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Pyle-Pro PAD10MXU Review

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Pyle-Pro PAD10MXU Review

With podcasts being so popular right now, it’s unsurprising that so many people are looking to join in on the craze and begin their own podcasts.

Before starting a podcast, there is a lot to consider, such as the topics to discuss, the possibility of having co-hosts or guests, as well as episode duration.

However, the most significant consideration you’ll need to make before you start is what equipment you’ll need.

Even though creating an average-sounding podcast is possible with a semi-decent microphone and some audio recording software, you’ll likely want a professional-sounding podcast. For this, take time to evaluate the required equipment to produce high-quality audio.

One of the most important aspects of your podcast recording setup will be your audio mixer, but how do you choose one?

One option you’ll see for a beginner searching for a mixer on the internet is the Pyle-Pro PAD10MXU. But what’s it like, you may ask?

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Overview

Pyle USA was founded in New York City in 1960, and ever since has been known as the producer of reliable and affordable audio equipment, alongside a wide range of other electrical items.

Their entire brand is built around providing quality electrical equipment while remaining affordable and accessible.

This is excellent news for the novice podcaster, as this means that their mixers will be inexpensive, so you won’t have to bankrupt yourself in order to buy one. 

As audio mixers go, the Pyle-Pro PAD10MXU DJ sound controller interface is one of the most basic options around and is much smaller and more compact than a lot of the other options you’ll see online.

Despite being initially concerning for those seeking to optimize podcast sound quality, the size of the mixer is not a crucial feature — especially when it comes to mixers. In fact, this mixer with USB might just surprise you!

The Pyle-Pro PAD10MXU is a solid little mixer that will work well for those who are stuck with an extremely limited budget, so let’s take a closer look at what sort of features it has to offer, shall we?

Features

Pyle-Pro PAD10MXU Review (3)

As we mentioned previously, the Pyle-Pro PAD10MXU is hardly a comprehensive audio mixer, and for the sort of price range you’ll find it in, that’s to be expected to a certain extent.

However, this doesn’t mean that it’s completely devoid of features, so let’s see what this mixer is capable of. 

Connectivity

The Pyle-Pro PAD10MXU has both the USB audio interface and USB soundcard found, which means that it’s compatible with both Mac and PC (also see, ‘Best Laptop For Podcasting‘).

Having the opportunity to do PC recording is a great feature as it will allow you to easily record directly onto your computer audio.

It also has universal digital audio file compatibility, which is sometimes not even an option on mixers double its size and price, so this is a nice feature.

It also means that podcasters won’t have to worry about whether or not the Pyle-Pro PAD10MXU will work with their existing setup, and in theory, it should fit right in with no issues or fuss!

Design

Another great aspect of the Pyle-Pro PAD10MXU is the design, which is built to reduce the noise as much as possible, which helps to ensure that your audio recording is uninterrupted and isn’t plagued by any unwanted background noise from the mixer.

It is worth mentioning that this is only a 2 channel mini mixer, so if you’re looking to host a podcast with multiple different hosts or guests, then it isn’t going to be cut out for you.

However, for those who are going to host a podcast by themselves, it’ll work just fine. 

Input And Output

Despite only having two inputs, the Pyle-Pro PAD10MXU will still work as you need it to. Channel 1 features both an XLR jack and a ¼” phone input that can serve as a microphone jack or allow you to use line devices with the mixer.

Then the second channel provides you with an RCA input, which will allow you to connect recording and playback devices, as well as additional mixers too.

Stereo RCA jacks are located on the rear of the mixer, and these will provide you with a stereo mix output, well as the USB plug we mentioned previously. 

Controls

Pyle-Pro PAD10MXU Review (1)

Since this is such a small audio mixer, you’re not really given a whole lot of control over the audio itself.

However, you are provided with a master controller to allow you to control the overall tone of the audio, as well as an adjustment knob to increase or decrease the gain found on the channel 1 input, which is a nice option to have.

The mixer also features a clip LED light that will illuminate if the main output is too high too, which is great for beginners who are just starting to learn how to fine-tune their audio levels.

Phantom Power

An unexpected yet welcome feature on the Pyle-Pro PAD10MXU is the inclusion of phantom power.

This means that you don’t have to worry about any bulky power supply packs hanging around, which truly allows this mixer to shine as a portable recording studio device. 

As you can see, the Pyle-Pro PAD10MXU isn’t exactly full of advanced features like a lot of the budget mixers on the market are, so it’s understandable why so many people might initially overlook this mixer when it comes to searching for one for their podcast setup.

However, since this mixer is so cheap and likely has the lowest price in its category, it will definitely appeal to those who want a barebones mixer to help improve the audio quality of their podcast, even if it does happen to have slightly limited functionality in comparison to some of its competitors. 

Pros And Cons

The Pyle-Pro PAD10MXU isn’t an awful mixer then, so if you’re on a super strict budget and want to incorporate a mixer into your podcast recording setup, then purchasing the PAD10MXU might not be a bad way to do so.

But, if you’re still unsure whether or not this mixer is going to be right for you and your budget, then check out the list of pros and cons, which will help provide you with a clear view of what is good and what is bad about the Pyle-Pro PAD10MXU! 

Pros

  • USB Interface means that it’s compatible with PC and Mac
  • Universal digital file compatibility
  • Designed for low noise 
  • XLR connectivity
  • RCA inputs for MP3 and other audio players
  • Mic gain control
  • Phantom power
  • LED warning light for high output
  • Simplistic interface
  • Super compact and portable
  • Metal outer construction

Cons

  • No option to tune the treble, bass, or any other aspect of the audio
  • No EQ
  • Low drive, enough for a microphone, but could benefit from more
  • Unable to monitor USB output from a computer without inserting that audio into the main mix
  • No Bluetooth connectivity on this model

Realistically in this price range, no mixer is going to offer you all of the features you will find on a mixer that is triple the price.

The Pyle-Pro PAD10MXU is a great basic option for those who need an audio mixer but cannot yet afford something better.

However, it is not a miracle worker for your audio quality, although it will certainly offer some improvement.

Customer Reviews

Customer reviews for the Pyle-Pro PAD10MXU are, as you can imagine, mixed.

For those who understand exactly what they’re getting, it works well, with many people stating that it serves their basic needs well, and will work perfectly as a stand-in mixer.

Customers also stated that the mixer had a good build quality, as well as complimenting the portability and compact design of the PAD10MXU, which is something that certainly works in its favor. 

On the other hand, some customers were disappointed with the limited functionality of the Pyle-Pro PAD10MXU, especially the inability to adjust the audio in a greater capacity. 

Overall though, the Pyle-Pro PAD10MXU is still a recommended product by many of its customers for those who are looking for something small and affordable.

Conclusion

So for the novice podcaster in the market for an audio mixer, is the Pyle-Pro PAD10MXU worth purchasing? Maybe. 

If you are on a super limited budget then it’s perfect, but the reality is that to create a professional-sounding podcast, you’re going to need a mixer that provides much more functionality than the Pyle-Pro PAD10MXU does, so you’re much better off waiting until you can afford something better.

Thanks for reading!

Matt Brook

With a background in Journalism and years of experience in the industry, Matt brings a wealth of knowledge to the WiredClip team.

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