Yamaha MG12XU 12-Input 4-Bus Mixer with Effects

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.

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

The good: Sound quality is superior. The build quality is superior. Decent price compared to other solid mixers. I could not believe the difference between this one and the cheaper one i replaced with this.The bad: I wish the outputs were on the back instead of on the top. It doesnt come with rack ears.The price: Is it more expensive than some of the cheaper models? NO. When you consider the cost of the cheaper one, with the cost of the swear jar, this one ends up being far less expensive.Don't waste time on junk. Save yourself the headache and just get a quality mixer to begin with.

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 rarely write review but I feel I need to share my experience. Hope it would help someone.I will not restate how great this board is because all the good reviews are true. I love this beautiful and powerful board. All the features are awesome and the sound is wonderful. I love the effects and on the fly adjustments. Even the adaptor connector is of professional grade.There is one thing I don't like, and that's a deal breaker. Several users complained recording through the USB yielded weak signal. I did some Internet research but found nothing. When I received the board, I read the USB recording section in the manual right away. According to the manual, we need to route the signal to "Monitor" (do not press "ST") AND mute "Monitor/Phones" (press the mute button) to record through the USB port. In that situation, in order to monitor, we need to use the computer's headphone out. So, the band can all play but everyone needs to somehow manage to monitor through the computer's headphone jack. In the karaoke situation, it's hopeless: since the signal must be routed to stereo out or monitor out so everybody can hear what the singer is performing, only extremely low level of signal "bleeds" through the USB port for recording. So, the band cannot go live and record at the same time. I tested, and that was what happened, like the manual said. So, in short, the sound can either go to stereo/monitor or to the USB port for recording. That's true. (Please let me know there is another way, I will reorder this board).I don't understand why the engineers decided to make that board less versatile like that. To me it is like a design flaw (but it is not, of course). I hope the future version will provide users with reasonable recording capability. Still don't understand why it's so hard. It's a Yamaha.Eventually I keep the Yamaha AG06. It is a wonderful piece of equipment.