Which powered mixer is best

Adjustable Effects: Echo And Delay. Usb Input. Mp3 Volume Control. Aux Volume Control. Master Volume Control. Fan Vent Cooling System. Dimensions: 5. Weight: 18Lbs. TOP 6. Features Product Code: Vlz4. Brand: Mackie. TOP 7. TOP 8. TOP 9. GTD Audio. TOP Alto Professional. RX V2. Multi-Channel Powered Mixer. Remote Control. Lcd Display.

Many live engineers will explain that the whole environment of live sound lends itself to a less-than-desired quality so having an analog mixer remedies the situation.

Digital mixers have become more popular as technology has improved. A digital mixer knows no bounds as far as capability and audio reproduction as long as the hardware allows for it. Digital mixers can modify an audio source to whatever extent you wish because any incoming signal will convert to binary 1s and 0s that a computer can read and affect that signal based on how you set up the machine. A great reason why many live engineers are switching to digital is based on the compatibility with modern plugins.

Many companies like Waves create cross-platform plugins that allow you to set up your live performance with the same signal chain that was used during recording. Buy on Amazon. The Yamaha EMXCF is the best current live powered mixer based on its many features but also the amazing, smooth, and clean sound that it produces in a live scenario. The Yamaha mixer maintains enough input and output jacks for most four-piece bands. You can hook up 12 XLR cables while still having the extra accessibility of four stereo inputs.

Along with the stereo input, the Yamaha has a maximizer circuit design. This means that the stereo output is enhanced in terms of loudness and quality. The EMX is incredibly capable for a small to medium sized venue. The extensive audio processing capabilities will allow your band to simply buy this machine and utilize the onboard processing system instead of bringing your hardware along with it.

The Yamaha offers single-knob compression on eight of the mono inputs. The EMX has a stereo digital graphic equalizer so you can truly see what you are doing to the audio spectra of your music.

Lastly, there is a wide array of echoes and reverbs with the option of integrating tremolo, chorus, distortion, wah-wah, doublers, pitch change, or gating into your audio signal. The EMX is a perfect companion for any musician or live engineer from a practical perspective as well. As mentioned earlier, powered monitors are meant to be relatively portable because of the internal amplifier. Its is compact at about 24 by 21 by 11 inches. It weighs only 30 pounds, extremely light in comparison to many powered monitors.

The assortment of effects and monitoring capabilities provide an even mix between power and capability. Behringer is known throughout the audio industry as a great quality manufacturer. In creating this list, this mixer and the Yamaha were close in rank. With 16 channels, eight of which including the option of phantom power, and four dedicated to stereo inputs, the PMP can provide for almost any three to four piece band. The onboard effects are relatively good.

Unfortunately, they are sampled at a bit rate, making them lower quality than many hardware effects. Cheap-sounding effects Poor marketing material — unsure whether it is W or 2 X W due to conflicting online material from Behringer. This console is specifically for musicians who are touring and need a cost effective way to output their audio signal.

The machine allows for eight XLR inputs, four line inputs phantom power , and signal processing for each input. The Mackie PPM is a beast when it comes to accessories and features. This machine shows the progress engineers have made as far as including a range of features into a powered mixer. The Mackie includes 12 channels, audio signal processing effects like reverb, chorus, and tap-delay great for quick changes in a live situation , a peak meter, eight line inputs, two stereo inputs, and a fast recovery series which ensures quality in the circuitry of the machine.

Credit: Peavey Electronics. The Peavey XR is a powered mixer that is praised for the low-noise mic preamps. This minimizes the noise floor of your live instruments and increases the overall quality of audio playback. PreSonus, well known for manufacturing excellent digital audio mixers, have produced with this product something that is exceptional that will work in many environments. Twenty-four to four to two, a classic setup on a mixing desk.

This carries that weight and power but then a lot more. There will not be enough space here to describe in detail all the facilities packed into this desk so we will highlight the important ones. Twenty-four channels all come with XMAX preamps for microphones which will give any boost necessary for live or studio recordings. More about those soon. Four subgroups and ten auxiliary buses give you plenty of control.

There are more than ninety signal processors. Compressors, limiters, and expanders — a high pass filter and four band EQ are available on all channels. Channels can be preset as commencement points for instruments and voice and can be called up when needed. And, there is an Auto store facility saving current settings in case of malfunction. So many functions, that there are too many to describe.

