Should you buy a digital mixer?

[@PluggedinAV]

Thanks everyone for your comments. I have had one comment come up many times on this video (some put more politely than others) and maybe I need to address it quickly. So I made an assumption when making this video which is that on this channel I make videos about CHURCH TECH. Now many of you are absolutely right, if I spend tens of thousands of pounds on an SSL or something similar it will be better than most other mixers but not many churches have that kind of budget. Most churches are looking at mixers for under £10k and probably the vast majority are looking under £5k. Also, most churches are doing live sound rather than studio engineering. Now when we apply these factors, I stand by what I said, a digital mixing desk is the way to go. I have never heard an analogue mixer (for under £5k) that sounds anywhere near as good as a digital one. I hope that clears that up. A huge thanks to everyone who has watched this video. Do you think I should make an update for 2022?

[@huevosyitz]

can you recommend a good budget digital mixer for a church with size around 100 people? greatly appreciated!

[@PluggedinAV]

@@huevosyitz I’m a big fan of the Allen & Heath SQ series. It’s a lot of mixer for your money

[@boffffff]

Thanks for this and these high production videos they are so helpful and flow as well thanks

[@timbeaton5045]

Well, I bought an Allen & Heath QU 16 in 2016. Never looked back!

[@soundfreak8892]

It’s okay for what it is, easy to out grow tho

[@joesalyers]

It depends on the desk. I use Digital mixers for live work since it gives me flexibility for monitor mixes but most digital desks have a super slow workflow, but the size and weight make it more practical to use them for live music. But in my studio I still use a large format console for tracking. I use the Soundcraft MH2 which is a 48 mono 4 stereo 56 channel desk with 10 to 18 monitor mixes depending on what I need and a 4 band EQ with variable high pass filter. It gives me a ton of mic preamps and I can work way faster since each channel is right in front of me. I have direct outs on each channel which can be recorded Pre EQ or Post fader depending on which you want. Also a good analog console will impart some mojo to the track being captured. Now I personally like my digital mixers I have the Presonus Studio Live 32S and a rack mounted Presonus series 3 24R as well as a Midas M32. Both of those digital desks are great for live work since I don't need a cargo van to take them to live events. But in the studio they just slow you down in the studio in my opinion compared to an analog desk with similar specs. But each have their benefits and downsides. But in the budget area under say $2000 you should just get a digital mixer. For Live music digital will be better, but in the studio it's a different story. If you are tracking bands the ability to capture everything correctly at the source is a huge benefit, plus good analog EQ is really hard to beat even with the newest digital technology. So their are Pros and cons to both and it's up to you which one you shold get because only you know what kind of setup you want.

[@brianlebrun2382]

I've been an analog guy since the '80s. That changed 2 1/2 years ago when I started running an A&H SQ7 in church. My personal mixer for my performances was a Mackie analog board. About 2 or 3 months ago I found a Presonus 16.4.2 AI and it's a game changer. Last night's performance had me using my old board plugged into a house system. I control the mix and they control the volume. I used the Mackie since it's a lighter, smaller footprint and I don't need the bells and whistles. The biggest difference I heard was in the tonal quality or lack of in the monitors. With the digital board I can control all aspects of tone in everything whereas in the Mackie it's fairly limited. The only issue I had switching to digital was reaction to what I was hearing. With an analog board I know exactly where to go to fix an issue but with the digital board I had to think first and then react. That's changed in a short amount of time. No regrets at all switching.

[@NikoNoxious]

I picked up a Soundcraft Signature Series board and it's literally changed my life. makes my mixes very immediate and sounds great. analog board with onboard interface and USB return

[@ultrajayme]

I had the 16 as well. Sold it and I have the new Mackie Onyx 16 on the way

[@jacobcowen3231]

This channel is heavily slept on. The abundance of information in every video is so valuable. Please keep it up :)

[@PluggedinAV]

Thanks mate, really appreciate it. 👍🏻🙏🏻

[@asilva_media]

at my church we have an A&H avantis for front of house and a sq6 in broadcast, slink is really awesome compared to what we had before!

[@derkhedemann5606]

what most analoge mixing console factory manufacturers still don't understand. is that most home studios don't want a mixer with the input and output on the top but just on the back side. it can't be that difficult to build the input and output at the back. and with the on and off switch and the 48 volt phantom power at the top of the mixer. so you can hide those ugly cables nicely and neatly.

