Analog mixers use electrical signals to process sound, while digital mixers convert the signals into bits of data that are processed through processing chips, similar to how a computer works.ĭigital mixers have the most signal processing options, but analog ones will have some options as well. Mixers come in two primary flavors: analog and digital. You may get one or two aux buses in a cheap audio mixer, but you have to ask yourself if you will really need them for your purposes. You can generally send the output from one or more channels to any particular aux bus so someone on-stage can hear themselves playing or singing.Īuxiliary outputs are usually mono, so if someone needs a stereo monitor, you will have to use up two aux buses for that.Īux buses are not generally crucial components for most beginners and are not a massive priority in budget mixers. Auxiliary OutputsĪuxiliary outputs, or “aux buses,” are mainly used to connect monitors, both the speaker and in-ear types. Still, it’s generally possible to do quite a lot using only four channels, especially if you have some effects pedals for some instruments so you can control their inputs separately before combining them with others. Let’s compare their specs so you can decide for yourself.Ī small band may need a mixer with 4 or more channels for a mic, guitar, bass, and drums.

Thankfully that rule doesn’t always apply, and these mixers offer excellent quality and add-on features at prices that are usually close to $200 less than other similar options. It’s vital to get the absolute best audio quality possible, and unfortunately, the general rule seems to be that price often goes hand-in-hand with quality. These are all powerful mixers for more than $100 less than others. Other excellent options are the Mackie Mix12FX, Yamaha MG10XU, and the Phenyx Pro PTX-15.

The best cheap audio mixer depends on your requirements, but the Samson MXP 124FX MixPad is hard to beat for overall performance vs. But there are some excellent, cheap audio mixers, so let’s look at (and compare) a few of them. The problem is that these devices can get very expensive, and the ones that don’t cost a fortune can often do your sound quality more damage than good. No studio, artist, or content producer should be without one. An excellent audio mixer is absolutely essential for proper sound production.

Samson mxp124fx