Best USB Mixers
Updated How we research
Yamaha AG08 Black 8-Channel USB-C Audio Interface and Live Streaming Mixer
Yamaha's black AG08 is an 8-channel USB-C audio interface and live streaming mixer, a creator desk mixer with loopback.
Yamaha AG03MK2 White 6-Channel Live Streaming Loopback Mixer/USB Interface
The white Yamaha AG03MK2 is a 6-channel live streaming loopback mixer and USB interface for solo streamers and podcasters.
A USB mixer gives you the tactile control of a mixing board with the convenience of recording straight to your computer over a single cable. You get physical faders, real preamps, and easy monitoring, then send it all to your recording software without a separate interface. For creators who like knobs and sliders over on-screen menus, it is the best of both worlds. These mixers shine for podcasts with several mics, home studios that also track instruments, and anyone who wants to mix as they go. The right choice depends on your channel count and whether you need multitrack capture. In this guide we highlight the USB mixers that combine intuitive control with clean, reliable sound for growing setups. When comparing USB mixers, the key question is whether it records a single stereo mix or separate multitrack channels. A stereo USB mixer sends one combined track to your computer, which is simple for live shows and streams. A multitrack USB mixer interface sends each microphone to its own track, so you can fix levels and edit each voice later. Also check phantom power for condenser mics and loopback if you stream or take remote callers.
The short version
We compared 8 picks. Our scores range from 7.4 to 8.8 out of 10.
- Best overall:Yamaha AG08 Black 8-Channel USB-C Audio Interface and Live Streaming Mixer. Highest overall score in this guide at 8.8/10.
- Also great value:Yamaha AG03MK2 White 6-Channel Live Streaming Loopback Mixer/USB Interface. Value score of 9/10, overall 8.6/10.
- Solid build:Yamaha AG03MK2 Black 6-Channel Live Streaming Loopback Mixer/USB Interface. Build and materials score of 8/10, overall 8.6/10.
- Feature-rich:Mackie ProFX6v3+ 6-Channel Professional Analog Mixer with USB. Features score of 9/10, overall 8.4/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
- 1.Yamaha AG08 Black 8-Channel USB-C Audio Interface and Live Streaming Mixer8.8/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 2.Yamaha AG03MK2 White 6-Channel Live Streaming Loopback Mixer/USB Interface8.6/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 3.Yamaha AG03MK2 Black 6-Channel Live Streaming Loopback Mixer/USB Interface8.6/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 4.Mackie ProFX6v3+ 6-Channel Professional Analog Mixer with USB8.4/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 5.Yamaha AG06MK2 Black 6-Channel Live Streaming Loopback Mixer/USB Interface8.4/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 6.Behringer XENYX QX1204USB Premium 12-Input 2/2-Bus Mixer with XENYX Mic Preamps and Compressors, Klark Teknik Multi-FX Processor, Wireless Option and USB/Audio Interface7.9/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 7.Behringer XENYX 1204USB Premium 12-Input 2/2-Bus Mixer with XENYX Mic Preamps and Compressors, British EQ and USB/Audio Interface7.6/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 8.Behringer XENYX 802S Premium Analog 8-Input Mixer with USB Streaming Interface7.4/10See on AmazonCheck price
#1Yamaha's black AG08 is an 8-channel USB-C audio interface and live streaming mixer, a creator desk mixer with loopback.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 8/10
- + 8-channel design handles mics, instruments and computer audio together
- + USB-C interface with loopback makes streaming and remote calls easy
- + Yamaha build and preamps give a clean, reliable signal path
- - Many controls take time to learn for users coming from USB mics
- - Larger than Yamaha's smaller streaming mixers, so it needs more desk space
#2The white Yamaha AG03MK2 is a 6-channel live streaming loopback mixer and USB interface for solo streamers and podcasters.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + Loopback mixing blends mic, game and music for live streams easily
- + Compact 6-channel layout fits beside a keyboard on crowded desks
- + White finish suits light, minimal studio and streaming setups
- - Only one XLR mic input, so it is built for solo hosts
- - Light finish can show scuffs and dirt over time
#3Yamaha's AG03MK2 in black is a 6-channel loopback mixer and USB interface, a compact solo streaming desk hub.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + Mic fader and cough mute give fast, physical control while live
- + USB loopback sends computer audio and voice into streams and calls
- + Black finish blends into darker gaming and studio setups
- - Single mic channel means co-hosts need a larger mixer or interface
- - Few onboard effects compared with software-heavy streaming mixers
#4The Mackie ProFX6v3+ is a compact 6-channel analog mixer with a 2x4 USB-C interface, Onyx preamps, GigFX+ effects and a Bluetooth channel for phone audio.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Three USB modes at 24-bit/192kHz: standard mix, loopback with computer audio, or dry channels for cleaner editing.
- + A Bluetooth channel sends and receives phone or tablet audio, which the listing pitches for taking podcast calls.
- + Onyx preamps come with one-button compression, EQ, Hi-Z inputs and a 100 Hz low-cut on a compact frame.
- - At about $250 it costs well above the budget Behringer Q802USB it replaces in this guide.
- - The USB interface is 2x4 and the listing is clear this is an analog mixer, not a digital one with scene recall.
