The Best Compact Analog Mixers for your Studio
Compact mixers to upgrade your workflow.
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If you’ve reached the stage where you’re ready to start rehearsing the music you write, you might have thought about adding a mixer to your setup. We’ve selected some of the best compact analog mixers to expand the possibilities of your studio.
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Whether you create music or produce a podcast, managing multiple live audio signals is part of the game. You might think you can simply get by running everything directly into your audio interface, but mixers provide some key advantages.
For starters, the preamp quality is often far better than what you’ll find on the average budget interface. What’s more, the added bonus of having channel strips at your disposal with faders, EQs, and sends provides a great deal of creative flexibility.
Choosing the Best Compact Analog Mixers
Everyone has their own particular requirements when it comes to audio workflow. So we’re looking at a range of options that can become the central hub of your setup, no matter what that currently looks like.
While some mixers offer versatility with signal routing options, others provide an excellent recording front end in the form of high-quality channel strips. Let’s take a closer look at what’s available:
Best Compact Analog Mixers: Allen & Heath ZED-10
If you’re looking for a basic compact mixer for a podcast or to connect the various pieces of gear around your studio, the ZED-10 is a good place to start. With 4 mic preamps, 2 stereo channels, 2 aux sends, and metering, you have just enough to get you started.
Moreover, the ZED-10 is light and compact, making it a perfect rehearsal or stage mixer. Adding parallel effects via sends or recording to an external device is a simple procedure, and you can also use it to set up a monitor mix.
- More from Allen & Heath
Best Compact Analog Mixers: Soundcraft EPM Series
The EPM Series offers affordable quality in three different sizes, including 8, 10, and 14-channel options. For home studios, rehearsal spaces, and small-scale live setups, these mixers offer portability and ease of use. This also makes them ideal for beginners, because there is no digital connectivity or effects, just pure analogue design.
On each of the mono input channels, there are 3-band EQs with sweepable mids that allow you to tame any resonances in the signals. There are also inserts on all of these channels, as well as the main outputs, which makes it easy to add external hardware preamps and processors if needed.
For routing flexibility, there is a pair of mono aux sends for external effects or monitors, and a set of monitor outputs alongside the main output bus. The only drawback is that they don’t have Hi-Z inputs for guitars, so you’ll need DI boxes, which is a little old school. However, if this isn’t a problem, the EPM range is unbeatable for the price. Get it at Thomann.*
Best Compact Analog Mixers: Radial Key Largo
Radial Engineering is known for creating practical road-ready products with low-noise circuitry. The Key Largo is an impressive compact keyboard mixer, but it will also serve electronic musicians with drum machines or grooveboxes that don’t require mic inputs.
It provides 3 stereo channels and another stereo pair for USB input, so you can easily incorporate Apple Mainstage or Ableton Live. In addition, the FX loop allows you to add effects pedals into your rig. Overall, a great choice if you can get around the lack of metering.
- More from Radial
Best Compact Analog Mixers: PreSonus StudioLive ARc
PreSonus expands the possibilities of a compact analogue mixer with the StudioLive ARc series, providing analogue form and function, as well as modern digital features for recording and mixing. Available in 8, 12, and 16-channel versions, the StudioLive ARc gives you the immediacy of analogue workflow and the flexibility of digital recording.
On the analogue side, the StudioLive ARc mixers have 3-band EQs, Hi-Z guitar inputs, aux sends, and inserts. Meanwhile, they also function as USB audio interfaces, so you can record with the PreSonus Capture® app or the included Studio One Artist DAW software. What’s more, there is also standalone SD recording at up to 96 kHz.
A nice touch in the design is the dedicated return channels for all the aux sends, and there is a digital effects section with 16 different algorithms, including reverbs, delays, echoes, and chorus effects. Overall, the StudioLive ARc mixers are a great option for home studios, especially if you plan on using Studio One as your main DAW. Get it at Thomann.*
Best Compact Analog Mixers: SSL SiX
If you’ve got a bit more budget to play with, the SSL SiX is probably the most powerful desktop mixer ever designed. The intelligent console-style routing options and a pair of SuperAnalogue channel strips with compression and EQ make it hard to beat.
What’s more, it’s equipped with a simplified version of the famous SSL glue compressor, which can be used in so many ways. The SiX may be limited in channel count, but it’s certainly expandable and offers an incredible recording front end for your setup.
