Abstract

• Pay shut consideration to what you intend to plug in to the mixer, and ensure you have loads of out there inputs.
• If you happen to want greater than analog stereo output, like digital outputs or a USB connection for a pc, make sure that the mixer has one.
• Whereas further options could be nice, do not low cost the utility of a small, transportable mixer if that is all you want.

If you happen to’re a content material creator, the fitting audio mixer could make your life a lot simpler, particularly as you increase your setup. The excellent news is that discovering the fitting one for you comes right down to answering a number of questions.

What Are You Utilizing the Mixer For?

Audio mixers are pretty easy: they take a number of audio indicators and mix them into fewer indicators, at the least usually. That mentioned, they differ in lots of different methods, like what number of inputs and outputs have, plus different built-in options from fundamental equalization to audio results.

Whereas it may be temping to buy options you may use, it’s usually higher to concentrate on what you’ll be utilizing the mixer for many. For instance, when you’re recording a podcast, you’ll need a mixer with loads of microphone inputs, whereas this gained’t be vital when you’re primarily recording from synthesizers, for instance.

Selecting the Proper Variety of Inputs

For a lot of functions, an important quantity on the subject of a given audio mixer is the variety of inputs it handles. Producers don’t precisely exit of their option to conceal this info, however they don’t make it as clear as they may.

For instance, most mixers labeled as “16-channel” are literally counting each the left and proper sides of a number of stereo channels to achieve that quantity. Technically, this reaches the acknowledged channel depend of the mixer, however this isn’t the identical as 16 full channels.

There isn’t any set N+1 rule to observe for channel counts. As a substitute, you’ll must fastidiously examine the channels on the mixer you’re contemplating shopping for to ensure that it options the variety of inputs you want within the format you want.

One closing factor to bear in mind is that purchasing one other mixer later is pricier than shopping for a barely larger one now. If you happen to’re unsure whether or not it’s possible you’ll want these further channels, you possible gained’t remorse it.

Microphone vs. Line vs. Instrument Inputs

Whereas a mixer could have a given variety of inputs, the connections these inputs use are one other story. That is as or much more vital as the general variety of inputs.

Audio mixers usually settle for both 1/4-inch or XLR microphone connections. When you’ll discover the occasional mixer with an instrument-level enter for plugging in a guitar, that is usually a characteristic extra usually present in audio interfaces than mixers.

Many consumer-level mixers characteristic mixture jacks that allow you to plug in both 1/4-inch or XLR cables into the identical jack. This offers you flexibility each now when it comes to what you possibly can join and later when it comes to how you should use your mixer.

How Many Outputs Do You Want?

Selecting the variety of inputs you want for a mixer is normally a reasonably easy course of: Plugging in six microphones means you want six inputs. Deciding what number of outputs you require could be simply as simple, or extra daunting!

For a lot of functions, if all you’re searching for is stereo output, the overwhelming majority of mixers out there have all of the output capabilities you want. If you happen to’re shopping for your first audio mixer, that is in all probability all you want to know.

That mentioned, one different characteristic constructed into many trendy mixers is the flexibility to output stereo audio to a digital audio workstation (DAW) in your laptop. Not each mixer has this characteristic, however many do, and whereas it gained’t change a devoted audio interface, it may very well be a useful further characteristic.

Constructed-in Results

Relying on what you’re utilizing a mixer for, it’s possible you’ll be wanting so as to add some easy results to your indicators. Whereas the built-in results you’ll discover on most mixers aren’t going to rival {hardware} models that engineers pay hundreds for, they’re nonetheless loads efficient.

You gained’t discover each impact, however fundamental reverb, echos, and delay results are widespread on consumer-level mixers. You’ll even discover extra over-the-top results like AM radio and pitch-shifting results, relying on the mixer and the producer.

One factor that isn’t as widespread is extra sensible results like compression, possible as a result of that is an impact that works higher on a per-channel foundation. There are mixers with compression constructed into every channel, however they’re usually way more costly than what we’re speaking about right here.

The Portability Issue

If you happen to consider the everyday mixer in a recording studio, you’re possible considering of one thing that takes a group of individuals to maneuver from room to room, if it’s even potential in any respect. Whereas it’s true that mixers could be big and cumbersome, they may also be gentle and transportable.

Properly, at the least as transportable as one thing usually created from steel could be!

That’s yet another factor to contemplate when excited about shopping for a mixer. Sure, it’s good to have as many inputs as it’s possible you’ll want some day, but it surely’s additionally useful to have a mixer you possibly can toss in your backpack on the way in which to a jam with some pals.

This largely comes right down to how you intend to make use of the mixer, however don’t low cost portability while you’re excited about how large or small to go together with your mixer.

When To not Use an Audio Mixer

A mixer is not at all times the fitting software for the job. Most individuals can be completely nice with a number of USB microphones and DAW software program. You solely actually need a mixer when you must combine quite a few audio sources on the identical time.

For instance, if you want to mic up a drum package, or you will have 4 or 5 folks taking part in a podcast. So think twice about how a lot mixing you really want after which determine if a devoted mixer is admittedly the perfect resolution.

Studying to make use of a mixer appropriately takes time, analysis, and observe. So you want to be able to make that dedication earlier than making that buy!