Best Small Mixer For Home Studio (2023 Update)

I have a Bass pedalboard that includes an MXR M80 – a bass DI box – along with a BOSS TU-3 tuner, a BOSS LMB-3 bass limiter enhancer, and a TC Electronics Forcefield compressor. I needed a small mixer to enable the use of headphones as the DI Box doesn't provide a headphone output. The Mix5 fits perfectly in this rig. 😉Rich

Overall: Bought this mixer to be able to have more head room and control of my audio coming from my Dj mixer. Live streaming my dj sets my Dj mixer never seemed to be loud enough for people that I was playing for and eventually ended red lining my mixer which is never good. So I bought this little mixer and I tell ya a world of a difference. I can now run a clean signal out of my Dj mixer and I have more than enough control of my audio to make it the perfect volume for my audience. Not to mention the clarity and clearness of sound that comes out of this mixer is very nice. A must have for any djs that is streaming, gigging r is a mobile Dj. Shoot I would even take this to ever venue in case they don’t have an external mixer you can have one on hand to make sure the audio is clean and clear. I would reccomend this to anyone. Affordable and the quality is beyond what I expected. Very happy with this thing!Jordan

This is a very handy mixer to mix two keyboards in stereo and one in mono so that you can control your own on-stage mix. I send the outputs to a stereo DI for the FOH sound tech. Works perfectly, it's quiet and sounds good. This mixer would work well for solo gigs because it has a mic input as well. Killer at this price!Richard

I use this in a Slant-top road case an d it's everything I wanted. However, when I plugged in the right angle connectors, the cable were "draped" the wrong way. There should be an industry standard for rack-mount mixers and mike cables with right angle connectors. The cables should drape over the back of the mixer.Bob

We bought this because Aux 2,3,4 are all post-fade. We also bought it because it has 2 subgroups. Perfect for us. For some reason, other manufacturers prefer pre-fade.Sounder

Opened the box and plugged in for a quick checkout, repacked and traveled directly to a gig. Setup was simple and straighforward, and performed flawlessly.Bob

I'll just get my one complaint out of the way. The inputs after 1 and 2 are arranged funny on the board (less intuitive) and I'd love for this to be better for plugging in three guitars at once, for easy switching between them (I use different tunings). But, mostly, that's all on my less than masterful understanding of mixers. Which leads me into one of the reasons this board is awesome: Even I can use it! You can be a novice with sound (I always hire someone) and this board is still pretty intuitive. And, while I use a 2i2 interface for online teaching and the like, I use this board for livestreams. I picked it up partially because I wanted effects without a DAWS, but the multi-channel aspect also makes it possible for me to use this for live sound for my trio. Get this! It's great for live sound and as an interface.Phil Circle

BEWARE the 5&6 channel, does not get sent to the monitor bus at ANY TIME. The USB 1&2 OUT channel cannot be sent to the main mix at ANY TIME. I bought this mixer after reading the Mackie advertising that implied this was a flexibly routed mixer that has 2x USB stereo output busses. Well it does, but they're useless for what I was hoping to do which was a live setup of: Vox Ch1, Guit Ch2, Hardware keys Channel 3&4, Drum M/c Channel 5&6, IPAD Software synth or backing track via usb 1&2. Prior to purchase I did spot that the USB 3&4 OUT were switched with hardware 5&6, but I didn't spot until reading block diagram closely (after purchase – grrr), neither mode of this channel ever makes it to the monitor (headphone mix). Equally unfathomable is that the USB 1&2 OUT can be switched on or off to headphones but NEVER sent to the main mix. So if you're thinking of sending your iPad synth to main 1&2, or listening to anything coming in on Channel 5&6 in the cans (not even usb synths), forget about it! This seriously limits the usefulness of this mixer and I'm seriously disappointed with Mackie (I have a couple of their mixers and studio monitors) who I used to think were pretty good. Big thumbs down on this expensive white elephant. There are several other small mixer from Yamaha, Allen &Heath & Studiocraft that I'll look more closely at next time rather than Mackie.johninbrisvegas

