5. Special Types

A typical compact power mixer

Just like with active and passive speakers, there are variations of mixers with and without a built-in power amplifier. The majority of mixers available are passive, meaning they don't have an integrated amplifier. Active mixers (those with a built-in power amplifier) are also known as POWER MIXERS.

The advantage of these is that with minimal wiring effort, you get an all-in-one solution. However, the significant drawback becomes apparent when you want to expand the system (e.g., adding a subwoofer). Often, the built-in amplifiers are relatively small, requiring a shift to active speakers when expanding. This leads to a messy and unnecessarily complex wiring setup.
In a rehearsal space or as a mixer for a pure "vocal system," with only two full-range speakers, a power mixer can make sense. However, due to the wide selection of affordable and excellent active speakers and the relatively small selection of passive speakers, power mixers have lost significance.

DJ MIXERS

Another special case is DJ mixers. The unique feature here is the so-called crossfader, allowing you to smoothly transition between two tracks and mix them perfectly. Essential for DJs!

DJ mixers often come equipped with phono preamps to connect turntables without their preamp. This feature is not only interesting for vinyl purists among DJs but can also be a solution for music enthusiasts who want to listen to records at home.

Classic two-channel DJ mixer

Since there are many different types of DJ mixers, we've written a dedicated online guide for that.

MATRIX MIXERS

Matrix mixers are often used for installations. Here, you can easily route various input signals to multiple outputs. Especially in sound systems for multiple rooms, a matrix mixer is often the tool of choice. For example, in a pub or restaurant with a main room and two side rooms, you can use a mixer of this kind to distribute different input signals to the different areas (zones).

Matrix mixer with seven inputs and three zones

Matrix mixers often have channel prioritization. So, if there's an announcement or an alarm that needs to be heard everywhere, activating it will mute all other inputs.