2. Introduction

Even though music recordings nowadays are predominantly carried out using DAWs, with software mixers being the go-to, there are still numerous situations where using analogue mixers makes sense. They perform admirably as main or monitor mixers during live performances and serve equally well as mixing consoles for multiple microphones and keyboards in rehearsal spaces. Moreover, in a home studio setup, an analogue mixer can be quite helpful, particularly in the use of synthesizers. A small analogue console can be more convenient than a small patchbay, thanks to volume controls, panning, and other features.

While analogue mixers have each function of a channel displayed on its dedicated control, digital mixers usually feature these functions behind a central control panel, where knobs and switches serve multiple functions and are often supported by a display. Furthermore, with digital mixers, the faders are often assignable to multiple functions, allowing a fader to control not only the volume of a single channel but also various channels simultaneously. When equipped with motorized faders, many digital mixers can store all crucial parameters, including the fader's position, in presets. This is not typically available in analogue consoles of the entry and mid-range segments. In the realm of analogue small and mini mixers, the emphasis is often on simplicity and affordability. Many devices available today fulfill these requirements quite effectively. As a result, the selection among analogue mixers is vast. However, this also leads to fierce price competition, ensuring that there's something available for every budget, no matter how modest. Indeed, analogue mini-mixers can now be purchased for around 30EUR!

Occasionally, the line between analogue and digital mixers blurs even in small mixers. For instance, the tiniest recording mixers are sometimes equipped with digital converters, enabling the mixed audio signals to be sent to a computer via USB or Firewire for further processing.

This guide aims to provide an overview of the most critical functions and distinctions among analogue mixers. Our goal is to help you pinpoint which mixer is right for you and why.