portable mixers

I wrote a post on portable mixers back in 2018, I guess it’s time for a new one. Note that this list will be PO-focused: minijacks over jacks (and no RCA, of course), Volca-sized or smaller. If you’re looking for a compact mixer for your full-size synth setup, or a DJ mixer, you may find these options lacking.

I’ve removed the models that aren’t available anymore and added the new ones. Note that this list isn’t complete, but I plan to update it periodically.

You can skip the descriptions and go straight to the table in the end to see feature and price comparison.

Passive mixers

No gain, no pain.

DS Micromix 4 ($50)

This tiny passive mixer has four inputs, each with a volume knob and with a mute switch. It also has a built-in sync splitter, which is really useful for a PO setup. Out of stock most of the time, but you can subscribe to dichstudios for announcements.

myVolts mickXer ($21.5)

A sturdy 5 input passive stereo mixer that can be expanded with TAPS modules.

Retrokits RK-003 (€17.3)

This is an 8 channel DIY passive mixer that requires some soldering, and it’s probably the most compact 8 channel mixer ever. Compromises had to be made: no knobs, no mute switches. Adjust volume on your POs instead.

Note that you may want to make an enclosure for it, 3D models are available here.

TX400 ($13.8)

This compact 4 channel passive stereo mixer from an unnamed Chinese company is probably the cheapest passive option out there, and it even has input and master level knobs.

Sold by lots of AliExpress shops, not just this one. Probably available on every marketplace with cheap Chinese electronics. Also known as MC5, and there’s an active version called MC5 Pro.

Active mixers

These need either a power supply or batteries, but they provide amplification.

Bastl Bestie (€180)

The king is dead, long live the king! Soon after discontinuing the Dude, Bastl released a new stereo mixer that can do everything the Dude could, and then much more. Five stereo inputs, a dedicated feedback channel, headphones output, 4xAA or USB-C power, a metal case that won’t break (unlike the Dude’s plastic walls) – it may not offer as much as the VMIX-10, but it’s a beautiful weird little mixer for your tiny synth setups.

Tangible Waves VMIX-10 (€159)

If you don’t need recording and other features of digital mixers, but otherwise want as many features as possible, the VMIX-10 is for you. Six mono inputs with panning and sends, two stereo inputs, two aux sends with stereo returns, stereo volume indicators, four 9VDC outputs for powering Volcas – this Volca-sized mixer is everything the Volca Mix should have been.

Roland GO:MIXER PRO-X ($160)

Big names come into play! It’s not a PO mixer per se, more of a band mixer, but it has 11 input channels, including 2 stereo line in minijacks and 2 mono instrument jacks. It also has a USB audio interface (with micro USB, Roland, seriously?) and can be powered by either USB or four AAA batteries.

You can also look for the more basic (and presumably discontinued) GO:MIXER and GO:MIXER PRO.

L.E.P – Lumamix (Desktop) (€138)

This tiny mixer seems to pack a lot of punch. Four inputs plus send/return, a resonant LP/BP/HP filter that can be controlled by a light dependent resistor.

Mad Max Mixer (€115)

A 5 input stereo mixer with saturation, similar to the Bastl Bestie. Comes in three versions: fully assembled, full kit for soldering (€85) and basic kit (€65, includes the front panel and the PCB with populated SMD components).

Maker hart JUST COMBO V ($100)

It’s not easy to figure out what exactly this tiny Chinese mixer is capable of, but rest assured it’s a lot. It has 4 stereo inputs, a mic input with phantom power, a separate USB mute toggle, bluetooth input/output, a 24/96 audio interface, and probably much more. It runs on USB power (the site claims it also has battery power, but I’m not so sure).

If you don’t need all these fancy features, there’s a cheaper model called JUST MIXER S ($46), which is, well, just a mixer: no USB audio, no bluetooth, nothing extra at all: 3 inputs, USB or battery power, and… that’s all.

Bastl DUDE (€85)

The king of PO mixers. Five mono inputs, massive gain that can give you distortion if you want, mute switches, battery power or external 9-12VDC power – all in a compact box. Recently discontinued, but you may still be able to find it.

