MyStreamSetup.

Comparisons / Mixers

Streaming mixers and production consoles compared

Compare six current production interfaces by the sources they accept and the outputs they can serve. A video switcher and an audio mixer have different jobs.

Choose by the job

Multiple HDMI sources

ATEM Mini Pro brings four HDMI inputs into an HD video switching workflow. Its presence does not add XLR microphone preamps.

Two microphone production

RØDECaster Duo and Wave XLR Pro are candidates for two XLR voices; inspect mix, monitoring and recording requirements separately.

A simpler recording interface

Scarlett 2i2 can be sufficient when the software owns the mixing job. Hardware faders are not necessary to route two input channels.

Wave software routing

Wave XLR MK.2 and Pro belong to distinct hardware generations with different connection counts. Match the exact product and Wave Link requirement.

Combined audio and capture

Streamer X places an audio and HDMI role together. Decide whether both roles fit before treating integration as a benefit.

An independent guest return

Name the stream, monitor, chat and recording outputs. The correct mixer is the one that can create the required route without recapturing the same source.

Compare the current models

6 models. Compare the connections and modes your setup needs, then read the profile for cables, mounts and limitations.

Decision fieldElgato Wave XLR MK.2Elgato Wave XLR ProFocusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th GenRØDE Streamer XRØDE RØDECaster DuoBlackmagic ATEM Mini Pro
Inputs1 XLR microphone2 XLR; 3.5 mm stereo line2 microphone preamps; 2 line/instrument inputsXLR/TRS mic or instrument; 3.5 mm TRRS headset; RODE Series IV wireless; HDMI audio2 mic/instrument/line combo inputs; 1 TRRS headset I/O; RODE USB microphone support2 3.5 mm stereo
Outputs3.5 mm headphone; USB-C host2 headphones; 3.5 mm stereo line; USB host; USB aux2 line outputs; 1 headphone output3.5 mm TRRS headset; 1/4-inch headphone; USB2 headphone outputs; Balanced monitor outputs; USB interfacesNot confirmed
Preamp gain (dB)8080697676Not confirmed
48 V supplied48 VYes48 VYesYesNot confirmed
Direct monitorYesYesYesYesYesNot confirmed
LoopbackYesNot confirmedYesNot confirmedYesNot confirmed
Mix-minusNot confirmedNot confirmedNot confirmedYesAvailable on both USB interfacesNot confirmed
Connector3-pin XLR; USB-C; 3.5 mm headphoneUSB-C; XLR; 3.5 mm TRS; 6.3 mm TRSUSB-C host; 2 XLR mic; 2 1/4-inch line/instrument; 2 1/4-inch line out; 1 1/4-inch headphoneHDMI 2.0 input; HDMI 2.0 passthrough; 2 USB-C; XLR/TRS combo; 3.5 mm TRRS headset; 1/4-inch headphone2 XLR/TRS combo; 3.5 mm TRRS headset; 2 USB-C data; Dedicated USB-C power; Ethernet; 2 1/4-inch headphone; 2 1/4-inch balanced line out4 HDMI Type A inputs; 1 HDMI program output; USB-C 3.1 Gen 1; Gigabit Ethernet; 2 3.5 mm stereo audio inputs
ProtocolUSB 2.0USB 2.0 High-Speed host; USB 2.0 Full-Speed auxUSB 2.0Not confirmedNot confirmedNot confirmed
Host OSWindows 11+; macOS 14.2+Windows 11+; macOS 14.2+Windows on Intel, AMD or ARM64; macOS on Intel or Apple siliconWindows 10 version 1803+; macOS 11+ for RODECaster app; macOS 12+ for UNIFYWindows 10 version 1803+; Windows 11; macOS 10.15+Windows 10 or 11; macOS 14 Sonoma or 15 Sequoia+
Included partsWave XLR MK.2; USB-C to USB-C cable, 150 cm; Quick Start GuideUSB-C cable (150 cm); Quick Start GuideScarlett 2i2 4th Gen; 1 m USB-C to USB-A cableStreamer X; SC27 USB-C cable; Power adapterRODECaster Duo; Power adapter; SC27 USB-C to USB-C cableATEM Mini Pro; External 12 V DC power supply with international socket adapters
Main checkIts single microphone preamp suits one XLR speaker. Choose an interface with two independent mic inputs when two people need separate gain controls.Connect the streaming computer to the USB host socket. Reserve the auxiliary USB connection for the second device and assign each return separately.Loopback alone does not remove a guest’s voice from their return. Build a separate mix-minus route before using remote guests, or choose a mixer with that routing available.Set capture output separately from the display passthrough mode. Configure the audio returns before going live so HDMI audio and computer loopback do not reach OBS twice.Assign the stream, headphones and guest return explicitly. Exclude the guest’s own voice from their return, then record a call to check the mix before going live.Plan an HD stream from its USB webcam output. If your recording must be 4K, choose a capture path that documents 4K output instead of treating its HDMI inputs as 4K capture.

*A maximum mode is conditional on software, host bandwidth and color format. Resolution, HDR and frame-rate maxima must not be combined without the exact mode matrix.

Where each model fits

Three limits of this comparison

  1. The family mixes audio interfaces and a video switcher deliberately to expose role differences; it is not a universal best-mixer ranking.
  2. USB device count does not by itself establish support for two host computers or independent mixes.
  3. Standalone operation, memory-card recording and software-only features must be checked for the exact model.

Keep existing equipment separate

Current recommendations and owned legacy products answer different questions. An older device can remain useful in a documented, tested setup. It is kept in the owned-gear builder, while this table uses the current catalog. Colorways are not separate recommendations, and a new generation does not inherit the previous model’s exact requirements.

For a complete connection plan, open the audio routing builder. The result should resolve the missing port, route or capability before it sends you to a merchant.

Sources