Today we take a deep look into the world of the best audio mixer for streaming units. With more and more people showing an interest in streaming, it only makes sense that, for those new DJs out there, streaming is a great option for garnering a fanbase quickly and organically.
Of course, while many things are the same on the streaming side of things, there are also a lot of differences.
Probably the biggest difference is the type of equipment and streaming software you need.
Unlike live performances, where you simply need equipment good enough to play out to the crowd, streaming requires key devices so that the music you’re playing gets to the online audience listening. Pumping out to your home studio isn’t going to cut it.
While most of the devices will likely need an overhaul, the area that most immediately should be changed is the audio mixer. As these are going to be used to make sure you’ve properly presented your sound to the listeners, making sure this is good should be your top priority.
In this guide, we’ll go over some of the top available audio mixers for streaming units as well as some of the key considerations you should have when it comes to deciding what audio mixer for streaming works best for you.
Best Audio Mixer For Streaming: Our Overall Choice
The MAONO Audio Mixer is our best audio mixer for streaming option for those that want to take their live streams to the next level. It’s also super intuitive, allowing just about any DJ the ability to dramatically improve the delivery of their performance, especially in the competitive streaming world.
3 Top Audio Mixer For Streaming Picks – Best, Premium & Value
Below, we’ll take the time to check out some of the best audio interfaces and best audio mixers currently on the market while also giving you some tips on what to expect and look out for when getting the audio mixing equipment that’s right for you.
1. MAONO Audio Mixer (Editor’s Pick)
Starting things off with our best Audio Mixer For Streaming, a fan favorite, the MAONO Audio Mixer is a great option for those that want to take their live streams to the next stage professionally. To do this, they use comprehensive audio mixers for streaming that offers complete control over any included vocals, as well as music or sound effects.
In addition, the MAONO comes with an included condenser microphone, meaning that, if nothing else, you can get started streaming or setting up a podcast almost instantly right out of the box. What you’ll notice pretty early on is that, while it offers a pretty wide range of things, the MAONO audio mixer for streaming is pretty easy to put together and use. Not only that, but it’s also fairly intuitive, allowing just about any DJ the ability to dramatically up their current status, especially while in the streaming world.
From a feature-based standpoint, the MAONO comes with quite a few perks that certainly help offer up a professional level of experience. Things like high-end equalization, noise reduction, and various special effects all help to create an immersive experience for anyone listening.
The one downside is that, despite being a great option for most people, if you’ve been around for long enough and have already developed your skills as a DJ or a streamer (or both), the MAONO audio mixer can potentially be a bit on the simplistic side. Still, for all that it offers both DJs and streamers alike, it’s certainly worth just about any person’s serious consideration.
What We Like:
- Includes Microphone
- Great for Streaming & Podcasts
- Plug in and play
- Easy To Use
What We Do Not Like:
- Too Basic For an Experienced DJs
Read this next: 6 Best DJ Mixers for Beginners
2. GoXLR Audio Streaming Mixer (Premium Pick)
If there are two things you should know about the GoXLR Audio Mixer, it’s that it’s a costly device but due to it’s seamless audio mixing capabilities it’s worth every penny.
Seen as a truly remarkable device that does just about anything and everything you’d ever need in an audio mixer for streaming, the GoXLR is perfect for just about any mixing you need. That can be DJ streaming online, DJ performances live, or music production in your home studio.
The audio mixer comes with a cool LED-backlit control pad that is perfect for the Twitch streaming crowd.
Meanwhile, its sound quality was definitively made with professional-grade quality in mind. It holds upwards of 4 channels and offers an extensive amount of versatility, ranging from microphones to external power sources, to instruments and other DJ equipment. The GOXLR offers a +48V phantom power for mics entirely on battery charge alone, which is incredibly impressive when you think about it.
In terms of the device’s audio interface, the GoXLR sports a user-friendly setup that comes with an assortment of different buttons and switches, each with its functionality and each able to work without having to pause and interrupt the music-listening experience for everyone.
This means you can use pretty much any of the pitch, echo, and reverb features without slowing down or skipping a beat.
The GoXLR’s audio mixer for live streaming DJ setup is made from motorized faders that allow you to maintain control over all of the different channels, ranging from things like the music sound levels to your mic itself, to your audio and so much more.