This mixer was built with the musician, not producer, in mind and it shows in every aspect. With the AR12, you have the ability to create multitrack recordings, stream wirelessly through Bluetooth, and playback is in stereo. There are four mono channels and four stereo channels, and a mic input. This mixer can be used for live recording or studio work which is really helpful to have one mixer that can do both and doesn't weight a ton. You also have the ability to record without having to use a computer due to the onboard stereo SD recorder. After you have recorded either your rehearsal, gig, podcast or studio work, you have the ability to then modify and perfect your recordings with the 16 onboard effects. Included, there are an assortment of delay, reverb, hall, and chorus effects. I'm sure I have only explored the tip of the iceberg with this compact, versatile and lightweight mixer, but already I am extremely impressed.LadyLanda

I bought this because I wanted a small mixer with more than 6 channels (& effects). I didn't want to be bothered with a separate effects unit. EQ on each channel was also important. This covers all the bases. I usually perform solo & only use a few channels, but it's nice to have a few more when they're needed. I gigged with it once so far. Perfect. Good sound & the compact size is a plus. Highly recommended.Mario G.

Good sounding board that works great for a small combo. We needed something compact, fast and easy to set up, with phantom power. We use 4 mics and 2 line inputs for acoustic guitar going out to a pair of QSC K10s. USB out is a useful feature, especially since live casting has become so common. The digital effects (reverb, etc,) sound good and add a little depth to the sound. Would I like more versatile EQ? Sure. A tunable feedback suppressor? Sure. A XLR monitor out? Sure? But for a mixer that comes in just a bit over $200, i will not complain,Bruce K

A lot has changed over the course of my musical life. It is now more and more possible to create music as an individual, with great sounds, and while living in an apartment. The Model 16 is a great addition along that path to musical independence. This unit has great sound. If yours sounds bad, return it, because you got a lemon. It's also as easy to use. I have keys, multiple guitar direct outs, and mics plugged into mine at all times. It makes getting an idea from germination to a finished track easier than ever. I can use it with my computer, but I generally record all tracks directly to the unit first, so I'm not dealing with extra screen time and distractions.Res Cogitans

I use it for live recording, multitrack recording, and mixing. I have found that using it in a daw can be kinda glitchy so I just use the standalone functions. It works great for room recording and it even has built in Bluetooth receiver that has almost no latency. There's 2 stereo TRS channels and 18 Mono TRS channels on the 20 XLR inputs. 1 RCA aux is built into the Bluetooth channel. Stereo out monitor room and control room only one headphone out so you might want a headphone Amp to be fully equipped for live monitoring.Sterling

This reminds me of my old Tascam Cassette 4 Track. Difference is, I can record hours without hitting stop. It's a good board for rehearsal and performance space. It sounds really good. It captures everything that is happening without making any sacrifices. I am able to record the band multitrack and take the SD Card home and drop it into Logic. If you are looking for something to record a band and then do all of your overdubs, editing, and mixing in a DAW. This is the thing to have.Bill W

By the time my 7-year-old Behringer 12-channel (6 mics) board bit the dust, I needed a mixer with more features. High on the list were 10 mic inputs, the ability to control 4 independently-mixed monitor feeds, and on-board effects. The MG16XU filled all those needs and more. I'm still acquainting myself with the board and the ways channels can be routed through it, but my impression so far is: WOW! Yamaha was highly recommended by a few audio folks I trust, all of whom praise the board's sound, and I needed to graduate from micing singers to mixing a full 5-piece band for outdoor gigs. This will do it the job nicely. A nice step up for anyone who needs to enter the world of full-sized mixing environments.Just John

I broadcast on stream, and the sound that comes out is natural with default settings. Most other mixer I have used, I had to tweak allot. This is a pro grade mixer and if someone does not understand how to use a pro mixer, they might have a little learning curve as far as Monitors, grouping, aux to monitors and so on. The FX onboard are very good. Personally , I like the "ON" button for each channel so I can mute the channel. I also like the Grouping and ST routing per channel on a touch of a button.chris_002

