12 Reasons to Upgrade Your Podcast Setup with a Podcast Mixer

There comes a time in every podcaster’s life when you realize your current setup is holding you back. Perhaps you’re expanding into a new format that requires more sophisticated equipment. Or maybe you’re interested in upgrading to a more professional setup that will help you stand out from the crowd and ensure maximum creative freedom, now and in the future.

 

The good news is, it doesn’t take a lot of gear to produce professional podcasts—it just takes the right gear. One essential upgrade that can make a huge impact on your podcast is replacing your audio interface with a podcast mixer. 

 

What exactly is the difference between an audio interface and a podcast mixer? We’re glad you asked. 

 

Audio interfaces are pretty limited in what they can do. Many popular interfaces have one or two inputs that allow you to get the audio from your microphone into the computer, and back out again through headphones or speakers. That’s all. 

 

A mixer, on the other hand, is like a creative hub for your podcast. The right podcast mixer can enable you to connect all sorts of inputs like microphones, media players, video calls, and anything else you need. You can also monitor and adjust input and output levels, add audio effects and EQ, and even record the entire podcast straight onto the mixer itself. Essentially it’s everything you need to record a professional podcast in one box. Simply add a microphone (or four!) and a good idea.

 

There are several Mackie products to choose from depending on your needs as a podcaster. Here are a few that run the gamut from larger studio gear to portable, easy-to-use solutions.  

 

 

Podcast Mixer	Specifically Designed for…	Highly Portable	Optimized for Video	Battery Powered	Mic Inputs	Headphone Outputs	Bluetooth	USB I/O	Integrated Touch screen
DLZ Creator	Podcasters	___	___	___	4	4	✓	14x4	10.1”
DLZ Creator XS	Podcasters	✓	___	___	2	2	✓	14x4	7”
MainStream	Streamers/ Podcasters	✓	✓	✓	1	1	___	2x2	___
MobileMix	Streamers/ Video Creators	✓	✓	✓	2	2	✓	___	___
ProFXv3+	Podcasters	___	___	___	2 - 7	1	✓	2x4	___

To better understand why you should upgrade, let’s take a look at 12 benefits a podcast mixer can provide: 

 

 

1: Less Processing Demands on Your Computer

Traditional podcast setups run everything into your computer, creating a logjam for your processor. At best this means you’ll need a powerful machine to keep up with the growing demands of your podcast, and at worst it can mean critical software failures during recording. 

 

Podcast mixers like the Mackie DLZ Creator and Creator XS have robust onboard processing like 3-band parametric EQ and a high-pass filter that lets you sculpt your sound. You can also use the built-in noise gate, de-esser and compressor to keep your sound clean and free of any distractions. DLZ Creator and Creator XS even offer effects like reverb and delay to further sweeten your sound. 

 

And if you’re looking to stream high-quality video for a video podcast or livestream, the Mackie MainStream replaces the capture card on your computer. It can even capture 1080p at 60fps—all without bogging down your machine. 

 

2: Podcast Anywhere, No Computer Needed

Working from a home podcast studio is fine, but it can also limit your creativity. And believe us, some of the best podcast episodes require thinking and working outside the box. 

 

Modern mixers make it possible to record complete podcasts without the need for a computer or home studio. For example, DLZ Creator and Creator XS record internally to SD cards so you don’t need to run a DAW (digital audio workstation) on your computer. And Mackie MobileMix records straight to your smartphone or tablet, making it easy to capture audio anywhere. Once you’re done recording, simply import your files to your editing software of choice to finetune the episode. 

 

3: Add More In-Person Guests 

Whoever said “less is more” clearly never had to record a podcast or livestream with multiple guests. When choosing a mixer it’s always better to buy one that has more inputs than you currently need. That way you have a mixer that’s capable of suiting your needs for years to come. 

 

If it’s multiple inputs you need, we recommend upgrading to a podcast mixer like DLZ Creator or ProFX12v3+. DLZ Creator allows you to plug in up to four mics and has an intuitive user interface that makes it easy to create professional podcasts—even if you’re a beginner. ProFX12v3+ lets you connect up to seven mics for ultimate flexibility, and has a traditional mixer interface that seasoned pros will be used to. 

 

4: Record Call-In Guests via Bluetooth 

Podcasting is an audio medium, so obviously it’s important for everyone involved to sound their best. That can be a challenge when everyone is sitting in the same room, let alone when guests or co-hosts are calling in. That’s where Mix Minus comes in. 

 

Mix Minus is a feature of Mackie mixers like DLZ Creator, MobileMix and ProFXv3+ that allows you to add a caller into the mix via Bluetooth—all with no audible echo or latency when they speak. And since the call is running through the mixer, you can add EQ and FX to dial in the sound before hitting record. 

