Best Digital Mixers for Intermediate 2026

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

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

Allen & Heath CQ20B Case Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Allen & Heath CQ20B Case Bundle

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
Allen & Heath QU-5 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Allen & Heath QU-5

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
Allen & Heath CQ18T Inlay Case Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Allen & Heath CQ18T Inlay Case Bundle

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
Allen & Heath CQ18T Case Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Allen & Heath CQ18T Case Bundle

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
Allen & Heath CQ12T Inlay Case Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Allen & Heath CQ12T Inlay Case Bundle

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
1010music bluebox Eurorack Edition - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

1010music bluebox Eurorack Edition

Professional Live Installation Complex Routing
Key Feature:
• Remote control capabilities
✓ PROS
  • • Compact size with many channels
  • • Remote control capabilities
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive than analogue
  • • Potential digital conversion artifacts

1010music bluebox Eurorack EditionDigital Eurorack 12-Channel Audio Mixer and RecorderWith USB audio streaming and...

4.7/5 (27 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Allen & Heath Avantis Solo - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Allen & Heath Avantis Solo

Corporate Installation Professional Live
Key Feature:
• Scene recall and automation
✓ PROS
  • • Built-in effects and processing
  • • Scene recall and automation
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive than analogue
  • • Steeper learning curve

Allen & Heath Avantis SoloDigital MixerXCVI FPGA core with very low latency of 0.7 msFreely configurable mix bus...

4.9/5 (6 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Allen & Heath QU-6D - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Allen & Heath QU-6D

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
Allen & Heath CQ12T Bag Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Allen & Heath CQ12T Bag Bundle

Complex Routing Professional Live Installation
Key Feature:
• Compact size with many channels
✓ PROS
  • • Remote control capabilities
  • • Compact size with many channels
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive than analogue
  • • Requires power and boot-up time

Allen & Heath CQ12T Bag Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Allen & Heath CQ12T*Compact Bluetooth Digital Mixer...

5.0/5 (51 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Yamaha DM7 Compact Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Yamaha DM7 Compact Bundle

Complex Routing Large Venues Theater
Key Feature:
• Built-in effects and processing
✓ PROS
  • • Compact size with many channels
  • • Remote control capabilities
✗ CONS
  • • Complex menu systems
  • • Requires power and boot-up time

Yamaha DM7 Compact Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Yamaha DM7 Compact*Digital Mixer*72 Mono inputs48 Mix busses12...

4.8/5 (35 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Allen & Heath CQ20B Bag Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Allen & Heath CQ20B Bag Bundle

Professional Live Installation Theater
Key Feature:
• Compact size with many channels
✓ PROS
  • • Remote control capabilities
  • • Built-in effects and processing
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive than analogue
  • • Steeper learning curve

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

4.6/5 (19 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Allen & Heath CQ20B - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Allen & Heath CQ20B

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
Behringer WING Compact - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Behringer WING Compact

Large Venues Theater Complex Routing
Key Feature:
• Advanced routing and matrix
✓ PROS
  • • Compact size with many channels
  • • Advanced routing and matrix
✗ CONS
  • • Complex menu systems
  • • Steeper learning curve

Behringer WING Compact48-Channel Full Stereo Digital MixerFully compatible with Behringer X32/Midas M32 consoles and...

4.8/5 (46 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Allen & Heath SQ Rack - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Allen & Heath SQ Rack

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
Allen & Heath CQ18T Bag Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Allen & Heath CQ18T Bag Bundle

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

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.

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