Maker hart JUST MIXER 2 ($63)

Don’t judge this one by its looks. Maybe it’s not that hideous in real life. It has three stereo inputs, global eq, a peak indicator and a USB audio interface. Plus it’s the only affordable mixer that has actual faders!

You can also get the original JUST MIXER for $46, it skimps on the audio interface, but adds battery power option and panning.

Nady MM-242 ($44)

It has inspired countless Chinese clones. Can be used as a 8 channel mono or as a 4 channel stereo mixer. Metal enclosure, powered 9VDC external power or a 9V battery, has two outputs with independent volume knobs and peak indicators. Not what I’d recommend for POs, though, as all the inputs are 6.35 mm jacks.

Cobra ACA-012 (£33.95)

Probably not what you’d be looking for in a PO-focused setup, but if you want to use a condenser microphone that needs phantom power and can live with RCA connectors, this is your choice. It comes under many names, such as Rolls MX51s Mini-Mix 2 (but I wouldn’t recommend buying it from Rolls, I can’t even access their website without VPN and that’s not a good sign).

MC5 PRO ($34.56)

An upgrade to the TX400 with an actual enclosure and optional USB-C power. Can be used either as an active or a passive mixer.

Rakit Rakimix (£26.00)

A DIY mono mixer with 4 controllable channels and one aux channel that can be used for daisy chaining. Powered by a 9V battery or any 9V DC source.

Behringer MicroMIX MX400 ($29)

A tiny sturdy mono mixer from the Evil Corporation itself. Not perfect for POs, as it has full-size 6.35 mm jacks. Power supply included. Mono output.

MicroMIX ($17.5)

Hmm, I think I’ve seen that logo somewhere.

A 6 channel stereo mixer from China with mono/stereo switches and a level indicator. Powered by USB Type-C – Roland, take note! You even get a metal enclosure, which is impressive, given the price. May be noisy due to USB power, though.

Sold by lots of AliExpress shops, not just this one. Probably available on every marketplace with cheap Chinese electronics.

It’s also known as DX600, and has smaller and bigger versions known as DX400 and DX800 (4 and 8 inputs respectively).

nonaMIX ($13.5)

It doesn’t actually have a name, and it’s obviously the younger brother of the MicroMIX, but with 4 inputs and no level indicator. But hey, it even has a power supply. I wanted to call it NanoMIX, but then I had a better idea.

Sold by lots of AliExpress shops, not just this one. Probably available on every marketplace with cheap Chinese electronics.

AU-401 ($10.5-13.5)

A 4 channel stereo mixer from China, powered by 5-12VDC (5.5*2.1 barrel plug). The cheapest active mixer out there, but then you have to buy a suitable cable and a power supply.

Sold by lots of AliExpress shops, not just this one. Probably available on every marketplace with cheap Chinese electronics.

Fancy mixers

These may be considered overkill if all you want to hook a bunch of POs to a speaker, but nothing can beat them in terms of feature per gram.

Teenage Engineering TX-6 ($1199)

Well, this one is impressive. TE managed to cram so much into a PO-sized box. 6 stereo (12 mono) channels, a built-in 8 hour battery, a 12 channel 24/48 USB audio interface, a standalone stereo recorder, high quality effects, BLE MIDI… The only downside is that it costs more than all the POs ever released combined.

OTO Bébé Chérie (€625)

You thought the TX-6 was the best looking compact mixer ever? Think again, and this time think pink. It’s a six channel stereo mixer with massive gain and nice distortion, single knob eq for the first 4 channels and 2 band eq for the last 2, single knob compression and a high frequency enhancer. Given that it’s OTO, rest assured it sounds as good as possible.

1010 music Bluebox ($549)

The Bluebox packs almost as much power as the TX-6 for less than half the price. 6 stereo (12 mono) channels, effects, a touch screen, scene recall, TRS MIDI and much more. Unlike the TX-6, it can record all 6/12 tracks at the same time, and not just the stereo mix. Of course, there are compromises as well: bigger size, no battery (USB power only), no audio interface; but it still is a powerful little machine.