This thing sounds amazing and for the money best preamps I've heard. The big downer for me and I seen it before I purchased was there are no insert or Aux returns. If this had those it would beat all other mixer in this price range and above. It has descent fx but you can only use one for all channels. Aux returns would be nice for signal routing flexablity. Inserts would be nice for outboard compressor/gates for drum mics, all though the one knob compressor is nice on the 8 channels that have it but no gate for drum mics. All and all this is worth the money and I'm very happy with my purchase. If your on a budget and/or in a pinch like I was this is the mixer for you. Plus stereo recording capabilities through the usb that might come in handy one day.Rhaggard74

This is Mackie's 3rd Version of this very popular compact Mixer / Audio Interface. This compact 10 channel Mixer offers 4 pro quality Onyx Mic Preamps, 6 additional Line Level Inputs, 24Bit-192kHz USB recording and 24 killer Effects! It offers true 48 volt Phantom Power for all 4 Mic preamps, a whopping 60dB of input gain, and has a locking DC power connector and a real power switch. It has 4 true insert jacks on the first 4 channel strips that allow you to use your own external effects devices and even guitar pedals! It has two compressors on the first two Mic Pre-amps that really help tame hot vocal performances. The first two channels also have HiZ Input Switches that allow you to plug your passive electric guitar and basses directly into the channel without the need for a separate DI box. It can do Multitrack recording as well as Mix Minus Podcasting, Live Streaming, and Loopback, all in a chassis the size of your average iPad Pro!Steve

Was looking for a compact mixer that was clean and quiet enough to do remote recording as well as podcasting and still work as a live mixer if needed. I was deciding between the profx6v3 vs profx10v3 because of its super compact size. I had to get both to really understand the key differences. The Mackie ProFX10v3 has a lot more capability than it first appears and was a nice surprise when I actually had to use it at a small gig. First, the Onyx Mic preamps sound great. Dead quiet and tons of headroom and if you've ever had to mic a drum set or an aggressive acoustic guitar player at a gig or recording, you'll know what I mean. Next, DI switches allow you to plug your electric guitar or bass straight into the mixer without having to buy a separate DI box and the low cut switches are great for reducing mic noise on stage. Also, the profx10v3 has true Insert jacks on the the first 4 channels. This is unheard of on a mixer in this price range and allows you to use your own FX or external hardware or even guitar pedals!. The profx10v3 has a 3 band EQ on every channel vs just the high and low shelving on the smaller profx6v3. This is a huge difference for fixing problem levels plus, mutes buttons on every channel. The GigFX engine is the same on all the versions of this board and is super clean and sounds greats for live gigs or even karaoke. The addition of a foot switch to control the effects unit is a must have and I didn't realize it until I actually used it live. The addition of a completely independent set of outputs that have it's own volume control really makes this kind of the Swiss Army knife of mixers. This makes the profx10v3 the perfect sub-mixer with it's own output to the mains or for controlling a pair of studio monitors when recording. The built in 2×4 USB recording interface can record up to a massive 24Bit 192Khz resolution and actually has (2) completely independent stereo return mixes from the computer unlike the normal 2×2 interface of most compact interfaces. This may not seem like a big deal until you actually record with it. If your multi-track recording, you can use the 'BLEND' knob and the (1+2) stereo mix to mix between the computer playback and the audio your recording through the mixer but…. If you assign the computer playback to the (3+4) outputs instead, you can then return that computer audio back through the mixer on the last channel and mix it with the rest of mixers audio. This is what's known as a 'Loopback Feature' but gives you way more control than a regular compact interface and it's perfect for live steaming or podcasting. The size of the profx6v3 is tempting but the additional features of the profx10v3 really makes it a monster for both studio recording and live performance.Steven

I bought this to use for home recording and duo gigs. It sounds better than my other audio interfaces. The sounds is much more lively. The unit is well made and feels sturdy like all Mackie mixers. The colored inserts on the knobs make it easy to see what the settings are in dim light. I haven't tried the effects yet so can't comment. Sam Ash had the best selection of in stock mixers. Also, the power adapter was tiny compared to the competitors.Ruby C

