Podcasting Guide | PoducateMe

Printable copies of the guide are available for purchase and immediate download at

Visit the PoducateMe Web site to review a wide selection of interfaces listed in the

site’s Interfaces section (http://poducateme.com/hardware/#interfaces).

Next, lets have a look at outboard mixers.

Outboard Mixers

For decades, professional studios have relied on outboard mixers to combine audio from

multiple instruments and effects into a singular, polished audio stream, suitable for

recording. The mixing board allows the operator precise control over the recording levels,

balance, equalization and effects applied to individual sounds or channels (tracks) as

they are blended down into the final mix. In addition, most mixers will provide

preamplification (phantom power) to connected microphones. As discussed previously in

this guide, condenser mics require preamplification in order to output recordable, line-

level audio (unless the microphone uses a battery). If your microphone requires phantom

power, make sure you purchase a mixer that is able to deliver it.

Upon seeing a mixer for the first time, some people may feel a bit intimidated by all the

inputs, outputs, buttons, knobs and sliders. When you take the time to study the board,

however, it should all begin to make sense.

Lets look at the Behringer Eurorack UB802 ($50) in Figure 14 to get an idea of the layout

and functions of a typical mixer. Many podcasters purchase Behringer mixers, as they

are very affordable and come in many configurations.