- Hi, I'm Jordan from Kettner Creative.
In this video, we're gonna compare
the Mackie ProFX10v3 audio console
to the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 audio interface.
Now, we have another video
just comparing generic USB audio mixers
to USB audio interfaces,
but a lot of the people that watch our videos
wanted to see the comparison
specifically between the Mackie ProFX
and the Focusrite Scarlett.
Now, let's first talk about the features of each device,
and then I'll get my thoughts
over which device is most appropriate for your needs.
So, the Mackie ProFX10v3
is a 10 channel audio mixing console.
You can see here
that there's four different microphone inputs,
there's up to 10 quarter inch inputs on this,
there's input pads,
there's inserts so you can put an outboard compressor
or noise gate or something like that
into four of the different channels,
there's two channels that have built-in compression,
there's a three band EQ,
there's a built-in FX engine and an AUX send
so you can use it either as an AUX or FX engine,
there's mute buttons, you can pan it,
you can set your level,
you can mix it all down
and send a copy of the stereo output to your computer,
or you can plug an XLR cable
or balanced or unbalanced quarter inch cable
into speakers for a live event.
So this type of unit is absolutely perfect
for somebody who's maybe new to audio
and they wanna do a lot of different things.
Maybe they're in a small band
or an acoustic guitar and vocalist
who does a couple live performances
at a small venue like a coffee shop
where they need to be able to connect a mixer
with up to 10 inputs
into speakers and mix that for a live event,
maybe they wanna also stream that live event
using the USB output out the back to their computer,
or maybe they wanna just record
their live sessions from home
or stream their live sessions from home using this console
where they're just worried
about sending a mix to a computer or live stream,
they're not super worried about multitrack recording.
Now, it is possible to multitrack record
using a device like this,
but you have to be very careful when you do that.
In order to do multitrack recording,
you have to keep in mind
that this sends stereo outputs to your mixer only.
So you can multitrack up to two channels by panning
channel one to the left and channel two to the right.
And then when you get it into your audio software,
you do effectively have a multitrack recording.
Or if you have many more inputs than that,
then you can just record the stereo input.
Now, a lot of the bells and whistles
that come with a console like this
aren't ideal for home recording.
What I mean by that is
if you do something like add compression or EQ,
I would consider that to be destructive editing
that cannot be undone later in software.
So if you're recording with a console like this,
you either need to be extremely confident
and extremely happy
with the changes that you're making on the mixer,
or you need to be deliberate
and leaving all the settings flat
so then you can do those changes, that compression,
in the audio software after the effect.
So that's something to keep in mind there.
Other than that,
it does have some nice things like built-in FX
and mixing options here as well.
But something like this is quite a bit generally speaking
more expensive than an audio interface.
Now, an audio interface like this one
has two XLR combi jacks,
so you can do line level, instrument level,
or mic level inputs into this audio interface.
You get a preamp here and you get some nice little,
there's an AIR option with the Focusrite Scarlett
that just kind of gives a high boost,
cleans it up and makes the high end
a little bit more accentuated.
You get arguably with most audio interfaces,
better monitoring options.
You get a nice big monitor knob
for connecting to your studio monitor on your desk.
You got a headphone jack with a headphone input.
And on the back of the device,
you can connect it to USB or your studio monitors.
So how do you compare these two options?
I'd break it down three ways.
What are you actually wanting to do with this device?
If you're in a band or you do a lot of music
and there's a chance
that you're gonna need a small mixer anyway,
if you do a lot of live streaming
where you have multiple inputs,
or if you just don't quite know what you wanna do,
maybe you're doing some live sound, some home recording,
some live streaming,
and you're just new to the whole thing,
I would say you're probably better off
getting an audio mixer.
It'll teach you some hands-on ways
to learn about EQ and compression in a very tactile way
where it's at your fingertips
and you can understand those concepts
before you try to just do things on the software.
If any of those sound like you,
an audio mixer is probably better for you,
but it's a little bit more expensive.
If you're just doing home recording
and you're multitrack recording,
then something like the Focusrite Scarlett
is gonna be better for you for two reasons.
One, it's less expensive,
and two, it takes up less desk space.
This thing will just sit right underneath your monitor,
it doesn't take up a lot of real estate,
and it does what it does very well.
So if you're just home recording
or studio recording up to two inputs at a time,
you're not doing any live events,
then the Focusrite Scarlett is perfect for you.
Home podcasting, anything like that,
get the Focusrite Scarlett.
If you're doing some live streaming, multiple inputs,
some music, maybe some live events,
get the Mackie ProFX10v3.
This is an awesome little console,
it has a ton of features packed in.
If you have any questions or comments
or if you feel like this video missed something,
please leave a comment in the comment section below.
I read every comment
and oftentimes we will respond with a follow up video
if I missed something completely.
If you wanna see pricing of these two,
the price does go up and down
so I'm hesitant to say it right now,
but you can check the current pricing
I've linked in the description below
to the always current pricing, so check those out.
And if you wanna see more videos like this in the future,
please like and subscribe.
Thank you so much for watching.
(bright music)