Seriously, just about anything you’ve connected to your mixer can be controlled directly from the four different channels and their motorized faders.
There is even the ability to customize your voice when using a mic due to some of the included Voice FX features that are built into the audio mixer itself. These features allow you to produce an entirely different sound and voice.
In terms of the audio mixer’s physical breakdown, the GoXLR is very much ideal when it comes to durability and longevity. Whereas many other audio mixers are made from hardened plastic, much of the GoXLR uses a metal PVC jacket housing alongside an immensely strong and durable material to hold everything else in place.
This ultimately means that little can damage it unless pushed to destroy it. Even still, depending on the fall, it is fine even then!
What We Like:
- 4 Channels
- Super Durable
- Voice FX
- User-Friendly
What We Do Not Like:
- Price Is Very High Compared To Everyone Else
- Heavier and Bulkier
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3. Pyle Professional Audio Streaming Mixer (Budget Pick )
While not quite on the same level as some of the other options on this list, the Pyle Professional Audio Mixer is the perfect entry point for people that need something that’s plenty good without breaking the bank.
A great, competitively-priced option, the Pyle Professional works to combine solid performance with affordability. While it doesn’t beat out some of the premium and top-level options, that doesn’t mean it’s not worth anyone’s time.
The Pyle Professional is a beginner’s mixer through and through. It offers a convenient and hassle-free experience that crosses both live performances as well as online streaming.
It comes with Bluetooth capabilities, meaning you potentially don’t even need to be tied to any device to operate. Not only that, but the mixer can stream music directly from other platforms, like Spotify, TIDAL, or Apple Music.
In terms of its EQ abilities, the mixer offers a +48V Phantom Power with a 3-band EQ that goes across all available channels. This is in addition to reduced external noise emissions as well as higher quality sound and overall usability.
From a physical perspective, the Pyle Professional Audio Mixer for streaming is incredibly slim and lightweight, making it easy to take with you if your performance stage is set to change, you plan to stream live, or you want something small enough not to get in the way of the rest of your devices.
The only real downside I’ve found with this mixer is that it can stand to be a bit more accessible for absolute beginners. While most of the things available aren’t too difficult for anyone with even a general understanding of DJing, audio mixing, EQ leveling, or just online streaming, if you’ve never done any of these things (even a little), then it could take a bit longer to get into the swing of things. With that said, it’s still a great option for beginners and doesn’t take too long even for those newbies to get into the swing of things after a bit of practice.
What We Like:
- Affordable
- Bluetooth Connectivity
- Durable
What We Do Not Like:
- A little complex for entry-level users
Read this next: Can I DJ On Facebook? (Facebook Music Streaming and Live Rules EXPLAINED)
Our Alternative Picks
If the three options above aren’t well-suited to you, there are still a host of quality best Audio Mixer For Streaming picks to choose from. Our team also highlighted the following options for those in search of a fantastic audio mixer.
4. Pyle 8-Channel Bluetooth Streaming Mixer
The first of the two Pyle-brand audio digital mixers is a fantastic budget audio mixer. The Pyle 8-Channel Bluetooth Studio Audio Mixers work to offer a professional audio mixer for streaming to the field at an incredible value for money, all while being largely affordable and reasonably priced.
The Pyle 8-Channel Mixer is an incredible find with 8 separate channels available. The audio mixer comes with an included sound card which can be used to connect with your computer, working with either Mac or PC.
This means that, in addition to being great for DJ performances (live or streaming), the Pyle 8-Channel Mixer can be used for podcast shows, radio DJing, and even full live bands!
From a connection-based standpoint, the Plye-8 Channel audio mixing Mixer comes with several options.
The first is entirely cable-free, via Bluetooth compatibility. In addition, the mixer comes with an output port that is 2 1/4 inches as well as four XLR microphone input ports.
To round things off, there is also a headphone jack, two quarter-inch mono inputs, and stereo inputs respectively.
The audio mixer is surprisingly quite user-friendly and intuitive, with an audio interface that works well for just about any streamer, DJ, or music performer that needs to sort their sounds regardless of their current or existing skills.
