Best Mixing Console for a Home Recording Studio

Choosing the best mixing console for your home recording studio can be a daunting challenge. A number of factors will come into play while you’re attempting to navigate all the amazing options there are on the market, and because of that it can become easy to feel overwhelmed rather rapidly. You’ll be forced to determine how much space your room actually has for a mixing console as well as what type of console will best suit your needs.

If you’re just getting started you may be asking questions like “What is the best audio mixer to buy?” or “How do I choose an audio mixing console?” or even “Do I really need a mixing console for my home recording studio?” In this article we’ll cover all of those questions and more in an effort to help you choose the best mixing console for your home recording studio.

What is a Mixing Console?

A mixing console is an electronic piece of equipment designed for the purpose of combining and then controlling sounds or audio. Mixing consoles are used for a number of applications including broadcasting, live events, Postproduction for film and television and music recordings. Today we’re going to focus specifically on Mixing Consoles for Your Home Recording Studio and what you need to consider before purchasing one. 

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How Does a Mixing Console Work?

To put it simply a mixing console provides the user with the ability to organize, control and modify audio signals. To make more sense of this, lets break down a few features you’ll find on a mixing console.

The first thing most people think of when they think of a mixing console for a recording studio is a big desk covered in faders. Each fader or “channel” controls a different part of the audio. In the case of a recording or mixing studio, the channels are usually assigned to a specific instrument or element of a piece of music.

For example, one channel might be setup for guitar while another channel might be setup for an entire drum kit. A channel that is setup for multiple instruments or parts like in the case of the drum kit is called a “Bus.”   

The general public has watched enough music videos and movies to have a grasp of what they think the faders of each channel do, and in part they’re right. If you move a fader upwards or away from where the audio engineer is sitting, generally that will increase the volume or gain of that particular channel.

The channels on a mixing console often have other controlling features such as the ability to “pan” audio more to the left or right of the stereo field, the ability to mute or silence selected channels and send part or all of the audio from a channel to selected audio effects.

More advanced mixing consoles for recording studios are capable of having their channel controls automated for the purpose of helping certain elements of a song stand out to the listener at a particular point in the song. Some mixing consoles have audio inputs and outputs to receive and send audio signal directly into their circuits while others act only as a control unit for a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation).

We’re going to dive more into digital mixing consoles, analog mixing consoles, midi and midi over usb mixing consoles a little later in this post. For now, lets tackle how you might use a mixer in your home studio.     

Mixing Services

What Are Mixers Used For in a Home Studio?

In big studios and home project studios alike a mixing console or mixer would be used in an effort to have more control over the audio being mixed. In the case of my home studio, I use a mixing console that is simply a midi over usb control unit for my DAW.

It sends midi (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) signals to the DAW on my computer via a usb cable. Unlike classic mixing consoles that have specific circuitry which adds to or “colors” the audio signal a midi mixing control console does not add anything to the audio signal. 

By using the faders and other controls on the console instead of clicking around with the mouse, I can better fine-tune mixes for clients at a faster rate. I can also automate gain and other settings during playback or recording.

This technique is really useful specifically when working on getting vocals to sit just right with the rest of the mix. Vocals as a whole are a very dynamic instrument and will sound much better if their channel isn’t set to the same volume for the duration of an entire song.

In a classic studio environment the mixing engineer would make subtle changes to the vocal channels by constantly monitoring and adjusting gain as necessary during the recording process or playback processes. This is referred to as “Riding the Faders”.

If you have a home recording studio setup that is geared towards recording your band and friends bands you might not be as interested in the mixing and mastering side of things. However, that doesn’t mean you wouldn’t benefit from having a mixing console.

If you consider all the instruments and players that make up a band, you have a lot to try to control. All the individual instruments could be routed into the mixer inputs and assigned to different channels.

Done correctly the gain of each instrument could be adjusted independently of each other which would yield better control over the entire band. This would help result in a higher quality song. If the bass guitar was too loud it could easily be turned down a fraction of a decibel or more without affecting the set gain of the lead guitar.

Will a Mixing Console Improve Sound Quality in a Home Studio?

