Looking for a new analog/USB mixer for live gigs from solo acoustic up to a 4 piece band. Leaning toward Allen and Heath or Presonus. Any insight about these two company's would be appreciated.
If all you were doing was a solo acoustic, I would say the ZED 10 Fx is a very good choice (Although the Soundcraft offerings are also very good).
A 4 piece band is quite a different story.
Although I did use my ZED 10 Fx for a 3 piece band once (2 singers vocal mics, 1 guitar cab mic, one kick mic for the 4 XLR's, Bass was direct), that was a very minimalist gig.
For my full 4 piece band I use an X32 Rack and would generally encourage anyone to have a minimum of 16 channels and a bit more for this purpose:
3 to 4 vocal mics
2 guitar cab mics
2 inputs for a keyboard
1 input for bass (either direct or mic)
2 inputs for stereo break music
Now, without drums you are looking at between 8 to 11 inputs.
Drums:
1 snare
1 high hat
3 to 5 toms
1 kick
1 to 2 overheads
So drums will take up 7 to 10 channels
Soooo. Overall, a 4 piece band takes between 15 to 22 inputs depending on the content of your band. Fortunately, the X32 Rack has 24 total inputs (16 XLR + 6 quarter inch inputs and an integrated stereo input) which has handled anything I have ever had to handle with my own band.
My bass player uses an XR18 which is quite serviceable for such a low cost mixer ($581 on Amazon right now). It can also do multi-track recording which is a must if you want to actually make a decent mix on an after the fact gig recording.