Studio Mixers & Control Surfaces
48-month financing* on select brand purchases.
Top Mixer Brands
- AEA
- Alesis
- Allen & Heath
- Alto Professional
- Ansmann
- API
- Appsys
- ART
- Ashly
- AtlasIED
- Attero Tech
- Audient
- Aviom
- BEACN
- Behringer
- Black Lion Audio
- Boss
- BSS
- Burl Audio
- C2G
- Cranborne Audio
- Cre8audio
- Cymatic Audio
- Dangerous Music
- Decksaver
- DiGiCo
- DiGiGrid
- Digital Audio Labs
- Electrodyne
- Flock Audio
- Furman
- Gator
- Gibraltar
- Grace Design
- Harrison Audio
- Hear Technologies
- Hercules DJ
- Hosa
- Intellijel
- JDK Audio
- K&M
- Klang
- Klark Teknik
- LEA Professional
- Line 6
- Listen Technologies
- Little Labs
- LittLite
- LM Cases
- LogicKeyboard
- Mackie
- Magma Bags
- Maloney StageGear Covers
- Midas
- Middle Atlantic Products
- MOTU
- Movek
- Neve
- Odyssey
- On-Stage
- Peavey
- Performance Carts
- Phoenix Audio
- PreSonus
- Pro Co
- ProX
- Purple Audio
- QSC
- Radial
- RCF
- Rode
- Roland
- Rolls
- Rupert Neve Designs
- Samson
- Saramonic
- Shadow Hills Industries
- Shure
- SKB
- Softube
- Solid State Logic
- Soundcraft
- SPL
- Switchcraft
- TASCAM
- TC-Helicon
- TC Electronic
- Trident Audio Developments
- Ultimate Support
- Waves
- WesAudio
- Whirlwind
- Wolff Audio
- Yamaha
- Yorkville
- Zoom
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Mixing Consoles and Control Surfaces Bring Hands-on Control to Your Audio
A studio mixer " also known as a desk, board, or mixing console " takes multiple audio signals and sums (blends) them into a combined output signal. For example, say you have a vocalist, guitarist, bassist, and drummer. You'd run the signals from each instrument or microphone into the inputs on the mixer. You can then adjust their individual volume levels using controls called faders. Audio mixers have varying numbers of channels. The number of channels corresponds to the quantity of signals that it can accommodate. Besides combining signals (also known as mixing), studio mixers often include tone-shaping processors such as equalizers, compressors, and more. After they are mixed, the combined signals are routed to your recording device. Mixers also feature outputs that allow you to monitor (listen to) your recorded material.
Control surfaces, on the other hand, use rotary encoders and faders to emulate the mixing console experience in an in-the-box recording setup. A control surface may lack the number of knobs of an analog or digital console, yes. But thanks to their size, convenience, and configurability, a control surface is a sure winner for recording enthusiasts craving that old-school hybrid workflow.
Analog and Digital Mixers: What's the Difference?
Mixers are separated into two broad categories: analog and digital. Like other analog gear, an analog mixer uses changes in voltage to represent changes in sound pressure. The primary benefits of analog mixers are simplicity and sound. Once you learn your way around an analog console, it's very easy to use. And the distinctive sound of an analog desk has graced countless hit records. This sound is why many world-class recording studios still use an analog mixer. The downside is that analog mixers require nearly constant service and maintenance. Luckily, Sweetwater's Service Department is factory-authorized to repair nearly everything that we sell. Our technicians have the training and expertise to get you up and running with the fastest turnaround in the industry.
A digital mixer uses " you guessed it " digital signal processing to combine and process audio signals. Digital mixers, like most powerful electronic devices, can have a steep learning curve. But you gain the ability to recall your settings instantly, and most digital mixers are loaded with EQ, compression, reverb, and scores of digital effects. Many recording engineers have adopted a hybrid approach where they employ elements of both analog and digital mixers. In fact, Sweetwater's Studio A houses a one-of-a-kind Neve 6 mixing console with a digital center section, providing the best of both worlds.
Console Mixers Do More Than Route Signals
Did you know that you probably already have a digital mixer in your studio? Most audio interfaces have an internal virtual mixer to route signals in and out of your computer. Not to mention that most recording software features an audio mixer that you use to adjust the individual volume levels of your tracks. That being said, there's nothing like the sound of an analog studio mixing desk. That's where summing mixers come in. A summing mixer is basically a compact analog console with no faders or knobs. You use it to sum multiple signals from your recording software into a combined stereo signal. This allows you to enjoy the benefits of digital mixing, while achieving the unmistakable sound of an analog studio mixer.
Can Dust Damage My Recording Mixer?
If you're worried about dust, dirt, or damage, Sweetwater has a massive inventory of mixer cases. Use the Case Finder at Sweetwater.com to find the ideal case for you, or call your Sales Engineer - they're always happy to help. We have expansion modules to add inputs and outputs to your digital mixer and mixer lamps and meter bridges to help you keep an eye on what you're doing. We also have a huge selection of rack ears for your rackmount mixer, mixer stands, wall plates, and more.
Pro Mix and Mastering Engineers Look to Sweetwater for Their Mixing Consoles
At Sweetwater, we've had our hands on just about every mixing board in existence " everything from small desktop mixers to large-format consoles. Whatever your needs, we'll help you find the perfect console mixer for your studio. For more information, see our Mixer Buying Guide and Control Surface Buying Guide.
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