Let’s compare the Yamaha AG06 audio mixer to the Yamaha MG10XU audio mixer. Although both of these mixers are from the same company, they have different applications and different benefits.

Quick Answer: If you’re looking for an audio mixer for home recording and live streaming, the Yamaha AG06 is perfect for you. If you’re looking to cover live events along with some home recording and live streaming, the Yamaha MG10XU is the best option.

Phantom Power 

Both Yamaha AG06 and Yamaha MG10XU can supply +48v of phantom power. But, it is available for only the first channel on Yamaha AG06. In contrast, all four XLR inputs on Yamaha MG10XU have phantom power. 

Preamps

When it comes to preamps, both Yamaha AG06 and Yamaha MG10XU offer the same quality. The gain of Yamaha AG06 is not specified, but it provides the same performance, in terms of volume, as Yamaha MG10XU. 

In terms of noise, both the devices have the same performance.

Channel processing

Both devices offer several channel editing options. AG06 has digital compression, EQ, and effect mode, while MG10XU has compression, 3-band EQ, and reverb. 

Another major difference is that compression and effects in AG06 are all controlled by software when you connect the device to your computer, whereas in MG10XU, you can control compression, EQ and effects by turning the knobs built on the console.  

Power

Yamaha AG06 is bus-powered, whereas MG10XU uses an external power supply and doesn’t receive any power over the USB input and output.  

AG06 also has another USB input at the back, which can be used to connect a power bank/battery bank if you want to record with a device that cannot power it on its own, such as an iPad. 

Both the devices come with a power switch.  With MG10XU, you can turn on and turn off the switch whenever you want. But, if you turn off the power switch of AG06, you have to wait for at least 10 seconds before you can turn it on again. Otherwise, the device won’t work properly. 

Combination Jack Inputs

AG06 has two combination jack inputs, while MG10XU comes with 4 XLR combination jack inputs. 

The first channel of AG06 can be used to plug in a condenser or dynamic microphone because it has phantom power. The second input doesn’t have phantom power, but it comes with a guitar mode, which means you can plug in a dynamic microphone using an XLR cable, or you can use a ¼ inch cable for line-level input from piano or keyboard, etc. It also accepts an instrument-level ¼ cable, such as electric guitar. There is an amp simulator/amp sim as well for the second channel, which can add pretty good basic distortion and effects for the electric guitar. 

In contrast, you can use any microphone in any of the MG10XU inputs. And, you can also use any of them for ¼ inch instrument-level or line-level inputs.

Other Inputs

MG10XU offers a lot more connectivity options compared to AG06.  

AG06 has a ¼ inch stereo line-level input and RCA. There is also a headphone jack input for an AUX cable. On the other hand, MG10XU has three sets of line-level inputs as well as RCA inputs for the first two channels/sets. For the last channel/set, you can also use the input from the USB from your computer. 

Outputs

In terms of output, MG10XU offers more options.

AG06 has stereo outputs, which are balanced ¼ inch outputs. In addition, there are output jacks for connecting to a pair of local studio monitors. And there is also an output jack for connecting to your headphones. 

MG10XU has two XLR outputs, so you don’t have to convert these outputs from ¼ inch. There are two separate balanced ¼ inch outputs and left and right monitor outputs. It also has a headphone output.  

MG10XU also has an FX Send. If the effects are turned off, you can use the FX Send as AUX send for a floor monitor or a wedge. 

Other Features

One of the things that set AG06 apart from MG10XU is its USB section/TO PC section.  It comes with three different modes; Dry Channel 1-2, Input Mix, and LOOPBACK mode, which is the same as the Input Mix except that it allows you to grab a USB feed from your computer.

Multi-track Recording

Both devices can only multi-track two channels at a time. 

For AG06, you can turn Dry Channel 1-2 to multi-track and send both of the inputs separately to your computer. On MG10XU, you can trick your computer into multi-track recording two different channels by panning one channel to the left, one to the right, which splits up the stereo output. You can also send the whole audio mix to your computer on both devices.

The difference between the two is, Channel 1-2 on AG06 ignores all your compression and effects while recording, whereas, on MG10XU, all your effects get saved into the recording. For example, if you do a low cut on both of your input sources, it will be recorded in the audio file. 

Home recording

Both devices have the same quality when it comes to home recording, but AG06 is better as it is smaller.

Live Streaming

Both devices provide similar quality for live streaming.

While AG06 has loopback mode, you can accomplish the same thing with MG10XU by turning on the USB input and running it through the mixer. But, AG06 allows more detailed compression, EQ, and effects and gives you more control.

Live sound  

For live sound, MG10XU is a lot better because it offers more inputs, and you usually need more inputs/microphones, etc., for live events. 

Yamaha AG06 vs Yamaha MG10XU Specs


Yamaha AG06
Yamaha MG10XU
Power
Powered over USB
External power supply
Power Switch
Yes 
Yes
Phantom Power
+48v
+48v
USB connectivity
USB-B 
USB-B
Bit Depth
24 
24 
Sample Rate (kHz)
44.1-196 
44.1-196
Gain Range 
Not listed
64 dB
EIN
-128
-128
Channel Editing
Yes
Yes
Combination Jack Inputs
Yes, 2 inputs
4 inputs
Line Input
Yes
Yes
XLR Output
No 
2
Balanced ¼ inch Outputs
Yes
Yes
Compression
Software based
One Knob
EQ
Software based
Yes, 3-band

Yamaha AG06 vs Yamaha MG10XU Equipment

USB-B To C Cable: A USB B to C cable is used to connect your computer/Mac book (with a Type-C port) to a device with a USB-B port, such as an audio mixer, printer, etc.

USB-B To A Cable: A USB B to A is used to connect the Type-A end to your computer and Type B end to your printer, audio mixer, etc.  

XLR Cable:  XLR cable is an electrical connector that is widely used for home recording and live recording. 

Yamaha AG06 vs Yamaha MG10XU Pricing

To help you find the best price of these mixers, we’ve linked the most up-to-date price from a variety of online retailers below

Yamaha AG06 vs Yamaha MG10XU Topics

  • 0:00 – Introduction
  • 0:25 – Pricing & Specs
  • 0:56 – Phantom Power
  • 1:21 – USB Specs & Connectivity
  • 1:48 – Preamp & Gain
  • 2:32 – Channel Processing (EQ, Compression, FX)
  • 3:13 – External Power
  • 4:32 – Yamaha AG06 Overview
  • 7:24 – Yamaha MG10XU Overview
  • 9:32 – Home Recording Recommendation
  • 11:59 – Live Streaming Recommendation
  • 13:22 – Live Events Recommendation
  • 15:24 – Overall Comparison
  • 16:01 – Final Thoughts