to. It has a phantom power button (+48V) that makes it awesome to use condenser microphones. The only unfortunate thing about this equipment is the lack of multi-split output.
Multitrack DAW recording or not: This only gives you 2 channels to record on left and right, using the pan knob and ST/REC functions.
Although some may say this is a great one, I think this product is just a little above average. Yamaha called this model a USB mixing studio. Regardless, it offers better dynamic control than the one above. It’s a 12-channel mixer with a USB line, which means you can connect it to your PC and record on your DAW.
You may also use it directly with live speakers, sending out only the things you have premixed on the interface.
This one has better quality than the MG10XU. It has a power cable and a USB-to-PC connector at the back.
The design is sleek but takes up a little too much space. It comes with a noise threshold adjuster and a ‘pre’ button for each channel. Each channel has a mute button, apart from the volume adjusters. The deal breaker for me was the 2-channel stereo out to a DAW.
Pros:
- It’s a budget mixer
- It has impressive functionalities and features with 16 output effect options alongside the preamps
- The USB to PC connection is definitely an advantage
- Individually, you can set the monitor, phone, and USB output levels
Cons:
- It might be complicated to use (I got the recordings messed up the first few times with the REC, PFL, and ST buttons).
- Only 2-channel output for 12-channel input. That’s bad.
- It’s good and cost-effective, but it’s an old product now.
4. PreSonus StudioLive AR8c Hybrid Studio Mixer
Model:
Channel: 8: 4 XLR, 4-Line level inputs.
Features: SD card direct recording, Bluetooth option, XLR and TRS output channels, and an earphone monitoring jack. Back power button, power source, and USB C output to a computer. PFL and mute buttons
Knobs: Compressor, high, mid, and low EQs. Auxiliary, Pan, and FX controls; level control for each channel
Multitrack DAW recording: Yes. Offers six individual channel outputs to a recording workstation. The last 2 channels can be sent to channels 5 and/or 6.
The PreSonus brand has a special place in my heart because it is the first brand of studio gadgets I ever owned. And this one is more impressive than the other ones. It is a line/USB mixer with on-board stereo recording. It offers a useful set of features and buttons with an FX stereo-out mix.
For a mixer of this kind, having both pre-fader and after-fader controls is quite impressive. It offers aux output, Bluetooth play control buttons, and a +48V phantom power button.
This right here gives me a mixed feeling that an 8-channel mixer shouldn’t have all these levels of control, but the price makes it worth it. With such a high price, why didn’t they just go all the way and increase the number of channels?
Pros:
- It has a beautiful design and offers good preamp function (although not as detailed as the StuduioLive AR12c or AR16c.
- It offers value for its price.
- Multichannel output recording via USB is quite functional for group play.
Cons
- It’s too pricey for that number of channels.
5. Boss Gigcaster 8 Streaming Mixer
Model:
Channel: 8 channels: 4 combo jacks for mics or instruments, 1 dedicated 3.5mm jack channel for the phone, 1 for Bluetooth, 1 for pads, and a USB device.
Features: Display screen/touchscreen Phantom power, high-grade preamps with low noise, and wide gains. It offers eight pads for playback effects, and you can customize those into whatever. It has faders for each individual channel with voice and headphone mute for each respective one. VE and VT processors. Incredible effects for vocals (singing and talking) and instruments
Knobs: 4 microphone faders for each combo jack channel,
Performance: Impresses with features, effects, tone and sound control, external device supports. A considerably good sound quality.
Multitrack DAW recording or not: Yes, it allows multitrack output with an on-screen control setting for the preamps and output control.
Boss Gigcaster 8 is a more recent product, and impressive. It’s a fast-selling product and is worth the hype. It is a hybrid sound mixer with buttons and on-screen control, mainly for PC usage.
With a dimension of 10.51 x 8.54, this compact machine offers Bluetooth alongside its USB option. It has 4 combo jacks and two right/left TRS line outputs, an adaptor power source, a USB C port, and a micro-SD slot for direct recording.
It’s a hybrid technology with button and screen touch controls. You get to set the preamps for each channel on the screen, leaving you with only vital buttons such as recorders, headphones, controls, and faders. One of the channels (Ch 1) is mirrored in front of the mixer for easy access. It is ideal for streaming or podcasting but mainly for music production, so it is great for live streaming from a studio space.
Here is a complete Guide on how to use the portable Gigcaster 8 Studio Mixer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-23kQxiPgfY&embedable=true
Pros:
- It offers a convenient port for line level input on channel 1, which can be connected either on the front or back of the mixer.
- Sleek design, and very portable
- Many effect functions to choose from
- This is a powerful monster engine for recording with stable output quality.
Cons:
- It won’t help if you have a large band to play with.
- With the price, you can get some other multichannel mixers up to 12 or 15 channels.
It can be complicated to use, but try out the video.
If you are looking for a similar alternative with a lesser price unit, then check out the Zoom PodTrack P8 that offers you 6 combo inputs with 6 headphone outputs for almost half the Gigcaster 8’s price.
Conclusion:
Having the liberty to control your sound from the mixing board before it hits the speaker is good. If you have a home recording studio and use a DAW, your premix effort will be minimal if you can set the preamps from your studio mixer. I recommend getting your mixer from a store with a money-back guarantee; in case your unit misbehaves, you can swap it.
Any of the above sound mixer options works fine. And if you are already familiar with sound mixing, you will have no problem judging your gadget's quality, whichever one you choose.
Let me know if you will be working with this recommendation in the comments. If you have any questions, let me know.
Would you like to read a review of a specific studio gadget? Tell me about it.