Studio mixers are essential tools for the modern audio engineer, allowing for the manipulation and manipulation of sound for a variety of purposes. With the right mixer, sound engineers can craft unique and powerful audio experiences. There are a huge number of mixers out there, so it can be difficult to decide which one is best for you. To help make the process easier, this article will provide an overview of some of the best studio mixers on the market, looking at their features and capabilities. From budget-friendly options to professional-grade units, there is something for everyone.
Best Studio Mixers
| Rank | Product Name | Score |
|---|---|---|
|
1
 |
Mackie PRO FX 30V2
|
9. 7
|
|
2
 |
Yamaha MG10XU
|
9. 5
|
|
3
 |
Tascam DP-32SD Digital
|
9. 1
|
|
4
 |
Behringer Xenyx X2442 USB
|
8. 8
|
|
5
 |
Yamaha MGP32X Console
|
8. 6
|
|
6
 |
Mackie 32 VLZ4
|
8. 2
|
|
7
 |
Mackie 1604VLZ4
|
8. 0
|
|
8
 |
Allen & Heath QU-24
|
7 .7
|
|
9
 |
Yamaha 01V96I
|
7. 4
|
|
10
 |
Midas M32R
|
7. 2
|
1. Mackie PRO FX 30V2
The Mackie PRO FX 30V2 is a great mixer for any size venue. It has all the features you would want for a mixer, including an easy to navigate user interface, and plenty of inputs and outputs. The sound quality is very good and the effects are great. I also like the fact that it has a built-in USB recording interface, which makes recording and editing audio a breeze. Overall, this is an excellent mixer and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a reliable and versatile mixer.
- 30-Input Professional Compact Mixer with 4 Onyx Mic Preamps and 24-bit Multi-FX Processor
- 4-band Perkins EQ with MusiQ for optimized gain-before-feedback and control of room resonance
- 7 Aux sends, 4 subgroups with discrete outputs, and integrated USB I/O for multitrack recording
- 32×32 USB audio interface for recording and playback of 32-bit/96 kHz audio
- Built-in USB playback for stereo playback of audio files
- MIDI I/O for controlling virtual instruments and other plug-ins
- Seamless integration with Mackies Master Fader control app
- Integrated accelerometer for auto-mixing
2. Yamaha MG10XU
The Yamaha MG10XU is an excellent mixer for any audio enthusiast. It has plenty of features for an extremely reasonable price, which is what makes it so great. The preamps are clean and powerful and the built-in effects are great for adding texture and depth to your sound. The EQ and routing options are intuitive and easy to use, allowing for a great deal of customisation when it comes to getting your sound just right. The build quality is very solid and is capable of handling lots of use. Overall, the Yamaha MG10XU is an outstanding mixer that offers fantastic value for money.
- 10-channel Analog Mixer with 4 Microphone Preamps
- 1-knob Compressors
- 3-band EQ and High-pass Filter
- +48V Phantom Power
- Built-in Digital Effects Processor
- 2 x Aux Sends
- 1 x Stereo Aux Return
- XLR and TRS Outputs
- 1/4″ Stereo Monitor Output
- USB Audio Interface
3. Tascam DP-32SD Digital
I recently purchased the Tascam DP-32SD Digital and I must say that I am very impressed. This is an excellent multi-track digital recorder that is user friendly and has a lot of great features. The sound quality is amazing, and the built-in effects are outstanding. It also has plenty of inputs and outputs, allowing me to easily connect to other devices. I’ve been using it for recording and mixing music, and the results have been excellent. I highly recommend the Tascam DP-32SD Digital for anyone looking for a great multi-track digital recorder.
- 32-track Digital Portastudio for recording and playback
- 8-channel simultaneous recording and 8-channel playback
- Built-in stereo condenser microphone
- 8 XLR/TRS combo inputs with phantom power
- 6 balanced 1/4″ TRS outputs and 2 headphone outputs
- 16-track mixer with 3-band EQ and high-pass filter on each channel
- Built-in effects including reverb, delay, chorus, and more
- 20 channel meters for monitoring levels
- SD card slot for up to 32GB of recording and playback
- USB port for transferring audio data to a computer
4. Behringer Xenyx X2442 USB
I recently purchased the Behringer Xenyx X2442 USB and I’m quite impressed. It’s a great mixer, with a lot of features and inputs. It has a lot of options for sound customization, so you can make sure you’re getting the sound you want. The USB connection makes it easy to connect to a computer and record or use software to customize the sound. The build quality is good, with solid knobs and a durable frame. Overall, it’s a great mixer that’s easy to use and has plenty of options for sound customization. Highly recommended!
- Premium ultra low-noise, high-headroom analog mixer with 24-Inputs and 4-Bus architecture
- 4 state-of-the-art Xenyx Mic Preamps comparable to stand-alone boutique preamps
- Neo-classic “British” 3-band EQs with semi-parametric mid band for warm and musical sound
- Built-in USB/Audio Interface to connect directly to your computer
- USB/Audio Interface with high-resolution 48 kHz converters
- 2 AUX Sends per channel: 1 pre-fader for monitoring, 1 post-fader as FX send
- Main mix outputs plus separate control room, headphone and 2-Track outputs
- Built-in stereo USB/Audio Interface to connect directly to your computer
5. Yamaha MGP32X Console
My review of the Yamaha MGP32X Console is overwhelmingly positive. This mixer is incredibly well-designed, with all the features you need to create a professional-sounding mix. It has a great selection of inputs and outputs, including four mic/line inputs, four stereo line inputs, four mic/line outputs, and two stereo aux sends. The EQ section is great for fine-tuning your sound, and the onboard effects are great for adding just the right amount of atmosphere to your mix. The mixer also has a great selection of digital connectivity, including USB and Firewire. The sound quality is excellent, and the console is surprisingly easy to use. Overall, this is a great console for any home or project studio.
