USB Audio Mixer Questions

Cromulent

Cromulent

Cromulent

Soldato
Joined
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I've been looking at getting a new microphone for my computer and some of the higher end ones are XLR which requires something to plug them into. I've had a hunt around and there seem to be some reasonably priced options out there.

What I would really like to do is plug the microphone into an XLR port on the mixer and plug some good quality headphones into the mixer as well so from one mixer I can both listen to game sound using my headphones as well as using my microphone via the XLR port.

Is this possible? I could also change the levels on the fly for everything if I had a USB audio mixer.

I don't know much about audio so this is all new to me. If anyone could recommend a good mixer to go with as well that would be great :).
 
In case you aren't aware microphones using XLR often use phantom power which can add some extra complexities into the mix (though nothing too difficult).
 
Unfortunately not an area I'm overly familiar with products wise but searching for "phantom power usb mixer" gives a good selection of such devices that are dedicated to the kind of task you are looking at.
 
Lucky for you I was browsing the sound city forum today bud!

I run a recording studio full time as a producer and have an extensive knowledge of most, if not all of the current audio products on the market.

You may be tempted by the price of something like a Behringer but my advice is steer well clear. If you can get a small 2-4 channel Yamaha mixer that would be good. There is quite a lot of depth to this subject but if you can keep your questions as specific as possible I can help you.

Also, a budget would be useful so I have something to work to.

Cheers

Tom
 
Also, don't forget that if you were to end up getting some sort of mixer it would presumably also act as an audio interface (aka 'soundcard' to you gamers!) so you would plug your speaker system directly into it for sound.

Thats fine but most mixers will have XLR balanced outputs not your gamer 3.5mm audio jacks.

A mixer is of course, far more powerful and flexible once you get your head around it.
 
hughythomas said:
Lucky for you I was browsing the sound city forum today bud!

I run a recording studio full time as a producer and have an extensive knowledge of most, if not all of the current audio products on the market.

You may be tempted by the price of something like a Behringer but my advice is steer well clear. If you can get a small 2-4 channel Yamaha mixer that would be good. There is quite a lot of depth to this subject but if you can keep your questions as specific as possible I can help you.

Also, a budget would be useful so I have something to work to.

Cheers

Tom
Click to expand...

Hmm. Budget. I guess £150 as the absolute max for a mixer. Closer to £100 would be better.

I've also been doing some research on microphones and think that a dynamic microphone would be a better option for voice since it won't be as sensitive. Is that correct?

hughythomas said:
Also, don't forget that if you were to end up getting some sort of mixer it would presumably also act as an audio interface (aka 'soundcard' to you gamers!) so you would plug your speaker system directly into it for sound.

Thats fine but most mixers will have XLR balanced outputs not your gamer 3.5mm audio jacks.

A mixer is of course, far more powerful and flexible once you get your head around it.
Click to expand...

So I'd need to get professional level headphones or are there adaptors out there?

Sorry for the stupid questions but I'm just trying to get a set up going for Twitch streaming. Not looking to be an audio professional :).

Thanks for your help.
 
Hey man no problem.

Actually, if you were to buy a Rode M2 live condenser microphone for example the frequency response is excellent and would hardly feed back at all (assuming you are using headphones!).

Obviously, dont point a microphone at speakers it is record armed on or youll get a nasty surprise!

As for the mixer, I would recommend a Mackie Mix 8 - Compact.

Best,

Tom
 
Cromulent said:
Hmm. Budget. I guess £150 as the absolute max for a mixer. Closer to £100 would be better.

I've also been doing some research on microphones and think that a dynamic microphone would be a better option for voice since it won't be as sensitive. Is that correct?

So I'd need to get professional level headphones or are there adaptors out there?

Sorry for the stupid questions but I'm just trying to get a set up going for Twitch streaming. Not looking to be an audio professional :).

Thanks for your help.
Click to expand...

The XLR outputs will be the main output, not the headphone. Virtually every mixer i've encountered has a quarter inch stereo jack for head phones, so any headphones can be plugged in using an adapter. And most mixers at your price point will have twin mono quarter inch jacks, not xlrs.

Mic wise a condenser would probably be better, the trouble with dynamic mics is you need to keep very close the the mic for it to pick up. A condensor would be more sympathetic. Feedback isn't going to be an issue if you're listening back via headphones.

There are probably better quality mixers out there but this one would probably tick all the boxes.

https://www.gak.co.uk/en/behringer-xenyx-q502usb-mixer/96868
 
I'm just saving up at the moment for a full set up. I'm in no major rush at the moment as the game I really want to stream is not due out for a year at the earliest but I'd like to have sorted out my set up in the next month or two. I might wait until Black Friday or Cyber Monday to see if there are any sales on.
 
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