I bought this as an upgrade from a more budget small usb mixer I used for music teleconferencing. I think it's great – in many ways it's better than I need for my purpose, but I do notice that it sounds great. I don't really used outboard effects, so the only thing I wish I could add is having sweepable mids.Customer

I bought this for a livestream where I needed to run three microphones. One of the features that I found really appealing is the inbuilt compressor. Unfortunately this is only available on the first two channels. All in all I found it good for my purpose – being able to manage gain and EQ across multiple channels in a live environment. It's no RodeCaster Pro II, but it's not priced like one, either! Actually good value for money. I would certainly consider the "F" model with the faders for ease of use as well, although another benefit of this one is it has a reasonably small footprint.Steven P.

Yamaha MG-10 analogue mixer, affordable, fairly solid and well made, I like the screw-on mains connection. I also like Yamaha products in general, a dependable manufacturer. I am using the mixer for a live rehearsal set-up, plugging in a drum machine (using two channels for left-right stereo panning), two guitars and two microphones. There are seven channels available, mixing is straightforward and easy. I have the main outputs connected to two active speakers, and the MG-10 acts as a competent pre-amp for these. I also have the monitor outputs connected to a recorder so I can make a recording of the songs, very clear and great quality sound. Only downside is the 'aux send' socket for reverb unit etc, which has no return socket, and if you use a line channel for the return it just produces feedback. However I am very pleased with the mixer and anticipate it meeting my needs for many years to come.masterofnone53

This is a very handy mixer to mix two keyboards in stereo and one in mono so that you can control your own on-stage mix. I send the outputs to a stereo DI for the FOH sound tech. Works perfectly, it's quiet and sounds good. This mixer would work well for solo gigs because it has a mic input as well. Killer at this price!Richard

I have two of these, bought both at the same time. One is in reservation for an upcoming event. The one I'm using distorts the audio on anything above unity on the trim. I know gain structure (am a pro), so it's not a matter of misuse. Either the mixer was broken out of the box or there's a problem with Mackie's trim opamp. Unfortunately I used the mixer for months before discovering the problem, then thought ALL of my onboard files were corrupt. I pretty quickly discovered that below unity it's fine. I was on the road so the other mixer never came into play. If you have low input you may want to avoid these. Also the lack of a simple On/OIf power switch is a problem. That should be standard on Mackie gear. I made it work okay, and it's fine, the quality is good. But don't expect trim power above unity for upping a low signal, though the channels will pull it up.jet

I got this mixer to replace a 4channel Ammoon AGM04 mixer as I need to have 48 phantom power across 2 channels for 2 mices and the Ammon only provided phantom power out of channel 1. This mixer seemed like a great deal as it had phantom power across 2 channels, had 8 channels as supopsed to just 4 on the Ammon and was also a tenner cheaper! However there are a couple of issues with this mixer. First the build quality is not great. the box itself seems solid enough, but the knobs feel quite loose compared to the Ammon and other audio products I own in a similar price range. That is not really that big a deal however, what is more eannoying is the constant loud static hiss I get via my headphones when monitoring. I am using exactly the same set up as before – same mics, leads, headphones etc. the only thing which has changed is the mixer. I have cut this out a bit by reducing the high and mid frequencies, but I can't get rid of it. The hiss comes through at only a very low level when recording i.e. it does not effect the final recording much – it is just the live monitoring where it is an issue. It basically just makes it less comfortable when listening. I am using this for corporate video recording which is mostly just talking. This is probably why it is more noticeable. If you are using the mixer for music it might be less of an issue.Reviewed by Andertons Music Co.