Short answer, yes! Whether you’re using a midi controller type console like I do or a console that has physical inputs and outputs for audio, the sound quality can most definitely be improved by adding a mixing console to your home studio setup.

Utilizing a mixing console will give you more control of your individual instruments or audio channels. Having this added control opens up the possibilities to better fine tune your mixes in a truly hands on way. It is possible to mix without a mixing console but the process can take longer and will likely be less organic in nature.

Additionally, if you were to use an analog mixing console for recording and mixing, you would be able to hear a noticeable difference in the audio due in part to the circuitry of the console itself. Some of the digital consoles on the market are also capable of coloring the sound. If proper mixing techniques are applied these console features can help yield a unique, warm, dynamic and full mix.

What Should I Look for in a Home Recording Studio Console?

Before you start looking for a mixing console, you’ll need to establish your needs including required inputs and outputs, desired number of channels, what you’ll be using the console for, available physical space and of course budget. Once you’ve sorted those out only then should you start shopping around.

One of the first things I suggest to know about any piece of studio equipment is build quality. The more questions you ask and find answers to, the more knowledge you have to make the best choice for your home studio.

You might have your eye on what appears to be a great option for you only to discover that behind the flashy features is a rushed cheaply made product. It doesn’t make any sense to buy something that isn’t going to last even if you’re swimming in disposable capital so do your research.

Another thing you’ll need to know is how the mixing console will interface with the rest of your studio. If it’s an analog or digital mixer what type of inputs does it offer? Do you have those types of connections on your current gear?

If you’re looking at a midi controller type console you’ll want to confirm that it will work with the DAW you use. Some midi controllers come with presets for multiple software options while others are designed for use with one DAW.

I’m of the mind that if a console is going to make things more complicated due to issues working with what you already have in your studio then you’re not improving anything. Instead, you’re going to wind up spending time trying to get things to work together instead of focusing on making and mixing better audio.

A few other features I considered when I was initially shopping for a mixer were touch sensitive controls and motorized faders. I don’t consider them to be a must have but it certainly helps me. Some consoles don’t offer motorized faders but that doesn’t mean they’re not a good option. As I said before, it really truly depends on you and your studio’s needs.          

Digital Mixers Vs Analog Mixer: Which One Is Better for a Recording Studio?

Digital mixing consoles and Analog mixing consoles do very similar things but not in the same manner. A number of digital consoles offer preamp emulation or variation options. Digital mixing consoles offer more fine tuned features for audio processing as well as onboard effects. Many of these effect features are useful for dialing in the sound you want for individual channels but it can be a little more involved when it comes to accessing them.

An analog mixing console is more straightforward. Aside from the controls on the console itself the real draw to getting one is the way in which the audio is colored by the circuitry. Each model and manufacturer have different circuits the audio passes through and the result can be different for each.

While a large number of digital mixers can act as an audio interface to connect to a DAW a true analog mixer does not so you’ll need to consider what audio interface to use if you’re planning to record into your computer.

If you’re at the point where you’ve decided that an analog console is what your home studio needs I suggest listening to music mixed with that specific model. Listen to as much of it as you can find. This will give you a better picture of how the audio is colored by the console, which will better help you make a final decision.            

Related Article: Top 10 Essential Home Recording Studio Equipment – A rundown of the best options out there for your own home studio

The Best Audio Mixing Consoles for your Home Recording Studio

Below I’ve put together a condensed list of mixing consoles that are ideal for a home recording studio. I have personal experience with each of these units either in my own home studio or in a similar studio environment. I believe this list is an excellent starting point to finding the best mixing console for your home recording studio.

   

Softube Console 1 Fader:

Softube Console 1 Fader Mixing Console

This 10-fader midi-mixing console has touch-sensitive motorized faders and a relatively small desktop footprint. I’d like to add that the faders are some of the quietest I’ve experienced on a mixer. That can be really helpful during mix playback when working with automation. Console 1 Fader works will all major DAWs without needing to be MIDI-mapped. Build quality is excellent and it can be paired with the Console 1 Channel controller.

