Yamaha MG16XU 16-Input 6-Bus Mixer with Effects

Originally I was gonna buy a Rockville powered mixer but since Yamaha seems to already have a good reputation I decided to buy this one, I don’t regret the decision, the mixers quality is on top for its price, it does its job for our live gigs, we play Mexican music so we use separate channels to link up bass so the tweeters don’t pop, the Yamaha mixer mg16xu is so easy to use when you understand how one channel works, don’t get overwhelmed because of all the knobs, it’s very easy to use, hands down this is one of the best mixers for its price.

I must admit, I'm not an expert in audio. However, I have need of a mixer that can connect my various devices into a laptop for future capturing. The Yamaha MG10XU fills all that I need. It has many channels (10 channels) with various options. It even has a selection sound effects that modulates the sound should one desire.The important thing that I needed from it is that it has XLR input, it has USB connectivity to link to the laptop, and that it has RCA input to feed from my preamp. It does all of that. Also worth mentioning, it's a decent size - not too big or too small. It's just perfect where it sits on my desk. Another thing is that it is a hefty thing - it doesn't feel cheap whatsoever. So far, I've only tested the audio with the RCA in channel 7/8 - it sounds clean. Once I get a mic hooked into it I'm quite sure it'll be great.

This is a high quality, great sounding mixer that's easy to set up and use. I originally bought the 10 channel version to connect media source (iTunes/Apple Music) to existing amplifier for practicing drums. Once I got it, I connected a few low quality mics to my Kick and snare drum and Oh Man! this really woke up my drums. I immediately bought the 12 channel version to mic up the rest of my drums (8 pc set) and record my playing.PROs: Easy set up (plug and play to MacBook via USB for playback (Apple Music) and recording (Garage Band) with great sound using 5 low end mics. (2 overhead, kick, hats and snare). FX really adds to overall sound/experience. Excellent mixer for live performances.CONs: Only has 6 mic inputs and 6 balanced (RCA-1/4" Phono jacks) so I wasn't able to mic up my additional 6 toms (used overhead mics for toms and cymbals). Also, the "final mix" is done on the mixer itself, pre recording, meaning the output is stereo only (2 tracks using left/right if you use pan knobs on 2 channels) vs. multi track recording, so no adjustments/fine tuning can be done on individual channels/mics in the mix post recording.Due to the cons and wanting "best of both worlds" (live performance with multi track recording) and more importantly, more mic inputs for toms. I ended up returning this mixer.I've considered the 16 and 20 channel versions of this mixer by Yamaha but overall cost would get me more inputs but still not have multitrack adjustment flexibility post recording.Leaning towards an audio interface by PreSonus or Focusrite for recording and possibly feed the output of that to the 6 or 10 channel Yamaha MG**XU for live/practice.This is a great mixer and sorry I had to return it. I would definitely recommend this mixer if you don't need excessive mic inputs with multi track, post recording processing.

...Then number one thing on stage is how you sound, however, lookinggood (as best we can) is also important.Yamaha goes out of there way to make us look bad and create dangeroustrip hazards;The cord is sent to you wadded up in a figure at , so you have a serpintinepower cord that will always look like trash and become a trip hazard, add insultto injury they give you a humongous power supply , that is in the middle of the cord,it should be integrated or a foot or so from the wall socket/power source end.There is NO excuse for anyone to send you a waded up figure 8 cord, a roundcoil never takes up more room and runs a straight line when you uncoil it,shame on yamaha, not to go over the trip hazard again, but it is also there.One last minor issue is that I would prefer the grounds on the balanced miccords to be reversed or oriented toward the top or backside of the mixer, causeI like to used 90angle low profile balanced outs, so the can only run straightacross the board in my case.Thats the bad stuff , now the good;Love the unit itself, I didn't even open the manual if it came with one, prettyintuitive if you've ever had a mixing board with onboard effects.The effects are limited to one at a time or a preset mix, which is really bad forsome, but I'm fine with it, I only need one basic sound. I like effect 4, I turn itway up on my vocal channel and about 1/2 or less in the global sound prettynatural to my ears.The unit itself also looks great, layout is good, sound is great, of course you needdecent active/powered speakers to go along with it and a good mic , as is truein most cases today.There is no noise when I turn the power switch on or off, while speakers areon, bravo, that is nice.I place this on a music stand, with notepad by its side, I have the music standfixed, so the tray can't possibly swivel, before I locked it in by drilling and boltingthe weight of the unit would cause it to spill everything on the ground, musicstands aren't made for that kind of weight, but it makes things very convenient,and when fixed' , pretty bullet proof. I strap cables to the stand so they exitthe area low as opposed to high, you can figure out why lol.....I read numerous reviews on like priced boards, chose this one , with maybe a featurehere or there missing, or features I don't need added, but the cores is there andreliability was rated above pretty much all the others, so for an extra $20.00 approx,I got something that I have a pretty good idea won't develope scratchy/noisy pots,and naggling fails after 6 mos or a year.One issue that many of you will see as a plus is the connectivity , I did not wantany of that, I just wanted a great live performance machine, and hoped that thedevelopement money and components would not suffer do to features thatI don't need nor want.Overall, I'm very happy with the board itself.

I play on all diffrent size stages, sometime I need 24 inputs, sometimes only 6. this one is perfect and very powerfull . and great price