Works OK both as a mixer and audio interface. I wish the Lexicon effects were available at the Mixers's AUX output as they are present on the MASTER outputs. The Lexicon effects are ONLY present on the balanced XLR outputs. There's some, small latencey when using it with a Yamaha keyboard into my PC/DAW (I'm using Samplitude ProX) ,but it's not bad and quite manageable. I'm very pleased with its performance and dual-use (Mixer and 4 input Audio interface!).den24601

The whole process of disabling your security and rebooting the computer in some special mode to get the drivers and then my DAW didn't see it… I use it for a basic mixer to my 2 output interface – I was seriously expecting more… Perhaps one day I'll iron out the software hassles – but when I bought it I assumed the company would get that fixed soon. They haven't. That pretty-much shows that they don't care about the customer. I assume any other company would be less of a hassle than this.Jim The Runner

I love this mixer. In it's price point it is absolutely loaded. Tons of channels, clean preamps, nice effects. I wish it had a physical on/off switch. But other then that I have no complaints about it. I use it for my home practice setup. I have 2 guitar inputs, a mic, a stereo piano, and a laptop all connected to inputs and run it out to Headphones, studio monitors and use the Aux out so I can run my bass to an amp if I want or the headphones. Handles all that really well.Joshua

Excellent product. True SSL sound and it fits in your rucksack. If your doubting buying this product, don't, get it now…Reviewed by Andertons Music Co.

Fantastic little accessory. I understand that you can probably get a more feature packed mixer for a similar price but what I love about the Volca mix is its a sleek and tidy mixing solution for a volca set-up. Very simple to use and sits very tidily alongside the other Volca Units. No bells and whistles but it does the job it's supposed to do very well.Reviewed by Andertons Music Co.

Volca mix is very necessary I believe with the ability to power and sync three Volcas but this product is more reasonable at the $100 price range. Sound is better but not ideal especially since you take away the portability of your Volca rig. Should have made the unit battery powered as well but obviously not to power other Volcas but to maintain the jam season any where uniqueness of the line up. But still, its better than using a beatstep pro and being tied to a computer (hate that) so I am glad I bought it.phji09

Exactly what you need if you have at least one volca and some other similar headphone out style synths (nts-1, aira, crave, po, etc). I was instantly having fun jamming on one volca while another created a beat, no DAW or Audio Interface required.Glenn N.

Aside from the well built chassis, good-quality inputs and great feel of the knobs and buttons, the sound quality is AMAZING to me. My reference point is a 2005 Presonus Firebox 24 bit/96KHz with preamps and a similar setup in terms of inputs. The same routing of the same instruments and mic produced, as stated, an amazing difference in quality of sound and average gain levels on the Yamaha.agz333514

I was looking for a small mixer with USB as well as high-Z guitar input. This fits the need and I am totally happy with it. I saw a review that mentions 60 Hz line noise, but fortunately I am not having that problem. Before purchase I had a question about whether backing tracks from computer USB would get passed through the mixer to the monitor speakers or headphones. Customer Support answered correctly that is true. So this lets one mix backing tracks, piano, guitar, and vocals into monitor speakers, then easily switch over to headphones in the evening. I also like the intuitive front panel and interface so the young musicians in the house can do the same.Thomas

I'm using the interface to incorporate my keyboard & DJ controller for online streaming. It works wonderfully and the sound quality is excellent!Heather

I've owned this one before. The board is very easy to use. The only issue I have is that the effects are limited. Best if you use pedals with the guitar. Vocals will definitely need a different source for effects. Other than that, it's a good buy.Silver Fox

I really love this item. It is better than I think. Easy to use. Even if the batery is low, you can use this with your smartphone's batery. Love it.Piang

It does what it claims to do. But the construction is flimsy, especially the knobs. Android phones with OS earlier than v11 must use the analog i/o, not the usb. I returned mine to B&H.Morgan

Brilliant. Solved my issue for teaching through Zoom when I’m on the road. So easy to setup and I especially love the guitar/bass preamp.Sam B.