 

5: Improve Your Production in Seconds

Each upgrade to your podcasting setup should benefit your sound quality and simplify your workflow. Anything short of that isn’t better gear, it’s just more expensive. 

 

When choosing a mixer, look for features that make everything from setup to publishing simpler and more streamlined. DLZ Creator has a unique feature called Mix Agent that does exactly that. Think of it as your personal audio assistant that gets you ready to record in a few button presses. And if you’re working with video often, check out MainStream. It gives you simple, tactile controls instead of endless menu diving, and simplifies setup for video so you’re ready to go in seconds (okay maybe a minute). 

 

6: Take More Control of Your Sound

Quality podcasting equipment grows with you. Unfortunately, most podcasting gear boxes you in—either it’s easy to use but quickly outgrown due to limited features and functionality, or it’s incredibly robust but harder to use than cosmonaut flight controls. 

 

Mixers like DLZ Creator and Creator XS are designed for podcasters of all skill levels. Each feature three different work modes—Easy, Enhanced, and Pro—that actually change the user interface to fit your experience level. Want broadcast quality sound at the touch of a button? Get up and running with Easy mode. Interested in taking more control of every effect, EQ and spec of your sound? Work your way up to Pro mode and learn more about production along the way. 

 

7: Mix in Real-Time

Sure, you could spend hours at the computer trying to correct your mix and weed out unwanted noise in post. Or you could dial in the mix, make adjustments on the fly and get it right straight out of the box. We vote for the latter.

 

AutoMix is a feature inside DLZ Creator and Creator XS that takes the guesswork out of recording pristine podcast audio. It automatically reduces channel levels when not receiving signal, ensures a consistent overall output level (even when conversations get spirited) and reduces potential feedback. You can even set different microphone priorities so a given voice comes through louder. This comes in handy when moderating a podcast with multiple speakers. 

 

8: You’ll Just Sound Better

When you get right down to it, podcasters just want to sound better. More professional. And one of the pillars of broadcast-quality audio is premium hardware like mic preamps. 

 

Mackie podcast mixers feature Onyx80 mic preamps that deliver up to 80dB of gain. That means you’ll get loud, pristine sound out of any microphone you plug into it. And if you’re looking for a highly mobile solution for audio and video podcasts, MobileMix lets you record quality audio that’s lightyears ahead of any smartphone or onboard camera mic. 

 

9: Get More Creative 

Podcasting is a creative endeavor. However, most traditional audio interface setups restrict you to the basics of recording spoken audio into a computer. Where’s the creative freedom in that? 
 

As you develop as a podcaster, you may want to incorporate things like sound effects, live-triggered samples and even vocal effects that dial up the creativity and keep your show fresh. Even if your current podcast doesn’t require all the bells and whistles, maybe the next show you start will benefit from these creative tools. Mixers like DLZ Creator and Mainstream have programmable pads and buttons so you can take creative control of your podcast in ways you never could have imagined. 

 

10: Avoid Embarrassing Moments

Total disclaimer, upgrading to a podcast mixer will not save you from every embarrassing moment. Keeping your parents from showing your new partner every last baby picture is still on you. But an intuitive mixer can keep you from recording an entire episode or that once-in-a-lifetime interview with mismatched mic levels or terrible background noise. 

 

If you’re looking for a mixer that adapts to you automatically, check out DLZ Creator and Creator XS. Both mixers have AutoMix built in which manages levels for up to four mics so everyone can be heard—even when they speak at the same time. If a more traditional mixer is what you're after, check out ProFXv3+ which features on-board compressors to keep your sound in the sweet spot. 

 

11: Simplify Post Production

As you know, producing a podcast is a large investment in time. Even once the podcast is recorded, it can mean hours in post production to get things to sound right. 

 

A quality podcast mixer streamlines post production by allowing you to get things right before you ever hit record. Mixers like DLZ Creator and Creator XS feature intelligent on-board processing. That means you can add effects like reverb and delay, treat your sound with a noise gate, de-esser and compressor, as well as EQ every sound source—all in seconds. They also feature programmable pads that can be used to trigger music drops, FX and more in real time. 

 

12: No Editing (Unless You Want To)

To further simplify your workflow, podcast mixers make it possible to record and produce complete episodes with no further editing necessary. 

 

For example, DLZ Creator and Creator XS allow you to record full multitrack audio to an SD card or USB thumb drive. You can even listen back to your production from the mixer with true stereo playback. Essentially, by the time you’re done recording, all you’ll have to do is publish to your favorite platforms and start thinking about the next episode. 

 

Ready to Upgrade? 

Upgrading your setup with a mixer opens up a world of possibilities to podcasters of all skill levels. Whether you’re relatively new to podcasting and looking for a simple way to improve production quality or a seasoned pro looking for complete creative control, there’s a Mackie podcast mixer that’s right for you. 

 

Find your new podcasting partner here and discover the difference a professional podcast mixer can make in your productions. 

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