USB Audio Mixer Questions

Cromulent · 22 Oct 2017 at 12:47

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

.

Cromulent · 22 Oct 2017 at 13:01

Rroff said:
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).

Ah, OK. I'll do a bit of research into that as well. Thanks for the information.

Cromulent · 25 Oct 2017 at 14:13

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

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.

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.

Cromulent · 29 Oct 2017 at 14:20

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.