8 Best Mixing Console For Recording Studio in 2023
There are a lot of things to consider when choosing a mixing console. For starters, it needs to be compatible with the venue you’re playing at.
Luckily, most mixer manufacturers have been taking these issues into consideration and many of the latest models are very user-friendly. Some even include multitrack recording and audio interface features.
1. Midas M32
The Midas M32 is a high-end digital mixing console that combines excellent audio quality with a range of professional features. Its microphone preamps are Midas’ award-winning PRO Series, delivering transparent and open sound, with very low harmonic distortion.
It also comes with more than 50 built-in effects, including compressors, EQs, and reverbs. You can stack up to eight stereo effects units per input, group, or bus and configure each unit to deliver the tone you’re looking for.
Designed for live sound, the M32 offers excellent ergonomics and features a tilted upper section for better visibility of your monitor mixes. It’s also a very good looking piece of equipment, and will look great in any room.
The Tascam Sonicview is a powerful and intuitive mixer user interface that lets you control everything in the mixer via fully customisable touchscreens and user-definable buttons. Its motorised faders, angled LCD screens and effects sections are right there in front of you to make it easier to work on the fly.
2. Tascam Model 24
The Tascam Model 24 is a high quality analogue mixer that offers a number of unique features for a great price. It’s a multi-function hybrid recording console that can operate as a live mixer, a DAW audio interface or a USB Multitrack recorder.
It also supports remote operation of the console using PreSonus’s Universal Control software. This allows you to use the onboard 60mm faders, REC arm, Solo, Mute, Pan and Jog Wheel controls in all major DAWs in DAW mode.
Another interesting feature is that you can export your recorded music files from the console to your computer via an SD card. This is a great way to perform virtual sound checks and it requires no extra equipment or software.
Aside from the fact that it can record and mix, this mixer also features a built-in microphone which is great for recording live rehearsals or personal voice memos. It also includes a preamp to boost low-quality microphone signals.
3. Yamaha MG20XU 20-Channel Mixer
Whether you’re in the studio or live, Yamaha MG20XU can provide you with all of the tools you need to mix and record music. It’s a versatile tool that can be used in many different ways, and it’s been praised by many users for being lightweight and portable.
Sound quality is crucial for a mix to be successful, and MG Series mixers focus on it first. They feature 3-band equalizers on each mono channel for precise control of the sound, and high-pass filters to eliminate unwanted low-frequency noise.
Another crucial component in any head amp is a good power supply. The MG20XU features a high-quality power supply that is designed to last for years and provide reliable performance.
In addition to a great power supply, the MG20XU features a rugged, impact-resistant metal chassis. This makes the mixer more durable and also diverts any pressure or impact on the knobs to the chassis instead of the components underneath it.
4. Tascam TF24 Mixer
The Tascam TF24 Mixer is a great option for anyone who wants to take their recording studio up a notch. It has a lot of features, including 24-track recording capabilities, a USB interface and a mixer control system that offers an analog experience.
This makes it a fantastic choice for students who are looking to learn how to mix. It’s also a great option for professional musicians and engineers.
It’s also easy to use and has a minimal learning curve. This means you can get up and running immediately without having to spend a lot of time setting up the mixer.
The TF24 Mixer comes with a range of channel presets to help beginners and advanced users alike find their way around the console. This allows you to spend less time on basic setup and more time refining your mix.
5. Yamaha AG03 20-Channel Mixer
If you’re looking for a mixing console that’s easy to use and offers flexible digital connectivity, the Yamaha AG03 20-channel mixer is an excellent choice. It can be connected to a PC via USB or to an iPhone or iPad using Apple’s Camera Connection Kit.
The mixer’s 3-band EQ and +48 Phantom power allow you to dial in livelier guitars, punchier bass lines and tighter drums. It also features one-knob compressors that save you time.
Moreover, it comes with 24-built-in effects that provide reverbs, delays, phasers, flangers and more. You can also choose from a variety of presets to customize your sound and make it more appealing to audiences.
Another great feature of this mixer is the sonic purity that it provides, thanks to its studio quality discrete class-A D-PRE preamps. It’s a testament to Yamaha’s constant quest for excellence in terms of providing the purest signal possible without adding processing or coloration that might not be needed in a live setting.
6. Allen & Heath ZEDi 10FX
The Allen & Heath ZEDi 10FX is a compact mixer that has an impressive number of features, including a 24bit 96kHz 4×4 USB audio interface and onboard FX. The unit is bundled with Cubase LE music production software and the Cubasis LE mobile music production app, making it an excellent choice for a variety of projects, from small bands to larger studios.
