Best Digital Mixers for Beginner 2026

Perfect digital mixers for beginner - easy to play and learn on

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

PRICE RANGES: Under $300 Under $500 Under $800 Under $1,000 Under $2,000 Under $5,000

SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced

GENRES & STYLES: For Professional Live For Theater For Corporate For Installation For Large Venues For Complex Routing

BRANDS: Behringer Allen & Heath Yamaha Midas Soundcraft Presonus

Allen & Heath SQ Rack - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (25 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Allen & Heath SQ Rack

by Allen & Heath

Complex Routing Theater Large Venues

Key Feature:

• Compact size with many channels

✓ PROS

• Advanced routing and matrix
• Compact size with many channels

✗ CONS

• More expensive than analogue
• Requires power and boot-up time

Allen & Heath SQ Rack48-Channel Digital Mixing Console96 kHz FPGA core signal processing: latency 0.7 ms7"...

⭐ 4.7/5 (25 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 608992

$2,749

Buy at Thomann View Details

Allen & Heath CQ18T Case Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (54 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Allen & Heath CQ18T Case Bundle

by Allen & Heath

Large Venues Professional Live Installation

Key Feature:

• Compact size with many channels

✓ PROS

• Scene recall and automation
• Built-in effects and processing

✗ CONS

• Steeper learning curve
• Complex menu systems

Allen & Heath CQ18T Case Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Allen & Heath CQ18T*Compact Bluetooth Digital Mixer...

⭐ 4.5/5 (54 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 585545

$1,271

Buy at Thomann View Details

Allen & Heath QU-5 - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (49 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Allen & Heath QU-5

by Allen & Heath

Large Venues Professional Live Complex Routing

Key Feature:

• Remote control capabilities

✓ PROS

• Scene recall and automation
• Advanced routing and matrix

✗ CONS

• Steeper learning curve
• Requires power and boot-up time

Allen & Heath QU-538-Channel Digital Mixing Console38 inputs for mixing (32 mono2 stereoUSB)16 mic / line combo...

⭐ 4.9/5 (49 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 617831

$2,232

Buy at Thomann View Details

Allen & Heath CQ12T Inlay Case Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (37 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Allen & Heath CQ12T Inlay Case Bundle

by Allen & Heath

Professional Live Large Venues Complex Routing

Key Feature:

• Built-in effects and processing

✓ PROS

• Built-in effects and processing
• Scene recall and automation

✗ CONS

• Steeper learning curve
• Complex menu systems

Allen & Heath CQ12T Inlay Case Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Allen & Heath CQ12T*Compact Bluetooth Digital...

⭐ 4.7/5 (37 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 600834

$945

Buy at Thomann View Details

Allen & Heath CQ20B - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (9 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Allen & Heath CQ20B

by Allen & Heath

Installation Large Venues Corporate

Key Feature:

• Scene recall and automation

✓ PROS

• Advanced routing and matrix
• Compact size with many channels

✗ CONS

• Complex menu systems
• Requires power and boot-up time

Allen & Heath CQ20BBluetooth Digital Mixing ConsoleWith 96 kHz FPGA processingQuick and Complete channelsGain...

⭐ 4.7/5 (9 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 573744

$930

Buy at Thomann View Details

Yamaha TF-5 Case Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (12 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Yamaha TF-5 Case Bundle

by Yamaha

Corporate Large Venues Theater

Key Feature:

• Built-in effects and processing

✓ PROS

• Advanced routing and matrix
• Built-in effects and processing

✗ CONS

• More expensive than analogue
• Steeper learning curve

Yamaha TF-5 Case Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Yamaha TF-5*Digital Mixer*32 Analog D-PRE inputs - max 48 Channels 2x...

⭐ 4.9/5 (12 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 584920

$3,619

Buy at Thomann View Details

Allen & Heath QU-6D - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (49 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Allen & Heath QU-6D

by Allen & Heath

Large Venues Complex Routing Corporate

Key Feature:

• Advanced routing and matrix

✓ PROS

• Built-in effects and processing
• Compact size with many channels

✗ CONS

• Potential digital conversion artifacts
• Complex menu systems

Allen & Heath QU-6DDigital Mixer for Live and Studio with Dante Interface7" capacitive touchscreen25 faders24...

⭐ 4.5/5 (49 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 617833

$3,144

Buy at Thomann View Details

Allen & Heath CQ18T Inlay Case Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (3 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Allen & Heath CQ18T Inlay Case Bundle

by Allen & Heath

Complex Routing Theater Large Venues

Key Feature:

• Built-in effects and processing

✓ PROS

• Remote control capabilities
• Scene recall and automation

✗ CONS

• Potential digital conversion artifacts
• Complex menu systems

Allen & Heath CQ18T Inlay Case Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Allen & Heath CQ18T*Compact Bluetooth Digital...

