MG12 XU : What a great sounding mixer and sound card!

When I bought my DAW I first used a cheap M-Audio interface that had no latency but didn't have a great mic pre-amp. I later upgraded to a Scarlett 18i20, and while it sounded better, it had HORRIBLE latency. No matter what I did it was nothing but trouble. I researched to no end and finally found an engineer to recommended using a mixer.

I had researched the Yamaha MG12XU 12-Channel Mixer because I wanted to create a live performance outfit, and so since I needed a mixer to reduce latency, and the Yamaha was inexpensive and had good reviews, I bought it.

I can't believe how much better it sounds. One of the issues with the Scarlett was lack of compression in the input signal chain prior to the sound card. The dynamics were so great it was hard to get a good sound. The onboard compressors in the Yamaha really help control the sound and, combined with the fantastic pre-amps, I am stunned by the difference in the quality of sound I get on acoustic guitars and vocals. My microphones all sound 10x better than they did before.

As for latency...WHAT LATENCY? It is amazing.