You’ll need more than just a decent microphone if you want to host guests or draw in more listeners to your podcast studio. It can be inconvenient to transfer a single microphone back and forth when there is just one. You’ll also need a mixer board to connect multiple microphones and control them easily for your podcast.
Consider purchasing a mixing board in addition to a decent microphone and perhaps a microphone stand. You have additional recording possibilities with a mixing board, sometimes known as a mixer. It allows you to record instruments, utilize numerous microphones, and regulate the volume so that no voice overpowers another.
In the film and record industries as well as during concerts, mixers are frequently used. They are formed and sized differently. The Alesis MultiMix8 FireWire, for instance, is priced at about $300. Considering what it can do, even if it may seem like a lot, it is worth it. Make sure you have enough space for the mixer where you plan to record your podcast. It’s ideal to have it close at hand so you can easily adjust the sound while filming. You’ll have a smoother experience recording alone or with others if you do this.
What is a Mixer Board or Audio Mixer?
A mixer board is a hardware device used to combine and alter the levels of several audio streams. It is also referred to as a soundboard, mixing console, or audio mixer. Audio mixers are effective instruments for adjusting and modifying your audio. By understanding their components and how to use them effectively, you can take your audio production to the next level. Experiment with different techniques and settings to find the perfect mix for your content. With practice and experience, you’ll master the art of audio mixing and delight your audience with professional-quality sound.
Functions include volume control, equalization, panning, and routing, allowing for precise manipulation of audio elements.
Why You Should Use a Podcast Mixer?
1. You Don’t have to Be an Audio Engineer
A major obstacle to entrance for the initial cohort of podcasters was audio. A great deal of research had to be done on recording, and many podcasters effectively became amateur audio engineers. They gained knowledge on how to operate complex software, handle connection problems, link the proper pieces of equipment together, and meticulously edit each episode. They eventually accumulated more garbage than they needed as well.
2. You can Stay Engaged in the Moment
The comparison of inputs and outputs is not the only factor to consider when selecting between an audio interface and a mixer. This is because there are differences in how you utilize these two gadgets.
Conventional audio interfaces need a computer to work. Using software, all of the adjusting and routing is done on the computer screen. Theoretically, you can tweak your audio greatly with this configuration. In actuality, it frequently entails picking up new software, which appears to require updates constantly. Most of the time, you wind up navigating options and keeping everyone waiting for the podcast session to begin. It completely kills the buzz.
3. You Need to Record Two or More People
In case you are certain that you will be recording your podcast by yourself and won’t be including any in-person guests or co-hosts, then a podcast mixer could be unnecessary. For everyone else, you require a method for real-time audio balancing, monitoring your sound through headphones, and “mixing” your various audio streams together. Podcast mixers can in quite handy in this situation.
4. You Want to Record Phone Calls (Without Echo)
Podcasts including interviews are commonly based on phone calls, but have you ever attempted to record one? It is up to you to figure out how to record the call from both ends while guaranteeing that each speaker only hears the other. It’s surprisingly hard to do this off without echo, or worse, feedback. Usually, it entails figuring out a challenging audio routing and networking challenge. Doesn’t exactly make you feel like you’re ready for a fun interview?
5. You’re Hoping for Your Podcast to Grow Over Time
Numerous well-known podcasters have a really heartbreaking narrative to tell. When their show initially takes off, they invest in the studio commensurate with their individual venture. They are excellent since they have a good microphone and a top-notch interface with one or two inputs.
However, as their show develops, more opportunities present themselves. Perhaps they would want to bring on a co-host or special guests, conduct interviews over the phone, or arrange live events that they would record for their audience. Suddenly, their ideal studio becomes inadequate despite their substantial financial investment in it.
6. You Want the Recording to Sound Right the First Time
A simple audio interface may be used to record each podcast contributor to a separate track, with all mixing done in your DAW afterwards. However, an all-in-one podcast mixer such as DLZ Creator can capture a flawless, completely mixed recording in real time. A portion of that is attributed to functions like AutoMix and Mix Minus, which manage crucial engineering and routing duties. From there, however, your podcast mixer need to have all of the traditional mixing instruments that sound engineers use to refine their recordings.
DLZ Creator provides podcasters with the fundamentals of a professional vocal chain on every channel, for those who are already familiar with audio production. That means Gain, Gate, Compressor, De-Esser, and separate effects sends for Reverb and Delay, all of which you can adjust with the touchscreen.
The Anatomy of a Mixer Board
Mixing board is like a big control panel for your computer, but instead of dividing it into different rooms, we call these divisions “tracks.” There are two kinds of tracks: mono tracks and stereo tracks, which just means they can carry one or two audio signals at once. You can use these tracks to both send sound into the mixer and get sound out of it.
