Some models had extras that I could use, other models didn’t have those features but had other features that I could use and it became a game of Want vs. Need. It became a much more complicated search than I initially thought.

Then I saw the ART tube mix. Just seeing it I knew that was the one I was going to buy however I felt I needed to do more research on other makes and models just to be sure. I shouldn’t have bothered and bought it as soon as I saw it.

The tube mix looks to be an old school piece of equipment with the VU meters and the real wood sides as well as an assignable 12 ax7 tube adding to the mix. I think it looks great on my table.

It is very versatile and has all the inputs and outputs and equalizer that I need plus a little more. The dials are sturdy don’t feel like they’re going to fall off, the buttons feel to be quality, giving that positive and sturdy “click” and the metal chassis is a quality build and appears to be able to stand up to some use.

I love that the headphone jack is on the front of the unit not on the top so your headphone cable won’t get tangled with other input lines or interfere when you are operating buttons or knobs, just a little touch that I appreciate.

I was able to record to audacity on my laptop using the USB interface with little messing about or reading of the manual. It was a pretty straightforward and simple setup but if you do need the manual, it is actually well-written and informative should you need it.

I like how this unit looks, I like how this unit operates and I am very happy that I eventually bought it after looking at other units that I probably would not be as happy with.