6 Best Digital Mixing Consoles Under $5,000

With a plethora of effects, EQs, and processing horsepower — not to mention game-changing routing, scene recall, and onboard recording capabilities — it’s no surprise that digital mixing consoles dominate the industry. Whether you need a robust stereo behemoth or a simple, remotely operated rackmount with tons of flexibility under the hood, these highly rated consoles offer plenty of powerful options to consider when making great mixes.

Note: At Sweetwater, we know there’s no such thing as “best” when it comes to music gear. Every player and artist has unique tastes, which is what makes selecting gear so fun! The items on this list feature some of our favorite products from top manufacturers to help you start your buying journey! Explore these recommendations and dive into Sweetwater’s massive collection of gear on our online store. For personalized picks and expert advice, please contact our knowledgeable Sweetwater Sales Engineers at (800) 222-4700!

Behringer X32 (X-Series)Midas M32 LIVE (M Series)Behringer WING 48-channel Digital Mixer & Behringer S32 32-input/16-output Digital Stage BoxPreSonus StudioLive (StudioLive Series III)Allen & Heath SQ-5 48-channel Digital Mixer (SQ Series)Yamaha TF (TF Series)

Behringer X32 (X-Series)

Since first rolling out in 2012, the Behringer X32 40-channel digital mixer has taken the world by storm, earning its place as a staple among mixing consoles. It’s no surprise this mixer remains a popular choice among Sweetwater customers, as it sports: 40 channels, 32 mic inputs with Midas-designed preamps, 25 motorized faders, a 7-inch screen, 16 main XLR outs, two headphone jacks, and handy gain-sharing, mic-ducking automix features. The onboard recording feature can be expanded to 32 channels with the optional X-LIVE X32 expansion card from Behringer, making virtual soundchecks possible without the need for a computer.

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

Here are some of Behringer’s X32 digital mixer options: The smaller X32 Producerpacks 40 channels, 32 mic inputs, 8 main XLR outs, 17 motorized faders, and a 5-inch screen into its rackmountable profile. The X32 Compact is a console-style mixer that features a combination of the X32 and Producer features, offering 40 channels, 16 mic inputs, eight main XLR outs, 17 motorized faders, and a 7-inch screen. The rackmountable X32 Rack blends the feature set of the X32 with the affordability of using your iPad or iPhone for remote operation.

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

Midas M32 LIVE (M Series)

Midas brings its reputation for stellar consoles to medium-format platforms with the M32 LIVE 40-channel digital mixer. Music Tribe owns both Midas and Behringer; however, these sister companies produce related but distinctly different mixers. The Midas consoles feature Midas PRO Series preamplifiers noted for their warmth and lower noise floor. Additional features include 40 channels, 32 preamps, 25 premium motorized faders, two headphone jacks, and a 7-inch display screen. Bentley Motors designer Rajesh Kutty created the simple and intuitive ergonomic design that’s both elegantly functional and dependently durable. With 32 channels of onboard recording, virtual soundchecks are convenient.

The smaller, rackmountable Midas M32R LIVE 40-channel digital mixer includes many of the same features but in a more compact footprint. More of its features include 16 preamps, eight XLR main outs, two headphone outs, 17 motorized faders, 16 preamps, and a 5-inch display.

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

Behringer WING 48-channel Digital Mixer & Behringer S32 32-input/16-output Digital Stage Box

The Behringer WING 48-channel digital mixer differs enough in form and function from its X32 brother to earn a listing all its own. Each of its 48 stereo channels can be operated in mono, stereo, or mid-side mode, so creative engineers can wring out double the number of mono channels for channel-hungry productions. It accepts up to 374 sources and allows synchronized redundancy for automatic single-channel switching should a source’s signal fail. It boasts a large, 10-inch touchscreen — the largest in this listing. It also features 24 motorized faders, eight Midas PRO preamps, 16 true-stereo effects processors, automixing with two groups of gain sharing, and 64 channels of onboard recording capacity for virtual soundchecks. Sweetwater customers recommend maximizing the WING’s features with a remote-controllable, Midas-designed Behringer S32 32-input/16-output digital stage box.

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

PreSonus StudioLive (StudioLive Series III)

The PreSonus StudioLive 64S digital mixer delivers 64-channel mixing with enough muscle to handle 526 simultaneous effects, compression, EQ processors, 43 mix buses, 76 mixing channels (each with left-center-right output), and up to 32 aux sends. Additional features include: 32 inputs with motorized faders and preamps (expandable to 64), channel scribble strips, eight stereo effects processors with individual buses, 34-channel onboard recording for virtual soundcheck, individual user profiles with permission-based access, and PreSonus’s intuitive Fat Channel processing. What an extremely flexible workflow!