- 32-channel analog mixer with onboard effects
- D-PRE mic preamps with switchable +48V phantom power and inverted Darlington circuit
- 1-Knob compressors for easy mixing
- 3-band EQ with sweepable mid-band for precise tone control
- Digital effects including reverb, chorus and master effect
6. Mackie 32 VLZ4
The Mackie 32 VLZ4 is an incredible professional audio mixer. It’s well-built, with sturdy metal construction and rubberized knobs for extra durability. There are 32 inputs and an impressive range of features that make it suitable for recording studios, live performance venues, and more. The preamps are of excellent quality, providing a clear sound with low noise. The EQ section is also powerful, providing great sound adjustment capabilities. The mixer also includes an Aux return, FX loop, and direct outputs for easy routing. Overall, the Mackie 32 VLZ4 is an exceptional audio mixer that is sure to make any engineer happy. Highly recommend.
- 32-channel mixer with 4-bus architecture
- Onyx mic preamps offer large, musical headroom with low noise and distortion
- 2 bands of Perkins EQ with sweepable mids on all mono channels
- 16 XLR inputs, 8 stereo line inputs, and 4 aux sends
- Built-in DSP for convenient, low-noise monitoring
- 48V phantom power for use with condenser microphones
7. Mackie 1604VLZ4
The Mackie 1604VLZ4 is an excellent mixer for any professional audio setup. It has 16 inputs, 4 aux sends, and 4 stereo returns. The 16 channels can be used for a variety of different purposes from mixing multiple instruments to running a live sound board. The mixer also has 4-band EQ with sweepable mids for dynamic sound shaping. On top of all this, the 1604VLZ4 also features a variety of features that make it easy to use and control, such as one-knob compressors, pre-fader listens, and a simple-but-powerful effects section. In short, the Mackie 1604VLZ4 is an incredibly versatile mixer with all the features you need for professional live, studio, or broadcast sound.
- 16 Channels
- 4-Band EQ with MusiQ
- High-Pass Filters, 48V Phantom Power
- 100mm Long-throw Faders
- High-headroom Mic Preamps
- 2 Aux Sends per Channel
- Enhanced Routing Capabilities
- Ultra-wide Frequency Response
8. Allen & Heath QU-24
The Allen & Heath QU-24 is an amazing digital mixer for professionals who are looking for a high-end, feature-packed mixer. The 24-channel mixer features a 6-band EQ and onboard effects, as well as a full-color touch screen that makes navigating the board incredibly easy. The sound quality is impeccable, and the board has plenty of I/O options to make connecting external devices a breeze. Additionally, the QU-24 is extremely durable and reliable, making it perfect for the busy, on-the-go engineer. All in all, the Allen & Heath QU-24 is an excellent choice for any professional who is looking for a top-of-the-line digital mixing board. Highly recommended!
- 24 Inputs with 16 configurable preamps
- 17 Motorized 100mm faders
- Full featured Digital Mixer
- Integrated Matrix mixer
- 32-bit floating point processing
- 24 assignable outputs
- Comprehensive EQ section with VCAs
- Built-in effects engine
- AES / USB I/O
- Compact and durable design
9. Yamaha 01V96I
The Yamaha 01V96I is a great mixer for the modern digital age. It has a lot of features that make it incredibly versatile and powerful. The mixer is well built and has a solid feel to it, making it reliable and durable. The sound quality is excellent and the onboard effects and 16 track recording give it an edge over most other digital mixers. The onboard compression and EQ are great for adding depth and clarity to your sound. The onboard recorder is also great for capturing live performances or recording a live session. The 01V96I has a great user interface and is easy to use. It has plenty of inputs and outputs for accommodating all your gear, and the onboard USB port allows for easy connection to a computer. Overall, the Yamaha 01V96I is an excellent digital mixer that is built to last and can handle a variety of sound sources. Highly recommended.
- 24bit/96kHz recording and mixing resolution
- 20 input channels
- 16 analog balanced inputs
- 16 channels of ADAT optical digital I/O
- 8 channels of stereo digital I/O
- 6 aux sends
- 2 stereo effects buses
- 40-bit internal digital signal processing
- S/PDIF for digital I/O
- 4-band parametric EQ on each channel
- 128 multi-effects processors
- Comprehensive automated mixing capabilities
- 20-bit A/D and 24-bit D/A converters
10. Midas M32R
The Midas M32R is an incredible piece of equipment that has left me with nothing but good impressions. It has great sound quality and a wide range of features that make it the ultimate live sound mixer. The preamps have an excellent dynamic range, and the onboard effects and routing possibilities are top notch. The user interface is intuitive and easy to use, allowing for quick adjustments on the fly. It also has great connectivity options, allowing for easy integration into any setup. Overall, the Midas M32R is a great choice for both studio and live sound applications. Highly recommended!
- 32-channel Digital Mixer with 16 Midas Preamps
- Records up to 32 tracks simultaneously in studio-grade 24-bit/96 kHz audio
- 32-channel USB audio interface for multi-track recording and playback
- 25 time-aligned and phase-coherent mix buses
- 8 stereo FX engines with dedicated return channels and FX sends on each input channel and mix bus
- AES50 networking for up to 96 inputs and 96 outputs
- Integrated 32 x 32 channel audio interface for direct connection to Mac and PC
- 32-channel auto-mixer for automatic mixing of live sound sources
- 40-bit floating-point DSP for superior audio quality
- High-resolution 4.3″ daylight viewable color display
