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The Classic Analog Mixerschoosing a mixer Page 4by Tweak
Don't think that because the board is "analog" that it is "old" and not as good. People love the dedicated faders knobs, the warm sound, and the immediate response of the sound to the twist of a tweak. There's no menus, no abstracted multi-function controls, the knobs and faders actually control the audio voltage going down the wire.
Analog mixers can be classed meaningfully by 2 variables. 1) The number of channels and 2) the number of busses. That's why you see most mixer have numbers in the model name, like a Mackie 32-8. That means 32 channels, 8 busses. Sometimes they add another 3rd number. Lets take a Behringer 2442 for example. That means 24 channels, 4 busses, 2 master outs. Unfortunately manufacturers don't always follow rigid definitions here and the numbers can be deceiving. Some "4 bus" mixers count the master outs as a bus, so its really a 2 bus+2 master outs. I will call those 2+2 bus mixers. Before you buy, check the specs and make sure the mixer is a "true" 4 bus if that is what you want. For the number of channels, some manufacturers count the effects returns as a channel and some don't. So a 16 channel mixer might only have 12 channels and two stereo effects returns. To add to the complexity, manufacturers are now adding USB and Firewire audio interfaces to their analog mixers. Remember what we said about "redundancy" a while back. You only need one audio interface in your rig and some of these may be very basic. Normally you connect an analog mixer to your existing audio interface. Confusing? Yes. That's why you need me. I will get your through this. In all cases, read specs and find out how many channels the board really has not counting the aux returns. Also find out how many busses the board has not counting of the Master outs. If it has an audio interface make sure you know exactly how many channels it can send and return from your DAW. To get information to make this page I went to manufacturers websites and dug the info out of product manuals. I suggest you do the same when you are ready to buy.
Types of Analog Mixers for a
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Examples of 8-bus Mixers
Behringer MX9000 Eurodesk Mixer The MX9000 mixer features an expander port for linking consoles, comprehensive monitoring facilities, and integrated meter bridge Tweak: The MX9000 has been around for years at much higher prices. The built in meter bridge is cool; it has TWO inputs for gooseneck little lights, 8 busses and the MIX B tape returns gives it the flexibility of 48 audio channels. That's enough for all you synths, your multichannel audio interface, FX, tape machines, mics whatever. This is a BIG board. 37" wide, 29.5 " deep. It's heavy too--70 lbs. It's solid steel. Nice layout. The knobs are well spaced where you can actually turn one without touching others. It works wonderfully with my 8x8 delta 1010 and my MOTU 828mk2. Read my review of this board for more And you can expand it with another board if you want. Very cool. For example, I connected by Alesis Studio 32 (below) to my MX9000 and the sends and busses of the Alesis are merged with the sends and busses of the Behringer. This gives me 80 chan. at mixdown NOT counting the combined 10 stereo returns. The best thing is how much you get for the price. If you have lots of gear to connect, record bands, or just want a discrete audio channel for all your tracks from your midi and audio sequencer, this board rocks. I give it the coveted Tweak's Pick Award Mackie B328 Recording/PA Console (32x8x2) 8-Bus consoles have recorded more platinum albums and major motion picture soundtracks than any other mixer in their class -- they set the standard for affordable 8-bus consoles. Mackie B248 Recording/PA Console (24x8x2) Tweak: The Mackie 8 bus mixers have been around a long time and are in a lot of large home studios. Not that long ago these we "the" boards to have. As these 8 bus mixer have an inline "Mix B", the 32-8 can actually patch 64 sources and the 24-8 can patch 48. They can easily be the centerpiece between your DAW and multi-track recorder. Its a nice time tested approach for home studios that record bands
Yamaha MG2414FX 24-Channel, 14-Bus Mixer
with Dual EFX |
This type of mixer is a full fledged analog mixer but also has either a firewire or USB digital bus to and from the DAW. Keep in mind the nature of this connection to the DAW may vary widely from simple 2 channels back and forth to elaborate multi-channel assignable i/o. Never assume this kind of mixer can return more than 2 channels from the DAW to the mixer unless it explicitly says it can. I tell you this because though it is true, it defies common sense. You "think" that you can mix 8 DAW tracks on 8 faders, right? In reality you cannot.
