I stand corrected - apparently there are TWO manufacturers still making analog desks **that fit your requirements** - A&H and Soundcraft. No Behringer, no Mackie, no Peavey. But since you mention $2k is too high, you are absolutely looking at a used analog console.
Let's do some math and say you managed to find some deals on things that meet your requirements:
- A console for $500. (locally/driving distance, as shipping would be +$200)
- 3x 2ch 31-band EQs @ $50/channel for L/R + 4 mixes - $300
- 4ch each of comps & gates @ $50ch - $400
- 3x 8ch patch snakes for EQs, comps & gates @ $50 each - $150
You're now at ~$1350 for what is most likely 15+ year old gear with unknown heritage and questionable reliability.
Option B: Behringer X32 for $1999, delivered to your doorstep. Real faders, real knobs, real buttons, and a USB port to multitrack all 32 inputs right to a computer. No WiFi, no tablets, no digital snake necessary, and a 3 year warranty.
What's the lesser of the evils?
Since you mentioned on PSW you are coming out of retirement, you probably aren't aware that the X32 is pretty much the standard (read: minimally accepted level of equipment) in "club sound", for a band that would need 24-32 input channels. It's now been out for about 9 years - the technology has been tested.
To borrow a phrase coined by an old friend from the early PSW days: Buy Once, Cry Once.
