


The best studio headphones for music production.Alternatively, some specialist mixers allow you to record direct to the device, usually via an SD card, which removes the computer from the situation altogether. There is no right or wrong answer here – your own preferred workflow will dictate the right method for you. Some mixers provide stereo outputs using jack cables, which can be sent to a computer’s audio interface, while others utilise USB for this same purpose. The way in which the audio is output is also important. Take a look at our XLR microphones guide to check out some of the best options available. Keep an eye on connectivity microphones tend to have XLR inputs and, while many mixers may advertise a specific number of inputs, it may be that not all of those are equipped with XLR inputs. Mixers run anything from two channels up to 128 or more, so there will be a solution for you however ambitious your plans are. This will impact the number of audio sources you can connect at any one time, so it’s worth considering not only the number you’ll need in the immediate future, but also how you may look to expand in the future. The key areas to look out for include the number of tracks, or channels, a mixer has. If your wallet won’t stretch to one of the other options listed here, then the Xenyx 1002B will certainly get you going in the right direction. At this price point you’re not going to get digital connectivity, or effects, or in fact much else in the way of frills, but there’s plenty of studios and venues the world over who have at least one Xenyx knocking around as a backup. With a street price likely just north of $/£100, the Behringer Xenyx 1002B is a solid 10-channel mixer with everything you need (at a basic level) to get you started.

Lines like the Xenyx are a great example of this approach. Before it embarked on a mission to ‘mimic’ seemingly every vintage synth in history, Behringer was famous for producing cost-effective options for cash-strapped musicians to get the gear they needed. It seems everyone and their dog has an opinion about Behringer and, while it sometimes doesn’t do itself any favours with its provocative marketing, it’s easy to forget what made Behringer the company it is today. Sound quality doesn’t compare to others in this list
