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The best streaming mixers and audio interfaces will make managing your live-stream audio a blast.

Want to fade out your background music as your next round starts?

Best streaming mixer hero image showing a BEACN Mix Create next to a RodeCaster Duo

(Image credit: Future / Alex Berry)

Want to have programmable sound effects at the push of a button?

Then read on, budding streamers.

Like a lot of thebest gear for streaming, audio mixers don’t come cheap.

A RodeCaster Duo on a grey background

(Image credit: Future / Alex Berry)

We’ve tested plenty of audio interfaces designed for streaming, and sometimes even more demanding tasks.

Do you have an XLR mic, or a USB-C one?

This could determine which mixer you should grab.

BEACN Mix Create Product image on a grey background

Drag-and-drop never looked so good.

The BEACN Studio’s double USB-C ports will fix that.

Best for HDMI

The Streamer X is one of the jack-of-all-trades of the streaming and content creation market.

Yamaha ZG02 product render image

Thanks to its capture card abilities, this might be the go-to for multi-platform streams.

Keep reading to find out why we’d recommend this over Razer’s dedicated mixer.

With simple Adobe plugins, this equipment could do you favors.

Elgato Stream Deck + on a plain background

The best streaming mixer overall

1.

Hobbyists don’t need to spend this much.

Two USB-C inputs mean you’re able to integrate this easily into a single or double PC setup.

A black BEACN Studio featuring pink lighting on a plain background

Performance:This is quite simply all the streaming mixer you could ever need.

The best mixer and software combination

2.

Perhaps the biggest draw of this software?

Rode Streamer X on a grey background

Bespoke sub-mixes for your audience and your own ears.

You use a USB mic:This doesn’t have XLR support, so USB mics are better suited.

It stands just a little wider than its full-color 5-inch display and is available in white or black.

Razer Stream Controller X product image

This is a huge strength of Mix Create and something that was missing from all audio interfaces before it.

Features:What really runs the Mix Create show though, is BEACN’s intuitive software.

You also have the ability to add effects and otherwise route audio sources however you’d like.

Loupdeck Live product image on a grey background

In particular, we found that being able to differentiate between personal and chat mixes was a standout feature.

The best mixer for PS5

3.

Yamaha ZG02

The Yamaha ZG02 isn’t our favorite streaming mixer, and our review score reflects that.

RODECaster Duo wide shot on a black desk

(Image credit: Future / Alex Berry)

For that reason, it’s still worth buying.

You stream PS5 gameplay:The best thing about this mixer is its PS5 compatibility.

Also included is a toggle button for switching between headphone and speaker-out connections.

RODECaster Duo’s connection ports on its back

(Image credit: Future / Alex Berry)

Features:Around the back, however, is where this mixer redeems itself.

Its software, the terminology it uses, and the setup manuals make the initial setup a headache too.

Performance:From the above, you’ll see why this isn’t our favorite rig.

RodeCaster Duo under dim lighting with green RGB glowing from above it

(Image credit: Future / Duncan Robertson)

The best for most Twitch streamers

4.

As a mixer, the four dials are the star of the show.

They have a grippy machined surface making them feel precise to use.

RODECaster Duo’s soundboard and audio channels

(Image credit: Future / Alex BErry)

Performance:For managing your entire stream when live, the Deck + is a great option.

The best mixer for dual-PC setups

4.

Don’t go looking for Xbox Series X compatibility though.

RODECaster Duo’s mute and listening buttons up close

(Image credit: Future / Alex Berry)

You don’t use an XLR microphone:This isn’t one for USB mic enjoyers.

Thankfully, giving it some personality is a BEACN logo and a ring of RGB lighting around the twister.

Compatibility can stretch to the PS5, which is a big win over the RodeCaster Duo.

RODECaster Duo’s sliding audio level dials with the reviewer adjusting one

(Image credit: Future / Alex Berry)

Nintendo Switch players are also catered to, but sadly, Xbox Series X has been left behind.

This works exactly how it does on the Mix Create, so you essentially have unlimited audio channels.

The additional support for consoles is a huge win as well, giving you versatility outwith the PC realm.