Mixing board are super flexible. For example, if you’re podcasting alone or with a friend, depending on your podcast type, you will be able connect two or more microphones to the mixer. This way, you don’t have to share a single microphone or keep moving it around when you’re speaking. It’s gonna be much easier for everyone to have their own mic. And when you and your friends want to record together, having multiple microphones is the best way to make sure everyone’s voice gets heard clearly.
The best part about a mixer is that it will let you control the volume of each microphone separately. This means you can adjust how loud or soft each person’s voice sounds, so everything sounds just right.
The Components of Mixing Board
- Channels: These are like different lanes for sounds. Each channel has its own controls for adjusting things like volume, bass, treble, and more. Imagine each channel is like a road for sound.
- Faders: Faders are like volume sliders. You push them up to make the sound louder or pull them down to make it quieter. They control how much of each sound comes through.
- Pan Pots: These help decide where the sound comes from. If you turn it to the left, the sound comes more from the left side, and if you turn it to the right, it comes from the right side. You can balance sounds between speakers this way.
- Equalizers (EQ): EQ can make the bass (low sounds) boom or make the treble (high sounds) sparkle. You can adjust them to make the sound just right.
- Auxiliary Sends: These are like secret pathways for sound. You can send some of the sound to other places, like speakers or special effects, without changing the main sound.
- Effects: Mixing boards often have built-in effects like reverb or echo. These make the sound more interesting or change how it feels, like making it sound like you’re in a big hall or a tiny room.
- Master Section: It controls everything overall. You can adjust the main volume, add effects to all the sounds together, and sometimes even record what you’re mixing.
Let’s break it down for you
- Mixing boards have lots of knobs, and they’re there to change how your voice sounds. They can make it deeper, sharper, softer, and even help get rid of background noise (like the sound of an empty room, which still has some noise).
- The important knobs are the ones that control how loud your voice is recorded, called volume or level knobs. Turning them up means your voice gets recorded louder. If you’re listening to something you’ve recorded, these knobs control how loud it sounds in your headphones.
- You might have heard about the band Spinal Tap, who famously wanted their sound equipment to go up to “11.” But for podcasts, just turning everything up to the max isn’t a good idea. It’s best to set your levels before you start recording. This is like when roadies at a concert say “Check One, Check Two” into the microphones to make sure everything sounds right. A better way is to talk like you would during your podcast, and adjust the knobs until a meter shows that the volume is just right.
Types of Mixing Board Arrangement
We find that mixing boards can be split into two main sections – the input section and the monitoring section:
- the input section is where you send the signal that’s going to be recorded into the mixer.
- the monitoring section is where you listen back to what you’ve already recorded – the outputs.
Keeping this in mind, you’ll find two different arrangements on hardware mixing consoles. They are:
- In-line
- Split
Split mixing consoles have both of these sections situated in different halves of the desk. In-line consoles contain both the input section and the monitoring section inside the same channel strip.
What are the Podcast Mixer Boards to Buy?
Investing in a reliable audio mixer can enhance your production quality. We’ll explore the top four audio mixers on the market and see why each one stands out among the rest.
Rode Rodecaster Duo: All-in-One Podcasting Powerhouse
For podcasting-specific solutions, the Rode Rodecaster Pro stands out. Keeping podcasters in mind, this all-in-one mixer offers a set of features designed to streamline your work and grow your productions to professional levels.
- Features:
- Intuitive touchscreen interface for effortless navigation and control.
- Four high-quality microphone inputs with Class-A preamps for pristine audio capture.
- Built-in sound effects pads for adding jingles, intros, and outros on the fly.
- Multitrack recording capabilities for individual track editing and post-production flexibility.
- Integration with recording platforms and live streaming applications.
- Why You Should Buy: I would say, The Rode Rodecaster Pro is a complete podcasting studio in a single device. With its user-friendly interface and features, such as sound effects pads and multitrack recording, you cancreate professional-quality podcasts without the need for additional equipment or complex setups. For example if you’re recording solo episodes or hosting panel discussions with multiple guests, the Rode Rodecaster Pro will provide you quality audio that captivates your audience. Invest in the Rode Rodecaster Pro and take your podcast to the next level.
Behringer Xenyx Q802USB: Affordable Excellence
If you are seeking for a balance between performance and affordability, the Behringer Xenyx Q802USB is the one. Priced competitively, this mixer offers an impressive array of features that cater to both beginners and experienced users.
- Features:
- 8-input mixer with high-quality microphone preamps.
- Built-in USB audio interface for seamless connectivity to your computer.
