Need hardware suggestions

[eldrono]

It's the end of 2025, and i'm in need of a cheap but quality mixer w/USB in/out, natch, only a couple of inputs, one for a mic. Hopefully no effects (I'll be using Ardour and/or Audacity and hope to pick up the needed effects plugins. Also, but not immediately some sort of midi controller. I've never played with midi, but get the feeling i should learn about it.

Thanks for any help in pointing me in the right direction(s)!

~eldrono, the world's oldest noob (afaik)

[heroina]

It's the end of 2025, and i'm in need of a cheap but quality mixer w/USB in/out, natch, only a couple of inputs, one for a mic. Hopefully no effects (I'll be using Ardour and/or Audacity and hope to pick up the needed effects plugins. Also, but not immediately some sort of midi controller. I've never played with midi, but get the feeling i should learn about it.

Thanks for any help in pointing me in the right direction(s)!

~eldrono, the world's oldest noob (afaik)

Hi. Why a mixer and not an audio interface? How many inputs and outputs do you need? What do you mean by "cheap"? How much? Audacity is currently more focused on audio. However, this is supposed to change with the upcoming version 4. When that will be is unclear. If you plan to use MIDI and plugins later, it would be good to choose an audio/MIDI sequencer that already has these features, so you don't have to switch later. Ardour offers pretty much everything, so it would make sense to stick with it. MIDI keyboards are fun, but keep in mind that while newer models are usually class-compliant and recognized in Linux, they often require special software to make specific settings. The same applies to audio interfaces, and sometimes to recording mixers as well. I would make sure that everything, or at least the most important settings, can be configured or changed directly on the hardware. If you plan to use effects in your DAW anyway, then I would recommend an audio interface instead of a mixer.

Cheers!

[khz]

I also think a USB audio/MIDI interface makes more sense. Finding a cheap, good mixer is a matter of luck.
For example, thanks to @geoffrey LM member, a Focusrite might be a good choice.
I find the Faderfox EC4 https://www.faderfox.de/ec4.html very good as a MIDI controller; everything can be adjusted on the device itself.

[fruen]

Try the Midas M32 or behringer x32 series

[glowrak guy]

It's the end of 2025, and i'm in need of a cheap but quality mixer w/USB in/out, natch, only a couple of inputs, one for a mic. Hopefully no effects (I'll be using Ardour and/or Audacity and hope to pick up the needed effects plugins. Also, but not immediately some sort of midi controller. I've never played with midi, but get the feeling i should learn about it.

Thanks for any help in pointing me in the right direction(s)!

~eldrono, the world's oldest noob (afaik)

This midi controller is deluxe, you won't grow out of it, and it includes Bitwig 8-Track daw, which has a linux version: $340 at

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail ... controller

A Focusrite usb2 audio interface that should work in linux these days : $120

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail ... -interface

The linux Reaper daw license is around $70, and has tons of effects and 3rd-party utilities, and importanty, a trove of useful how-videos
from Kenny Gioia and others

www.reaper.fm

What one can accomplish is amazing for the price. around $600 including shipping, depending on where you live. Sweetwater is also a source of useful videos, and a trusted online store, with a great facility in Indiana to tour online or in person.
Cheers