[@larrytan73]

MAN speak for yourself! You know how many home studios have analog mixers!

[@kvmoore1]

Years ago, I went for a Tascam M3700 32 channel analog console to a Tascam DM4800 all digital console and never looked back. The audio quality of the DM4800 was superb!!! I could really hear the difference in my recordings. Because of the fact I had to move into a smaller space more recently, I no longer have room of a console. As a result, I've sold the DM4800 and upgraded to a more streamlined and more flexible computer-based system with new MOTU rack hardware interfaces/DSP mixers, which I am very happy with. I will never go back to an anolog mixer for studio use, of course, unless I was rich enough where I could afford a multimilliondollar studio facility and a nice new state-of-the-art SSL console. However, that's not the case.

[@XIIMonkeysMusicGroup]

I just upgraded my digital Allen & Heath QU-16 to a PreSonus 32R. Loving the flexibility!

[@XIIMonkeysMusicGroup]

My church has a tiny budget. I'm selling them my QU-16 at a discount, and upgrade from their current analog Soundcraft 12 channel mixer, the sale is going through the red tape now.

[@michaelrice6620]

About the quality thing i find that a good analog desk with give your music a great amount of depth and width to your music that you cant get out of all digital. Also it gives your signal some nice harmonics that will really smoothen out that digital sharpness and adds some nice warmth. So while you say the digital sounds better it does, but its so sharp and precise that its often displeasing to the ear. Thats why we see all these plugins that come out trying to emulate old hardware and console sounds to try and give that warmth and smoothness but it is definitely not there and like is said the depth and warmth you get just running it through the desk is something the computer can not even come close to emulating!

[@PluggedinAV]

I guess it depends on what you like from your audio. I really like the clean clarity of digital 👍🏻

[@sidpierce9219]

I have been fortunate to have mixed over forty artists in the Rock and Roll and Country Music Hall of Fames. That being said, two artists, Ray Charles and Glen Campbell both told me, "Son we can tell you've listened to some vinyl in your day...these young guys like their audio to sound like their computers." These days I enjoy digital for what they can do but refer to a lot of shows as the Copy and Paste Tour.

[@avantgardenovelist]

@@sidpierce9219 thanks for saying it so I didn't have to. The word "clean" can be a euphemism for "sterile." Boy am I glad they only had analog when the great jazz was being recorded.

[@sidpierce9219]

@@avantgardenovelist Some of my favorite recordings are jazz in the 50’s. Beautiful warm tone…it was nice when labels started paying artists to rehearse.

[@sidpierce9219]

I did a lot of live television with no sound checks with full orchestras, it separated the pros from the amateurs.

[@aungkhin1429]

Really valuable comparison pointed out. Thanks.

[@leroyk8839]

The sq5 is amazing to work with.

[@tigeraudio]

I think the attendees should also have an app so they can mix the FOH too.

[@Mtaalas]

x32 producer costing what it doies, it's a no brainer to go digital. x32 really is an awesome piece of kit for it's price even if it's not the shiniest or the best sounding out there... Wing is already a SERIOUSLY great piece of kit for any use... though more expensive. They just increased the channel delays to 500ms max for version 1.12. that makes it really serious piece of broadcasting equipment...

[@avolution2449]

Recently purchased an X32 Producer - I am totally astounded by it's capability and the value for money is off the scale!

[@danielho5635]

Thank you for your overview. I agree on 90% of what you say. I only disagree with the sound quality. My church upgraded from a $700 Yamaha analog mixer to a $2500 TF3. The sound engineer needed 2 years to get the sound from a 3/10 to 7/10 (on my scale). It took me 2 months to get the analog board from a 5/10 to an 8/10. The fact is that it takes much longer to get the sound "dialed-in" on a digital board than on an analog board. With a standard 4-knob parametric EQ, I can get the sound dialed-in in 30 seconds max. With the digital board, it takes about 3 min. I am also disappointed that newer sound engineers don't rely on their ears and instead look at the iPad and assume everything "looks good" instead of "sounding good".

[@PluggedinAV]

Hey, yes totally agree about the Yamaha TF boards, they don’t sound great. I am planning to do an update to this video to include that. Thanks for watching 👍🏻

[@FuturoAnacronico]

digital mixers are great for live situations, but for recording or mixing, nowadays you have many choices that dont make them really a must have. DAWS and audio interfaces are super low latency these days.

