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Audio Mixers 101: Analog vs Digital

Audio Mixers 101: Analog vs Digital

Posted by Laura Strommen - SoundPro on Feb 6th 2024

Estimated Reading Time: 8 Minutes

There are two basic designs for audio mixers: analog and digital. This article will outline each design, describe its pros and cons, and provide a starting point for helping you decide which one is best for you!

WHAT IS AN AUDIO MIXER?

Audio mixers are often central to sound setups, connecting equipment (such as electronic instruments and microphones), gathering the audio signals, and enabling you to modify and adjust audio so it sounds its best. Mixing technology is used wherever you need precision control over one or more sound sources, including live sound performances (theater, FOH, concerts, house of worship), recording studios, and more.

KEEP YOUR AUDIO OLD-SCHOOL WITH ANALOG MIXERS

With their tactile controls and in-the-moment adjustability, analog (or analogue) mixers are ideal solutions for live sound (including FOH for clubs or smaller venues), recording studios, and any other application that uses analog devices for sound sources. Compatible with analog electronic devices, these classic mixers are based on electrical signals that are manipulated by physical components. As audio signals pass through the mixer’s channels, the signals are amplified, equalized, and panned via dedicated knob and fader controls, before uniting the signals into a single output to be recorded, played back, or dispersed via a sound system such as loudspeakers.

Analog Mixer Benefits

  • Classic Sound Quality: Many professional artists and engineers stick to analog due to its renowned warm, rich, and natural sound.
  • Simple and Hands-On: Dedicated knobs and faders for each channel offer a tactile experience that lets you adjust your sound in the moment—even in the middle of a live performance. Straightforward layouts also keep the controls to a minimum, so you don’t have to worry about preparing presets, connecting devices, or coordinating the digital audio transmission process before getting started.
  • Durable Design: Analog mixers are more sturdily built. Additionally, because they can operate without the need for a computer or other digital device, they’re less susceptible to crashes and other issues that can affect digital systems.
  • Less Expensive: In general, analog mixers are available at a lower price point than their digital counterparts because they don’t have as many bells and whistles.
  • Great for Beginners: Analog mixers are a great tool for beginners just learning the basics of signal flow, gain staging, and EQ. Even if your goal is to eventually mix on a digital device, this can be a good way to start mixing before delving into more complex settings and techniques.

Analog Mixer Drawbacks

  • Limited Features, Less Versatility: Analog mixers typically don’t have the advanced features found in digital mixers. To enjoy these features, you’ll need to incorporate external hardware into your system (which is an added expense). Additionally, analog mixers tend to include fewer I/O options, limiting the number of external devices you can connect.
  • More Risk of Distortion and External Noise: Analog mixers are good at capturing an accurate “image” of your sound source—including ambient noise in your environment. Depending on the project, this may cause your audio to not be as clean as you want. If you want to adjust an audio recording later, you may experience more distortion. Due to these risks, analog mixers can be less precise and consistent.
  • Demands More Space: Since they’re larger and heavier than digital models, analog mixers are typically not as portable and require more desk real estate.
  • Requires More Maintenance: Analog mixers are more susceptible to environmental conditions (such as dust and dirt) as well as electrical surges and component degradation over time. These factors can cause added distortion or white noise, so proper maintenance and care of your analog mixer is crucial to achieving consistent sound quality.

Popular Analog Mixers

DIGITAL MIXERS

Digital mixers connect to digital devices such as a computer and offer a host of personalization features and premium functionalities such as built-in effects, EQs, filters, and sampling capabilities as well as software that allows you to record, edit, and share mixes easily. Instead of manipulating the sound signal directly, a digital mixer converts incoming analog signals into digital, processes it, and then converts it back to analog. Their versatile functions make digital mixers ideal for professional applications, including studio recording, complex or large live performances, and installed sound systems, as well as projects involving broadcast, streaming, or effects processing.

