Digital mixers more than ever are becoming more affordable. They offer an array of features that are not found in their analog counterparts.  Flexible routing, full dynamics processing, multiple effects buses, and much more. One the biggest advantages digital mixers have over analog mixing consoles is the ability to save and recall scenes/mixes.  This can be a major time saver when setting up in a familiar venue or even a new venue that you have never set up in.

Digital mixers don’t even have to be set up in an optimal mix location either.  The mixing console can be setup on the side of the stage and then controlled wirelessly with an Ipad/tablet.  This gives the mix engineer the ability to walk the venue and hear how the mix sounds from any location. Performers on stage will also benefit from this feature by being able to control their own personal monitor mix.   

With the added complexity of digital mixers, the learning curve may be a little steeper for some users when compared to an analog mixing console, but the ability to save scenes and lock out unneeded features for less experienced users can cut down on the complexity.  With the vast amount of features contained in digital mixers, they have become a more affordable option when compared with buying an analog console with external effects and dynamic processing. Many houses of worship and music venues are finding that compact digital mixers are an excellent solution. Here we take a look at four popular digital mixers.

Presonus StudioLive Series lll 24.

This is the latest version of the StudioLive line from PreSonus.  This reincarnation of the StudioLive contains the familiar Fat Channel signal processing with fully parametric EQ and compression on every channel.  The Fat Channel can also be enhanced with plug-in processors such as vintage EQ and compressors.

Features

• 24 with recallable XMAX Class A mic preamps
• 24 channel inputs: 12 mic, 12 mic/line
• 32 total inputs
• 16 FlexMix outputs: 8 XLR, 8 balanced TRS
• 25 touch-sensitive, motorized faders 1-to-1 workflow
• Transport control
• Studio One DAW control
• 1 Ethernet control network port
• 1 Locking XLR Ethernet AVB audio network port

The StudioLive 24 can be controlled by multiple iPads giving the soundman mobility to move throughout the venue and give the musicians on stage complete control over their monitor mix.  Everything is completely recallable on the board making setup up breeze. The integration with the their Studio One and Capture software is seamless. Making live recordings with this board is very simple.  It can be done with capture or multitrack record to a SD card plugged into the onboard SD card slot.

We picked to highlight the 24 channel version in this review because it is still an affordable digital mixer option for the weekend warrior and enough channels for most smaller clubs with their own pa system.  PreSonus also has a 16 channel and 32 channel version of the Studio Live Series lll.

PreSonus really stepped up their game with this console.  The work flow is very simple and straightforward. We preferred this console over the Behringer x32 and Midas m32 boards because of simplicity in getting a mix up very quickly.  The touch is also more intuitive than the Behringer and Midas boards. If you’re in the market for an affordable digital mixer this is one the best buys out there today.

Allen & Heath QU 16 & 24

The Allen & Heath Qu 16 is an affordable choice for small venues and houses of worship.  The user interface on this digital board is one of the easiest to grasp on the market for those user who are coming from the analog world.  Setting up security and user access is a breeze providing three levels of users.

Features

• 16 Mic/Line channels
• 3 stereo Line channels
• 24 sources to the mix
• 12 mixes (4 mono, 3 stereo, LR)
• 4 FX (2 send buses)
• 4 SoftKeys
• 24 out, 22 in USB streaming
• Automatic mic mixing (AMM)
• Motorized faders
• Ipad Controllable

As with many digital boards today there is a whole ecosystem that this board seamlessly integrates into.  ME personal mixer, DAW control, remote audio racks, and Qu apps for apple and android devices make up the Qu ecosystem.

The Allen & Heath Qu 16 takes a lot of the technology from the larger Allen & Heath consoles and packs it into this compact system.  If you’re familiar with any other digital board that Allen & Heath sells you will feel comfortable on the Qu-16.

Another nice feature for those who like to do multitrack live recordings is the Qu Drive.  It is a 18 channel recording interface that will record all 18 individual track plus the stereo master bus.  It is also handy when a virtual soundcheck is required allowing the engineer to play back each track to its respective channel.

The board does not have digital scribble strips like the other boards reviewed in this article but it is such an easy interface to navigate that you almost don’t miss it.  It is very easy to put your own labels above the faders if labels are needed.

This is one of the most user friendly digital mixing boards on the market today.  For the user who might be only familiar with analog consoles it is an easy transition to make to the Qu-16 and is packed with enough features that are found on larger consoles that it will please the most experienced digital board users.

  

QSC TouchMix 30 Pro

The QSC TouchMix 30 Pro is the perfect digital mixer for a band or venue that is looking console with a small footprint.  It is equally comfortable being used a interface in a studio.

With 32 total channels (24 mic/line, 6 line, 2 stereo USB) and 16 outputs it has plenty of connectivity for the gigging band and small venue.  There are also 2 TRS connections for stereo headphone mixes as well as 2 headphone jacks for the cue mix.

It has the ability to multitrack direct record 32 channels to a hard drive and also act as a DAW interface.  The sound quality is amazing at this price point with class-A preamps and top notch converters.

Features

• Large multi-touch touch screen (10 inches)
• Multitrack record 32 channels direct to hard drive
• 32 x 32 DAW interface
• Built in Real Time Analyzer to help pinpoint problem frequencies
• 24 class-A preamps with amazing sound quality
• 14 aux mixes
• 8 sub groups
• Gain Sharing Auto Mixer
• Wirelessly controllable with ios/android devices
• Fast routing with Touch-and-route Patch Matrix
• 120 presets for different channel sources.

The Touchmix 30 pro is very easy to use and they sound awesome.  The touchmix 30 pro is the largest console in the touchmix family.  With the ability to multitrack record direct to a hard drive or into a DAW, tons of processing on every channel and output, and the ability quickly set up a mix with the built in presets this digital mixer really has everything you would need for a live sound setup or a recording studio.

Soundcraft SI Impact

The Soundcraft SI Impact boasts a sleek design that makes it extremely easy to use.  It has a great sounding preamps and effects engines. The SI impact fits in between the SI Expression and SI Performer by Soundcraft.  32 xlr inputs and 16 outputs provides plenty of channels for a music venue or house of worship.

Features

• 32 mic preamps
• Eight XLR combo jacks
• 40 DSP input channels
• 31 output buses
• 4-band parametric EQ on each channel
• Eight VCAs and eight mute groups
• 26 motorized faders
• Built-in stagebox connectivity
• 5″ touchscreen display
• Multicolor LCD displays on each fader
• Onboard DSP
• 20 aux buses
• Four matrix buses
• Built-in 32 x 32 USB audio interface

The board has a bit of a different layout than other Soundcraft SI models such as the expression and performer.  It’s a slight redesign the screen shifted left towards the center with improved ergonomics which makes a bit more operable and faster.

There is a full parametric equalizer on every input and output as well as compressors, gate, high pass filter and delay.

There are two card slots on the back of the SI Impact.  The board ships with one slot having the MADI-USB card installed.  The MADI port can be used to hook up to stage boxes and the USB port is used as an audio interface to facility take multitrack recordings.

The faders on this board are fast and feature Soundcraft’s FaderGlow which lights the fader strip up with a corresponding color for each type of input or output.

The only thing that is questionable is the location of the headphone jack which is buried underneath the front left of the board.

At the price point it is a tough one to beat for the those who are in search an affordable digital mixer for their band, venue or house of worship.