Simply put, while it comes with a lot, it’s neither overwhelming nor difficult to master. If you’re just starting, you’ll know enough to produce good music, and if you’re suitably experienced, you’ll be able to produce professional music.
Lastly, the audio mixer comes with several LED indicator lights that are used to help in navigating its different parts, especially during the night or in low levels of light (such as in a nightclub or bar).
The Plye-8 Channel Mixer also has rotary knobs that are used to easily adjust various parts of a track, including its frequency, volume, or the overall balance between channels.
The Plye-8 Channel Mixer is pretty awesome in terms of what it offers compared to what you’re going to pay. It is a bit bulky, yes, but outside of that, this mixer is something of a steal.
What We Like:
- 8 Channels
- Bluetooth Compatibility
- Includes A USB Interface Sound Card
- Great Value
- Easy to Use
What We Do Not Like:
- Bit On The Bulky Side
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5. Behringer Xenyx Premium Audio Mixer
Last but certainly not least, the Behringer Xenyx Premium Audio Mixer is easily one of the most impressive mixers available, whether you’re an avid streamer or a live DJ performer. While it’s probably a bit too much for those just starting, this mixer can easily raise and elevate any experienced DJ looking to get to the next level.
The Behringer Xenyx was created specifically to grant performers a wide variety of different audio controls that went far beyond just the standard options.
Here, they were given very advanced and professional-grade features to present themselves as something serious.
As an example, the Behringer Xenyx comes with four studio-level compressors, each controllable from a single knob, ensuring a higher-quality audio experience that is ultimately more authentic and noteworthy. The mixer also uses a Neo-classic 3-band EQ level set.
This grants performer the ability to easily put out a warm tonality. In addition, DJs also have access to studio-level audio quality no matter where they are or what nature of crowd they’re dealing with.
If you thought that was all, there’s even more. In addition to everything else, the Behringer Xenyx comes with an FX process that includes 16 different customizable presets that can be made to best suit whatever setup you and your audience may be interested in at that time.
This can range from the flanger, chorus, or pitch, to the delay, reverb, or function parameters. This can all be reached purely through the settings menu for convenience.
For those that expected this to be the most expensive option available, the Behringer Xenyx exceeds those expectations as well. Not only does it offer a wide plethora of different features and listed benefits, but it does all of this at a fraction of the cost one would expect.
There are many existing audio mixers on the market that cost considerably more than the Behringer Xenyx while offering substantially less.
Again, this may not be the most ideal option for someone that’s just gotten into streaming or DJing, as the number of included features can easily be overwhelming.
That said, if you’re already experienced in the area (or just want a mixer you can grow into) there isn’t a ton that is quite a match to everything this mixer is offering.
What We Like:
- Great For Experienced DJ
- 16 Different Available Presets
- Exceptional Value For Money
- Professional-Grade Build
- Superb Sound Quality
What We Do Not Like:
- Not Ideal For Entry Level
Read this next: How To Livestream DJ Sets In A Few Easy Steps
Buyers Guide
Now that we’ve had a chance to go over many of the top audio mixers available that are the most ideal for streaming, you now have several options in front of you.
If, however, you feel you need something outside of these five options, you must know what factors make up a quality audio mixer for streaming.
For example, the general build and durability of a live streaming audio mixer aren’t quite as important as an audio mixer meant for live performances since you have fewer chances of damaging it through the travel process or with any foreign or unexpected scenarios, something very prevalent for DJs that regularly perform at different locations.
The only areas that you need to focus on and consider are the mixer’s Build, Features, and ultimate Price Point. While everything outside of those points is great bonuses, those three points are what will make or break your DJ experience while streaming.
Build
First things first, you’re going to need to decide what the overall build of your audio mixer should be. While this can certainly just be how it looks, what the materials are, or what the overall quality and durability are, the reality of the situation is that you need something which will do all of these things and more.
Things like material and durability are fairly explanatory. These areas revolve significantly around a device’s ultimate ability to withstand constant wear and tear without falling apart.
You must get something as durable as possible while also being made of materials that are as good as possible. Since most audio mixer units are made with plastic, you ideally want to make sure the plastic has some level of fortitude to it as well as overall heft.
