Choosing the Best Mixing Board for Your Jam in 2021
Picking out the best mixer can be a slightly daunting experience. There are multiple things you need to keep in mind, because you don’t want to end up with equipment that does not do everything you want it to.
The best mixing board will allow you to connect all your instruments, devices, sound card, listening system, and computer together to give you the possibility to create effects. This guide includes key information to get the best mixer that will suit your home studio configuration.
There are a number of mixers to choose from. Therefore, it is important to compare all your options and learn about the different types of mixing consoles to get your hands on the one you need. Here’s everything you need to know:
Connection Types
The type of sources you connect to your mixer is just as important as the number of sources. You might only need to connect microphones, or you could feel the need for line-level sources, in which case you would need more line inputs so that direct box usage can be reduced. Just check out the connection types to decide what feature you specifically want.
Analog or Digital
Depending on what you plan to use the mixing board for, you can pick either analog or digital. They both have their pros and cons. Analog mixers are simpler, more basic, and easier to use. Digital mixers, on the other hand, are complex but with many more features as compared to analog mixers.
Channel Count
A channel count is the frame size or the number of sources connected to your mixing board. This means that if you get a 24-channel mixer, you will have the option of connecting 20 audio sources simultaneously. Keep in mind that different kinds of mixers give different options. Some provide stereo channels, along with mono channels. Stereo channels are considered to have two inputs, even if they are using the same single channel. Therefore, you will have to keep your own needs in mind to determine what channel count will work best for your mixing board.
Recording Options
Most of the modern mixers come with the option to record. How advanced the recording option is would depend on how complex your mixer is. Some mixing boards let you record simple two-track recordings, while others give a more detailed recording option. Many of the mixers allow 24-bit recording at either 44.1 kHz or more.
Onboard Signal Processing
Mixers mostly have onboard signal processing in every channel, bus, or both. Having better onboard signal processing means that you will have to spend less money on the outboard gear. One thing that you must check is if the onboard effects have their own specific aux bus. If not, you would have to remove one monitor mix to add more features to your mixing effects.
Things to Look Out for When Getting a Mixing Board
- Check out the durability of the buttons, sliders, and knobs. Mixing boards face a lot of pressure and immense work, which means they are prone to wear and tear. Hence the reason you must opt for a mixing board that is of good quality and solid make.
- Think about what you want to use the mixing board for. Is it for live music mixing or recording? Or maybe both? Once you know what your usage will be, you can pick a device that works best to cater to your needs.
- Do you need the mixer for better sound-shaping capability? Then you would want to invest in a mixer that has multi-band parametric EQ. The high and low shelving would give you more access to the kind of sounds you are able to produce.
- Pay attention to the aux buses as they create a signal path to the main audio path of your mixing board.
Best Mixing Boards FAQs
Still unclear about some of the things that you need to know about the best mixing board in the year 2021? Here are some frequently asked questions for your help.
Q: What is the life of a mixing board?
A: A mixer lasts from about 3 to 5 years. This would, of course, also depend on the kind of usage you have of the mixing board. The more you take care of it, the longer it will last.
Q: Is it a mixer or an audio interface that I need?
A: A mixer and audio interface are two different things. A mixer is created to mix multiple audio sounds into one stream. On the other hand, an audio interface is manufactured to record clean signals on your source/computer in different tracks.
Q: Would leaving the mixing board on damage it?
A: There are many ways a mixer can get damaged. Power surge while the mixer is on is one of those things. However, if you leave the mixer on for a very long time, it will start failing. A mixing board can also get damaged due to operating jacks, faulty switches, mechanical wear and tear, as well as sliders.
Q: Is a mic preamp needed for a mixer?
A: Most experts agree that with a mixing board, a preamp mic is not needed. All mixing desks come with some kind of built-in preamp that helps in boosting a low-level microphone.
Q: What’s the best method to clean a mixing board without damaging it?
A: The best way to clean a mixing board is by using a vacuum. A handheld one, with a tiny nozzle is the ideal vacuum to help get in the corners and crevices. Make sure to use the vacuum for cleaning daily, as this would ensure that no dust is stuck to the board. If there is an accumulation of dust, you can also need a paintbrush to dust off the fine particles that refuse to come out easily.
Dust thoroughly so that the fine particles do not go inside the component but move away from it. A 25 mm brush will work wonders. Never spray any kind of liquid on the board when it is plugged into a socket, as that could lead to short-circuiting, ruining your mixer for good.