AudioFu

Best Analogue Mixing Desks for Beginner 2026

Perfect analogue mixing desks for beginner - easy to play and learn on

Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026

PRICE RANGES: Under $300 Under $500
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Professional Studio For Analog Recording For Mix Bus Processing For Vintage Sound For Large Format
BRANDS: Behringer
SSL Big SiX - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

SSL Big SiX

by SSL
Vintage Sound Mix Bus Processing Professional Studio
Key Feature:
• Physical faders and controls
✓ PROS
  • • No latency or conversion issues
  • • Physical faders and controls
✗ CONS
  • • No built-in effects
  • • Large physical footprint

SSL Big SiX12-Channel Analogue Studio MixerBalanced signal routing throughout with +27dBu headroom (except...

⭐ 4.7/5 (54 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 526872
$2,496
Buy at Thomann View Details
Behringer Xenyx X2222USB HP Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Behringer Xenyx X2222USB HP Bundle

by Behringer
Mix Bus Processing Professional Studio Large Format
Key Feature:
• Physical faders and controls
✓ PROS
  • • Professional build quality
  • • No latency or conversion issues
✗ CONS
  • • Very expensive professional models
  • • Maintenance requirements

Behringer Xenyx X2222USB HP Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Behringer Xenyx X2222USB*Mixer*22 Channels8 Microphone...

⭐ 4.8/5 (22 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 565947
$320
Buy at Thomann View Details
D&R Airmate USB Radio Production - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

D&R Airmate USB Radio Production

by D&R
Large Format Professional Studio Mix Bus Processing
Key Feature:
• Classic recording workflow
✓ PROS
  • • Physical faders and controls
  • • Classic recording workflow
✗ CONS
  • • Limited recall capabilities
  • • No built-in effects

D&R Airmate USB Radio Production19" Radio Production Console8 Triple inputs with 6 balanced mic inputs with...

⭐ 4.8/5 (52 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 248569
$2,419
Buy at Thomann View Details
Behringer Xenyx X2222USB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Behringer Xenyx X2222USB

by Behringer
Mix Bus Processing Professional Studio Analog Recording
Key Feature:
• Physical faders and controls
✓ PROS
  • • Physical faders and controls
  • • No latency or conversion issues
✗ CONS
  • • Large physical footprint
  • • Limited recall capabilities

Behringer Xenyx X2222 USBMixer22 Channels8 Microphone inputs with +48 V phantom power and 75 Hz low cut3-Band EQ with...

⭐ 5.0/5 (6 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 243138
$274
Buy at Thomann View Details
SSL SiX - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

SSL SiX

by SSL
Large Format Vintage Sound Mix Bus Processing
Key Feature:
• Professional build quality
✓ PROS
  • • Classic recording workflow
  • • No latency or conversion issues
✗ CONS
  • • Maintenance requirements
  • • Large physical footprint

SSL SiX6-Channel analog studio mixerIdeal for smaller professional recording setupspodcasts and post-production2...

⭐ 5.0/5 (12 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 461406
$1,373
Buy at Thomann View Details
D&R Webstation - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

D&R Webstation

by D&R
Mix Bus Processing Professional Studio Analog Recording
Key Feature:
• Classic recording workflow
✓ PROS
  • • Classic recording workflow
  • • Physical faders and controls
✗ CONS
  • • Limited recall capabilities
  • • Maintenance requirements

D&R Webstation6-Channel Triple Input Radio On-Air Mixer2x MIC/Line inputs3x Line/USB in/out1x Line/VOIP...

⭐ 4.7/5 (48 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 425788
$1,627
Buy at Thomann View Details
Behringer Xenyx X2222 USB Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Behringer Xenyx X2222 USB Bundle

by Behringer
Large Format Professional Studio Mix Bus Processing
Key Feature:
• Professional build quality
✓ PROS
  • • Physical faders and controls
  • • Warm analog sound character
✗ CONS
  • • Limited recall capabilities
  • • Maintenance requirements

Behringer Xenyx X2222 USB Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Behringer Xenyx X2222USB*Mixer*22 Channels8 Microphone...

⭐ 5.0/5 (2 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 250577
$287
Buy at Thomann View Details
Yamaha AG 03 MK2 Live Stream Pack BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Yamaha AG 03 MK2 Live Stream Pack BK

by Yamaha
Large Format Vintage Sound Analog Recording
Key Feature:
• Warm analog sound character
✓ PROS
  • • Professional build quality
  • • No latency or conversion issues
✗ CONS
  • • Limited recall capabilities
  • • Very expensive professional models

Yamaha AG 03 MK2 Live Stream Pack BK, Live Streaming Set, Consists of AG 03 MK2 3-channel live streaming mixer + YCM-01...

