The Ultimate Guide to Mixing Board Companies: A Comprehensive Overview

Mixing boards are an essential part of any audio setup, whether it's for a live performance, recording session, or broadcast event. With so many different companies offering mixing boards, it can be difficult to know where to start. This article will provide an overview of the top mixing board companies, their strengths and weaknesses, and what to look for when choosing a mixing board.

Top Mixing Board Companies

1. Allen & Heath

Founded in 1987, Allen & Heath is one of the leading manufacturers of mixing boards in the world. They are known for their high-quality products, innovative features, and excellent customer service. Their mixing boards are used by a wide range of professionals, from musicians to broadcasters to engineers.

2. Mackie

Mackie is another well-known mixing board company that was founded in 1988. Mackie is known for its affordable mixing boards that are ideal for beginners and small setups. Their mixers are also popular for use in live sound reinforcement and DJs.

3. Yamaha

Yamaha is a Japanese company that has been manufacturing musical instruments since 1887. They are also a major player in the mixing board market. Yamaha mixing boards are known for their reliability, durability, and versatility. They offer a wide range of mixing boards for different applications.

4. Behringer

Behringer is one of the fastest-growing mixing board companies in the world. They are known for their affordable products that are packed with features. Behringer mixing boards are ideal for those on a budget or for beginners.

5. Midas

Midas is a German company that has been manufacturing mixing boards since the 1970s. They are known for their high-end mixing boards that are used by major artists and sound engineers around the world. Midas mixing boards are built to last and offer excellent sound quality.

Strengths and Weaknesses of each Company

Allen & Heath

• Strengths: High-quality products, innovative features, excellent customer service
• Weaknesses: Expensive

Mackie

• Strengths: Affordable, ideal for beginners and small setups, popular for live sound reinforcement and DJs
• Weaknesses: Not as many features as some other brands

Yamaha

• Strengths: Reliable, durable, versatile, wide range of products for different applications
• Weaknesses: Can be expensive

Behringer

• Strengths: Affordable, packed with features
• Weaknesses: Not as durable as some other brands

Midas

• Strengths: High-end, used by major artists and sound engineers, built to last, excellent sound quality
• Weaknesses: Very expensive

What to Look for When Choosing a Mixing Board

When choosing a mixing board, there are a few key factors to consider:

• Number of channels: This is the number of inputs that the mixing board has. The number of channels you need will depend on the number of microphones, instruments, and other audio sources that you will be using.
• Type of inputs: Mixing boards can have a variety of different input types, such as XLR, TRS, and RCA. Make sure that the mixing board you choose has the correct input types for your needs.
• EQ and effects: Mixing boards can have a variety of different EQ and effects built in. EQ can be used to adjust the tone of your audio, while effects can be used to add reverb, delay, and other effects to your sound.
• Size and weight: Mixing boards come in a variety of different sizes and weights. Choose a mixing board that is the right size and weight for your needs.
• Price: Mixing boards can range in price from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. Set a budget before you start shopping and stick to it.

Tips and Tricks

• Start with a smaller mixing board: If you're not sure how many channels you need, start with a smaller mixing board and add more channels as needed.
• Use EQ and effects sparingly: EQ and effects can be used to enhance your sound, but too much of either can make your sound muddy and unnatural.
• Experiment with different microphone placements: The placement of your microphones can have a big impact on the sound of your mix. Experiment with different placements to find the best sound for your setup.
• Get feedback from others: Once you've mixed your sound, ask for feedback from others. This can help you identify any areas that need improvement.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overloading the inputs: Overloading the inputs can cause distortion and other problems. Make sure that you adjust the gain on each channel so that the signal level is below the clipping point.
• Using too much EQ or effects: As mentioned above, too much EQ or effects can make your sound muddy and unnatural. Use EQ and effects sparingly to enhance your sound, not to mask problems.
• Ignoring the room acoustics: The acoustics of the room you're in can have a big impact on the sound of your mix. Make sure that you consider the room acoustics when setting up your mixing board and adjusting your EQ and effects.

Stories and What We Learn

Story 1: A live sound engineer was mixing a band's performance at a small club. He started with a small mixing board, but as the band got louder, he realized that he needed more channels. He had to stop the performance and add another mixing board to the setup. This could have been avoided if he had started with a larger mixing board to begin with.

What we learn: It's better to start with a larger mixing board than you think you need. This way, you'll have enough channels for all of your inputs and you won't have to stop the performance to add more channels later.

Story 2: A recording engineer was mixing a song in his studio. He used a lot of EQ and effects to try to make the song sound better, but the mix ended up sounding muddy and unnatural. He realized that he had overused EQ and effects.

What we learn: EQ and effects can be used to enhance your sound, but too much of either can make your sound muddy and unnatural. Use EQ and effects sparingly to enhance your sound, not to mask problems.

Story 3: A DJ was playing at a party. He had a small mixing board that he used to mix the music. The room was very loud and the DJ had to turn up the volume on the mixing board to be heard. This caused the mixing board to clip and the sound was distorted.

What we learn: It's important to consider the room acoustics when setting up your mixing board and adjusting your EQ and effects. If the room is very loud, you'll need to turn down the volume on the mixing board to avoid clipping.

Pros and Cons

Pros of Using a Mixing Board:

• Flexibility: Mixing boards give you the flexibility to control the levels, EQ, and effects of each individual input.
• Sound quality: Mixing boards can help you to improve the sound quality of your audio by providing you with tools to control the levels, EQ, and effects of each individual input.
• Portability: Mixing boards are portable, so you can take them with you wherever you go.

Cons of Using a Mixing Board:

• Complexity: Mixing boards can be complex, especially for beginners. It can take some time to learn how to use them effectively.
• Cost: Mixing boards can be expensive, especially high-end models.

Conclusion

Mixing boards are an essential part of any audio setup. They give you the flexibility to control the levels, EQ, and effects of each individual input. This allows you to create a mix that sounds great and meets your specific needs. When choosing a mixing board, consider the number of channels, type of inputs, EQ and effects, size and weight, and price.

Table 1: Mixing Board Companies and Their Market Share

Table 2: Features of Different Mixing Board Companies

Table 3: Tips for Choosing a Mixing Board