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How To Connect A Mackie Mixer To A Computer – Viral Believer
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How To Connect A Mackie Mixer To A Computer

Connecting a Mackie Mixer to your computer can be a great way to get your music heard. There are many ways you can connect the two devices, but how do know which one is best for you?

In this article, we will discuss how to use an audio interface and how it differs from using USB or MIDI cables. We’ll also go over some of the more popular audio interfaces on the market today!

How to connect a Mackie Mixer to a computer 

Connecting most Mackie Mixers to your computer is an easy process. You will need a USB cable and some audio inputs on your mixer, but most setups have these already built-in.

The first step would be connecting the USB from the mixer into one of the available ports on the back or front of your pc tower.

After that, you will need to open up your sound settings on the computer and select which input you want from the mixer that will be feeding into it.

You may need specific drivers for your mixer, so go to the manufacturer’s website and download the latest drivers. Once they are downloaded, open up your USB port on the computer again now you will be able to transfer data between them.

How to connect an analog Mackie mixer to a computer

Connecting an analog mixer to a computer is much more difficult. Mixers that use the older RCA input connections will require you to purchase converters, and then configure your recording software so it can work with those converters. Here’s how:

If your computer has a microphone jack on the front, you’ll want to plug them into your mixer’s “main out.” This will give you audio in the form of a line-level signal, which is an ideal starting point for recording.

If you want to play music through your mixer, you can use the headphone jack. The sound will be low-level and won’t have the same level of fidelity, but it’s better than nothing!

A better option is to use an audio interface. This is a box that connects to your computer’s USB port, and then has both “main out” as well as standard 1/4″ and XLR inputs. You can connect a wide range of audio sources, like guitars or keyboards, and your analog mixer.

Some audio interfaces will not only allow you to record what your mixer is sending to the computer but will send your computer’s audio back to the mixer.

How To Connect A Digital Mackie Mixer To A Computer

First, find the USB port on your mixer and plug it into an available one on the back of your computer. Then, open the software for controlling/recording audio that came with your mixer: e.g., Mackie Control Universal or Behringer software, and install the drivers.

Follow the instructions on your mixer’s software and/or on the screen when you plug it in to install drivers for your mixer.

Finally, open up a recording or editing program and hit “Get Audio”. This will bring up an input selection window: choose which of your available inputs (e.g., Line In) is connected to the output from your mixer. Hit OK and start listening and recording.

Mackie Mixers With Onboard Audio Interfaces

  • Mackie ProFX Series Mixers
  • Mackie Onyx Series
  • Mackie DL Series

Mackie Mixers That Need External Audio Interfaces

  • Mackie Mix Series
  • Mackie PPM Series
  • Mackie VLZ4 Series

Finding The Right Mackie Mixer For You

We offer a wide range of Mackie mixers that suit any project, from live sound to home studio recording. If you need help deciding which model is right for your needs, give us a call, and we’ll steer you in the right direction.

In addition to our selection of analog and digital models, all Mackie mixers are available with onboard or external audio interfaces so they can be easily connected to computers or other devices.

We also carry some models with built-in effects processors like reverbs and delays and full suites of mastering tools like compressors, limiters, EQs, gates, and more!

These features make them perfect for small church sound booths where space is limited, but quality control isn’t sacrificed.

Pastor Duke Taber
Pastor Duke Taber

Pastor Duke Taber

All articles have been written or reviewed by Pastor Duke Taber.
Pastor Duke Taber is an alumnus of Life Pacific University and Multnomah Biblical Seminary.
He has been in pastoral ministry since 1988.
Today he is the owner and managing editor of 3 successful Christian websites that support missionaries around the world.
He is currently starting a brand new church in Mesquite NV called Mesquite Worship Center, a Non-Denominational Spirit Filled Christian church in Mesquite Nevada.