What is a mixer and what is it used for? Should you use an analog mixer? Mixers are an invaluable tool when it comes to audio production because a mixer allows you to make precise edits and bring a project together. They play a crucial role in television, podcast production, sound development, and in many more areas. There are two types of mixers and these include both digital and analog mixers. However, today, I would like to take the time to discuss analog mixers because they are both very different and serve different roles. In an audio setup, your mixer is often the centerpiece and in many cases can be the most expensive piece of equipment any producer can own.
The choice between digital and analogue can be a daunting task; however, with appropriate research, you can make the right call when deciding what is the right model for your production set-up. When I was getting into audio production, I was unsure what kind of mixer to invest in because they were so drastically different. I’ve had the opportunity to use both types; however I wish that I would’ve had more help when it came to my research. I would like to provide you with the opportunity to learn a bit about analogue mixers so you don’t become as lost as I once was.
While considered an aging model, an analog mixer is a great tool for those looking to build their first set-up. One of the largest reasons to recommend an analogue mixer is since they typically lack many of the customizable features when compared to their counterpart, they are relatively affordable, which is great if you are on a budget. They are also great for beginners because they have fewer buttons and less additional devices and this makes analogue mixers much easier to use over digital mixers. Many people enjoy analogue mixers because they are known to produce purer sounds over their counterparts, and because they lack many of the digital adjustments made by the computerized model of digital mixing.
In a similar fashion to microphones, your choice of mixer for a project will affect the quality of everything involved. The ability to distinguish between both types is essential because knowing the differences will allow you to make the best choice for your audio setup and determine the pros and cons of each device. However, with this being noted, analog mixers are typically simpler and are friendlier to newer producers. Unfortunately, analog mixers are slowly becoming obsolete because they are not updated as much as their digital counterparts and they often lack features that are also present with other options. Although analog mixers do have many benefits, there are a couple of downsides that are worth pointing out. Many analog mixers have a limited number of external device connections and this means you won’t be able to connect many devices and don’t offer superb external noise cancelation compared to its digital version. Finally, quality analogue mixers can be incredibly bulky and this can be a problem for those with limited set-up space and is worth considering. Thank you so much for reading my blog, if you are enjoying my content, leave me a comment and tell me what you think about analogue mixers. Don’t forget to like and subscribe!
I will catch you in the next one! Stay Classy!