In this article, we’ll show you how to connect an audio mixer to the PreSonus AudioBox 96 USB Audio Interface for streaming and recording with additional inputs.

Quick Answer: You need to use a DI box between the mixer and interface to reduce your mixer’s line-level signal to something more appropriate for the PreSonus AudioBox’s instrument-level inputs.

• PreSonus AudioBox USB 96 Audio Interface: https://currentprice.io/audiobox

Audio Mixers With USB Connectivity

The PreSonus AudioBox is an excellent solution for using a non-USB audio mixer, like the Yamaha MG10, with your computer. 

However, it’s totally unnecessary if you have a more modern USB-compatible mixer like the Yamaha MG10XU. We’re big fans of simple solutions with fewer points of failure!

Line Level, Instrument Level, & Mic Level

Uniquely, the PreSonus AudioBox doesn’t have line-level 1/4″ inputs; it has mic-level XLR-1/4″ instrument-level combi jacks instead. This creates a problem as mixers deliver a line-level signal, which is way too hot for either of these inputs.

We demo this in the accompanying video but suffice to say, it’s way too loud. Thankfully there is a solution to deal with this in the form of a DI box, which reduces the line-level signal to something more manageable.

How To Connect An Audio Mixer To The PreSonus AudioBox 96 USB Audio Interface

You can connect various audio sources to your mixer, but for demonstration purposes, we’ll walk you through a simple microphone setup.

How To Connect Audio Mixer To PreSonus AudioBox

Audio Mixer & PreSonus AudioBox Gain Settings

We like to get things right in the mixer and aim to have our audio sources peak at 0 on the level meter. However, once we start working with audio software, we want the level shown on the software’s meter to fall in a particular range.

• Recording: -12 dB to -18 dB
• Live streaming: -6 dB to 0 dB

Don’t be afraid to go back to the mixer to change your initial gain setting if your audio isn’t peaking in this region.

Audio Mixer & PreSonus AudioBox Pricing

• PreSonus AudioBox USB 96 Audio Interface: https://currentprice.io/audiobox
• Yamaha MG10 Audio Mixer : https://currentprice.io/yamaha_mg10
• Radial ProD2 DI Box: https://currentprice.io/radial_prod2
• Balanced 1/4″ Cable: https://currentprice.io/trs_cable
• XLR Cable: https://currentprice.io/xlr_cable
• Mic Stand: https://currentprice.io/desk_stand

Audio Mixer & PreSonus AudioBox Topics

• 0:00 – Introduction
• 0:22 – Audio Mixer with USB
• 0:49 – Line Level, Instrument Level, Mic Level
• 1:14 – Connect XLR Microphone To Audio Mixer
• 1:40 – Audio Mixer Gain Setup
• 2:14 – Connecting Mixer Directly to AudioBox
• 3:28 – Connecting Mixer to DI Box then to AudioBox
• 4:50 – Everything Connected
• 5:44 – Phantom Power
• 5:58 – Final Thoughts