Analogue Mixing Desks
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A buyer's guide to analogue mixing desks for home recording and studio use
Purchasing an analogue recording mixer is a good decision – but not an easy one! After all, there are plenty of different models available, ranging from analogue mixers with minimal features and equally low prices right through to high-end large consoles.
Here in the Thomann shop, items can be filtered and sorted according to various criteria, and numerous tips and information can be found in Thomann's online guides to studio and recording. If that isn't enough to help you find the right mixing desk, the Thomann team is of course on hand to assist. Contact us by phone on +49 9546-9223-30 during business hours, or alternatively, send an e-mail to our specialists at studio@thomann.de or get in touch via chat.
If your analogue mixing desk turns out not to be suitable after purchase, Thomann's 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee applies. The 3-year Thomann warranty ensures long-term, hassle-free use of your new analogue recording mixing desk.
Do analogue mixers have to be complicated?
An analogue mixer is simpler than it might seem, as the controls are quite manageable and generally split into two main sections, making it easier to understand at a glance, with the right-hand side featuring a single key area found on every desk, known as the master section. All signals converge here, where they are mixed and processed before being sent to a recorder or amplifier. Operating components such as the master fader are located there, where the levels for monitor speakers, headphones and similar devices are set.
The channels, also known as "channel strips", can be found several times, and individual signals, e.g. from several microphones, are processed here and then mixed at different levels ("volumes").
A mixing desk is therefore almost always divided into a master section and the vertically arranged channel strips, which are repeated.
So what is important in an analogue mixing desk?
This question leads to a key parameter of mixing desks that must be considered before purchase:
How many channels does the mixing desk have?
In some cases, a small number of channels are enough, such as in podcasting or when a musician records alone with just a handful of signals. Based on this, another important question concerns the type of channels:
How many microphone preamps does the mixing desk have?
The number of microphone preamps ("Mic Pres" or "Preamps") does not correspond to the number of channels since some channel strips only feature line inputs, which are used to connect synthesizers, effects units, or even external microphone preamps.
What bus structure does the mixer have?
At this point, things may become a bit more complicated: Larger and more complex mixing consoles can not only combine all the signals from the channels, but also assign them to specific buses first. This allows the user to combine all drum signals into a subgroup, so they can be controlled, processed, or played back together without needing to record each signal individually which is also useful if the audio interface doesn't have that many inputs.
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The numbers in the model names of mixing desks can reveal the key architectural features of some mixing desks (of course, only some, not all).
Rule of thumb:
- First number: Number of channels
- Second number: Number of buses
- Third number: Stereo bus
Example: 1202 stands for 12-0-2: The mixing console has 12 channels, no individual buses, but obviously a stereo bus, and a 2482 would therefore likely have 24 channels, eight buses, and the stereo bus.
Aux sends, pre-fader and post-fader
Almost all mixing desks provide aux sends, which allow signals to be taken from channels and routed to another destination. There are some differences, particularly regarding whether the signal is tapped before or after the fader, which determines the channel strip's output level, usually via a flat control at the bottom or, on smaller mixers, a simple potentiometer, with an Aux Send Pre-Fader taking the signal before the fader. This allows for independent feeds, such as a headphone mix, while an Aux Send Post Fader takes the signal after the fader and depends on its position, making it suitable for effects like reverb, with auxiliaries often switchable between these modes.
Equaliser in the mixing desk
The features of the channel strips may vary, for example when it comes to the equaliser, with some mixing consoles offering comprehensive, fully parametric equalisers for detailed control, while others only adjust treble and bass.
Other important connections
Channels on analogue recording mixing desks usually feature additional connections, and larger mixers in particular often feature direct outs, i.e. additional outputs. With an insert-send-return ("ISR"), signals pre-amplified by the mic preamp can be routed to external effects units, such as compressors or noise gates. By the way: Buses/subgroups often have direct outs and ISRs too.
Special features in mixing desks
Mixing desks always operate on the same basic principle, but they come in many different designs, so it is not uncommon to find compressors in some channel strips, or for the mixing desk to feature small effects units for reverb, delay, and others. Even interfaces such as USB or Bluetooth, and simple recording options, can be found - some are even a handy combination of audio interface and mixing desk!
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How do mixing desks benefit users?
One thing is for certain: The days when a recording studio simply couldn't be a recording studio without a mixing desk are over, and the same goes for the idea that it must be present as an essential hub for all other audio technology to be set up around. Yes, there are recording studios without mixing desks today, because monitor controllers, audio interfaces, and summing amplifiers can now take over many of their functions. Nevertheless, mixing desks are still a common feature, ranging from large analogue recording desks worth the price of a single-family home to small analogue mixers on the tables of home recorders and podcasters.
The fact that mixing desks are still used today is not without good reason, as they combine the functions of many different devices into one, resulting in a more coherent operating concept, fewer connection cables, and often significantly lower costs. This becomes abundantly clear when attempting to add up the number of microphone preamps, equalisers, a summing amp, monitor controller, and headphone amplifier! Finally, a mixing desk simply looks more like a recording studio than just a computer keyboard and mouse.
Are digital mixers better than analogue mixing desks?
Digitally controlled mixers are usually more extensively equipped and offer greater flexibility, while analogue mixing desks still have advantages in recording, especially in terms of sound quality, particularly with equalisers and analogue summing. Another highly valued feature of analogue consoles is the "one knob per function" control, rather than multi-assignment and displays with complex menu navigation. What is more, analogue mixers operate latency-free, whereas every conversion and every processing step introduces a delay.
Alternatives to analogue recording mixers
The components of a recording mixer can be largely replicated or moved to a computer, where a well-equipped audio interface can already handle much of the work. For some tasks, a recording console isn't necessary at all, and a live mixing desk may be more useful, even though designs often differ, as a wide variety of mixing desks are successfully used in both worlds. A DJ mixing desk, however, is designed in a completely different way.
How much does a good mixing desk cost?
Of course, this question is not easy to answer as requirements vary considerably, with prices starting well below 50 euros, for example with the t.mix MicroMix 2 USB, which offers five inputs including one for a microphone, EQ, and even USB and Bluetooth functionality. Behringer offers a wide range of affordable mixers. Mackie is a particularly noteworthy manufacturer of analogue mixing desks, and has built a reputation for mixers of decent quality at a reasonable price. Mixers from Yamaha and Allen & Heath are similarly focused. Presonus, Tascam and Soundcraft are known for deep audio interface integration, eliminating the need to buy one separately. The high-end segment in turn features Neve, Audient, API and Trident, which excel with high-quality analogue technology. Their products are mainly found in the five-figure price range, however!