⭐ 4.9/5 (55 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 578143
$406
Buy at Thomann View Details
Behringer Xenyx X2442 USB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Behringer Xenyx X2442 USB

by Behringer
Analog Recording Vintage Sound Mix Bus Processing
Key Feature:
• Classic recording workflow
✓ PROS
  • • Classic recording workflow
  • • Professional build quality
✗ CONS
  • • Maintenance requirements
  • • Limited recall capabilities

Behringer Xenyx X2442 USB24-Channel Mixer10 Microphone inputs with 48 V phantom power and 75 Hz low cut3-Band EQ with...

⭐ 4.7/5 (31 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 242913
$340
Buy at Thomann View Details
D&R Airence USB Main Unit MKII - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

D&R Airence USB Main Unit MKII

by D&R
Analog Recording Mix Bus Processing Vintage Sound
Key Feature:
• Warm analog sound character
✓ PROS
  • • Professional build quality
  • • No latency or conversion issues
✗ CONS
  • • Limited recall capabilities
  • • Maintenance requirements

D&R Airence USB Main Unit MKIIBroadcast Console In Split DesignMaster unit with 4 microphone/stereo or USB inputs...

⭐ 4.7/5 (54 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 538734
$3,266
Buy at Thomann View Details
Behringer XENYX 1204 USB Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Behringer XENYX 1204 USB Bundle

by Behringer
Large Format Analog Recording Vintage Sound
Key Feature:
• Physical faders and controls
✓ PROS
  • • No latency or conversion issues
  • • Classic recording workflow
✗ CONS
  • • No built-in effects
  • • Limited recall capabilities

Behringer XENYX 1204 USB Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Behringer Xenyx 1204USB*Mixer*12 ChannelsWith 60 mm Fader4...

⭐ 4.6/5 (22 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 257827
$222
Buy at Thomann View Details
Presonus StudioLive AR12c - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Presonus StudioLive AR12c

by Presonus
Professional Studio Mix Bus Processing Analog Recording
Key Feature:
• Classic recording workflow
✓ PROS
  • • Physical faders and controls
  • • Warm analog sound character
✗ CONS
  • • Limited recall capabilities
  • • No built-in effects

Presonus StudioLive AR12c14-Channel Analogue Mixer with USB Audio Interface14 x 4 USB 2.0 (USB C) audio interface (24...

⭐ 4.7/5 (9 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 483358
$549
Buy at Thomann View Details
Midas DM16 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Midas DM16

by Midas
Analog Recording Professional Studio Large Format
Key Feature:
• No latency or conversion issues
✓ PROS
  • • Professional build quality
  • • Warm analog sound character
✗ CONS
  • • Limited recall capabilities
  • • Large physical footprint

Midas DM1616-Channel Analogue Mixer12 Microphone inputs with +48 V phantom power2 Balanced stereo 6.3 mm jack input...

⭐ 4.7/5 (4 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 564042
$351
Buy at Thomann View Details
SSL Big SiX Decksaver Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

SSL Big SiX Decksaver Bundle

by SSL
Large Format Professional Studio Vintage Sound
Key Feature:
• Professional build quality
✓ PROS
  • • No latency or conversion issues
  • • Warm analog sound character
✗ CONS
  • • Very expensive professional models
  • • Limited recall capabilities

SSL Big SiX Decksaver Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, SSL Big SiX*12-Channel Analogue Studio Mixer*Balanced signal...

⭐ 4.6/5 (4 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 575194
$2,507
Buy at Thomann View Details
Tascam Model 16 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Tascam Model 16

by Tascam
Large Format Analog Recording Vintage Sound
Key Feature:
• No latency or conversion issues
✓ PROS
  • • Professional build quality
  • • No latency or conversion issues
✗ CONS
  • • Large physical footprint
  • • Limited recall capabilities

Tascam Model 16Analogue Mixer with Multi-Track Recorder and Audio InterfaceIntegrated audio interface for 16 channels...

⭐ 4.9/5 (2 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 474492
$989
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best Analogue Mixing Desks

Budget Planning

  • • Under $200: Entry-level
  • • $200-$500: Intermediate
  • • $500-$1000: Advanced
  • • $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

  • • Sound clarity & tone
  • • Build materials & finish
  • • Hardware durability
  • • Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

  • • Your musical style
  • • Skill level match
  • • Intended use case
  • • Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced analogue mixing desks typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

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