The ZEDi 10FX’s acoustic quality is top notch, and the patented ‘D-PRE’ studio quality mic preamps deliver a solid sound, with easy control. There are also some really nice touches, like a’multi-function’ remote control and a’smart meter’ display to help keep you in the know while you mix.
The ZEDi 10FX is the best mixer in its class, and it’s worth considering if you’re looking for a portable, quality mixer. With its cleverly designed features, it’s sure to impress even the most discerning of listeners. It’s a good idea to shop around for the best price, and do your research on what other models are available before you make a final decision.
7. Focusrite Scarlett 16-Channel Mixer
The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 is one of the most popular audio interfaces on the market. It offers excellent sound quality, low latency and effortless connectivity without breaking the bank.
The Scarlett 2i2 features two award-winning Focusrite preamps, offering exceptional clarity and plenty of headroom for all kinds of mics. The inputs also have phantom power, which means you can use any kind of condenser or ribbon microphone for recording sessions.
It’s also equipped with a number of hybrid input ports that allow you to connect to various sources at once. These include XLR and 1/4″ jacks, which you can select between to determine your preferred inputs.
The Scarlett 2i2 has a host of features that make it an ideal choice for both experienced and beginner musicians. It has a compact design, which makes it easy to transport and set up at any location, and it’s compatible with most DAW software. In addition, it comes with some of the best preamps and EQs on the market. Its streamlined connectivity and affordable price tag make it a great option for anyone looking to start their own recording career.
8. Tascam TS24
If you’re looking for a mixing console for your recording studio that will give you an array of versatile functions, the Tascam TS24 is a great option. It combines the classic controls of the Model 144 with key features of the tech age, such as a USB audio interface and high-grade effects.
This mixer also comes with a built-in microphone, which is useful for recording in-situ sound like rehearsals or interviews. It also features a large main monitor knob with mute button so you can easily check your levels.
In addition to a variety of inputs, this mixer also features Focusrite’s acclaimed preamps for superior recording quality. They’re designed to bring low-level signals up to standard levels, so they can be recorded at full fidelity without any distortion.
The TS24 comes with a wide range of digital effects, including reverb and delay, as well as the ability to add a chorus and flanger to your recordings. It also supports MIDI, which is great for connecting electronic keyboards and synthesizers to your mix.
8 Best Mixing Console For Recording Studio in 2023
There are a lot of things to consider when choosing a mixing console. For starters, it needs to be compatible with the venue you’re playing at.
Luckily, most mixer manufacturers have been taking these issues into consideration and many of the latest models are very user-friendly. Some even include multitrack recording and audio interface features.
1. Midas M32
The Midas M32 is a high-end digital mixing console that combines excellent audio quality with a range of professional features. Its microphone preamps are Midas’ award-winning PRO Series, delivering transparent and open sound, with very low harmonic distortion.
It also comes with more than 50 built-in effects, including compressors, EQs, and reverbs. You can stack up to eight stereo effects units per input, group, or bus and configure each unit to deliver the tone you’re looking for.
Designed for live sound, the M32 offers excellent ergonomics and features a tilted upper section for better visibility of your monitor mixes. It’s also a very good looking piece of equipment, and will look great in any room.
The Tascam Sonicview is a powerful and intuitive mixer user interface that lets you control everything in the mixer via fully customisable touchscreens and user-definable buttons. Its motorised faders, angled LCD screens and effects sections are right there in front of you to make it easier to work on the fly.
2. Tascam Model 24
The Tascam Model 24 is a high quality analogue mixer that offers a number of unique features for a great price. It’s a multi-function hybrid recording console that can operate as a live mixer, a DAW audio interface or a USB Multitrack recorder.
It also supports remote operation of the console using PreSonus’s Universal Control software. This allows you to use the onboard 60mm faders, REC arm, Solo, Mute, Pan and Jog Wheel controls in all major DAWs in DAW mode.
Another interesting feature is that you can export your recorded music files from the console to your computer via an SD card. This is a great way to perform virtual sound checks and it requires no extra equipment or software.
Aside from the fact that it can record and mix, this mixer also features a built-in microphone which is great for recording live rehearsals or personal voice memos. It also includes a preamp to boost low-quality microphone signals.
3. Yamaha MG20XU 20-Channel Mixer
Whether you’re in the studio or live, Yamaha MG20XU can provide you with all of the tools you need to mix and record music. It’s a versatile tool that can be used in many different ways, and it’s been praised by many users for being lightweight and portable.