⭐ 4.6/5 (3 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 597737

$1,198

Buy at Thomann View Details

Allen & Heath SQ5 Case Bundle III - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (28 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Allen & Heath SQ5 Case Bundle III

by Allen & Heath

Installation Large Venues Professional Live

Key Feature:

• Remote control capabilities

✓ PROS

• Compact size with many channels
• Remote control capabilities

✗ CONS

• Steeper learning curve
• Potential digital conversion artifacts

Allen & Heath SQ5 Case Bundle III*Bundle offer comprising*, Allen & Heath SQ5*48-Channel Digital Mixer*19"...

⭐ 4.9/5 (28 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 586109

$4,355

Buy at Thomann View Details

Allen & Heath QU-5D - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#10

⭐ 4.5/5 (40 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Allen & Heath QU-5D

by Allen & Heath

Theater Complex Routing Large Venues

Key Feature:

• Built-in effects and processing

✓ PROS

• Scene recall and automation
• Compact size with many channels

✗ CONS

• Complex menu systems
• Steeper learning curve

Allen & Heath QU-5D38-Channel Digital Mixer with Dante Interface38 inputs for mixing (32 mono2 stereoUSB)16 mic /...

⭐ 4.5/5 (40 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 617339

$2,584

Buy at Thomann View Details

Allen & Heath CQ18T Bag Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#11

⭐ 4.9/5 (29 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Allen & Heath CQ18T Bag Bundle

by Allen & Heath

Large Venues Installation Corporate

Key Feature:

• Advanced routing and matrix

✓ PROS

• Scene recall and automation
• Compact size with many channels

✗ CONS

• Potential digital conversion artifacts
• More expensive than analogue

Allen & Heath CQ18T Bag Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Allen & Heath CQ18T*Compact Bluetooth Digital Mixer...

⭐ 4.9/5 (29 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 590298

$1,121

Buy at Thomann View Details

Waves eMotion LV1 Classic - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#12

⭐ 4.7/5 (44 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Waves eMotion LV1 Classic

by Waves

Theater Complex Routing Professional Live

Key Feature:

• Built-in effects and processing

✓ PROS

• Advanced routing and matrix
• Remote control capabilities

✗ CONS

• More expensive than analogue
• Requires power and boot-up time

Waves eMotion LV1 ClassicDigital Live Mixer64 mono/stereo inputs44 mono/stereo busses32-bit Float Mix Engine with...

⭐ 4.7/5 (44 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 599760

$9,898

Buy at Thomann View Details

Allen & Heath QU-7 - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#13

⭐ 4.7/5 (33 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Allen & Heath QU-7

by Allen & Heath

Theater Large Venues Installation

Key Feature:

• Scene recall and automation

✓ PROS

• Scene recall and automation
• Built-in effects and processing

✗ CONS

• Potential digital conversion artifacts
• More expensive than analogue

Allen & Heath QU-738-Channel Digital Mixer38 inputs for mixing (32 mono2 stereoUSB)32 Mic/Line combo inputsTwo...

⭐ 4.7/5 (33 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 617845

$3,552

Buy at Thomann View Details

Allen & Heath CQ20B Case Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#14

⭐ 4.6/5 (40 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Allen & Heath CQ20B Case Bundle

by Allen & Heath

Theater Corporate Large Venues

Key Feature:

• Compact size with many channels

✓ PROS

• Scene recall and automation
• Built-in effects and processing

✗ CONS

• More expensive than analogue
• Complex menu systems

Allen & Heath CQ20B Case Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Allen & Heath CQ20B*Bluetooth Digital Mixing...

⭐ 4.6/5 (40 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 585546

$1,077

Buy at Thomann View Details

Allen & Heath Avantis Solo Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#15

⭐ 4.9/5 (55 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

7/10

Allen & Heath Avantis Solo Bundle

by Allen & Heath

Complex Routing Theater Corporate

Key Feature:

• Compact size with many channels

✓ PROS

• Remote control capabilities
• Built-in effects and processing

✗ CONS

• Requires power and boot-up time
• Potential digital conversion artifacts

Allen & Heath Avantis Solo Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Allen & Heath Avantis Solo*Digital Mixer*XCVI FPGA...

⭐ 4.9/5 (55 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 590495

$16,279

Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best Digital Mixers

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 digital mixers 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.

Best Digital Mixers for Beginner 2026

Allen & Heath SQ Rack

Allen & Heath CQ18T Case Bundle

Allen & Heath QU-5

Allen & Heath CQ12T Inlay Case Bundle

Allen & Heath CQ20B

Yamaha TF-5 Case Bundle

Allen & Heath QU-6D

Allen & Heath CQ18T Inlay Case Bundle

Allen & Heath SQ5 Case Bundle III

Allen & Heath QU-5D

Allen & Heath CQ18T Bag Bundle

Waves eMotion LV1 Classic

Allen & Heath QU-7

Allen & Heath CQ20B Case Bundle

Allen & Heath Avantis Solo Bundle

How to Choose the Best Digital Mixers

Budget Planning

Quality Check

Key Features

Frequently Asked Questions

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