Digital Mixer Benefits

  • Enhanced Customization: Digital mixers provide more features and functions to make your sound mix truly your own, such as hundreds of built-in effects, advanced equalization options, and automation alternatives.
  • More Channels + Smaller Size = Easier Integration: The technology used for digital mixers packs more inputs and outputs into a more compact build, making them more portable and easier to integrate into small-scale setups. And, because they’re digital devices, these mixers can be seamlessly paired with other digital gear.
  • Increased Flexibility and Scalability. With plenty of connections included, you can connect multiple devices in myriad configurations.
  • Precise, Consistent Audio Quality: Since these mixers process audio signals digitally via DSP algorithms, this avoids white noise, buzzing, and other distortion noise and audio artifacts.
  • Expanded Control: Digital mixers enable better control over your audio signal so you can fine-tune your mix and achieve a more polished sound. Remote control functionalities streamline mixing operations, so you’re not tethered to your mixing workstation.
  • Streamlined Settings, Time-Saving Solutions: By programming your digital mixer’s controls, you can make the layout even more intuitive. Recallable Settings can be used to create shortcuts that save valuable time in live or recorded applications. You can also combine multiple clips into one, grouping them to perform bulk actions.
  • Minimal Maintenance: Because they rely on digital circuits and software, digital mixers tend to require less maintenance than analog mixers.

Digital Mixer Drawbacks

  • Customization Comes with Complexity: The vast selection of settings and features can be overwhelming, particularly for more novice users or those with less familiarity with digital technology.
  • Assigning Settings Requires Preparation: Digital mixers boast numerous switches, buttons, and other controls, many of which require some dedication before your performance to get all the presets and settings exactly how you want them.
  • Sound Quality Lacks Analog Charm: Although technically digital audio is more accurate than analog, die-hard analog fans criticize the digital alternatives as sounding harsh, robotic, and unrealistic.
  • Reliance on Other Digital Gear: Digital mixers require a computer or mobile device to operate, as well as software to function. If software crashes or the computer breaks down, you can’t use your mixer even if the mixer itself is functional.
  • Higher Price Point: Digital mixers are usually more expensive than analog due to their built-in functions, connectivity, and customizations.

Popular Digital Mixers

HOW TO DECIDE WHICH MIXER IS RIGHT FOR YOU

When choosing between an analog or digital mixer, several factors will influence which one best fits your application. In the end, you can achieve great quality sound from either type of mixer, so it boils down to preference of operation and your sound’s “personality.” Below are a few questions to help you assess your needs—along with the mixer type that is generally the best fit for each situation.

What is your budget?

  • Small – Analog
  • Larger - Digital

What is your level of experience?

  • Beginner – Analog
  • Advanced - Digital

How portable does your mixing setup need to be?

  • Stationary – Analog
  • Mobile - Digital

What kind of sound are you looking for?

  • Warm, smooth, realistic – Analog
  • Accurate and customizable - Digital

How many inputs and outputs do you need for connecting external devices?

  • A few for a simple setup – Analog
  • Many for a complex setup - Digital

Do you need advanced features like built-in effects, advanced EQ options, and scene recall?

  • No – Analog
  • Yes - Digital

Do you need wireless capability?

  • No – Analog
  • Yes – Digital

Another consideration as you decide which mixer to purchase is the future growth of your application. If you know that your sound setup will need lots of scalability and features in years to come, investing in a digital mixer right off the bat might make sense. That said, you can always start with a more inexpensive analog option and upgrade to digital when the need arises.

Whether you’re a fan of analog mixers’ classic sound or love the versatility of digital mixers’ myriad features, discover the gear for all your mixing needs at Sound Productions! Find out the best mixer for your application by contacting our experts at info@soundpro.com or 800.203.5611.

Laura has been a part of the SoundPro team since Summer of 2021. Before that, the main mixer she knew about was the handheld kind used for making chocolate cake.