Best home studio mixers 2024: Analogue and digital mixing desks for all budgets

The best home studio mixers act as the cornerstone of a well-stocked studio. Whether you're fine-tuning a vocal track or combining a variety of hardware instruments, the right mixer can make all the difference. But with so many options on the market, finding the best option for your needs be a touch confusing. For starters, why choose a mixer over an audio interface?

The reason is versatility. Often - but not always - audio interfaces require connection to a computer to operate to their full potential. A good mixer, however, is designed to act as that central hub between your instruments, sound sources and monitoring system, regardless if you’re connected to a laptop or running a DAW-less setup.

From pristine audio fidelity to intuitive usability, with an eye on durability, each aspect of our pick of mixers in this guide plays a crucial role in shaping your production experience. In this guide, we'll explore the key considerations that make a superior mixer, empowering you to make an informed decision that aligns with your unique studio needs and artistic vision.

The quick list

Best overall

Best home studio mixer: SSL Big Six

(Image credit: SSL)
The closest thing you’ll get to a pro console in your home studio

Specifications

Connectivity: USB-C
Audio resolution: 24-bit/96kHz
Analogue inputs: 18
Analogue outputs: 16
Digital connectivity: None
MIDI I/O: None

Reasons to buy

+
Quality SSL preamps
+
Sought after compressor that works great on drums and busses
+
16-channel interface

Reasons to avoid

-
An expensive choice

As its name implies, BiG SiX is the larger sibling of SSL’s equally impressive SiX (see below). As with that mixer, BiG SiX builds on the heritage of SSL’s legendary, large-format studio consoles, but does so in a way aimed primarily at home and project studios.

This model ups the ante by offering a full 16-channel analogue mixer. These include four mono channels that feature SSL’s SuperAnalogue mic preamps, each offering mic/line/Hi-Z inputs, a high-pass filter, SSL Channel Dynamics, an updated three-band EQ and a fully balanced insert point. These are joined by four stereo inputs with dual mono switching. 

The analogue appeal is rounded out with three compressor flavours, one of which is an ‘Essential’ version of the classic SSL G-Comp Bus Compressor that features the well-known auto release option. SSL compressors are a sought-after choice for their ability to ‘glue’ sound sources together and add punch to drums – and having that access to that in your home studio is a major draw here.

Crucially, BiG SiX also improves on the SiX’s biggest weak spot by adding a 16-channel USB 24-bit/96kHz audio interface. 

This is certainly not a cheap option, but the blend of analogue heritage and digital convenience makes this a fantastic device for small studio setups.

Read the full SSL BiG SiX review

Best for small studios

Best podcast mixers: Presonus StudioLive AR8c

(Image credit: Future)
A home studio recording powerhouse

Specifications

Connectivity: USB-C
Audio resolution: 24-bit, 96kHz
Analogue inputs: 8
Analogue outputs: 4
Digital connectivity: Bluetooth
MIDI I/O: No

Reasons to buy

+
Highly versatile
+
Tough build quality
+
Great features for podcasters

Reasons to avoid

-
Quite bulky

The PreSonus StudioLive AR8c neatly bridges the gap between audio interface and mixer by basically being both, and doing it really well. It comes in a few different sizes, with more connectivity the higher up the range you go, but for us, this 8-channel version is the sweet spot. With it, you get eight analogue inputs comprising high-quality mic preamps, line-in inputs and even RCA connections, while there are also some neat tricks in the fact it has a channel which can accept Bluetooth audio connections - perfect for podcasting. 

Hook it up to your laptop and it becomes a fully-fledged audio interface, meaning you can record all the inputs simultaneously into your DAW of choice. A small selection of effects adds to the overall package, making it a comprehensive - and great value - option for small to mid-sized home studios.

Read the full PreSonus StudioLive AR8c review

Best budget

Best home studio mixers: Allen & Heath ZEDi 10FX

(Image credit: Allen & Heath)
This affordable all-rounder is one of the best home studio mixers

Specifications

Connectivity: USB 2
Audio resolution: 24-bit/96kHz
Analogue inputs: 10
Analogue outputs: 4
Digital connectivity: None
MIDI I/O: No

Reasons to buy

+
A fantastic affordable mixer
+
Good USB interfacing options
+
Boutique preamps

Reasons to avoid

-
Not as visually pleasing as older models

The latest update to A&H’s long running analogue ZED series bundles 4x4 USB interface alongside GSPre boutique preamps and onboard effects for a powerful studio ready solution. You get four mono mic/line channels (with phantom power) plus three stereo inputs. The first two channels include a high impedance DI mode, while the four mono channels feature separate balanced/unbalanced TRS and XLR inputs, with the stereo inputs on TRS jacks. 