RODECaster Duo’s touch display

(Image credit: Future / Alex Berry)

The best for HDMI audio

6.

Rode Streamer X

The Rode Streamer X is one of the streaming market’s truest jack of all trades.

A simple two knob setup allows you to adjust the gain of your microphone and headphone levels.

BEACN Mix Create display and tuning knobs, with the far left one being turned by the reviewer.

(Image credit: Alex Berry)

The audio side, however, is as you’d expect from a Rode product.

The best for Razer fans

7.

However, The Stream Controller X now has loads of audio-controlling capabilities, including MIDI support.

BEACN Mix Create display up close

(Image credit: Alex Berry)

You then have 15 Switchblade keys which you could assign to whatever functions you see fit.

In other words, this is a much more versatile machine than it seems.

The best for video editors

8.

BEACN Mix Create review hero image

(Image credit: Alex Berry)

A single USB-C connection is all that you better hook it up to your PC or laptop too.

Features:Perhaps the best thing about the Loupedeck Live is its Adobe Creative Suite plugins.

The best streaming mixer: FAQs

What is the best mixer for live streaming?

BEACN Mix Create up close while sitting on a desk

(Image credit: Alex Berry)

Do I need an audio mixer to stream?

What is a mixer used for in streaming?

Should you buy a Go:XLR in 2024?

BEACN Mix Create review image with the various buttons displaying in different colours, with the reviewer pressing a red one.

(Image credit: Alex Berry)

Yamaha ZG02’s plain black chassis

(Image credit: Future / Duncan Robertson)

Yamaha ZG02’s volume faders under blue RGB lighting

(Image credit: Future / Duncan Robertson)

Yamaha ZG02 rear IO ports under blue lighting

(Image credit: Future / Duncan Robertson)

Yamaha ZG02 review image front-on

(Image credit: Future / Duncan Robertson)

Yamaha ZG02 review image showing the singular fader on the mixer’s face

(Image credit: Future / Duncan Robertson)

Yamaha ZG02’s microphone gain switch and mute button

(Image credit: Future / Duncan Robertson)

Yamaha ZG02 on a gaming desk under blue RGB lighting

(Image credit: Future / Duncan Robertson)

Elgato Stream Deck+

(Image credit: Future/Alex Berry)

Elgato Stream Deck+

(Image credit: Future/Alex Berry)

Elgato Stream Deck+

(Image credit: Future/Alex Berry)

Elgato Stream Deck+

(Image credit: Future/Alex Berry)

Elgato Stream Deck+

(Image credit: Future/Alex Berry)

The BEACN Studio’s dial being turned by a reviewer

(Image credit: Future / Alex Berry)

The back of the BEACN Studio with two USB cables connected to it

(Image credit: Future / Alex Berry)

The BEACN Studio’s singular scroll wheel up close with a red light highlighting it

(Image credit: Future / Alex Berry)

The BEACN Studio on a black desk

(Image credit: Future / Alex Berry)

The BEACN Studio on a woodgrain table

(Image credit: Future / Alex Berry)

RODE Streamer X switched on and being used by a reviewer, showing the multiple touchpads and lights operating

(Image credit: Future / Alex Berry)

RODE Streamer X while switched off, showing its dials and touchpads

(Image credit: Future / Alex Berry)

RODE Streamer X up close

(Image credit: Future / Alex Berry)

RODE Streamer X’s various IO ports

(Image credit: Future / Alex Berry)

RODE Streamer X’s audio controls up close

(Image credit: Future / Alex Berry)

Razer Stream Controller X with the reviewer’s hand pressing one of its keys

(Image credit: Alex Berry)

Razer Stream Controller X separated into its three components

(Image credit: Alex Berry)

Razer Stream Controller X from the side while sat on a desk

(Image credit: Alex Berry)

Razer Stream Controller X hero image with some red lighting in the right hand side

(Image credit: Alex Berry)

Loupedeck Live streaming controller

(Image credit: Future/Alex Berry)

Loupedeck Live streaming controller

(Image credit: Future/Alex Berry)

Loupedeck Live streaming controller

(Image credit: Future/Alex Berry)

Loupedeck Live streaming controller

(Image credit: Future/Alex Berry)

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