In this comparison, we look at Yamaha MG10XU USB Audio Mixer and the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 USB Audio Interface. What do we see when we compare Yamaha MG10XU vs Focusrite Scarlett 2i2?
Yamaha MG10XU Audio Mixer
The Yamaha MG10XU audio mixer is a compact ten-input mixer with built-in effects for live events, live streaming, hybrid events, and home studios.
This audio mixer has four mic/line combo inputs with D-PRE mic preamps as well as six 1/4″ line inputs with stereo level controls. It also features a built-in USB interface that can stream at 24-bit / 192 kHz.
Yamaha MG10XU Audio Mixer Pricing: https://currentprice.io/mg10xu
Scarlett 2i2 Audio Interface
The Scarlett 2i2 audio interface is absolutely perfect for recording vocals and instruments. Its two microphone preamps feature a switchable Air circuit, which adds a boost of the upper frequencies and a subtle analog distortion. The two XLR-1/4″ combo can be used for microphones, instruments, or line-level inputs.
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Audio Interface Pricing: https://currentprice.io/scarlett_2i2
Preamp Comparison
Let’s look at the gain provided by the preamps of the Yamaha and Scarlett.
- The Yamaha has a gain of: 64 dB
- The Scarlett has a gain of: 56 dB
We can see that the Yamaha has 8 dB of additional gain, does it come at a cost of additional noise?
- The Scarlett has a noise of: -128 dBu
- The Yamaha has a noise of: -128 dBu
We can see that the Yamaha MG10XU is more powerful while introducing just as much noise in the preamps when using an XLR cable to connect a microphone.
Main Purpose
These are two very different devices when it comes to the main purpose. We do have plenty of content to help compare audio mixers vs audio interfaces but we’re also going to cover it below. We believe the strengths of each device are as follows:
The Scarlett 2i2 is best at:
- Multitrack recording
- Portability
The Yamaha MG10XU is best at:
- Live Events
- Live Streaming
- Hybrid Events
Related: Audio Interface vs Audio Mixer
Yamaha MG10XU & Scarlett 2i2 Pricing
- Yamaha MG10XU Audio Mixing Console: https://currentprice.io/mg10xu
- Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Audio Interface: https://currentprice.io/scarlett_2i2