The GSPre preamps are super quiet and have bags of headroom, and all mic inputs include a 100Hz low cut filter alongside 3 band fixed frequency EQ. USB operation is also sensible, with 3 routing configurations. Finally, an onboard FX send and processor rounds things off. The ZEDi 10FX is well designed, well built, well equipped and is great value for money.

Read the full Allen & Heath ZEDi 10FX review

Best mobile mixer

Best home studio mixers: Roland Go Mixer Pro X

(Image credit: Future)
An impressive smartphone/tablet focused mixer that’s ideal for modern content creators

Specifications

Connectivity: Micro USB
Audio resolution: N/A
Analogue inputs: 11
Analogue outputs: 3
Digital connectivity: None
MIDI I/O: None

Reasons to buy

+
Better smartphone compatibility than its predecessor
+
New guitar/bass pad switch

Reasons to avoid

-
No multichannel audio support from interface
-
Could be sturdier 

We liked the previous ‘Pro’ version of Roland’s Go:Mixer, but this latest update is a significant improvement across the board. The Go:Mixer Pro X features 11 audio input channels (two more than the previous Pro version) and three output channels (one more than the Pro). 

This is configured through two (L/mono, R) 1/4 inch jack inputs, two 3.5mm stereo line inputs, 1/4 inch Guitar/Bass input, a TRRS smartphone In/Out (stereo, CTIA) and a combo XLR/1/4 jack input. There’s also a headphone or headset jack (stereo, CTIA) and the obligatory micro USB socket to round off the I/O.

There’s also the much needed guitar/bass pad to help tame any high levels from active pickups etc. Further switching on the unit includes phantom power, on/off and the Loop Back function.

If you’re primarily looking for a mixer/interface to work with a smartphone or tablet (along with a few other devices), the Pro X might be the best option out there.

Read the full Roland Go:Mixer Pro X review

Best for podcasting

Best home studio mixers: RødeCaster Pro II

(Image credit: Future)
The best home studio mixer for podcasting

Specifications

Connectivity: USB-C
Audio resolution: 24-bit, 48kHz
Analogue inputs: 4
Analogue outputs: 6
Digital connectivity: Wi-fi
MIDI I/O: No

Reasons to buy

+
Lots of connectivity
+
Customisable pads
+
Touchscreen

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive for what it is

Podcasting is an interesting sub-genre for home studio mixers, in that there are a few features which may not make sense for musicians but will improve the quality of life for podcasters and content creators immensely. The Rode RODECaster Pro II is a great example of this, offering up enough ‘standard’ mixing capability for most people but then augmenting that with pod-friendly additions like four headphone outputs, hot-swappable action buttons and the ability to record directly from the unit onto an SD card or external hard drive.

Four high-quality mic preamps mean your voice recordings will sound sweet, while we found the large touch screen makes adjusting levels and settings a breeze. It’s fairly expensive, and the additional bells and whistles may not be wildly useful for everyone, but if your home studio focuses on podcasting, vlogging or streaming - and your budget can stretch to it - then the Rode RODECaster Pro II is well worth your time.

Read the full Røde RødeCaster Pro II review

Best for bands

Best home studio mixer: Korg SoundLink MW-1608

(Image credit: Korg)
An excellent mixer for live and band recording, with some notable heritage

Specifications

Connectivity: USB
Audio resolution: 24-bit/48kHz
Analogue inputs: 28
Analogue outputs: 14
Digital connectivity: None
MIDI I/O: None

Reasons to buy

+
Excellent quality preamps and A/D converters
+
Korg effects are top quality
+
Flexible, musician-friendly features such as mute groups

Reasons to avoid

-
Lacks full audio interface or onboard recording

Korg’s SoundLink mixer series comes with some impressive names attached to it. Any musician with an interest in mixing technology will likely recognise Greg Mackie’s name, and the fact that he and equally-notable, former Trident designer Peter Watts have had input into the design here gives Korg’s latest consoles some serious pedigree.

Korg describes the SoundLink range as being ‘hybrid’ mixers, implying a balance of analogue and digital tech, although that doesn’t quite pan out how you might imagine. The analogue side is very strong here, with excellent pre-amps and classically-styled channel strips that are easy and very satisfying to use. There are plenty of strong, musician-friendly touches too, such as smart monitoring features and handy mute groups.

