The perfect podcast mixer for you - a comparison of podcast mixers for your podcasts
Is a podcast mixing console worthwhile for you? And if so, which of the many models best suits your needs? We do the big podcast mixer comparison!
Is a podcast mixing console worthwhile for you? And if so, which of the many models best suits your needs? We do the big podcast mixer comparison!
TL;DR: Our recommendations
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Which podcast mixer do you actually need?
Or do you even need one? If you record podcasts sporadically, don’t record recordings and use a good USB microphone anyway, why would you buy an extra device for several hundred euros?
Function 1: USB audio interface and channel count
If you have an XLR microphone or need a really good setup with multiple audio sources, then you can either buy a good USB audio interface or use a mixing console that can amplify and digitize the XLR signals. These are usually all of the models listed.
This way you can save yourself an audio interface and connect your microphones and other audio sources to the mixer. You then have further options for saving the recording, i.e. on a USB stick, an SD card or on your computer/laptop.
Function 2: Simple recording and live mixing
Why most people probably want to buy a podcast mixer is the practical recording and live mixing. You can (with good preparation!!) edit the podcast episode in real time and publish it. There are often sampling pads on which you can place the intro and outro, you can add guests via various sources, optimize the voice with effects and then record the whole thing on the computer and upload it directly to the podcast hoster.
Mixing consoles are not only ideal for podcasters, but also for musicians, streamers and creatives, especially with digital effects and touch screens, you can quickly change and save settings and work intuitively. This works better with some mixing consoles than with others.
Function 3: Effects and audio processing
As mentioned above, for a podcast you can make a preset for all the people being recorded (every voice sounds different, you should only adjust the effects for one person at a time).
The best thing is: With good podcast mixers, you can save scenes or productions as presets. This means that if you record several formats or productions with one device, you can save them and load them again within seconds. Perfect for companies that produce multiple podcast formats.
The 6 best podcast mixers in comparison:
Røde Rødecaster Duo
Our favorite for compact studios: The duo version offers two high-quality RØDE Class A XLR preamps, each with its own gain control and LED metering. The eight freely assignable trigger pads can be used to fire jingles, sound effects or music clips in real time. This is perfect for dynamic live formats. The integrated SD card recorder saves directly to a card without the need for a PC, and if you still want to connect to a computer, you can do so via USB-C. The user interface is tidy, the workflow intuitive and quick to learn – a real productivity boost for solo podcasts and small teams. Find out more here: Rødecaster Duo review.
Røde Rødecaster Pro II
The premium flagship: four XLR channels with ultra-low noise preamps, extensive DSP section (compressor, gate, de-esser, EQ) and touchscreen interface for quick access to scenes and presets. In addition to SD card and USB stick, you can also record to PC/Mac in parallel, in multitrack or mixed stereo. There is also a matching Rødecaster software. The eight RGB pads are individually configurable, including RGB color coding, and can be reassigned in seconds. A real all-round carefree package for professional podcasters and broadcasters. You can find more information in our comparison: Rødecaster Pro II vs Mackie DLZ Creator.
Mackie DLZ Creator (and DLZ Creator XS)
The DLZ Creator is the big iPad-controlled powerhouse with four XLR/combo inputs, four freely assignable trigger pads, extensive DSP suite (EQ, compressor, gate, reverb) and integrated SD card recorder. It connects to the Mackie app via WiFi, where you can save unlimited scenes and switch between different podcast setups at lightning speed.
The compact and more affordable DLZ XS is completely different: it only has two XLR channels, no pads or SD recorder and relies on a simple on-board touch panel and USB audio interface for PC recording. With basic effects (limiter, low-cut) and three local presets, it is ideal if you are looking for a slim, stand-alone setup without an external tablet. You can find more information in our Mackie DLZ Creator XS review.
Zoom PodTrak P8
Robust, versatile and practical: four XLR preamps with separate headphone mix output per channel, eight color-coded trigger pads and dual SD card slots for redundant recording. The “Podcast” mode can be used to automate recordings and playouts. Intro, telephone guests or handset calls run via the built-in telephone interface. Although there is no touchscreen, large controls and buttons ensure smooth live mixing, ideal for workshop podcasts and live events. In our opinion, a solid model, but less intuitive than the models above. The PodTrak is also available in smaller versions, the P4 and P2, but these are more like cell phone recorders.
Boss GCS-5 Gigcaster5
Originally intended for guitarists, the GCS-5 theoretically also works as a podcast mixer: five XLR inputs, twelve pads (which can be transformed into three banks), an extensive voice FX section and even a looper function. All channels can be digitally recorded directly via a USB audio interface. The hardware processing is high-quality, the effects are practical (reverb, chorus, vocal enhancer) and the pad bank LEDs always give you clear feedback. If you love musical elements in podcasts, this kills two birds with one stone. And for a fair price.
Our budget tip: Zoom PodTrak P4 or Handy Recorder
The Zoom PodTrak P4 is a real lightweight among podcast mixers. Not only in terms of weight, but also in terms of operation. It offers four XLR inputs with separate volume control and headphone outputs for each channel, records directly to an SD card and also functions as a USB audio interface. Despite its compact size, there are even four freely assignable sound pads integrated, which can be used to record jingles or effects at the touch of a button.
But of course: The P4 is deliberately kept simple. No touch interface, no EQ, no effects. You won’t find Bluetooth or complex routing functions here either. But it is super mobile, even runs on batteries and is perfect for beginners or mobile podcast setups that simply need to work without a lot of technology around them.
Do you even need a mixer for your podcasts?
If you only sporadically record a solo episode, don’t use recordings and work with a good USB microphone anyway, an additional mixer is quickly oversized. But:
- Multiple microphones at the same time: guests, co-host or additional reporter?
- Live effects and jingles: intro, outro, ambient sounds on the fly?
- Flexible recording options: Directly to SD card, USB stick or computer?
Then a podcast mixer can take your workflow game to the next level.
Conclusion: Podcasting made easy with a podcast mixer:
With the right podcast mixing console, such as the Rødecaster Duo, you can create a really lean workflow and edit and upload a podcast episode almost as quickly as you record it. A real budget and outdoor tip for us is the Zoom H6, here you are super flexible on the go, but you can’t use effects.
The premium model for us is the Rødecaster Pro II, which is just ahead of the DLZ Creator from Mackie and makes professional podcasting really easy.
If you are still looking for a podcast microphone or podcast headphones, take a look at our website. We have everything you need for podcasting!
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