Also keep in mind that if you use these built-in interfaces you probably will not be able to use you audio interface or soundcard if you have one in your sequencer application. Most sequencers only allow one audio driver. You need to ask yourself before you plunge: Is this interface really better than my audio interface? Still some of these mixers, like the Zed14 and the Onyx, are worth having for their analog features. Others make good all-in-one solutions for those on a budget or starting out.
Examples of mixers with built in audio interfaces |
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Allen and Heath ZED14 Mixer with USB
Interface |
Alesis iMM8USB 8-Channel USB Mixer
with iPod Recording |
Phonic Helix24FW 24-Channel Mixer with
FireWire |
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Mackie Onyx 1620 16-Channel Mixer Tweak: For the Onyx, the audio interface card is optional. |
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If you are planning to record 3-4 musicians into the computer simultaneously, make sure you have at least that many audio interface inputs and preamps going to your computer.
Mixers that do have 4 sub outs are the Behringer UB2442, MX2642a, Alesis Studio32, Mackie 1604 VLZ Pro. Of course there are more. You have to read the specs carefully. Again, don't go by the digits of the model number. These extra outputs can be switched on for channels you are recording, and can be removed from the main mix while doing so, which prevents feedback. A mixer with sub outs lets you record to and play from your soundcard at the same time and have the mixer control all of it. If you have a 4x4 audio interface, like a Delta 44 or Delta 66, a mixer with 4 sub outs is fine. You can also use an 8x8 audio interface (like the MOTU828mk2) if the mixer has direct outs in addition to the busses, or you could just use 4 busses (which is all that most home studios need) and use the other 4 inputs of the audio interface for something else.
In the case of 4 musicians, each musician gets there own mono channel, assigned to a separate bus out to a separate channel on the audio interface. That way, in the sequencer, each will have their own isolated track.
Examples of 4 bus Mixers Mackie Onyx 32 Mixer Mackie Onyx 24 Mixer 
Tweak: These are large format mixers, a
true 4 bus, with 6 sends. Has the Onyx preamps and Perkins EQ.
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Mackie 1604VLZ3 16-Channel Mixer
Tweak: A great choice for those recording
bands, due to it 16 mono inputs. Also good for interfacing with
a 16 channel multi-track. It will work fine in a computer/soundcard
setup too. Also see:
Mackie 1642VLZ3 16-Channel Mixer |
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Behringer XENYX 2442FX Mixer with Effects |
If you do all the recording yourself, one or two tracks at a time, or with one other person, you each having a separate mono track, a mixer with only 2 sub outs is fine. The UB1832FX, MX1604a, the UB1204FX all are in this class, as is the Behringer 1604 and 2004. So are the Mackie 1202, 1402, and many others. A suitable 2x2 soundcard for these is all you need, like an m-audio audiophile 2496, Emu 1212m. Of course you could use a 4x4 or 8x8 interface with these too. In the case of a 4x4, you could route all 4 outs back to the mixer and play with your mix there.
Examples of 2+2 bus MixersTweak: A good solution for computer multi-tracking with a soundcard, one or 2 tracks at a time. These have an alt 3-4 bus that will help you get your recording channels to your soundcard in isolation from the other channels. |
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Mackie 1202VLZ3 12-Channel Mixer
Mackie 1402VL
The XENYX 1832FX has 18 inputs and 3 Aux Sends for each channel. Additionally, 2 subgroups with separate outputs have been incorporated for routing flexibility. |
Yamaha MG124CX Stereo Mixer with Effects
The XENYX 1204 has 12 inputs and 2 Aux Sends for each channel.
