The 10 Best Rack Mountable Digital Mixers
Editor's Notes
December 21, 2020:
While many of the tried and trusted mixers in this ranking have been around a while, they remain in popular demand and continue to garner praise in contemporary review pages and forums, hence they retain their places on this list. Our latest update does have some replacements, however, that reflect the growing trends in wireless connectivity and control via smart devices.
These include the Mackie DL32R and the Soundcraft Ui24 - two similar units offering 32 and 24 channels, respectively, each being remotely controllable, and each doubling as an audio interface for direct connection to a DAW. This essentially makes the unit a conduit for physical cables, with the actual mixing work carried out on the Mac, PC, or mobile device, saving space and adding considerable versatility over their hardware counterparts.
February 07, 2019:
It seems the big decision consumers have in this category is between models with full physical controls and those who cede their knobs and faders to tablets and PCs. Allen & Heath have one selection of each type, but their fully physical model takes priority for its reliability even if the user forgets to charge their iPad.