The Best Powered Mixers Under $500

Things to Consider When Buying A Powered Mixer

How Much Power Do I Need?

The key thing to take note of is how big your venue is. Small venues can get away with one or two speakers, so checking these speakers for their power requirement to achieve their optimum operating volume is key. Bear in mind that it is much better to distribute power and volume across multiple speakers than it is to push fewer speakers to a loud volume. Not only does it stress your speakers, but it also stresses the people directly in front of them! With soundboards, volume goes hand in hand with dispersion, and your power requirement is then a matter of how many speakers you are going to use to achieve an optimum level of volume controls rather than how loud you want one or two speakers to be.

For a more technical explanation, check out this Live Sound 101 primer by B & H.

Inputs, Phantom Power and Channels

One of the first things you need to consider when buying a Mixing Board is how many inputs it has. The more input options available, the easier it is to accommodate the different mics, musical instruments (like violin, Saxophones, flutes, etc), and tools of performers. If you're using mics that require Phantom Power, you'll want as many XLR inputs with switchable phantom power to match the number of mics.
The same rule applies to stereo inputs, line inputs, and channel count. More inputs and channels will let you accommodate more sound sources simultaneously. On the flip side, the inputs and channels require more space and components, which translates to added bulk, weight, and cost. So it is recommended to assess your needs prior to buying a soundboard. 16 Channels are enough input for the usual band setup.

Powered vs Passive Mixers

Stage powered mixers come with built-in amplifiers, so they perform two tasks simultaneously and allow for an even more streamlined and centralized operation. With these, you don't need a separate amplifier, simplifying setup and reducing potential clutter. Since these mixers house the amplifier, all the amp controls are also accessible within the unit. On the other hand, passive mixers like the Zoom Livetrak L-1 require a separate amplifier to work, and along with it, extra cable. They also work with powered speakers. While it does complicate setup, it makes troubleshooting easier since the two units are separated, also reliability is better since there are fewer components within the mixer. Note that many modern setups utilize passive digital mixing desks, because of their versatility.

EQ, Effects and Other Tone Shaping Elements

EQ settings and effects allow you to make quick fixes and adjustments to the resulting sound, which is important especially in a live performance situation. In addition to EQ, many modern mixers come with high and low cut filters, for complete control over the shape of each channel, subgroup and the entire mix. A good digital mixer will offer you more tone shaping options and and audio interface mode, but they will need a dedicated amplifier, or be paired with powered speakers. Note that having too many of these complex options may be detrimental for beginners. Having good display and LED metering helps in better managing complex setups. Audio Ducking effect is another useful feature to look out for.

Gear Compatibility

The main compatibility considerations include how many phantom powered mics you'll be using, the number and types of inputs, built-in effects, SD card recording, and the ability to directly connect to a computer for live show recording if that's what you need. Another factor is checking to see if your speakers or the speaker you're going to buy have impedances that match the mixer's power. The most common problem caused by impedance mismatching is inefficiency which results in low headroom. Having the necessary ports and controls to monitor via stereo headphones is another important consideration. Some modern digital mixers come with USB connections for direct recording. You can do live recording with older analog mixers by connecting to a dedicated USB interface (Audio Interface) with USB connectivity.

Desk/Console vs Rackmount Form Factor

Choosing the right form factor boils down to how portable you want your setup to be. For more permanent setups, Desk/Console form factors would be the way to go especially when they have faders. Rackmount or Box units offer the convenience of being able to transport them along with other outboard gear you may have. This doesn't mean Desk/Console form factor mixers aren't portable, but it will depend on how much of your setup is integrated as a system. Rackmount systems with outboard gear in the set up allows fast set up and teardown but often don't have the controls and faders like Desk/Console types. You also have to consider cable, power cord positioning. Software digital mixers paired with rack mount units are very versatile, and ideal for recording studios.