Ask an Engineer: Jeff Palladino’s Favorite Audio Mixers
As the manager of the Sales Engineer team at Pro Acoustics, Jeff Palladino brings over 30 years of expertise in musical instruments and commercial audio systems. He leads with honesty, integrity, and a strong commitment to building lasting trust with every client. Jeff thrives on the challenge of designing customized audio solutions and embraces continual learning in a collaborative, family-oriented environment. His approach is rooted in practical, real-world experience, delivering reliable systems to the unique demands of commercial and professional spaces.
When it comes to the best audio mixers, Jeff focuses on solutions that are reliable, flexible, and intuitive. His top two picks, the Rolls RM167 and the Pure Resonance Audio MX84, are standout rack mount mixers that deliver strong performance and ease of use across a wide range of applications.
Rolls RM167 Professional Mic/Source Mixer with Bluetooth
The Rolls RM167 is a compact, single rack space audio mixer with Bluetooth designed for professional installations. It combines three microphone inputs and four stereo source inputs into a flexible system that can output in mono or stereo. Jeff loves the RM167 for its straightforward operation, making it easy for even novice users to stream audio through the built-in Bluetooth receiver. Its user-friendly design, unique features, and reliable U.S. manufacturing make it a top rated audio mixer for commercial spaces.
Key Features Include:
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Individual level and tone controls for each microphone input
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Overall bass, treble, and master output adjustments
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Supports priority talkover with adjustable ducking for microphone one
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Allows ducking for an external audio source
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Offers convenient options like a front-panel 3.5mm input and a pre-Master RCA output for recording
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1U space-saving design
Pure Resonance Audio MX84 4 Zone 8-Channel Rack Mount Mic/Line Mixer
The Pure Resonance Audio MX84 is an 8-channel audio mixer with four independently controlled zones, designed for professional and commercial audio installations. Its flexible zoning and intuitive controls make managing multiple areas simple. Jeff favors the MX84 for its zoning versatility and support for optional paging microphones and wall inputs, allowing seamless sub-mixing and volume control. This combination of adaptability and ease of use makes the MX84 multi-zone audio mixer a top choice.
Key Features Include:
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8 Channels with mic and line inputs
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Four independently controlled zones with 2-band EQ per zone
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Offers priority mute input and integration capabilities with alarm systems
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Remote mic input with audio ducking and paging zone selection (for use with MX8-PM)
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Remote input (for use with MX8-WP)
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Durable 2U rack mount chassis
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Dedicated volume control dial, indicator lights, and zone assignment per channel
Jeff is a trusted source for the bestaudio mixer recommendations, thanks to his years of hands-on experience working with commercial and professional audio systems. Whether you’re looking for a compact mixer with Bluetooth, like the Rolls RM167, or a flexible multi-zone solution like the Pure Resonance Audio MX84, these mixers represent Jeff’s top picks for quality and performance!
If you’re looking to improve your audio system, take a look at Jeff’s favorite mixers or reach out to him for help finding the perfect fit for your sound system needs!