The PreSonus StudioLive 32S 32-channel digital mixer offers 40 mixing channels, 33 touch-sensitive motorized faders, four dedicated effects buses, EQ and compression on each channel, 32-channel onboard and 64 track computer recording for virtual soundcheck, 286 simultaneous processors, 26 mix buses, and up to 16 different aux sends for IEMs and subgroups or matrix mixes.

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

Here are some more PreSonus StudioLive digital mixer variations: The 32-channel 32SX has a low-profile frame with 25 motorized faders and 32 mic preamps. The 32-channel 32SC fits 17 handy motorized faders and 16 mic preamps into its compact, rackmountable footprint. And the 32-channel 32R is a rackmount model featuring 34 inputs, 32 channels with microphone preamps, an integrated stereo SD recorder, remote software control, and onboard digital effects. Plus, it comes in 24- and 16-channel models, too.

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

Allen & Heath SQ-5 48-channel Digital Mixer (SQ Series)

The Allen & Heath SQ-5 48-channel digital mixer may be the smallest in the SQ Series. But it’s still a major contender with its 48 channels, 17 motorized faders, six fader layers, 16 preamps, 36 mixing buses/groups, 7-inch touchscreen, eight effects engines, auto mic-mixing function, 32 channels of SD recording for virtual soundtracks, latency of less than 0.7ms, and 12 app-controlled stereo submixes with in-ear monitoring in mind.

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

Yamaha TF (TF Series)

If you’re looking for a powerful mixer in an easy-to-drive configuration that doesn’t require much tweaking, then consider the Yamaha TF5 48-channel digital mixer. This 48-channel mixer offers 33 motorized faders, a convenient 1-knob compression/EQ and feedback fighting feature, 32 mic preamps, and eight effects processors. You’ll find tons of power under the hood, and less experienced audio engineers will especially appreciate this model’s workflow for creating fast, great-sounding mixes.

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

Here are some of Yamaha’s digital mixer variations: The compact, 24-input TF3 mixes 48 channels, 25 motorized faders, and 20 auxiliary buses. The TF1 mixes 40 channels with 16 inputs, 17 motorized faders, and rackmount capability. Then, the 40-channel, 16-input TF-Rackcan be operated remotely or from its built-in touchscreen.

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

How Many Channels Do You Need?

While 32 input channels may sound like a lot, those inputs quickly evaporate when considering drums, stereo instruments, stereo-loop channels, room mics, in-ear monitoring, and multiple vocalists. For example, look how fast just 28 channels can be dispersed:

7 for drums (1 mic for kick, 1 mic for snare, 2 mics for stereo toms, 1 mic for hi-hat, 2 mics for stereo cymbals)2 for a stereo keyboard2 for a stereo electric guitar2 for a stereo acoustic guitar1 for a bass guitar1 for a click2 for a stereo loop2 for stereo video2 for a stereo aux audio1 for an aux speaking mic2 for ambient room mics1 for a lead vocalist2 for background vocalists1 for the headset for the pastor/teacher/speaker

Add a couple of additional BGV mics, a band director mic for musicians, stereo piano mics, a second keyboard, a second guitarist, a stereo computer aux, an extra teacher/speaking mic, two or more mics for a choir or ensemble... Suddenly, channel starvation kicks in, and at least 42 channels are required now. Reverting to mono will save inputs but will still require at least 29 for the above scenario. Plus, if you’re adding effects to these channels, then you’ll need a good number of buses and groups and enough DSP to process the whole thing.

What happens when there aren’t enough channels? Compromises are made. Additional auxiliary consoles may be cobbled together, hindering mixing workflow and the opportunity to mix effectively. Mics are awkwardly shared. Instruments cannot be placed in the stereo field and therefore lose distinction and impact. Feedback and noise-bleed issues increase. More importantly, musicians may lose their opportunity to participate, potentially resulting in high-impact event elements getting missed. Given these considerations, a console with a higher channel count might be a worthwhile investment.

Pro Tip: Leverage that stack of unused music gear gathering dust by selling it on Sweetwater’s Gear Exchange!

The Right Digital Mixing Console for You

Selecting the best digital console for your needs can be a tough decision. Reach out to one of our knowledgeable Sweetwater Sales Engineers at (800) 222-4700 and receive the help you need to get started searching today!
The post 6 Best Digital Mixing Consoles Under $5,000 appeared first on inSync.