The main downside is the lack of audio interface, meaning that users will need to route the outputs into an external audio interface in order to get audio into a DAW. It’s a more compact home studio mixer that still exudes classic analogue quality just like its bigger sibling, although as a home studio mixer it lacks several key features by comparison. The SSL SiX is the smaller forebear of our top pick, the Big SiX.
Read the full Korg SoundLink MW-1608 review That said, for those looking for a more old school, analogue workflow, who can cope without onboard recording or multi-channel streaming, these are still quality desks.
However, its major downside compared to some other mixers on this list is a lack of audio interface – there is a single stereo streaming channel, but this is more aimed at recording from a digital source than true studio integration.Īs a result, as good as the SoundLink mixers are, they excel in band or live situations more than they do home studio ones. There’s some decent digital technology onboard too, primarily in the form of Korg’s excellent DSP effects. There are plenty of strong, musician-friendly touches too, such as smart monitoring features and handy mute groups. The analogue side is very strong here, with excellent pre-amps and classically-styled channel strips that are easy and very satisfying to use. Korg describes the SoundLink range as being ‘hybrid’ mixers, implying a balance of analogue and digital tech, although that doesn’t quite pan out how you might imagine.
Any musician with an interest in mixing technology will likely recognise Greg Mackie’s name, and the fact that he and equally-notable, former Trident designer Peter Watts have had input into the design here gives Korg’s latest consoles some serious pedigree.
Korg’s SoundLink mixer series comes with some impressive names attached to it. Lacks full audio interface or onboard recording This is certainly not a cheap option, but the blend of analogue heritage and digital convenience makes this a fantastic device for small studio setups. SSL compressors are a sought-after choice for their ability to ‘glue’ sound sources together and add punch to drums – and having that access to that in your home studio is a major draw here.Ĭrucially, BiG SiX also improves on the SiX’s biggest weak spot by adding a 16-channel USB 24-bit/96kHz audio interface. The analogue appeal is rounded out with three compressor flavours, one of which is an ‘Essential’ version of the classic SSL G-Comp Bus Compressor that features the well-known auto release option. These are joined by four stereo inputs with dual mono switching. These include four mono channels that feature SSL’s SuperAnalogue mic preamps, each offering mic/line/Hi-Z inputs, a high-pass filter, SSL Channel Dynamics, an updated three-band EQ and a fully balanced insert point. This model ups the ante by offering a full 16-channel analogue mixer. As with that mixer, BiG SiX builds on the heritage of SSL’s legendary, large-format studio consoles, but does so in a way aimed primarily at home and project studios. That all comes at a cost though, which will likely put the SiX above the reach of many intermediate or cash-strapped home musicians.Īs its name implies, BiG SiX is the larger sibling of SSL’s equally impressive SiX (see below). It ticks a lot of boxes: it boasts genuine analogue heritage, which translates to characterful recordings and bus mixing, but also enough digital flexibility to act as a convenient hub for a home or project studio. In our option, SSL’s BiG SiX is the high point of home studio mixers right now. Let’s take a look at our round-up of the best home studio mixers around today. Some favour traditional simplicity, while others incorporate ingenious tricks to unlock the full potential of your gear.
Here we will run through a selection of the best home studio mixers - both analogue and digital - and mixing desks to ensure you can record multiple sources at once. From a simple cost vs connectivity position too, a mixer often allows for home studio users to manage a higher volume of recording inputs than a similarly-priced audio interface. Many mixers let users record directly onto an internal drive too, effectively removing the DAW from the equation entirely. On the one hand, some of the best home studio mixers – particularly analogue ones – can impart unique character while recording.Įven transparent digital mixers can encourage a more tactile and creative workflow too, as you get hands on with your audio tracks, riding faders and EQs as you bounce parts down. There’s certainly still something to be said for incorporating a mixer into your setup though.