Best Analog Mixer for Live Sound Reviewed

Sometimes digital mixers can be a pain to deal with when something breaks, and more often than not, digital mixers can be much noisier even with high-quality parts, and these are some of the reasons why audio engineers and DJs turn to Analog mixers, analog mixers are easier to fix or even upgrade parts with a bit of electronic knowledge, and Analog mixers tend to sound cleaner and clearer, but then dust and improper soldering can ruin an analog mixer, and that is why we are choosing quality mixers in this list for the best analog mixer for live sound.

To start things off, we’ll take a look at one of the most reliable and capable analog mixer that you can get on the market. The Yamaha EMX5014C is a 10 channel mixer, and even capable of up to 14 inputs, and has a SPCON and Quarter-inch for its output. For the inputs, you have Channels 1-10 supporting an XLR input with separate quarter-inch jacks beside it.

All channels with this mixer get a dedicated gain, 3 band EQ, AUX, Effect, and Pan knobs, and each channel gets a volume fader as well. This mixer also has 2 500-watt power amplifiers so you can easily set your gig or event without an additional amp that can make your setup tremendously bulky, with this one, you just connect your cables, mics, and speaker to this mixer and you are done setting up.

This mixer also brings interesting features such as the FCL, which means Feedback Channel Locator, which is handy for a quick error adjustment, and to help eliminate the low tone rumble that is common with analog mixers comes the high pass filters, Channels 1-6 also has the one-knob compressor which is can dramatically improve the sound quality coming from instruments and microphones. 

Common and useful features include the Phantom power, the 9 band Equalizer, and the 16 built-in effects. Overall, this mixer packs up a really good package, this is strongly recommended for indie musicians and DJs, as it cuts the setup time, and the features are really good, and all that makes this one of the best analog mixers for Live sound.

The Allen & Heath ZED-10FX combines the best of both worlds between analog and digital. This mixer has analog mixer internals, while also having a digital feature which is the USB connection for recording. Getting that aside, in terms of the inputs and outputs, there are 4 lines or mic inputs with this mixer, which can also be phantom powered, the 3rd and 4th channels on this mixer are specially made for guitars with the High impedance inputs.

The output on this mixer can either be the XLR, RCA or  Each channels include a 3 band EQ, gain, FX, Aux, Pan, and Volume level knobs. Each channel also has a record, headphone listen, and high pass filter buttons.

The question with this one is, does the few digital components affect the tone and noise output of this speaker? Well, using the digital effects, can lead to a minor noise with the signal, but overall, this is still mostly analog. This portable mixer is suitable for artists and engineers, looking for a compact yet truly capable mixer, and that makes this one of the best analog mixer for live sound.

The Mackie Mix8 may be very limited by its input, but it is quite interesting. This is an 8 input mixer, but then it only has 4 rows of channel controls, channels 1 and 2 has the XLR and Quarter-inch jacks, the XLR does have the phantom power.

While channels 3-6 are made up of 4 quarter-inch jacks, with 2 in each channel to make up a stereo output. The 4 channels have dedicated 3 band EQ, Aux, Pan, and Level knobs. In terms of output, this has 2 main outputs which are both quarter-inch jacks. 

The major benefit that you get with being limited in terms of inputs, is that you get a smaller total space which translates to a more compact and portable package. And with this being a small and non-powered mixer, this is a very suitable mixer to be paired with an active speaker in case your speaker has insufficient inputs, or perhaps you need a dedicated mixer with phantom power for your condenser microphone, nonetheless, this mixer is made so you can carry less, and do more.

Otherwise, this is a suitable option as an addition to solve a small problem you might have, or perhaps, you’re an artist who needs just this, and nothing more, in that case, go ahead, this is worth it. Its quality analog components and a relatively capable interface makes this one of the best analog mixer you can use for live sound.

Sum up

These are our top picks for the Best Analog Mixer for Live Sound. In the end, all these products are great and excellent at doing their job, the only thing you need to decide now is whether how much input do you need. You should get the Yamaha EMX5014C if you prefer an all in one set up.

The Allen & Heath ZED-10FX is for you if you need a mixer to help you record. And finally, the Mackie Mix8 which does pretty well despite its small package and capacity. Invest on the right gear that suits your needs, and you should be set.