Sound: This console will add a subtle but obvious warmth and fullness to audio passing through it without muddying it up at high volume. I've done an A/B for myself during the same session with my Focusrite 18i20/Octopre Dynamic and found that while the Focusrite is very clear, uncolored and studio like, the Soundcraft was warm and full, the edges softened just ever so slightly and it glues the mix together very well. It's done great at being the soundboard at a gig and for recording sessions on the go. The preamps have 90% of the gain I wish they did but the quality and quantity completely makes up for it! Features: The 24in/22out is amazing in this format, much easier to transport than a heavy, loaded 6U rack! The 5 auxes are great for personal mixes, perfect in fact as is for wedges and even better for IEMs. The 100mm Faders are definitely a welcome feature, smooth high resolution for easy adjustments. The headphone amp is perfecrtly decent for those wondering as well, it's been more than sufficient for my Shure 215's and Shure 940's. The Lexicon effects are powerful and have a lot of adjustment between the 2 knobs each. So powerful in fact I've barely used them as they become comical then annoying quickly for normal vocals at a gig. I'm sure they'll find their use one day for certain songs. The USB return is the real key player here. As if it weren't enough to have the interface alone, Soundcraft included a button on each channel AFTER GAIN and BEFORE EQ that will take in anything you send to it, doesn't have to be the corresponding channel, from your DAW which you can route any way you please. Therefore, the most extreme instance being you can record 22 tracks and a stereo master track (23/24) and send 22 completely different audio files back into the board that then pass through the channels as normal and out the master outputs. A more reasonable example would be you can use plugins in your DAW such as compressors, FX, and EQ and then send the audio out to the board possibly eliminating a rack of gear for some. The dbx limiters work, are set pretty high but are great indicators of being near clipping when lit solid. Ease of Use: There is a learning curve to this board, even for someone experienced. The routing can get a bit overwhelming if you don't do things systematically which can lead to errors in the audio and possibly a panic lol READ THE MANUAL. Quality: The chassis has been packed and unpacked repeatedly in it's box until I can get a hardcase this size. It's been inside, outside, level, unlevel, and even balanced. I do baby it a little but so far it hasn't taken a ding or a scratch, condensation from drinks have landed on it and it's still as beautiful as when I bought it (3 months but still). This is a purpose built board by qualified proffessionals. In all seriousness for not much more than the Behringer (which we had before) this is a serious upgarde in all respects. Value: Worth it's weight in gold for the do it all engineer. The appeal of digital is great but this is an even better compromise. This console is cheaper and packs more features and usablilty than the Focusrite combo mentioned above. If you're a playing musician and you do the sound, get this. If you're like me and you make money doing sound but live to jam and record, get this. Learn it, love it. Manufacturer Support: Their website had all the info I needed, even printed the PDF in color for others in case I can't make a gig. The Wow Factor: I'm a Soundcraft fan boi now! The quality and value of this console are incredible. It's not hard to find a good mixer, but this is a gem. I love working on mixes previously recorded through it as much as recording fresh material through it. The raw files are just as impressive as the Focusrite, the character is lovable, the Master Mix recordings are just brilliant for videos later. Really, if you need a mixer that's more than a mixer, much more, there is no competition for this product. I'm enamored with it and I bet you will be too. Overall: If you're looking at this mixer it's because you need something different, dynamic, and a little inspiring. It's done excellent at shows and recording sessions alike, it can easily be you're all in one solution for audio production. The routing can't be beat, 5 Aux channels, a VERY large interface for the price, and of course that sweet sweet analog sound!Kyle

Overall: I bought this mixer after seeing a number of recommendations on social media and reading up on it. On paper and for the price it sounds too good to be true, but it absolutely delivers on every aspect. For just monitoring and live mixing audio, the signal path is clean, tons of headroom, the EQ sounds great, there's plenty of routing options and the Lexicon effects are actually decent. The audio interface side works wonderfully, drivers are simple and stable, capable of low latency monitoring and recording. I use this mixer in a home studio environment with a hardware synth rig. It's used for making a live mix for my synths if I'm writing/playing without using a DAW, as well as recording into my PC in Studio One 3 Pro. I've only used the audio returns on the board coming out from Studio One for monitoring while working with a guitar player so far, so I can't speak to how well mixing with the EQ and main buss summing works, but given how great this board has sounded so far, I don't expect I'll be disappointed in any way. Lastly, audio that I've recorded through this has been perfectly clean — at least as good as the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 2nd Gen that I had previous. It's only 24 bit/48khz, but 48k is good enough for my needs. The other thing to keep in mind is this is that all the channels send digital audio from the gain stage bypassing the EQ and sends. The way this is designed is to first capture tracks, then use the EQ and other parts of the board during the mixing stage. Overall, this is one of the best investments I've made in ~15 years of buying recording gear.Mike

I bought this because I wanted a small mixer with more than 6 channels (& effects). I didn't want to be bothered with a separate effects unit. EQ on each channel was also important. This covers all the bases. I usually perform solo & only use a few channels, but it's nice to have a few more when they're needed. I gigged with it once so far. Perfect. Good sound & the compact size is a plus. Highly recommended.Mario G.