There’s some decent digital technology onboard too, primarily in the form of Korg’s excellent DSP effects. However, its major downside compared to some other mixers on this list is a lack of audio interface – there is a single stereo streaming channel, but this is more aimed at recording from a digital source than true studio integration.

As a result, as good as the SoundLink mixers are, they excel in band or live situations more than they do home studio ones. That said, for those looking for a more old school, analogue workflow, who can cope without onboard recording or multi-channel streaming, these are still quality desks.

Read the full Korg SoundLink MW-1608 review

Best tube mixer

Best home studio mixers: Art Pro Audio Tube Mix

(Image credit: Art Pro Audio)

7. Art Pro Audio Tube Mix

Valve flavour enhances this compact stylish design

Specifications

Connectivity: USB 2
Audio resolution: 16-bit, 44.1/48kHz
Analogue inputs: 5
Analogue outputs: 4
Digital connectivity: None
MIDI I/O: No

Reasons to buy

+
Selectable valve stage
+
Stylish design
+
VU meters

Reasons to avoid

-
Not much

Art’s 5 channel mini mixer includes 2 mic, 2 line and 1 Hi-Z instrument input with optional amp simulator effect. The mixer’s tube credentials are via an assignable 12AX7 tube stage, which can serve either the pair of mic inputs, or the single instrument input. There are 4 mixer strips (3 mono and 1 stereo) and all include 3 band EQ, 2 auxiliary sends and pan. 

USB connectivity is 2 in / 2 out with a dedicated USB Return level. Meanwhile either the USB output or main mix can be switched to the rather nice VU meters. Finishing off this very retro styled mixer are wooden end panels. All told it’s a stylish desk and an ideal all-in-one solution for small studio set ups.

Best for rehearsal rooms

Best home studio mixers: Zoom LiveTrak L-12

(Image credit: Zoom)

8. Zoom LiveTrak L-12

This capable mixer is ideal for rehearsal rooms

Specifications

Connectivity: USB-2
Audio resolution: 24-bit/96kHz
Analogue inputs: 8 x XLR/jack combo, 4 x ¼” jack, 2 x RCA
Digital connectivity: N/A I **MIDI I/O:** N/A

Reasons to buy

+
All-in-one mixer and recorder
+
Custom mix monitoring

Reasons to avoid

-
Mic preamps not quite flawless

A slight detour away from traditional ‘home’ studios brings us to rehearsal spaces. We’ve included this because garages count, right? Regardless, it’s likely bands will require something more substantial for recording full performances, demos or jam sessions. We’ve all done the classic ‘one mic in the middle of the room’ recordings at some point, and dreamt of being able to exercise more control. In the Zoom LiveTrak L-12, there is a solution. 

This 12-input digital mixer combines the best of both worlds. As a pure mixer, you can record up to 12 sources at the same time with complete control over levels, panning, effects and routing. This can then be output either as one summary source, or as individual tracks to a computer over USB for editing and post-production. 

Alternatively, the LiveTrak L-12 also acts as a self-contained multitrack recorder, with the ability to record, mix and master full tracks which can be exported via SD card. For bands on a budget, the Zoom LiveTrak L-12 is a pretty compelling proposition.

Best budget podcast mixer

Best home studio mixer: Tascam Mixcast 4

(Image credit: Tascam)
An impressive entry into the podcast mixer realm from the creator of the Portastudio

Specifications

Connectivity: USB-C
Audio resolution: 24-bit/48kHz
Analogue inputs: 8
Analogue outputs: 8
Digital connectivity: None
MIDI I/O: None

Reasons to buy

+
Lots of connectivity
+
Well equipped Podcast Editor software available
+
Compact and robust

Reasons to avoid

-
Some features require software to configure

The latest entrant into the growing podcaster realm is Portastudio creator Tascam. Mixcast 4 is an SD-based multiple input, multiple output multitrack recorder with USB interfacing. It lets you balance and record the audio of your project as either a stereo mix or in multitrack format, then transfer this via USB to an assortment of devices.

One of Mixcast 4’s strongest points is its broad range of connectivity. There are four phantom-powered mic inputs (the first four faders), and one stereo line input on either ¼” TRS jacks or minijack. Outputs include four headphones (headphone 1 is paralleled to a front mounted minijack), and the main stereo output. 

USB interfacing provides 14-out/2-in communication, with the faders routed to individual USB streams. The final three stereo faders carry a Bluetooth input, USB input from the connected USB device and audio from the trigger pads (which can be assigned with sounds via a software application).