#5The black Yamaha AG06MK2 is a 6-channel live streaming loopback mixer with two mic inputs, suited to duo streams and podcasts.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Two mic inputs let a host and guest share one compact mixer
- + Loopback and USB audio make remote guest calls simple to capture
- + Yamaha preamps and build give dependable, clean sound
- - Stereo USB output keeps both hosts mixed together in the recording
- - More expensive than Yamaha's one-mic version if you only need a single mic
#6The Behringer XENYX QX1204USB is a 12-input 2/2-bus mixer with 4 phantom-powered XENYX mic preamps, one-knob compressors, a Klark Teknik multi-FX processor and USB audio interface.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 7/10
- + Four phantom-powered XENYX mic preamps handle a four-host show, including condenser microphones.
- + Four one-knob compressors with control LEDs make it simple to even out voices without outboard gear.
- + The Klark Teknik FX processor has an LCD display, tap function and storable user parameter settings.
- - At $269 it is a step up in price and size from the QX1202USB it replaces in this guide.
- - The wireless-ready option needs a separate Behringer digital wireless system that is not included.
#7The Behringer XENYX 1204USB is a 12-input 2/2-bus analog mixer with XENYX mic preamps, compressors, 3-band British EQ and a built-in USB audio interface.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Twelve inputs and a 2/2-bus layout leave room for several microphones plus music and call sources on one desk.
- + XENYX mic preamps with compressors and neo-classic British 3-band EQ let you shape each voice at the channel.
- + The built-in USB audio interface sends the mix to a computer without a separate interface.
- - No built-in effects processor: the X and QX versions of this mixer add one at a higher price.
- - The listing has just two short feature bullets, so details such as USB resolution are not stated.
#8Behringer's XENYX 802S is a premium analog 8-input mixer with a USB streaming interface, a cheap hands-on mixer for small shows.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + Analog knobs and faders give instant, tactile control during recording
- + USB streaming interface sends the mix straight to a computer
- + 8-input layout mixes mics with phones, music and other line sources
- - USB sends a stereo mix only, so each host cannot be edited separately
- - Few mic preamps compared to its total input count
Before you buy: trade-offs we flagged
No pick is perfect. These are the main compromises we noted for the top products in this guide, so you can check they will not matter for you.
- Many controls take time to learn for users coming from USB mics (Yamaha AG08 Black 8-Channel USB-C Audio...)
- Only one XLR mic input, so it is built for solo hosts (Yamaha AG03MK2 White 6-Channel Live Streaming...)
- Single mic channel means co-hosts need a larger mixer or interface (Yamaha AG03MK2 Black 6-Channel Live Streaming...)
- At about $250 it costs well above the budget Behringer Q802USB it replaces in this guide. (Mackie ProFX6v3+ 6-Channel Professional...)
- Stereo USB output keeps both hosts mixed together in the recording (Yamaha AG06MK2 Black 6-Channel Live Streaming...)
- At $269 it is a step up in price and size from the QX1202USB it replaces in this guide. (Behringer XENYX QX1204USB Premium 12-Input...)
Frequently asked questions
›What is the best choice among usb mixers?
Yamaha AG08 Black 8-Channel USB-C Audio Interface and Live Streaming Mixer is our top overall pick. Yamaha's black AG08 is an 8-channel USB-C audio interface and live streaming mixer, a creator desk mixer with loopback. It earns our score of 8.8/10, based on fit for the job, features, build and value.
›What is a good budget option?
Yamaha AG03MK2 White 6-Channel Live Streaming Loopback Mixer/USB Interface is the strongest low-cost pick in this guide. The white Yamaha AG03MK2 is a 6-channel live streaming loopback mixer and USB interface for solo streamers and podcasters.
›How much should I expect to spend?
Picks in this guide span See on Amazon price bands (roughly: $ = under $30, $$ = $30 to $100, $$$ = over $100). We never display exact prices because they change constantly, so the buttons above always show Amazon's current price.
›How were these products chosen?
We shortlist products that fit the job this guide solves and compare their published specifications, such as size, capacity, materials and what is included. Each pick gets an editorial score out of 10 for fit, features, build and value, and we write the pros and cons from those details. Our score is not an Amazon customer rating. We earn a commission if you buy through our links, which never affects the ranking.
Podcast Gear Hub independently selects every product; we may earn a commission from links above.
More questions readers ask
Mixer or audio interface for podcasting?
A USB mixer gives hands-on faders, EQ and easy monitoring for live shows. An interface is simpler and often cleaner, with recording and editing done in software.
What is the difference between a stereo USB mixer and a multitrack USB mixer?
A stereo USB mixer sends one combined left and right mix to your computer, so every microphone ends up on the same recording. A multitrack USB mixer sends each input to its own track, letting you adjust, clean up, and edit each person separately after recording. Multitrack is more flexible for edited podcasts.
What is loopback on a USB mixer?
Loopback sends audio playing on your computer, such as music, sound effects, or a remote guest on a call, back into the mixer's USB output together with your microphones. That lets streaming and recording software capture everything in one feed. It is especially useful for live streams and call-in shows.
How many channels does a USB mixer need for a podcast?
Count one microphone input per person, then add inputs for a phone or computer audio source and a little room to grow. A solo show can run on a small mixer, while a three or four person show needs that many mic inputs with preamps. Headphone outputs matter too, since each host should be able to monitor.
Can a USB mixer power a condenser microphone?
Many can, through phantom power, usually labeled 48V, on the XLR inputs. Check the specs before buying, because not every compact mixer includes it and some apply it to all inputs at once. Dynamic microphones do not need phantom power, so it only matters if you use condensers.
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