Digital Mixer vs Analog Mixer – What's the Difference? | Live Sound Lesson 🎛

Sweetwater’s Mitch Gallagher shows and compares how analog mixers and digital mixers work. Both, the analog mixer and digital mixer types ultimately do the same thing, but how an analog mixer works vs a digital mixer and how you interact with an analog mixer vs a digital mixer is where the core features and benefits lie. Watch to learn more about how analog mixers and digital mixers can benefit your live sound rig or recording studio system.

Are you curious about the difference between digital mixers and analog mixers? At Sweetwater, we get this question all the time from our customers. The short and sweet answer to digital mixer vs analog mixer is that digital mixers use digital circuitry to process and route the sound while analog mixers use analog circuitry.

An analog mixer easily fits into typical small- to medium-sized live sound situations and have an intuitive, linear setup. Audio comes in and proceeds down the channel strip through EQ circuitry and any other analog processing that’s present and is then sent to the main output or aux sends. A digital mixer, however, can be much more complex to operate. The audio signal comes into a digital mixer, but the signal path isn’t necessarily linear. A digital mixer often lets you route the audio through complex matrixes that can include an array of digital processing. Digital mixers also usually have layers, letting you control more channels than you have faders or have multiple functions assigned to a single knob or button. And because of layers and multi-function controls, a digital mixer can have a smaller footprint, so even a large venue can use a smaller mixer than if they used an analog mixer. If you’re not sure which form factor is right for your situation, call your Sweetwater Sales Engineer for help!

0:00 - Intro
0:30 - What Does A Mixer Do?
1:22 - Pros & Cons of Analog & Digital
2:30 - Analog Design
3:12 - Digital Design
3:53 - Routing
4:36 - Recording
5:04 - Meter
5:28 - Configurations
6:05 - Onboard Effects
6:50 - Remote Control
7:20 - EQ Capabilities
8:00 - Other Differences
9:00 - Thanks For Watching

#Sweetwater #AnalogMixer #DigitalMixer

[sweetwater]

Did you find this guide helpful? Like, comment, and subscribe for more lessons, overviews, and tutorials that'll help you on your musical journey. Thank you! 🎸🎶

[papadenz]

this is the best explanation of how analog and digital mixers does..

[waywardsage]

I wish you taught audio at a university so I could take the class to brush up on my skills! Very clearly explained!

[nelsonporter]

Mitch is the BEST spokesman for any company I’ve ever heard !!

[MONK-]

I know it would take me half an hour to work out a digital mixer but I'm analogue all the way.
I have my own sound business and there's no difference in the sound between both desks.
Keep it simple keep it analogue 👍😁

[richsandness]

Great speaking and presentation. You spoke very rapidly, to 'get everything in', yet that was fine, it was very clear and articulating, comprehensive, and personable. The concept(s) are very logical, so that helped it along also. I liked that you covered a bit from a 'worship' perspective also.

[pantherinemedia]

I viewed this video some months ago, and i can categorically say that the time i've spent since then in the studio, making music, and learning stage sound has gone a long way in helping me understand better as I watch it again. That said, the Behringer X32 is a behemoth I look forward to acquiring for studio and event use. I've also looked up the Zoom L20 and it is quite impressive, but nothing was said about it in this video.

[elliel]

This video is outstanding. Best explanation I’ve heard about the two technologies thus far. You’ve helped me to better understand the investment we’re about to make! Thanks!!

[diiegopc]

I was afraid of digital mixers jaja but being able to save presets catch my attention!

[Mcsteveberry]

i bought my audio interface from you guys and i live in australia, you guys are the best! 5*

[StofffeGbg]

Excellent video, clarified a lot of questions and made my buying-decisions easier :) Thanks!

[NealB]

I'm an analog guy stuck in a digital world.

[keptkozy]

Yoooo Zed series is king. You're an awesome teacher btw - double this guy's pay lol.

[dseldridge]

🎶🌄 Well Mitch for a beginning tutorial you definitely get an 'A' Like Everything I've come to expect nothing less than perfection from you + your company, short + 'Sweet' Conceptual w/out unnecessary redundant explanations.. Keep Rocking my brother + have a Great Holiday 🤘🏞🎸⛥🎵🌈🌟🍻😎✨

[musicmore]

That was a great breakdown and explanation.

[SRSononeSAGAR]

This 9 mins video cleared all of my doubts, Thanks you so much for making it so simple this was really a easy understanding concept🙃🙏

[stormytaylor]

Best explanation i've heard. So simple but full of data/ Thanks for this

[CherylThomasSpeaks]

Great, easy to understand video for an audio newbie!

[matthewvigo]

This is great information. Thank you all for always posting helpful videos.

[drnandakumarakvelu]

Yes..very useful..Hi..you are more streaming speech than Demo speech, yet clear, crisp, to the point..than a snaling, dragging, , and sapped up...REALY A SUPERB TOPIC and a superb you