[@derekholife]

We upgrade from an gl2800-840 to an sq7 and we didn’t find a noticeable increase in audio quality. The biggest thing added is effects and the ability to create scenes between different services. A proper setup imo shouldn’t have a difference in analog vs digital sound quality. The main pro is added creativity in workflow and the ability to do some cool digital things. Training older volunteers between analogue and digital can be very hard.

[@sapiensapien1651]

GOOD JOB THANK YOU ..very informative

[@PluggedinAV]

Glad it was helpful!

[@cinemaipswich4636]

Perhaps a stage box with a 2 monitor computer is the best to start with. Yes, we all want sliders we can grab, but if you are careful, and patient, at lest you get to work with the "digital emulation on screen" which is what you need to learn anyway. Working your way up from 12 to 16 to 24 to 64 faders is not cheap. Better to have 32 or 64 stage box that can be added to - and will be needed - by the time you get a mixer at a later stage. Perhaps by then, a cheaper control surface will suffice.

[@timbeaton5045]

Also, digital mixers are useful as you can also buy (if you can afford them, of course!) personal monitor mixers (like the A&H ME series) that simply loop together with network cables, and are auto recognised by the mixer and monitor mixer. This wouldn't be any fun at all in the analogue world! Just imagine the ground loops!

[@PluggedinAV]

Yes absolutely!

[@danielavery7034]

Just as everything else concerning audio it is subjective. I had a presonus studiolive 32s that was really good until the firmware was updated. The mixer never worked the same and I learned that to never ever to depend on any gear that is software/firmware dependent. It's strictly analogue for me on all gear except for the DAW.

[@tubefixxer]

You might try Mixbus 32C DAW by Harrison. It a great DAW software that gives you a warm analog sound as their million dollar mixing consoles do. It’s cheap also, on sale a lot! It will warm up your digital mixer…..

[@isettech]

Just upgraded to the smaller 18 channel unit and going to look at a M32 used with a digital 32 channel recorder card upgrade. Don't overlook the used market. The X32 and M32 have been out long enough some are starting to appear on the used market in good condition. Anybody want my old 32=VLZ console?

[@crazzylee]

Yes

[@Pharesm]

I ended up with an SQ5 mixer, which I bought for a concert tour, and it arrived right when Covid started and concerts were no more a possibility. Without concerts and income, the operator didn't stick around, and ever since I've tried to figure out the routings - really not needing more than the 16 tracks that have faders. But even those 16, I could not figure out how to route them to my DAW... I likely misconfigured it to the point where it needs a reset :p Maybe you can make a video explaining the more basic operation of the SQ5? I still can't use it and considering a Tascam Model 16, which is a digital mixer with a surface that looks and works like an analog mixer... Obviously, the audio quality is not going to match the high end circuitry and FX capabilities...

[@PluggedinAV]

Yeah planning to do a look at the SQ5. It’s a great console, worth sticking with it if you can

[@tobisteffen]

The problem is latency. If you stack too many digital units in a row, you get annoying latency while playing.

[@timbeaton5045]

Same obtains if you have an analogue desk with digital effects, or even outboard effects. Only difference is the extra, and usually pretty small latency incurred by the mixer's IO A/D, and D/A conversions. And if you only use analogue fx, then you lose quality and gain noise. Unless you spend a lot of money on really high end gear.

[@sekritskworl-sekrit_studios]

Why can people with audio channels NEVER seem to understand HOW IMPORTANT that their vocals sit within the top 10th percentile of the audio, and any music beds NO MATTER how great their mommy and friends love their music should NEVER supercede spoken word on average for tutorials and guides... They almost always lose context of the central levels, which leaves viewers at home on home theaters, laptops, or audio monitors getting BLASTED OUT with music, for the minor sin or wanting to barely hear the speaker... ...and ONLY about 1/4 of the time at that!

[@marksmusicplace3627]

Yes, I am sure United, Ocean Way, East West, Larrabee, Electric Lady, BlackBird, Air Studios. and many other pro level studios would be very happy to do ditch those SSL, Neve, and API analog large format consoles for a digital mixer

[@AT-wl9yq]

I think the issue is getting over simplified. "Should you buy a digital mixer in 2021?" Which one? They don't all sound the same. The same thing applies to analog mixers. Features are one thing, but when you're talking sound quality, you need to compare 2 specific mixers to each other, not just analog vs digital. Also, "sounds best", is purely subjective. There's nothing wrong with makeing the statement, its just not everyone will necessarily agree with it.

