No matter what DAW software you use, whether it be Cubase, Ableton, Pro Tools, or otherwise, any budding singer-songwriter can benefit from a compact mixing console. Compact mixing consoles let you perform many of the functions of their larger and more complicated cousins, but in a road-friendly package you can carry around with you. Yamaha has long been a leader in mixer consoles, and the Yamaha MG10XU isn’t your typical analog mixer—it’s a digital mixer. It’s a great solution for a PA system, for producing or for live sound—even a karaoke setup. Our Yahama MG10XU review will help you decide if this is the right mixer for you.
If you or your small band are on the move a lot, a portable mixer could be just the thing you need to let you move from the studio to the performance or practice floor with ease. There are plenty of options to choose from in mixers, so for this Yahama MG10XU review, we’ve taken a look at the Yamaha, in particular, and compare it to three other portable mixers that are also worth considering.
What Is the Yamaha MG10XU Mixer?
A mixer has a pretty basic job: take all the input from various instruments, mics, and even MP3 players, and “mix” them up in the way you want for recording or performing. The point of the mixing is to achieve a certain sound, and that sound will be different for every artist and every band.
A good mixer needs to be able to compress certain channels while elevating others, provide plenty of connectors for all the inputs you need to use, and give you robust EQ controls for both low and high sounds. For our Yamaha MG10XU review, we found that this model from the MG series does all the basics very well. It also offers some extras that other mixers in its class don’t have.
Yamaha MG10XU Mixer Specs
This offering from Yamaha mixer has 10 input channels, a USB connection, an analog connection, and all kinds of effects.
Inputs/Outputs
There are four XLR mono inputs, all with 48v phantom power (D-pre mic preamps), a 3-band EQ for matching sound levels, and two simple inputs with one-knob compression. There are also 2 RCA inputs, so you can even plug in your phone, an Apple iPad, or iPod. The key thing to remember is that, with the Yamaha, all this power and functionality is portable.
In addition to the mono inputs, you get six more stereo pair inputs that can function as three pairs or six mono inputs. All are -10dB unbalanced. For output, you get stereo out, monitor out, and a headphone jack.
Effects
Among the 24 digital effects, the Yamaha MG10XU offers are delay, reverb, and modulation. You can program each effect and then turn it on or off using either a foot switch or a button on the mixer itself.
The mixer even doubles as an audio interface. Simply connect your computer via USB, and you’re ready for 192khz digital playback. Connect your studio monitors to the output, and there you have it—your mixer is now also a USB interface.
It also comes with built-in SPX digital effects. These SPX effects include Reverb (hall, room, plate) and Delay (short, long, VO Echo).
The Mixer includes Aux sends and stereo bus, expanding your flexibility and audio functions.
And last but not least, no mixer would be complete without built-in high-pass filters and EQ. Overall, this is a great USB mixer, and a great mixer, in general.
Portability and Durability
Since this is a compact mixing board, it’s important to know how easy it is to take around with you. This mixer is lightweight and easy to understand, which is great. The only problem we noticed in this Yamaha MG10XU review was the plastic sides on this mixer. You need those to get the dramatically lightweight feel, but you also have to be careful with them lest they break.
Pricing of The Mixers on This List
If you’re getting a quality mixing board, even if it’s compact, you should expect to pay a bit. The cheapest boards we looked at in our Yamaha MG10XU review were right around $200, while the most expensive run around $330.
The more you pay, the more channels you’re likely to get, and the more you’ll be able to customize your individual inputs and outputs. However, more features normally translate into greater weight and slightly less efficient portability. The final choice is always going to depend on your specific needs and preferences.
How the MG10XU Matches Up
For our Yamaha MG10XU review, we took a look at the Yamaha and three others that offer similar specs:
But First…More on the Yamaha MG10XU
Ease of Use [4 Stars]
We were seriously impressed with how simple it was to use the Yamaha MG10XU. It is intuitive to use and also easy to set up on the floor or on a stand. The only issue we had with it was that your inputs need to be tightly screwed in. Unless you buy some quick disconnect hardware to supplement this mixer, expect to take a bit of time for the takedown.
Design Quality [4 Stars]
We loved this machine. It is lightweight and has an amazing number of features given the size. For a single singer-songwriter or a small group, it’s perfect for almost any scenario. Our only concern was heat. This mixer does get hot enough that we were a little concerned about leaving it operating on a hot summer’s day. However, extensive searching online didn’t result in any findings of heating being a real issue—so it seems this unit is robust enough to take the heat.
Warranty [4 Stars]
Yamaha generally has a good warranty policy, but it’s important to remember that your warranty is only valid if you have your mixer serviced by an authorized dealer. Yamaha’s warranty, assuming you don’t void it by getting un-authorized service or use it inappropriately, is good for a year.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Switchable Pad switch and line level options to avoid clipping during recording
- Lot of input options
- Compatible with iPhone or Android
- Portable
- Lots of effects
- Internal universal power supply
- USB connectivity
Cons
- Plastic sides aren’t robust
- Must buy USB cable separately
Price $
Alesis Multimix 10 Wireless | 10-Channel Mixer
This offering from Alesis made our Yahama MG10XU review because of how compact and portable it is. This is compact and easy to take around to clubs, churches, or even garages. One thing the Alesis offers that the Yamaha doesn’t is Bluetooth connectivity.
There are ten channels to this mixer, and you get single, and stereo channel trims for each. The input channels on the front can override rear jacks if you like, making this an extremely simple hookup.