Read the full Tascam Mixcast 4 review

Best digital mixer

Best home studio mixers: Behringer X32 Producer

(Image credit: Behringer)

10. Behringer X32 Producer

Supreme power and value from this digital mixer

Specifications

Connectivity: USB 2
Audio resolution: 24-bit 44.1/48kHz
Analogue inputs: 16
Analogue outputs: 14
Digital connectivity: 2 x AES 50, Ultranet
MIDI I/O: In/Out

Reasons to buy

+
Midas designed preamps
+
Multichannel 32 x 32 USB interfacing 
+
Flexible bus routing

Reasons to avoid

-
No combi XLR inputs

The X32 Producer is the cheapest of Behringer’s three X32 digital mixers, but it still packs a serious spec. With 16 Midas designed mic pres, 17 100mm motorised faders, 32 channel USB DAW I/O and onboard effects, you’re getting lots for your money and in a pretty compact footprint. What’s more, despite its potential complexity, the X32 Producer’s simple layout incorporating global physical controls for channel strip gain, dynamics and EQ make it easy to use. 

Channel LED metering complements the screen driven parameter visuals, and rounding things off are 8 effects slots, 8 DCA groups, input expandability via the two AES50 connectors and flexible routing via the physical outputs and monitoring. All told the X32 Producer is a supremely powerful tool at an excellent price.

Buying advice

Man marking up the tracks on a mixing desk

(Image credit: Future)

How to choose the best home studio mixer for you

MusicRadar's got your back Our team of expert musicians and producers spends hours testing products to help you choose the best music-making gear for you. Find out more about how we test.

Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, there are a few things to consider when selecting the best home studio mixer.

First and foremost, audio fidelity reigns supreme. A good home studio mixer should deliver pristine sound quality, capturing every nuance of your recordings and performance. Look for models equipped with premium preamps and converters, ensuring optimal signal clarity and minimal noise interference, as these will give you the best platform on which to edit your sounds later.

Versatility is another key consideration. Home studio set-ups often require flexibility to accommodate various recording scenarios and equipment configurations. Opt for mixers with multiple input channels, allowing you to connect microphones, instruments and other audio sources simultaneously. This means you can effectively leave your various sound sources connected, ready to record when inspiration hits you. 

Additionally, built-in effects and signal processing capabilities can be useful if you’re not planning on adding them later, enabling you to add different colours to your sound.

Beginner vs specialist mixers

Ease of use is essential, particularly for those new to audio engineering. Intuitive controls and a user-friendly interface will help streamline the mixing process, allowing you to focus on your music rather than grappling with technical complexities. Look for mixers with clear labelling, ergonomic layouts and intuitive software integration, simplifying navigation and enhancing workflow efficiency. Some may come with built-in visual feedback, which could be a screen or could just be clever use of LED lights to display key information like gain or volume levels.

You may have a specific use case in mind. Features like USB and Bluetooth connectivity are great for podcasting, enabling easy communication with computers and mobile devices, and providing the ability to mix in phone interviews, for example, alongside the usual recording, playback, and streaming capabilities. Likewise, mixers designed for music production may include MIDI connectivity to help communicate with hardware equipment like synths and grooveboxes.

Other considerations to make

Finally, while we’d wager most mixers will remain pretty stationary once they’re set up, durability is still a fundamental consideration, particularly for equipment that sees frequent use in home studio environments. Metal construction and high-quality materials - avoid those wobbly faders - ensure long-lasting performance, withstanding the rigours of daily use and transportation. Look for mixers from reputable manufacturers known for their commitment to build quality and reliability, providing peace of mind that your investment will endure the test of time.

How we test products

Here at MusicRadar, we are experts in our field, with many years of playing, creating and product testing between us. We live and breathe everything music gear related, and we draw on this knowledge and experience of using products in live, recording and rehearsal scenarios when selecting the products for our guides.

When choosing what we believe to be the best home studio mixers available right now, we combine our hands-on experience, user reviews and testimonies and engage in lengthy discussions with our editorial colleagues to reach a consensus about the top products in any given category.

First and foremost, we are musicians, and we want other players to find the right product for them. So we take into careful consideration everything from budget to feature set, ease of use and durability to come up with a list of what we can safely say are the best home studio mixers on the market right now.

Find out more about how we test music gear and services at MusicRadar

Si Truss

I'm Editor-in-Chief of Music Technology, working with Future Music, Computer Music, Electronic Musician and MusicRadar. I've been messing around with music tech in various forms for over two decades. I've also spent the last 10 years forgetting how to play guitar. Find me in the chillout room at raves complaining that it's past my bedtime.


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