Trying to figure out the best Yamaha MG10XU streaming setup? In this article, we’ll go over everything you need to know to use the Yamaha MG10XU audio mixing console for your online video streaming or video conferencing.
Quick Answer: The Yamaha MG10XU is a capable audio mixing console equipped to receive sound from various sources. The key to delivering optimal sound to your streaming computer via USB is setting the gain and level of each input correctly.
We had a lot of requests for a video on the best live stream setup with the Yamaha MG10XU. You asked we delivered; we’re going to show you how to connect 3 different types of microphones, a phone, and a laptop to your MG10XU.
We’ll talk you through a fictional scenario where you’re live-streaming a podcast through OBS with 3 presenters and game video/audio from a second gaming laptop.
We’re working on the assumption that you have 2 computers; one for gaming and one for streaming.
Video From Gaming PC To OBS
Before we touch on the audio, we need to send video to our streaming computer from our gaming computer.
How to configure a video source in OBS:
- Plug a video capture card into the streaming computer
This plugs into the USB port on your streaming laptop and converts the incoming HDMI signal. - Connect the gaming computer to the streaming computer
Gaming computer HDMI out > HDMI Cable > Capture card HDMI in - Open OBS on the streaming computer & add the video source
Open OBS > Hit “+” to add new device > Select video capture device > Name the source and hit “OK” > Select Cam Link 4K from the device list > Hit “OK”.
MG10XU Streaming Settings for OBS
Connecting the Yamaha MG10XU to the streaming computer is as simple as running a USB cable from the output on the console to one of the USB ports on the computer.
How to configure a sound source in OBS:
- Hit “+” to add a new device in OBS
- Select “audio input capture”
- Name the source and hit “OK”
- Select “MG-XU” from the device drop-down list and hit “OK”.
- Make sure to mute the laptop’s built-in microphone on the OBS audio mixer.
Shure SM58 Setup (Gain Overview)
Plugging the SM58 into one of the Yamaha MG10XU’s XLR inputs is pretty self-explanatory, but a lot of people complain that the USB output from this mixer is too quiet.
Most people go wrong because they expect the master stereo output level to affect the USB audio output. That is simply not true; everything comes from the main pad of the console, skips the stereo level, goes straight to USB.
So, if the audio is too quiet, it’s because the gain is set up incorrectly.
How to set the gain for sufficient volume:
- Turn the channel level knob all the way to the triangle (zero/unity)
- Increase the channel gain
Increase the gain until the meter on the MG10XU reads zero when you speak normally into the mic.
Shure SM7B Setup
The Shure SM7B has a notoriously high gain requirement, with many people saying you have to use a Cloudlifter. We don’t believe this is true.
All you need to do is work through the same steps as we did for the SM58. Maxing out the gain and level knobs on the Yamaha MG10XU, and adding some compression, we are able to get a good level from the SM7B in OBS.
Yes, a Cloudlifter would give you more headroom, allowing you to add less gain at the mixer, but the point we wanted to make is that you can good results from the console alone.
Condenser Microphone Setup (Phantom Power Information)
The process for setting gain and level for a condenser microphone, like the AKG C3000B, is exactly the same as it was for the SM58. However, you’ll need to supply a condenser mic with phantom power for it to work properly.
There is a lot of confusion surrounding phantom power, with people saying it will damage dynamic microphones like the SM58. This is just not true. Sure, some dynamic microphones can be damaged by phantom power, but any typical, balanced dynamic mic will be just fine.
In 15 years of working events, we’ve mixed dynamic and condenser mics thousands of times without a problem.
Compression Overview
The volume of your voice will change naturally if you get excited or are focused and really getting into the game. Compression helps to level these changes out without you having to adjust the volume constantly.
The Yamaha MG10XU’s one-knob compressor adds up to 7dB of gain as you turn the knob. So, you may need to compensate for this by reducing the gain knob a little.
H2 Audio From Gaming PC
We recommend using a 1/8” headphone to dual 1/4” cable to connect the gaming computer to the MG10XU.
- Plug the 1/8” connector into the gaming computer’s headphone jack
- Plug the dual 1/4” connectors into the MG10XU
Use a stereo pair input on the MG10XU, e.g., channels 5/6. It’s important to match the right (red) connector to the right channel input. - Play audio on the gaming laptop to set the level knob on the MG10XU
Make sure the laptop is set to output audio through the laptop speakers and not the HDMI output.
Mix-Minus Setup for Phone Interview & FX Send Tutorial
When you have a guest calling into your stream, you want them to be able to hear your whole mix; all 3 presenter microphones and the laptop audio. But you don’t want them to be able to hear themselves.
The mix-minus setup allows you to do just that.
- Connect headset adapter to phone
Plug the adapter’s TRRS connector into the headset jack on your phone. If your phone doesn’t have a headset jack, you’ll need an additional adapter. In the case of iPhones, use a lightning to headset adapter. - Connect mixer aux send to headset adapter XLR connector
Use a TRS to XLR adapter to link them. - Connect headset adapter stereo out to mixer
Use a 1/8” to dual 1/4” adapter to connect the headset adapter headphone jack to a stereo pair input on your mixer. - Aux send settings
Turn up the aux send level on the mixer channels you want the person on the phone to hear. Make sure the zero the aux send for the phone audio return channel to avoid the caller hearing themselves. - Set the level for the audio coming in from the phone
Headphone Jack, Monitor Mixes & USB Return in 9/10
If you’re gaming, normally, you’ll want to hear everything that’s going on. The Yamaha MG10XU has a button next to the monitor/phones level knob that lets you switch between listening to the monitor channel and the stereo output.
Why would you want to change? The USB connection on the MG10XU gives you the option to have audio coming in from the streaming computer too. To do this, press down the Line/USB button on the channel 9/10 strip. Make sure the red Mon/St button is up to avoid a feedback loop.
Now you have the choice of listening to the main stereo mix or added audio from the streaming computer on the monitor channel.
Yamaha MG10XU Streaming Setup Equipment Prices
- Yamaha MG10XU Audio Console: https://currentprice.io/yamaha_mg10
- Shure SM58 Dynamic Microphone: https://currentprice.io/shure_sm58
- Shure SM7B Studio Microphone: https://currentprice.io/shure_sm7b
- Cloudlifter CL-1 (optional with SM7B): https://currentprice.io/cloudlifter
- AKG C3000B Condenser Microphone: https://currentprice.io/akg_c3000
- 6′ Color XLR Cables: https://currentprice.io/xlr_cable
- 1/8″ to Dual 1/4″ Cable: https://currentprice.io/14_to_dual_18
- Lightning to Headset Adapter: https://currentprice.io/lightning_18in
- Headset Adapter: https://currentprice.io/trs_to_mixer
- Balanced 1/4″ to XLR Adapter: https://currentprice.io/trs_xlr
- Headphones: https://currentprice.io/hd280pro
- Camlink 4k: https://currentprice.io/camlink
- 6′ HDMI Cable: https://currentprice.io/6ft_hdmi
Yamaha MG10XU Streaming Setup Topics
- 0:00 – Introduction
- 1:14 – Video From Gaming PC To OBS
- 2:19 – MG10XU Streaming Settings for OBS
- 3:03 – Shure SM58 Setup (Gain & Compression Overview)
- 6:24 – Shure SM7B Setup
- 7:40 – Condenser Microphone Setup
- 8:27 – Phantom Power Information
- 9:58 – Audio From Gaming PC
- 12:05 – Mix-Minus Setup for Phone Interview & FX Send Tutorial
- 15:55 – Headphone Jack, Monitor Mixes & USB Return in 9/10
- 18:04 – Final Thoughts
