Many mixing desks are available but not all are suitable for podcasting.
Here are the best mixing desks for podcasters available today.
Q: What Is a Mixing Desk?
A mixing desk is a piece of electronic audio hardware that can take multiple audio channels and mix them into one. Traditionally, audio channels have been voice mics and musical instruments, but increasingly USB, Bluetooth, and line-in using TRRS cables from phones and tablets are supported.
The RØDE RØDECaster Pro also has eight programmable jingle pads. Up to 64 sounds can be stored, from jingles and sound effects to full songs.
The RØDE RØDECaster Pro can record direct to a microSD card or attached USB device, has five headset outputs, L and R speaker outputs, and a touchscreen user interface.
Undoubtedly the top-rated podcast mixing desk and for good reason, the RØDE RØDECaster Pro does not ship with a mic or any accessories.
It has two main mic channels, phone and auxiliary input channels, voice changers, pitch adjustment, and seven programmable sound pad buttons. A companion app is available for Windows and macOS for uploading new MP3s and WAV files to the sound pad, although this is pretty slow.
In many ways the complete kit for podcasting, the Maonocaster AM100 even has a built-in battery. This can support up to six hours of recording and recharges over USB.
While the Maonocaster AM100 offers an affordable alternative to the RØDE RØDECaster Pro, it doesn’t include mix-minus.
With four programmable sounds, built-in sound effects, and various audio functions (e.g. noise reduction, echo control), the Hayner-Seek mixing desk supports three mic inputs, dual line-in, and has a rechargeable battery.
Lightweight and portable, this is a podcast mixing desk that is ideal for beginners.
The mixer has four XLR microphone inputs, a USB input, 3.5mm TRRS input, four headphone outputs, records to an SD card, and features four programmable buttons. With a Zoom PodTrak P4, you can also live stream a podcast directly through your computer, using a USB.
A portable podcasting solution with mix-minus for recording phone calls, the basic Zoom PodTrak P4 ships without any extra gear, but mics, headsets, and adapters are available.
With four programmable sound pads and eight pre-programmed sounds, the Maonocaster AU-AM200 also has a pitch changer, denoise function, reverb slider, and Bluetooth connectivity. There’s also an eight-hour battery, charged over USB.
As with the Maonocaster AM100, there is no mix-minus. Other versions of the AU-AM200 are available, with differing mics and stands.
With Bluetooth support and a USB interface for connecting the mixer to a PC or simply a flash storage device, the four-channel Pyle Professional Audio Mixer is more flexible than a standard podcast mixer. It’s as suitable for home studios and small-scale live shows as it is for podcasting.
A six-channel version of the Pyle Professional Audio Mixer is also available.
Q: Do You Need a Mixing Desk for Podcasting?
If you’re recording a podcast, and it’s just you and your thoughts, then you probably don’t need a mixing desk.
But, as soon as you bring in the idea of guests, collaborators, and live events, a mixing desk becomes vital. It can also help you to reduce editing time by providing hot keys or a soundboard for regular audio clips, such as your theme tune and separators.
Q: What Is Mix-minus?
An important element for podcasting with a guest over the phone, Skype, or some other online voice chat service, mix-minus removes echo from the line. Without it, the podcast recording will need considerable attention in the edit at best; at worst, the recording will be useless, as echoes build and bounce around.
If you plan to welcome guest hosts and interview subjects on your podcast, you need a desk with a mix-minus.