Sound quality is crucial for a mix to be successful, and MG Series mixers focus on it first. They feature 3-band equalizers on each mono channel for precise control of the sound, and high-pass filters to eliminate unwanted low-frequency noise.
Another crucial component in any head amp is a good power supply. The MG20XU features a high-quality power supply that is designed to last for years and provide reliable performance.
In addition to a great power supply, the MG20XU features a rugged, impact-resistant metal chassis. This makes the mixer more durable and also diverts any pressure or impact on the knobs to the chassis instead of the components underneath it.
4. Tascam TF24 Mixer
The Tascam TF24 Mixer is a great option for anyone who wants to take their recording studio up a notch. It has a lot of features, including 24-track recording capabilities, a USB interface and a mixer control system that offers an analog experience.
This makes it a fantastic choice for students who are looking to learn how to mix. It’s also a great option for professional musicians and engineers.
It’s also easy to use and has a minimal learning curve. This means you can get up and running immediately without having to spend a lot of time setting up the mixer.
The TF24 Mixer comes with a range of channel presets to help beginners and advanced users alike find their way around the console. This allows you to spend less time on basic setup and more time refining your mix.
5. Yamaha AG03 20-Channel Mixer
If you’re looking for a mixing console that’s easy to use and offers flexible digital connectivity, the Yamaha AG03 20-channel mixer is an excellent choice. It can be connected to a PC via USB or to an iPhone or iPad using Apple’s Camera Connection Kit.
The mixer’s 3-band EQ and +48 Phantom power allow you to dial in livelier guitars, punchier bass lines and tighter drums. It also features one-knob compressors that save you time.
Moreover, it comes with 24-built-in effects that provide reverbs, delays, phasers, flangers and more. You can also choose from a variety of presets to customize your sound and make it more appealing to audiences.
Another great feature of this mixer is the sonic purity that it provides, thanks to its studio quality discrete class-A D-PRE preamps. It’s a testament to Yamaha’s constant quest for excellence in terms of providing the purest signal possible without adding processing or coloration that might not be needed in a live setting.
6. Allen & Heath ZEDi 10FX
The Allen & Heath ZEDi 10FX is a compact mixer that has an impressive number of features, including a 24bit 96kHz 4×4 USB audio interface and onboard FX. The unit is bundled with Cubase LE music production software and the Cubasis LE mobile music production app, making it an excellent choice for a variety of projects, from small bands to larger studios.
The ZEDi 10FX’s acoustic quality is top notch, and the patented ‘D-PRE’ studio quality mic preamps deliver a solid sound, with easy control. There are also some really nice touches, like a’multi-function’ remote control and a’smart meter’ display to help keep you in the know while you mix.
The ZEDi 10FX is the best mixer in its class, and it’s worth considering if you’re looking for a portable, quality mixer. With its cleverly designed features, it’s sure to impress even the most discerning of listeners. It’s a good idea to shop around for the best price, and do your research on what other models are available before you make a final decision.
7. Focusrite Scarlett 16-Channel Mixer
The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 is one of the most popular audio interfaces on the market. It offers excellent sound quality, low latency and effortless connectivity without breaking the bank.
The Scarlett 2i2 features two award-winning Focusrite preamps, offering exceptional clarity and plenty of headroom for all kinds of mics. The inputs also have phantom power, which means you can use any kind of condenser or ribbon microphone for recording sessions.
It’s also equipped with a number of hybrid input ports that allow you to connect to various sources at once. These include XLR and 1/4″ jacks, which you can select between to determine your preferred inputs.
The Scarlett 2i2 has a host of features that make it an ideal choice for both experienced and beginner musicians. It has a compact design, which makes it easy to transport and set up at any location, and it’s compatible with most DAW software. In addition, it comes with some of the best preamps and EQs on the market. Its streamlined connectivity and affordable price tag make it a great option for anyone looking to start their own recording career.
8. Tascam TS24
If you’re looking for a mixing console for your recording studio that will give you an array of versatile functions, the Tascam TS24 is a great option. It combines the classic controls of the Model 144 with key features of the tech age, such as a USB audio interface and high-grade effects.
This mixer also comes with a built-in microphone, which is useful for recording in-situ sound like rehearsals or interviews. It also features a large main monitor knob with mute button so you can easily check your levels.
In addition to a variety of inputs, this mixer also features Focusrite’s acclaimed preamps for superior recording quality. They’re designed to bring low-level signals up to standard levels, so they can be recorded at full fidelity without any distortion.
The TS24 comes with a wide range of digital effects, including reverb and delay, as well as the ability to add a chorus and flanger to your recordings. It also supports MIDI, which is great for connecting electronic keyboards and synthesizers to your mix.