- More from SSL
Best Compact Analog Mixers: Tascam Model Series
The Tascam Model series combines classic analogue sensibility with the convenience of digital. This gives you the option to use these mixers in a number of ways, depending on the demands of your particular project or workflow. Besides functioning as a traditional analogue mixer with digital effects, the Model series mixers also work as audio interfaces or standalone SD recorders.
On each channel, you’ll find compressors and EQs with parametric midrange, and aux sends for external effects and monitor mixing. What’s more, there are insert points on selected channels that allow you to add external hardware into the signal path. This is useful if you have outboard preamps and compressors that you like to use for recording or live mixing.
For adding depth to your sounds, there is a selection of 16 effects algorithms built in. This includes reverbs, delays, chorus, and flanger effects, and there is a master EQ section to shape your main output bus. Meanwhile, the flagship Model 2400 also offers DAW control for complete integration with your studio. Get it at Thomann.*
Best Compact Analog Mixers: Dynacord CMS600-3
For those familiar with the old Mackie 8-Bus or Midas Venice mixers, the CMS600-3 offers a similar level of quality. The CMS range is pricey and primarily designed for live sound, but they still provide an awesome solution for home studios.
With 6 quality preamps, 8 3-band parametric EQ channels, and plenty of return tracks, you have the tools to carve your sound. Also, the onboard dual-stereo effects engine is extensive, which adds a new dimension to the overall value of the CMS600-3.
- More from Dynacord
Best Compact Analog Mixers: Trident Audio Series 68
When you want to grab analogue recording with both hands, the Series 68 console offers pristine signal path and the flexibility of in-line or split channel modes. Available in 16 or 24-channel configurations, the 68 console has six aux sends per channel and eight subgroups, and eight stereo effects returns, which gives you routing versatility for recording or mixing.
Possibly the main feature is having an array of classic Trident mic preamps with 65dB gain, with an extensive and highly musical 3-band EQ section inspired by the Series 80 consoles from the 1980s. What’s more, the console’s master section is packed with features, which takes care of monitor control, headphone amplification, and talkback.
Naturally, analogue consoles of this quality don’t come cheap, even in more compact formats. However, if you consider the cost of the preamps and EQs alone, it certainly adds value, providing the perfect companion for your live room, with LED and VU metering for that classic analogue aesthetic. Get it at Thomann.*
More about the Best Compact Analog Mixers:
- Mixing outside the box
- All about mixers
- More about home recording
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8 responses to “The Best Compact Analog Mixers for your Studio”
I can confirm the good performance of the Soundcraft, using the 22-channel version.
Additionally I like to recommend the Tascam Model 12.
Internal effects could be better, but it offers also internal recording and mastering (incl. MIDI). Could be a good choice for semi-professional users.
I was looking at a Model 12 a little while ago, I ended up with an LX7ii. It’s a bit bigger than I wanted, but I got an awesome deal on it and can’t complain about the quality or colour of the sound it produces. tbh, I feel a little spoiled.
i have a notepad 12fx which I think is great but I really think it’s due a new revision that allows all channels to be recorded over usb or at least gets rid of the neeed to run the app to change which channels the computer picks up as 3 & 4.
i am going to buy another one soon and as I have been mostly happy with my soundcraft I would like one of the MTK models however… 12 is not enough for me and 22 is too big …. please make a 16 channel version preferably with on board multichannel recording to SD.
in all honesty I thought there would have been more mixer/interface/recorders come to market. everything available now is actually quite old….. Why is this… have these products actually been a bit of a flop ?
“All-in-one” products generally aren’t great but the Tascam Model 12 is worth a look.
The 1010 Bluebox is also great, especially for performance and portability.
Nice work
I would ever recommend the Signature 12 MTK to anyone. Mine was plagued with issues. Friends of mine had the same problems. The worse issue is a terrible sound aberration while recording over USB that you only hear when playing back the recording. I ditched mine and got a Tascam Model 12
Sold my Model 12 although I found it was an awesome mixer. I needed to gain in desk real estate so I acquired an RME UCX II, which also acts as a full featured standalone mixer for my studio and also on the go, through its standalone monitoring features. I think I’ll never go back.
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