Good sounding board that works great for a small combo. We needed something compact, fast and easy to set up, with phantom power. We use 4 mics and 2 line inputs for acoustic guitar going out to a pair of QSC K10s. USB out is a useful feature, especially since live casting has become so common. The digital effects (reverb, etc,) sound good and add a little depth to the sound. Would I like more versatile EQ? Sure. A tunable feedback suppressor? Sure. A XLR monitor out? Sure? But for a mixer that comes in just a bit over $200, i will not complain,Bruce K

I purchased this mixing board mainly for live sound. I chose this board because of its scalability and because I'm a huge fan of everything Presonus. My home studio is fully equipt with Presonus gear. This mixer did not disappoint. It was easy to get it up and running a basic mix. It sounds amazing. I'm looking forward to digging deeper into the functions. The ability to add stage boxes and headphone mixers will allow it to grow as I grow.Joseph

Overall: Wow! While it's definitely in-depth, the learning curve is not so steep with some previous digital board knowledge. As a former major-label artist it's been a long time since I've heard this kind of sonic accuracy, especially in the high end. No slurring. Just crystal clear! As a control surface it's a marvel. I'm blown away with the preamps! But now I have to re-track every lead vocal I've done in the last year! I wasn't anxious to buy it. But so relieved I did. Life got way better!Michael

First, I've used Yamaha gear for 30+ years, and they make solid stuff, so I feel confident it will last. I like the first two channels a lot. Those two stereo channels, not so much. No control but volume, but I make it work for my solo/duo gigs. There's a little more hiss than I would like, but it's bearable for live shows. Wouldn't be confident to use for recording. Overall, though, nice reverb, and I like that the outs aren't 1/4" like some of the inexpensive mixers. The compact size is terrific; slips in a pocket of my gig bag, easy set-up, simple to use.TGB

Bought this a couple years ago (I think from GC) to facilitate multi-keyboard setup. Great for mixing boards and vocal, so I could actually hear my keys and vocals through my monitor even if the (ahem) guitarist or (AHEM!) drummer could not. Pluses: simplicity, which is nice to starters. And it's no larger than it needs to be, so it can be placed on a stool or chair under the keys, or on a stand (I used one of those mini-stands that clips onto the mike stand). Minus: I don't know how noisy other mixers are, but this does add a small amount of hiss (compared to running the keys straight into the monitor). Not a deal-breaker, but it does make me wonder why these other reviewers praise it for being quiet. Again, it's small, but there's definitely a difference. Hence 4-stars instead of 5. Either plus or minus: uses the same power adapter as the Yamaha MX series. For me, a plus — I'd be happy if everything used the same kind of power supply, like computer cords. Also, while there is nothing designated as subwoofer out, I find I can run the headphone out to a bass amp, and thus add just the right amount of low end. Random: seems pretty durable — I pack it into a case along with other misc supplies (pedals, cords, mikes etc). Not noticeably affected by dust so I expect it's roadworthy. Most significantly, perhaps, is that I'm thinking to upgrade to a larger version of the same board, so I must be happy with it.JPrisco

I bought this for stand-up gigging where I use a guitar, drum machine, and keyboard. I was wary of it because I needed the built-in reverb to be decent and the price is pretty low. But all the reviews I read were very positive and so I took the gamble and got one. The reverb passes with flying colors. Using Mogami gold cables for all connections, it produces very low noise. Although the controls are small, they are accurate. I also really like that it has a phantom power switch on the front panel. I would say its perfect for live gigging and even demo recording and I'm very picky. My recording gear and mics cost many thousands of dollars.Bartlioni