Let’s take an in-depth look at the Yamaha MG10XU USB audio mixing console. We’ll talk you through how to use the MG10XU, explain some of its key features, and give our overall opinion on using this mixer for live streaming and live events.
Quick Answer: We think the Yamaha MG10XU is a reliable workhorse, equally well suited to live streaming and live events. It has all the inputs you’ll need to work with audio from a variety of sources and plenty of controls to make the final mix sound great.
Best Uses For The Yamaha MG10XU
We have put these consoles through between 5000-7000 events, and they have never let us down. It’s safe to say the MG10XU is an extremely reliable audio mixer.
The Yamaha MG10XU is built for:
- Live streaming
- Video conferencing
- Live events
- Hybrid events
A live event that requires in-person event audio as well as streamed audio for online guests.
How to use the Yamaha MG10XU USB Audio Mixing Console
To give you an overview of using the MG10XU and explain some of its features, here’s a quick start guide to setting it up with a microphone.
Time needed: 5 minutes.
- Powering up
Connect the 3-pin locking power cable to the input on the back of the console and turn the power switch on. - Connecting USB in/out
Insert the USB cable into the back of the console and connect to your computer. This is a 2-in, 2-out connection, meaning you get stereo output from the mixer and two channels of audio coming back in from your computer. - Set the mixer as the audio source for your computer/recording software
- Resetting the mixer
To avoid any surprises, reset all of the mixer knobs to their initial position.
– Turn white and yellow knobs all the way down.
– Turn green and red knobs to the 12 o’clock position.
– Turn the red stereo level knob to the triangle (zero/unity) position.
– Turn off the “HPF” and “PAD” buttons - Connecting a microphone
Use an XLR cable to connect a microphone to the first available channel (1-4). All of the knobs under that input are known as the channel strip, and they will only affect that input. - Volume and gain
Set the level knob at the bottom of the channel strip to the triangle (zero/unity) position. You’ll notice there is no movement on the sound meter when you speak into the mic as we still need to set the gain.
The gain controls the preamp, which amplifies the weak signal coming in from the microphone. Increase the gain knob until the level meter shows -6 to 0 dB during normal speech. - High pass filter
Activate the high pass filter by pressing the “HPF” button under the XLR input on your mic channel. This helps to clean up any vocal audio by cutting off frequencies below 80 Hz. - 26 dB pad
The “PAD” button next to the high pass filter is for line-level inputs line drum machines or keyboards. Leave this off for microphone inputs. - EQ
EQ can help reduce feedback; try reducing either the high or mid-levels slightly if you’re having issues. If you turn down all three bands of EQ, you are essentially lowering the volume of your input. - Effects
Hit the FX on button, set the FX return level knob to the triangle position, and rotate the FX selector to activate your desired effect. Now you can adjust the amount of FX applied using the FX knob on the channel strip. Less is more! - Compression
Channels 1 and 2 have a one-knob compressor. This levels out the volume of your input by making quiet sounds louder and loud sounds quieter. - Phantom power
Condenser microphones need to be supplied with power from the audio mixer. Hit the phantom power button on your MG10XU if you connect a condenser microphone.
Yamaha MG10XU USB Audio Mixing Console Line Level Inputs
With an audio mixer as flexible as the MG10XU, microphones won’t be the only audio source you’ll want to connect. This console has plenty of line-level inputs that allow you to connect anything from a keyboard to a mobile phone.
- 4 x XLR / 1/4” combi inputs (1-4)
- 3 x Stereo pair 1/4” inputs (5/6 – 9/10)
Working With Line Level Inputs On The Yamaha MG10XU USB Audio Mixing Console
How do you work with these various line-level inputs? We’ll discuss connecting a stereo input using a pair of 1/4” connectors.
- XLR / 1/4” combi inputs
1. Plug the 1/4” connectors into 2 of the combi inputs.
2. Increase the volume level on both channels equally until you get the desired level.
3. This is stereo audio, so pan one channel to the left and the other to the right.
Only use the “PAD” button if the audio coming in is too loud. - Stereo pair 1/4” inputs
1. Plug the 1/4” connectors into a pair of stereo inputs.
2. Turn up the channel volume knob until you hit the desired level.
Yamaha MG10XU USB Audio Input
The USB connection between the mixer and your computer works in both directions. When activated, audio coming from your computer via USB is routed to channel 9/10. To switch between using this channel’s line-level inputs and USB, hit the button above the EQ knobs on the channel strip.
If you are sending audio back to your computer simultaneously, this will create a feedback loop. Hit the red “TO MON/TO ST” button to remove the incoming USB audio from the main stereo mix and keep it for local playback only.
Yamaha MG10XU USB Audio Mixing Console Pricing & Specs
- Yamaha MG10XU USB Audio Mixing Console: https://currentprice.io/mg10xu
- Shure SM58 Microphone: https://currentprice.io/shure_sm58
- 1/8″ to dual 1/4″ Jack: https://currentprice.io/14_to_dual_18
- Apple Headphone To Lightning Adapter: https://currentprice.io/lightning_18in
- USB 2.0 to USB-C Cable: https://currentprice.io/usbc_usbb
Yamaha MG10XU USB Audio Mixing Console | Setup & Review Topics
- 0:00 – Introduction
- 0:35 – Best Uses For MG10XU
- 0:52 – Powering Up
- 1:15 – Connecting USB In/Out
- 2:00 – Mixer Outputs & Resetting The Mixer
- 3:15 – Connecting A Microphone
- 4:08 – Volume & Gain Structure
- 5:25 – High Pass Filter
- 6:13 – 26 DB Pad
- 6:24 – EQ
- 7:23 – Effects
- 8:30 – Compression
- 9:00 – Phantom Power
- 9:15 – Line Level Input
- 11:42 – USB Input
- 12:54 – Final Thoughts