[@grayfox7306]

Great intro.

[@elpretochines]

this video convinced me to purchase a digital mixer. i have an analogue mixer, yamaha mg10ux and i love it but i believe going for digital is a good move. what is the best affordable digital mixer in your opinion? i'm currently looking at "Presonus StudioLive 16.0.2 USB", "Behringer X32 Compact " or "Allen & Heath Qu-16 Chrome "

[@PluggedinAV]

Hi, glad you liked the video. I'm not a fan of the presonus mixers but that's just personal preference. The X32 is a great budget mixer but you get loads of mixer for your money if you look at the A&H SQ range of desks. If you can stretch your budget to an SQ5 you won't regret it and it will last you years 👍🏻

[@elpretochines]

@@PluggedinAV thank you!

[@Zazquatch1]

How about home studio setup? is it worth it. I like the layouts on the Presonus Studio Live III series as well as the Behringer X32 and Midas 32M. The Behringer WING is a big but very price worthy. Using these both as recording as well as DAW hands on controllers.

[@PluggedinAV]

Yeah, there are a lot of benefits to connecting a mixer to a DAW. I also like the A&H SQ series. The SQ5 is a small footprint for a home studio and it’s 96k sampling gives great scope for recording.

[@jordanharzke9643]

I like it desk bro

[@undercrownhiphop9422]

I do reggae so I need good spring reverb, tape delay, analog delays, good multi band distortion for bass and side chain compressors. What digital desk has these in the best sound quality?

[@PluggedinAV]

You could look at an Allen & Heath with the add on effects. They do some great effects packs you can add on

[@leerzeichen1910]

How do you connect a digital mixer with your pc? Through jack or usb?

[@PluggedinAV]

USB normally if I can

[@joonajks]

Are you currently feeding your audio-technica mic in to your mixer recording this KZbin video? Great job, I love your videos!!!

[@PluggedinAV]

I'm actually trying out a few mics at the moment. Recently I have been using a Rode and also a Sennheiser but I do still use the AT mics too

[@freddyperezmusicentertainment]

Good video, thanks

[@gobrad]

i upgraded to digital 4 years now and it’s impossible to get the vocal presence i’ve had on my older studiomaster … It doesn’t have the presence no matter what i do

[@ZachSwena]

Just curious what board you moved from and to?

[@calebcoleman9569]

I thought this guy was crazy until I heard him say it’s targeted towards churches. Yeah, for a church, digital all the way.

[@PluggedinAV]

Ha ha, thanks (I think) 👍🏻

[@MatthewLT420]

I hate this whole idea of personal Monitor mixers. The ones I have used have latency and I wasn't taught how to use them because the sound engineer was too lazy to use a floor wedge

[@PluggedinAV]

In-ear monitors and floor wedges are two different tools. In most cases I would lean towards IEMS as they can solve a number of problems for people but there are still times when a floor monitor is the right tool for the job.

[@MatthewLT420]

I understand the difference completely but this church had the most pathetic excuse for in ears ever and they sounded awful. In previous years the gigs were so much better with wedges as on a small scale they work better for bands in my experience. they have so much equipment like 2 behringer x32s and one doesn't get used so what is the point in having a £2500 desk if it doesn't get used and the money could buy real in ears.@@PluggedinAV

[@atalo]

Interesting, I have just a question: For my home studio I want to buy a digital mixer, but is that type the best for home studio? Because I hear a lot that digital mixers are used for live mixing events..

[@PluggedinAV]

Digital is great for studio too. The best thing for you will be the USB audio as you can connect the mixer into your computer and bring the audio straight into your DAW. Take a look at my video on USB audio

[@atalo]

@@PluggedinAV Hey thanks for the answer, I will check the video now. I want to digital mixer because I feel it has more options than an analogue one. I would only use the mixer in my home studio. I would connect it with my Mac Studio and my fl studio. I would mix my songs, use it to manage vocal recordings.. Do you think a Tascam Sonicview 24 or a allen & heath qu-32 is a right choice?

[@PluggedinAV]

@@atalo for less money than a qu32 you can buy a SQ5 and I don’t think you can beat that console at this price point. Definitely check out the SQ5

[@atalo]

@@PluggedinAV ow yes it's more quality I guess, the SQ5 and SQ7 looking great for home studio.. thanks a lot and a lot of fun, succes with your productions, life.