SHOP >>>Softube Console 1 Fader

Allen & Heath ZEDi:

Aleen & Heath ZEDi Mixer

This mixing unit is actually a usb audio interface with 4 audio inputs and outputs. It has audio inputs that accept both XLR and TRS connections. It has DI high impedance inputs, eliminating the need for DI boxes. The Zedi also offers an internal FX Engine with Tap Tempo feature.

SHOP >>>Allen & Heath ZEDi

Soundcraft Signature 22MTK:

Soundcraft Signature Mixing Console

This High-Performance analog mixer includes onboard effects and multi-track USB recording and playback options. The Soundcraft heritage EQ and recognizable layout are packed into this incredibly affordable mixing console. The Iconic Soundcraft Ghost mic preamps with ultra-low noise performance and Lexicon Effects Engine featuring award-winning Reverbs, Delays, Choruses and Modulations also come standard.

SHOP >>>Soundcraft Signature 22MTK

Behringer (XTouch):

Behringer XTouch Mixer and Audio Interface

I use a version of the Behringer XTouch in my current studio. It has 9 fully automated and touch-sensitive motorized faders with a scroll option to move left or right in your DAW in order to access the next section of channels. This makes it really easy to mix a large session without having a console that takes up a ton of desk space. It supports HUI* and Mackie Control* protocols for seamless integration with every compatible music production software. It also offers Ethernet interface for RTP (Real-Time Protocol) as well as Midi and footswitch control options.

SHOP >>>Behringer (XTouch)

Roland MX-1:

Roland MX-1 Mixing Console

This 18-channel mixer offers DJ-style cue monitoring, quick mutes, and six fader curves per channel. In control surface mode it can be used for full control of your preferred DAW.  It includes TRS audio inputs and outputs as well as RCA effects send and return. You can also use the unit as a hub for other usb powered music control surfaces via the 4 usb ports on the back along with the option to connect traditional MIDI devices.

SHOP >>>Roland MX-1

Tascam Model 24:

Tascam Model 24 Mixing Console

This younger brother of the PortaStudio range of cassette-based multi-track recorders is designed to work as an analog mixing console but also functions as a digital multi-track recorder. It can be used as an audio interface and will connect directly to your PC or Mac for easy integration with your DAW of choice. Model 24 comes with 16 high-grade Tascam mic preamps and multiple stereo line inputs for studio-quality audio performance. Tascam is a trusted brand with great build quality and this model is no exception.

 SHOP >>>Tascam Model 24

PreSonus StudioLive AR16c:

PreSonus StudioLive AR16c Mixing Console

The AR16c allows for both multi-track recording into your DAW and recording to an SD card. You can utilize playback options via Bluetooth, from the DAW, directly from the SD card or with an RCA or Aux connector on the last channel of the mixer. Add in the 16 effects presets and this one is a great choice for live recording of bands or multiple instruments.

SHOP >>>PreSonus StudioLive AR16c

Solid State Logic X-Desk:

Solid State Logic X-Desk Mixing Console

This true analog mixing console is a combination of a compact analog monitoring hub and a 16-channel SSL summing mixer. The X-Desk can be mounted in a standard 19-inch rack (you’ll need 7U of space) but it is compact enough to be transported to another location.  The build quality of this unit is excellent due in part to it’s all metal chassis. The X-Desk offers Stereo and Mono Aux sends, monitoring with Dim and Cut buttons, channel and master bus inserts along with bar graph level metering.

SHOP >>>Solid State Logic X-Desk

Finding the best recording studio mixing console can seem like a challenge, but if you use the pointers above you should end up with the perfect one for your needs.

While this list is certainly not a complete and total collection of all the mixing consoles for home studio recording available on the market it is a detailed representation of the types out there. Bear in mind that a large number of the mixing consoles many consider classic such as the Neve Bcm10/2 Mk2 (a unit that re-sales for around $80,000) are not on this list simply because this article is more focused on the basics.  

If you’re interested in more information on starting your own home studio, I suggest you also read Top 10 Essential Home Recording Studio Equipment.

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