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These are for people that just want to get their stuff recorded on the computer and are monitoring from the output of the soundcard or to a stereo receiver connected to the soundcard. That's fine. However, a little stereo mixer that only sums to one stereo out is NOT going to cut it here if you want to control the input and output of the soundcard. Many people buy stereo mixers and later find they really needed a 2+2, so I will spend some energy on this issue. Don't confuse the "main outs". "control room outs" "tape outs" with sub outs. Rephrased: You cannot use these to record to a computer and have the mixer play back the recorded output. You'll get feedback, or you will be unable to separate the track your are recording from the tracks playing back. The really inexpensive mixers (like the Behringer 802a and even some mid priced mixers) do not have sub outs. Stereo mixers are good for those only recording their mics and guitars and not running the soundcard out back to the mixer. Lets recap, stereo mixers are not ideal for computer recording. Consider the stereo mixer to be an input expander for your soundcard, not an output expander.
Examples of Stereo Mixers
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The super compact MM6FX and MM8FX analog mixers from Alesis are designed for handling critical performing or production applications. The MultiMix 6FX includes 2 mic/line inputs, 2 stereo line inputs, a 3 band EQ on each channel. The FX8 features 4 mic/ line channels with switchable 75Hz high-pass filters, 2 stereo line channels, a 3 band EQ on each channel.
 Mackie 402 VLZ3
4-Channel Ultra Compact Mixer |
Tweak: Great for studios with lots of outboard gear, synths, recorders
Examples of Rack Mixers
Behringer RX1202FX 12-Input Line Mixer 
Alesis MultiMix 12R 8-Channel Compact Mixer
with EQIdeal for mobile live PA/production systems
Behringer RX1602 Eurorack Pro 16-Channel Mixer Rolls RM203 Stereo Line Mixer The RM203 has 10 channels of stereo inputs, a tape input and output provided via stereo RCA jacks, and a mono auxiliary send and stereo returns for 20 total 1/4 in. inputs. Each channel has a clip indication. Other features include headphone output and master output level control.
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There are workarounds, if you already have one. If the stereo mixer has direct outs (most do not) you can use those to route to the soundcard. You can also use the aux sends to get a signal to the soundcard. That means forget about adding effect processors. If your mixer has a switchable tape in out path that removes it from the master outs, you might be able to monitor from those. However, many inexpensive boards don't have that facility. If you use the master outs, control room outs or tape outs you may have feedback problems. So my advice is, if you want to both record to and playback from the computer on your mixer, get a 2+2 or a 4 bus. It's so much easier and you'll be happier with the mixer and will be able to keep it longer as the studio expands.
This is a solution for the person that want to monitor from their speakers connected to the soundcard but want to connect higher quality mics with XLR connectors. Using this "mixerless" approach, you would do all your mixing in your computer application's software mixer.
Examples of PreampsMAudio DMP3 Dual Mic Pre and Direct Box 
Tweak: A good choice for inexpensive preamps.
PRS TubePre Single Channel Microphone
Preamp with VU Meter
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Whew! You made it through a tough lesson here. If it did not make sense go back and read it again.
To sum up for now, mixing music is an art form. It is the control surface for your musical ear. Consider that first. Be careful not to take on more technology than your vision inspires, yet remember with mixers you want to cover your future needs as well as your current needs. Yet if you envision a music that takes the most sophisticated of tools to get where you want it to be, follow your flow. After all, its just a flow of electrons disturbing the air in ways we have associated with pleasure.
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| Best USB Mixer $150-200 Alesis MultiMix 8USB Mixer with USB Audio 
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Behringer XENYX 1204FX Mixer with Effects
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The Perfect Mix And notes on Post production
Read my article on mixing in the digital domain for more ideas on this
Which product line
has better Mixers for recording overall? Behringer,
Mackie, Yamaha, Alesis, Phonic
Best USB Mixer $150-200
Mixers from $250-350
Best Value
Mixers from $350-550
Best Value
Mixers from $600-850
Best Value
Mixers from $900-$1300
Best Value
Review of the Mackie 1402 VLZ Pro
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Cool Quote: Dust as we are, the immortal spirit
grows
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Go to the Next Class
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Yamaha
MW12 12-Channel USB Mixer
Z3 14-Channel Mixer
Behringer
XENYX 1002FX Mixer with Effects