Perhaps the most critical though, and what sets this desk apart from others are the preamps. Twenty four channels all with a studio quality preamp will give you twenty-four great sounding channels. No matter what you run through them be they vocals, guitars, drums, keyboards or just about anything else you can imagine. You have the control to produce a great balanced sound. This desk is pushing the boundaries of what has become possible. Peavey makes some quality gear and has done so for fifty years.

They do tend to make things that are very durable and make some good noise, and this is a good example. It also has Phantom power, but only for microphones. There is a feedback detecting system that identifies potential overload and with the 8-band graphic equalizer is able to remove it. Lighting up an LED at the first signs of feedback allows you to address the problem early. Peavey has patented its Kosmos-C sound enhancement module to allow you to bring life to your sound. Both low and high controls adjust the frequency ranges to give you the sound you are looking for.

Onboard are bit digital effects that add further control over the sounds. A variety of reverbs and delays are also available. These can be operated by a footswitch. The effects may be less than other mixers have onboard, but they are adequate for producing a simple, clear sound.

It is tough and sturdy and is built to travel and take a few knocks, and is set at a reasonable price. If you are looking for a mixer that will allow you a lot of additional options, then this is certainly worth taking a look at. It really does perform above what you might consider is above its punching weight. If what you are really wanting to do is to mix and record your concert or rehearsal then this is possibly the best audio mixer for you.

Recording and mixing up to twelve channels at a time the possibilities this desk gives for an easily transportable machine are endless. Especially as you can use the onboard studio-quality effects it offers. You can actually finish the whole thing using the L or if you prefer or send the results to your DAW for editing and mixing.

Each channel has a three-band EQ with the sixteen effects provided. And, mic preamps and compressors are included for each channel. A special facility has been included for guitar and bass with channels 1 and 2 offering hi-Z inputs. These allow for the best possible signal to go into the desk if you connect a guitar or bass directly into it. Phantom power, metronome, USB connections — all included. Not at all for what you are getting.

You will be hard pushed to find a better desk than this, with all the facility it provides for less. Could this make it the best audio mixer in this rundown?

Wait till the end to find out…. A big machine from Mackie providing state of the art capability, and improved functions. This means that it could be considered to be one of the best live sound mixers around. But is it? The one thing you can say about Mackie is they make great analog mixing desks, they pack them full of power and effects, and build them in such a way that they survive being run over by a tank.

This VLZ4 with work anywhere but it is prepared to be taken on the road and used live if it is needed. The VLZ series of mixers are designed to be robust and sturdy, and this is no exception.

Built with a wrap-around steel casing, it is likely to survive most things. It has 16 channels all of which have Onyx microphone preamps with a 60Db gain range, and the channels have a three-band EQ.

And the ultra-low noise performance gives you a crisp and clear sound. A clever idea has been to seal all the rotary controls. You never quite know what to expect from any venue, but with sealed units, the desk is protected against some of the worst that can occur.

It also operates well in a studio environment and can be rack mounted if you wish mounting sold separately. With the 16 channels though it is big enough to handle most input requirements and generate a powerful and clean sound reproduction. It is finished in black, but the control knobs are coated with high color tops to assist in darkened venues. This mixer looks like it means business and it does. It carries no non-essential bells and whistles it just gets on with its job and does it very well.

It is priced at the top end, but you get a lot for your cash. Behringer has produced what may be one of the best digital mixers around at the moment. It certainly has an up-to-date feel about its design with its futuristic looks. They have designed it to work with your tablet, iPad or Android and even your smartphone. This takes the idea of linked communications in music to a new level. It might not be the first time this has been possible, but it could be the first time this technology is so affordable.

But then that is what Behringer is all about. With this desk, you can plug in your instruments and microphones and work on them from anywhere at the concert, or in the studio via the free downloadable app. This is not a four-track wonder either. It has eighteen channel, twelve bus mixer with sixteen programmable microphone preamps by Midas. Everything is at your fingertips to be able to mix and change sounds and balances from wherever you are in the venue or studio.

You can even wander around a live show and hear what the audience is hearing from various vantage points and make the changes if necessary. It is even possible to let the musicians and performers adjust their own mixes in the live situation through the ultranet connection, though certain conditions apply to that option. This is undoubtedly a very impressive mixer.

It looks good and performs just as well as it looks giving you the freedom to work in new ways. This Mackie desk is primarily designed for the smaller live show and provides you with a host of features to enable you to get the best sound from your mixer.

It offers a number of features that usually only exist on larger desks that cost a lot more. To start with there is a three-band EQ and low cut filter on each channel and a seven-band graphic EQ can be used for fine tuning the sound to the PA.