How To Fix Quiet USB Output On Yamaha MG10XU

In this video we show you exactly how to fix the Quiet USB Output on the Yamaha MG10XU audio mixer by properly setting the gain and by using an external mic activator.

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CHAPTERS:
0:00 - Introduction
0:50 - Mixer Setup For Microphones
1:45 - Setting The Gain Correctly
3:55 - Maxing Out The Gain
5:35 - Using A Mic Activator
7:42 - Summary
8:12 - Final Thoughts

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[Lextorias]

Something I noticed while doing research online is that the USB Out on the Yamaha MG10XU is 15dB quieter than the Stereo Out. Apparently Yamaha has acknowledged this to people asking them in customer support. I am using a Shure SM7B + Cloudlifter and noticed that the Monitor sound was reaching 0 on the mixer, but was 15dB too quiet when recording/using OBS.

The solution to this for me was buying a 2x 1/4" to 1/8" cable, and routing from the Stereo Out ports on the mixer to the microphone jack on my PC. Same exact settings on the mixer and computer (except now Level Stereo knob was at unity), and it was 15dB louder, and sounding much better. Hopefully this helps anyone still struggling with being too quiet!

[nathanAjacobs-personal]

I've been trying to figure this out for almost two years. I've always had to boost my audio through VoiceMeeter by 12dB, but this method fixed it. Thanks so much!

[Irshaad]

Please consider the following. I've had this mixer for a while and I've learnt so much from you, so thanks. I'd like to share with you that the USB output from this mixer IS actually quiet, even with proper setup as in your video, but I think this may just be a Windows compatibility issue. You're using a Mac so your results are understandably different. I tried everything and it's still quiet. Ultimately the fix that worked for me (amazingly well) is to connect the mixer to the pc via an interface (I use the Presonus Audiobox with a DI box). Lastly, you seriously DO NOT need a cloudlifter with this mixer. I have the dynamite stick by SE and don't use it. Julian Klaus has a video demonstrating why it's not required with preamps like this. I hope to hear your comments on this. Thanks for the great content.

[TheImageDoctor]

It's a common complaint of this board - you did a great job explaining each variable and the proper settings / techniques for the hardware - for those who still feel the signal is too low when recording into a DAW, try running "normalize" on the track (especially if the recording is clean to start with)

[TosselMusic]

Thank you! Ended up purchasing a mic activator, fingers crossed!

[mihkel.]

Your videos are really helpful. I'm waiting for my MG10XU + SM7B + Cloudlifter setup and I've already learned so much thanks to you before even getting my hands on!

[vinitpatil]

Can you please please make a video about how to use Yamaha MG10XU for a stream. Like, how to use the mic as in-game audio and audio for stream and how to play music simultaneously.

[vishi]

Hi
I too going through the same problem. You have to increase the gain & volume to the peak level. The quality of USB output is always good compared to Line level input. So can we add a sound card like focusrite as intermediate input from Mixer to Laptop to enhance the usb output signal strength from Yamaha MG10XU

[JorgeSilva-uwjt]

Thank you for a clear and concise explanation, not one second of time wasted.

[andnegr]

Great video as usual Jordan! Cloud lifter cost more than the Yamaha mixer...it's probably less expensive to use an additional mixer board or an external soundcard.

[voiceoveractor]

Awesome videos and all the explanations are clear and easy to understand! You definitely know your stuff! Keep them videos coming!!

[ApurvaShah]

Hi I faced one problem...can't hear the karaoke track in GarageBand...but I can hear my vocals through my earphones plugged in Phones jack in Mg10xu.... kindly suggest

[Igor-ckzl]

This is such a gem of a video!! Great job

[sheskimusic]

Informative video. You know your stuff! Thanks so much. I bought this mixer because of these videos

[Oldmonstonian]

Thanks! Recordings and live are much better now. Great advice!

[gat]

I've had this mixer forever... And I've had this problem forever! I even got a DBX 286s Preamp and processor. It does all the heavy lifting but the dang usb out is so quite on the mg10XU that even when I set me levels right at 0DB it comes in peakine at -18 dB before you start to hear distortion if you go much higher. This is a problem when I am streaming but also need to be heard on discord. I have tried using software to boost the input digitally for programs like discord but it's a pain and hard to monitor.

[kabassa]

I inserted an external guitar boost pedal into the mixer(fx send) with a lot of output gain, so I apply the output signal from the boost pedal to the aux button of each channel on the mixer, this gives me more gain without too much noise and with appropriate signal level to the usb output. However, I agree that there should be a simple way to adjust the usb output signal on the mixer itself or via yamaha's own software.

[stevenpeterson]

could you use a clean boost guitar pedal to achieve the same result?

[smurf]

Hi Jordan - quick question - so I have a Shure MV7X and I turned the levels up all the way and a bit of condenser. I can finally hear in my video camera recordings my vocals but the digital keyboard I have plugged in, I can hardly hear it at all, I have it plugged into my headphone jack on the piano and then plugged into the "left" line of line 9....I turned up all the levels but I still can hardly hear anything..do u think if I get the red and white wires and plug to the back instead it may help? I honestly can still get a decent recording because the mic picks up the ambient sound of the speakers from externally anyway, like it would an acoustic piano, but I'd like to make some nicer recordings through audacity where I can just have sound recordings....who knows tomorrow when I try that the levels might pick up better since it's not the phone, it's gonna be to my laptop and I can raise the level to that line on audacity..

[RubyRedDTillyLiQuiDiamOnZ]

Hey great ViD man!!! can I use the cloud also for my hs8's & Yamaha subwoofer HS8S 8 to reduce that occasional hum? or should I use a Di Box? I have just upgraded my studio thanks!