[@atalo]

@@PluggedinAV I have just one last question. What's the difference between a digital mixer and a 'DAW control surface'? Why using a DAW control surface and is it better for home studio? What are the functions? I seached a lot but still don't understand.. Thanks in advance.

[@Randuski]

Anytime I'm looking at mixers and consoles, they start talking about churches. Like. Every single time. I guess it makes sense, if I really think about it. It's just funny

[@PluggedinAV]

Every church in the world has a mixing desk in it which makes it a really big part of the audio visual industry. Most mixing desk manufacturers now make mixing desk with churches in mind because it's where so many of them get used. Please this channel is aimed at church tech operators so everything here will be aimed at churches 👍🏻

[@VINZBROWN]

Eyyyy.... thats where the big "entertainment MONEY" is these days. Churches ... every sunday!

[@josefplager]

I already have a quite expensive analog mixer (Dynacord Powermate). Now I am thinking about either buying some outboard compressors and graphic equalizers or buying a digital mixer. What would you recommend?

[@PluggedinAV]

100% go digital!

[@sunnytimoglobal]

Which of the current digital mixers do you recommend for live music band?

[@PluggedinAV]

Allen & Heath SQ5 is often my recommendation. Lots of mixer for your money

[@bearweethus8066]

Can we connect analog mixers with our laptops to record on reaper or audacity?

[@PluggedinAV]

You will need an audio interface

[@AutisticCuriosity]

Who’s to say what operating system Mac use next who’s to say whether The mixer companywill upgrade apps are mixing desk once its sold? Absolutely famous I just dropping apps within a couple of years ago to product. Individual bandmembers doing Mixing on stage! Can you imagine argues that the instrument Should be the one that’s Prominent and all thinking the experts it makes when mostly just experts within their own instrument. Analogue mixing desks Will still work in 20 years because many instruments are analogue as our speakers are digital mixing desk still be relevant in five years possibly but probably not

[@KR4FTWERK]

Thanks for the video. I have a question about the sound quality of those digital budget mixers (audiophony LIVEtouch20, Img stageline delta 160 etc) . Do they also sound as good as the higher priced ones or wouldn't you recommend them for studio tasks? Best regards!

[@PluggedinAV]

Hey, I've not used these specific mixers so I can't comment on those. I would probably say they might not be the best for recording but they might be ok for live work 👍🏻

[@brianvan67]

@@PluggedinAV it's still analog audio running through them (live). Only the controls are digitally controled

[@PluggedinAV]

@@brianvan67 it depends on the mixer but most modern digital desks are processing a digital signal. The mixer is basically a computer processing 0's and 1's rather than voltages 👍🏻

[@brianvan67]

@@PluggedinAV Correct, if you are using it to record, that's why I said (live)

[@AutomatorMC]

When someone tries to sell you 16 AD converters, 16 compressors, 100 effects, and a mixer for the price of just 4 good converters on an external soundcard.... Think used car salesman.

[@judahj2403]

Intro music link plz.

[@PluggedinAV]

Can't remember what track I used but it's from Epidemic Sound

[@musicioso]

👍🏻

[@DrewRycerz]

SSL for me :) Analog tho hahahaha thanks for watching in 4 secs haha

[@Tinmar_Isation]

Digital mixers are better than analogs? Pretty bold if you ask me :)

[@Mtaalas]

Audio Tech here... haven't touched analog desk for work in... what... 15 years? They're pretty much extinct everywhere except in band rehearsal rooms and amateur home studios or big budget studios that demand that they use that SSL for everything.... but most don't have money or room for an SSL so there you go.

[@hamish8283]

They are essentially better. The functionality is far more than the functionality of an analogue desks. Even the smallest pub gig will probably have a digital desk these days.

[@LuxxVerum]

It's a great Mixer, but it's Over Priced, and consumers will not flock to it...and unfortunately, it will not sell.

[@martinmarie5169]

HMmmm I have ssl six , ssl UC1 & uf8 I may grab qu 16 as well

[@PotatoflakeJake]

Thanks but your into was wayyyyy to long

[@richardmorris363]

Skip the first 3 useless minutes

[@midnightwind8067]

This is just silly. Go waste your money. Lol