Outside of those factors, however, you also want to consider the audio mixer’s size as well as the number of channels that it can be open to.
Size
The size of an audio mixer is interesting as it largely depends on what you are looking for as well as the amount of space you have available to you.
For many, considering the size can be a bit of a curve ball since most would either assume it doesn’t matter or that the bigger option is always the better. In truth, it does depend on your situation.
For people in smaller setups, or who don’t know enough to warrant a full-sized rig, getting a particularly large audio mixer can be a bit silly. Large audio mixers can take up a fair amount of space and will generally be more advanced while having a higher cost to them.
On the other hand, if you’re someone that has a large space or knows enough about audio mixing that you need the entirety of what the advanced audio mixers have to offer, you must use something on the larger side.
In addition, you may also want to think about how you plan on performing. If it’s live streaming solely from your home studio that’s one thing.
If, on the other hand, you plan to constantly be on the go, live streaming, and traveling simultaneously, getting a smaller and more travel-friendly option will be a much better option. Even if you have a large studio base, only focusing on that area when you also plan to travel can be very exhausting since larger audio mixers can be a serious hassle to travel around with.
Number Of Channels
In addition to the size, you also want to consider how many channels your audio mixer should have. Like the size, this is something many people don’t really consider or otherwise strongly take for granted. Simply put, a channel directly translates to a specific sound port that funnels through the audio mixer before going out to the speakers (or in this case, your streamer audio).
Generally, most standard audio mixers are going to have around two channels available. The smaller options may have only one channel while the larger and more advanced ones can have four or eight, with larger ones still having even more channels on top of that.
For the vast majority of streamers, you’re going to need the standard of either two or four. Since you’re likely going to connect to your mic as well as some other device or platform, I suggest strongly considering a 4-channel audio mixer, especially if you have any experience performing or streaming in the past.
Features
After you’ve gone over the type of build you want for your audio mixers, the next big area of focus should be the type of included features. Unlike other DJ devices, like turntables or DJ controllers, an audio mixer isn’t going to have a ton of different features added to it since its main job is simply to shift between the different channels. One of the few featured areas that should be a point of focus for you is the audio mixer’s ability to equalize.
If you’re someone that has done any live streaming in the past, it’s probably a given that a good equalizer is pretty much a necessity when it comes to audio mixing and streaming.
It essentially makes sure that your sounds are properly leveled out. While this generally means not having too harsh and competing sounds when it comes to living music or DJ performances, in the world of streaming, it’s often as simple as just making sure your audience can hear your voice over everything else.
While all audio mixers have some level of EQ leveling, they can vary from device to device. Some of the more premium options will include options for adjusting the treble and bass while standard or basic options may not. If you’re just starting, it may not be super important that you get a fully rigged audio mixer. equalizer setup.
On the other hand, if you’ve been a streamer for a while, getting a more professional and advanced option may do much to boost the sound quality and listening experience of your audience.
Price
Lastly is the price point you’re ultimately willing to pay. While this could technically be the first thing, having an initial idea of the type of audio mixer you’re interested in should be the most important thing, with a focus on your budget coming after.
This way you can determine your ideal interest and work with that in mind when looking for things within your price range.
I will say that for serious people, it’s ideal to seriously consider giving yourself around $100 to $150 of wiggle room. If you can’t, fair enough. However, you’d be surprised just how close an ideal setup can be if you aren’t so strict with the upper limit.
Most standard audio mixers go between the prices of $150 and around $500 or more. Those closer to the $500 range are generally going to be the more advanced options whereas those around the $100-150 area are generally meant for people that are just starting.
Best Audio Mixer For Streaming: The Verdict
Our top pick for the best audio mixer for streaming is the MAONO Audio Mixer.
Audio mixers and the best audio mixer software for live streaming are essential parts of the DJ and music-producing field. The fact of the matter is that, if you want to produce some stellar sounds, you’re going to need a good mixer.
While this may not be quite as serious when going into the live-streaming field, it is still a vital part and not something you can overlook or ignore.
By understanding the importance of a quality audio mixer, their differences in features and price range, as well as what to be aware of when searching for your own, you can make sure your next stream performance is truly phenomenal.