Specifics
The Alesis has a front panel that’s easy to access and offers lots of simple controls you won’t struggle to figure out. With the push of a button, you can start Bluetooth streaming. There is 2-band EQ shelving for each of the channels and four high-gain mic or pre-am inserts. The whole unit weighs just a shade under nine pounds.
Ease of Use [3 Stars]
This unit has lots of features, and for that reason, it’s a bit more complicated to work than our star in this Yahama MG10XU review. It’s also crucial to make sure you have all your equipment in the same phase in order to avoid a lot of ground hum when you use this unit.
Design Quality [5 Stars]
This is an excellent mixer that will go the distance. It is robust enough to hold up to travel, and regular set up/tear down situations.
Warranty [4 Stars]
Alesis offers a one-year warranty on their mixer. More details than that are only available to purchasers or by reaching out directly to the company.
Pros
- Very robust and durable
- Easy to customize every channel
- Channel trims for every channel
Cons
- On the higher-priced side of this list
- Produces ground hum if all equipment isn’t phased correctly
Price [$$$]
Mackie PROFX8V2 8-Channel Compact Mixer
In contrast to the first two items on our Yahama MG10XU review, the Mackie has eight channels instead of 10. With fewer channels, however, comes a very small footprint. This is the perfect mixer for anyone who is always on the move.
This mixer gives you the same kind of sound quality you’d expect from a much larger unit, and that’s nothing to sneeze at, even if you do have fewer channels. This is a genuinely professional mixer that offers some features that smaller mixers often don’t include.
To read more about this mixer specifically, check out our in-depth Mackie PROFX8V2 review.
Specifics
With the Mackie, you’ll be getting preamps that were designed from the ground up with live performance conditions in mind. Each channel has its own unique 3-band EQ filter, so you can shape the sound of each and every channel—not just a group of them at a time.
There are 16 digital effects in the Mackie, including most of the standards and a chorus guitar effect. The EQ for main outputs can be fine-tuned on seven bands, and you can connect the Mackie to an MP3 player, a laptop, or headphones and then control each individually.
Ease of Use [3 Stars]
This is an extremely versatile mixer with professional quality adjustments. That also means it has a fairly steep learning curve. Once you master the controls and get it all set up, you’ll be amazed at what you can do with it; but, getting there will take some time and patience.
Design Quality [5 Stars]
This is an amazingly well-made mixer, though that really shouldn’t be a surprise considering Mackie has decades of roadworthy gear construction experience behind their name. This mixer can stand up to constant set up and tear down as well as regular movement. It’s also very affordable, and for the price, this kind of robustness is stellar.
Warranty [5 Stars]
Mackie offers a two-year limited warranty on this mixer.
Pros
- Great price
- Easy to use
- Extremely portable
- Very durable
- More versatile than most portable mixers
Cons
- All AUX channels are wired for pre-fader
- Can’t mute in-studio speakers
Price [$$]
Allen & Heath ZED-10FX
This is the most expensive little mixer on our list—is it worth it? Your instruments are going to sound amazing when you plug them into this Allen & Heath mixer at the High-Z port. The EQ is highly customizable, and it is very quiet.
This is a truly multipurpose mixer that offers effects for live performances (or recording). You get four line inputs, a 3-band EQ, MP3 compatibility, and output for two stereo sources. Every input has a level control, and you can separate two of the outputs into different tracks.
Specifics
This mixer has two Class A FET high impedance inputs, two AUX inputs, and a sound image pan. It also features stereo return and playback and is easy to see with its illuminated PFL indicator.
The USB connection lets you use your computer or any other device with USB in conjunction with this mixer. There are 16 digital effects, all with option time delays, and this has been specifically designed for working with guitars (and making them sound amazing!).
Ease of Use [4 Stars]
This is a great first mixer. If you’ve never used one before, you’ll enjoy getting up to speed on this quality item. This mixer doesn’t have the same number of channels as others in this Yamaha MG10XU review, but for what it does have, it’s really easy to set up.
Design Quality [5 Stars]
In this category of portable mixers, it would be hard to find any mixer that’s better made or more reliable. The sound is great, and this will last you a long time.
Warranty [3 Stars]
This mixer has a limited one-year warranty. Be advised that the warranty is only in effect if you have installed and used it in accordance with the manual. If you get it repaired or modified by anyone not authorized by Allen & Heath, the warranty is void.
Pros
- Very flexible
- Durable
- Lots of effects and tie-ups
Cons
- Fewer effects than the Yamaha
- Fewer channel inputs than others
- Expensive in relation to others on this list
Price [$$$]
Our Verdict
Most singer-songwriters and bands prefer an interactive, visual way to work on their mix. Mixers can get your head out of the computer screen. Not to mention, they’re much more convenient for live sound and on-the-go recording. Also, if you’re a band that tours with their own sound guy(s), why not work with something you’re familiar with.
Having your own portable mixing board is a great way to make sure you’re always ready to go. We liked all these mixers and could see ourselves using any one of them.
If Money’s Not an Issue: The Allen & Heath Zed-10FX
The Allen and Heath Zed-10FX is a high-quality build.
It doubles as an audio interface, thanks to its USB capabilities.
Built-in EQ and effects also make it great for live sound.
The Best Budget Option: Yamaha MG10XU
While the other mixers in this Yahama MG10XU review were great, we felt that you just can’t beat the combination of versatility, price, and capacity of the Yamaha MG10XU.
The price is perfect, and for that price, you get 10 input channels and 24 digital effects—more than can be offered by any other mixer on this list. This is a very intuitive and easy-to-use mixer, and that also won us over.
When we compare the Yamaha to the other mixers on our list, we have to give it a solid 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to anyone looking for a great portable mixer for both recreational and pro audio.
