Behringer X1204USB

12 input mixing console: 4 mic preamps with compression control, plus onboard FX and inbuilt USB interface

The little all-rounder. You get 4 x mic preamps (XLR inputs), a couple of stereo channels, inbuilt bi-directional USB port, plus a couple of auxilliary sends (one of them labelled FX, but can be used purely as a send). Rack ears for 19" mounting are included, but not attached. Power via IEC cable. Plus Behringer has included digital effects, with a TAP button for setting delay times, and a socket for 'FX Footswitch' (not included). And then there's the biggy - each of the 4 mono channels has a 'One Knob Compression' directly underneath the gain pot. And there's the Alt 3/4 bus, headphone/control room level control and XLR sockets for main outputs. If this mixer looks perfect, but you don't need the FX, try 1204USB.

Behringer's blurb on One Knob Compression
Ask professional sound engineers what their favourite piece of external processing gear is and the majority response will be virtually unanimous - dynamic compression. What is compression? We're glad you asked. Compression essentially limits the dynamic range of a signal, lowering the level of loud sounds and turning up softer sounds, to achieve sonic balance. But applying compression is a delicate art that many novice, and even intermediate, sound techs have great difficulty mastering. Our "one-knob" compression is available on all mono channels and is easy to operate, even for entry-level users. With this one knob, you can easily dial in the perfect amount of compression for instruments and vocals, creating powerful mixes with punch and clarity. This is indeed a rare feature for products in this class - but standard on all XENYX USB mixers

$339.99 (RRP)