Honorable mentions

p0k3t0 sync splitter ($10-14)

If you’re using your POs with a mixer, you definitely need a sync splitter to keep your POs, well, in sync. And p0k3t0 got you covered, with 5/7/9 way splitters for your PO setup.

myVolts TAPS (from $15.5)

Series of PO-compatible accessories, such as splitters and pan knobs.

Yamaha SessionCake SC-01/SC-02

I’ll add these to the table later. Done for today.

Summary

Name	Channels	Inputs	Power	Other features	Price
AU-401	4 stereo	4*6.3 TRS	5V DC	knobs	$10.5
nonaMIX	4 stereo	4*6.3 TRS	USB-C	knobs PS included	$13.5
TX400	4 stereo	4*3.5 TRS	passive	knobs	$13.8
MicroMIX	4/6/8 stereo	6*6.3 TRS	USB-C	knobs, peak indicator	$17.5
Retrokits RK-003	8 mono	8*3.5 TS	–	DIY	€17.3
myVolts mickXer	5 stereo	5*3.5 TRS	–	TAPS compatible	$21.5
Behringer MicroMIX MX400	4 mono	4*6.3 TS	12V DC	knobs PS included	$29
Rakit Rakimix	5 mono	5*3.5 TS	9V DC (or battery)	knobs, mutes DIY	£26
MC5 PRO	4 stereo	4*3.5 TRS	USB-C	knobs, active/passive	$34.6
Cobra ACA-012	1 mono, 3 stereo	1*XLR mic 1*3.5 TRS 3*RCA	12V DC	knobs, phantom power	£33.95
Nady MM-242	4 stereo (8 mono)	8*6.35 TS	9V DC (or battery)	knobs, peak indicator 2 outs	$44
Maker hart JUST MIXER	3 stereo	3*3.5 TRS	MicroUSB (or 2xAAA)	faders peak indicator	$46
Maker hart JUST MIXER S	3 stereo	3*3.5 TRS	MicroUSB (or 1xAAA)	knobs	$46
Dich Studios DS Micromix 4	4 mono	4*3.5 TS	–	knobs, mutes sync output	$50
Maker hart JUST MIXER 2	3 stereo	3*3.5 TRS	MicroUSB	faders, eq, peak indicator stereo USB audio	$63
Bastl DUDE	5 mono	5*3.5 TS	9-12V DC (or 4xAAA)	knobs, mutes, 20 dB gain	€85
Maker hart JUST COMBO V	4 stereo	4*3.5 TRS	MicroUSB	knobs, bluetooth mic phantom power stereo USB audio 24/96	$100
Mad Max Mixer	5 stereo	5*3.5 TRS	7.5-12V DC	knobs, saturation
LEP Lumamix	4 mono + return	5*3.5 TS 5*6.3 TS	12V DC	knobs, send/return, resonant filter, LDR	€138
Roland GO:MIXER PRO-X	11 total	2*6.3 TS 2*3.5 TS 1*mic 1*guitar 1*3.5 TRRS	MicroUSB (or 4xAAA)	knobs, peak indicator stereo USB audio	$160
Tangible Waves VMIX-10	6 mono 2 stereo 2 returns	6*3.5 TS 4*3.5 TRS	9V DC	knobs, mutes 2 aux sends panning stereo volume indicator fits Volca stands PS included	€159
Bastl Bestie	5 stereo 1 feedback	5*3.5 TRS 2*3.5 TS	USB-C (or 4xAA)	knobs, mutes, 20 dB gain feedback on channel 3	€180
1010 music Bluebox	6 stereo (12 mono)	6*3.5 TRS	USB-C	digital, touchscreen effects, eq multitrack recording 24/48 TRS MIDI	$549
OTO Bébé Chérie	6 stereo	6*3.5 TRS	12V DC	knobs, mutes 1 knob eq, 1 knob comp highs enhancer stereo volume indicator audiophile quality	€625
TE TX-6	6 stereo (12 mono)	6*3.5 TRS	USB-C rechargeable	knobs, faders, mutes digital effects, eq stereo recording 24/48 multitrack USB audio	$1199