- “British” 3-band EQs for warm and musical sound shaping.
- Compact and portable design, perfect for on-the-go recording.
- Why You Should Buy: The Behringer Xenyx Q802USB provides good value for its price range. If you’re recording solo podcasts or conducting interviews with multiple guests, this mixer can deliver clean and clear audio with minimal noise interference. Additionally, its user-friendly interface makes it a breeze to navigate, even for beginners.
Rode RodeCaster ii: Professional Audio Interface & Mixer
When searching for a user-friendly, high-quality mixer, podcasters can’t go past the Rode RodeCaster Pro II. This mixer offers everything you need, regardless of experience level, to improve the quality of your podcast production.
Features:
- Fun Design: There are eight colorful, light-up sound pads in addition to a large, vivid “RECORD” button.
- Color-Coded Channels: Each channel is controlled by buttons above the faders, and you can determine if someone is muted or open (even if they are blowing their nose) by the red and green indications at the bottom of the channel.
- Touchscreen Interface: Manage particular configurations for the compressor, de-esser, and other devices.
- Extensive connectivity: four headphone connections, four XLR inputs, one USB input, and left and right stereo speaker outputs.
- A screw-in power cord provides a secure power connection, preventing the mixer from unintentionally unplugging during recording.
- Easy Remote Interviewing: By connecting your phone to a channel for phone interviews, you may conduct remote interviews using a TRRS connector.
- Companion Software: By connecting the mixer to a computer, you may update the firmware and program your sound pads.
- Accessories Included: Includes a USB cord, power cord, and useful sound pad cards and templates.
Why You Should Buy: I would say, the Rode Rodecaster Pro II is an all-in-one recording solution specifically built for podcasting. Unlike other mixers, everything is recorded at the source and saved on a MicroSD card, allowing you to focus entirely on capturing your performance. For instance, you don’t have to edit in effects or previously recorded portions if you need to add them in real time. This mixer is simple to operate and replaces many pieces of equipment. Whether you’re doing phone interviews or recording solo programs, this gadget guarantees high-quality audio every time.
Yamaha MG10XU: Superior Sound Control
For those who prioritize precision and control in their audio setups, the Yamaha MG10XU should be a choice. They are Renowned for their pristine sound quality and robust build.
- Features:
- 10-channel mixer with studio-grade discrete class-A “D-PRE” preamps.
- Built-in SPX digital effects for adding depth and richness to your audio.
- Intuitive one-knob compressors for effortless dynamic control.
- USB connectivity for seamless integration with your digital workstation.
- Why You Should Buy: I think it can be an ideal choice for critical recording applications such as music production and broadcast. Its features, including onboard effects and compression helps users a lot. The Yamaha MG10XU is a straightforward, retro device with an abundance of knobs instead of a touchscreen or faders. It has a USB connection so you may record directly to your computer and four phantom power XLR inputs. It generates all-star audio and has excellent compression, even if it cannot record on its own. It also comes with 24 sound effects, however you may not need them for podcasting. It is an excellent mixer at a reasonable price, making it ideal for anyone who want dependability without a lot of extras.
Plugging in a Mixer Board to your Computer
Now that your desk is all tidy and you’ve found the perfect spot for your mixer, let’s get it set up. Make sure you can see these things:
- Your mixer (which may be FireWire or USB connected)
- A power source (for igniting your mixer)
- A FireWire or USB cable is needed to link your mixer to your computer.
- A drivers CD that was included with your mixer
Check the manufacturer’s website before connecting your new mixer to see if there are any updates, such as new drivers or software upgrades, that you need to download. It’s advisable to get the most recent drivers from the website as the drivers on the CD may occasionally be outdated.
The configuration for USB and FireWire mixers is essentially the same on both PCs and Macs. This is what you must do:
- Switch off your computer.
- Connect the power source to both the mixer and a wall outlet.
- Insert the mixer’s connection into an available USB or FireWire port on your computer. Getting a PCI card to add extra ports could be a good idea if your computer’s available ports are completely filled. Using a hub is not recommended as it may result in poor sound quality.
- Attach the opposite end of the wire to your mixer’s rear.
- Attach your headphones, microphones, and other accessories to the mixer so that it may be used with them.
And that’s it! You’re all prepared to record some music, or even a podcast—I’m not sure what that would be!
Conclusion
You may improve the quality of your audio production and produce captivating material that engages your audience by comprehending the concepts covered in this tutorial and experimenting with different mixer settings and microphone locations. The combination of several microphones and audio mixers provides professional-grade results and offers up a world of creative possibilities, whether you’re podcasting, recording music, or capturing live events.
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