{"id":51834,"date":"2018-09-06T09:00:48","date_gmt":"2018-09-06T13:00:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/?p=51834"},"modified":"2022-10-24T15:05:02","modified_gmt":"2022-10-24T19:05:02","slug":"what-is-the-best-mixer-for-podcasting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/what-is-the-best-mixer-for-podcasting\/","title":{"rendered":"What is the Best Mixer for Podcasting?"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

An audio mixer may not be among the most basic equipment needed for starting your own podcast<\/a>. However, as you progress, you\u2019ll realize that it\u2019s the best way to record from multiple sources. A podcast mixer becomes very useful when you decide to conduct an interview or add live music, both of which typically require their own tracks so you can fully refine each of them later on.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Aside from being used to combine and modify sounds, this electronic device can be used to clean up your tracks, clarify your audio, eliminate a few minor sound problems that podcasters typically face during recording, and create special effects that you can have fun with during post-production.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

If you need any more convincing, check out our list of 10 of the best podcasting mixers that have passed the standards of many of today\u2019s most successful podcasters.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

What is a podcast mixer?<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

A mixer<\/a> combines multiple signals and routes them to a common output for recording and\/or broadcast. Signals include microphones, line-level instruments, and other sound sources like computers, phones, or tablets. A podcast mixer typically has specialized features that normal mixers don\u2019t, like the ability to store and trigger sound effects and music, which are common elements of a well-produced podcast. Mixers can also provide effects like equalization to enhance the sound quality before post-production.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Why you need a mixer for podcasting<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

A podcast mixer performs many essential functions. In addition to combining and routing different sound sources, podcast mixers have built-in microphone preamps. Preamps amplify the quiet signal produced by a microphone so it\u2019s loud enough to record or broadcast live.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Above anything else, most of today\u2019s mixers act as an audio interface that connects to a computer or laptop over USB. This lets you record directly to your computer, and additionally, some podcast mixers even work as standalone recorders themselves \u2014 no computer required. A mixer consolidates a lot of standard audio production tools in a single piece of hardware.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Features to look for in a podcast mixer<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Number of preamps<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

One of the first features to look for in the best podcasting mixer is how many preamps it has available. This can be very important depending on the number of people on the show. You may also want the opportunity to expand and add microphones later on, so you should look for a mixer with enough preamps\/microphone inputs to suit current and future needs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Recording capabilities<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Another important feature is its recording capability. Does it interface with a computer via USB for recording into a DAW<\/a>? Does it work as a standalone multitrack recorder? Or both? As a partial aside, standalone recording is particularly great for newcomers to audio who don\u2019t feel comfortable getting their hands dirty in audio production software just yet.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Onboard effects<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

To springboard off of that, onboard effects are quality features to observe. Even a podcast, usually with simple mixing requirements, needs some extra love to clean up the sound and make it professional. If you don\u2019t want to do post-production mixing in a DAW, having access to equalization, at the very least, will let you touch up your sound before you print it.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Storage<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Finally, keep an eye on built-in storage that allows you to load your own sound effects and music beds. Where there\u2019s storage specifically for that, there are normally also assignable pads to trigger those sounds from. All of these are important features to look for in the best podcasting mixer.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Best Podcasting Mixers<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n
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Image via Shutterstock<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n

Similar to choosing your podcast microphone<\/a>, headphones<\/a>, and even your recording software<\/a>, selecting a mixer requires a lot of thought. First, you\u2019ll need to figure out which one best suits your podcasting type (solo podcaster\/group interviews\/music shows), which one is most compatible with your other hardware, how many mixer channels you want, the special effects you want to include, and most importantly, your budget.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

With the following information provided for each product, we hope you\u2019ll be able to find the perfect mixer that suits all of your unique podcasting needs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

TC Helicon GO XLR Mini Online Broadcast Mixer<\/a><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n
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The GoXLR Mini is a solo podcaster\u2019s dream. It\u2019s succinct and highly capable, with a variety of inputs and outputs controlled by four large faders on the interface. The primary input is a single XLR microphone preamp, and there\u2019s also a 3.5mm unbalanced microphone input for use with 3.5mm mics. Built-in effects include EQ, compression, and noise gating to get studio quality sound straight from the mixer. PC-based creators will love how fun the GoXLR Mini is to use.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Key Specifications:<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n