Yamaha have just unveiled their brand-new MGX Series mixers!
In a nutshell, the MGX Series is a range of compact digital mixing consoles that deliver professional-grade sound and features in a user-friendly package. Designed with content creators, podcasters, small theatres, educational spaces and rehearsal studios in mind, these mixers aim to bridge the gap between analogue familiarity and digital flexibility.
The Range at a Glance
There are four models in the MGX lineup, all each available in black and white:
• MGX12 and MGX12V
• MGX16 and MGX16V
As you might expect, the numbers refer to the number of faders on each console. But the real interesting part about this series lies in the letter “V”. We’ll come back to that shortly.
At first glance, seasoned audio engineers might do a double take. The MGX looks almost identical to an analogue mixer, which seems surprising given that this is a fully digital series. And you might be surprised to know, Yamaha have done this on purpose.
Analogue Feel, Digital Brain
Yamaha have intentionally designed the look and feel of a traditional analogue desk, while integrating powerful digital processing under the hood. The result is a mixer that feels instantly familiar, even if you’re stepping into the digital world for the first time.
For those who have been hesitant to make the leap to digital, the MGX Series is far less intimidating than many other touchscreen-heavy consoles. You still have the physical controls you’re used to, helping avoid the steep learning curve that digital mixers are often known for. It’s fair to describe the MGX as a hybrid approach. Analogue in operation but digital in capability.
What firmly places the MGX Series in the digital category is it being DSP-driven. Once you select a channel, all processing is handled digitally on the touchscreen. Noise gates, compressors, EQ, and other tools are adjusted on screen, giving you precision control without cluttering the surface.
Video Enters the Equation
One of the biggest differences from previous Yamaha mixers is found on the rear panel. The “V” in the model name stands for Video, which explains the ‘never-done -before-by-Yamaha’ addition of HDMI ports. Following Yamaha’s recent collaboration with Roland Pro AV between the V-80HD and DM3, it’s clear Yamaha may be beginning to explore the audio-video crossover space.
Alongside HDMI connectivity, all models also feature microSD card slots. The 16 model can record up to 16 channels and the 12 (as you’ve guessed) can record 12 channels, making them especially valuable in educational environments. Teachers can record sessions or performances and hand them over to students for editing and review later.
Smart Design Choices
It’s worth noting that none of the MGX models include motorised faders. This is a deliberate design decision, allowing Yamaha to deliver a highly capable digital mixer while keeping costs accessible.
On the fader section, you’ll notice dedicated PAD, FX1, and FX2 faders located at the bottom right of the console. The MGX Series includes a global effects system with 8 pads across 4 banks, all of which can be patched directly into the stereo mix.
Built for Podcasting, Theatre, and Live Production
In podcasting or radio environments, quick access to sound effects is essential. The MGX Series delivers this with 8 user-definable pad keys. An while the series come with preset sounds available to use, users can easily load their own effects. These are triggered instantly at the press of a pad, with levels adjusted using the dedicated fader pad fader.
In theatre settings, these same pad keys can be assigned to custom preset scenes. This allows operators to switch between scenes with a single button press, all pre-programmed during rehearsals.
Setup Assistant: Digital Without the Fear
For users newer to audio and visual engineering, one of the standout features of the MGX Series is its Setup Assistant. This guided preset walks users through configuration step by step, using clear on-screen prompts to help dial in the right sound for any event.
The assistant goes impressively deep. You can specify the type of microphone, whether the source is speech or singing, and even the character of sound you’re aiming for. The mixer then applies the appropriate processing automatically.
There’s also a dedicated microphone effects section, offering tonal options such as bright, mellow, deep, or punchy- just to name a few! Behind the scenes, the MGX uses a 4-band parametric EQ, giving less experienced engineers easy control but professional grade results.
Smart Protection and Clean Audio
Another noteworthy addition is Yamaha’s Clip Safe feature. During soundchecks, performers often speak or sing at lower levels than they will during the actual performance. With Clip Safe enabled, the mixer automatically adjusts gain to prevent clipping, keeping audio clean even when levels unexpectedly jump.
Yamaha have also invested heavily in the quality of the ADC and DAC, ensuring both incoming and outgoing signals are handled with the clarity and reliability they’re known for.
Final Thoughts
The MGX Series delivers the quality, reliability, and sound performance we’ve come to expect from Yamaha. It shares a similar sense of robustness and integrity with mixers like the DM7, while introducing user-friendly features that offer digital workflows for analogue minded users, bridging the gap between analogue and digital.
For anyone looking for a digital mixer that feels familiar, sounds fantastic, and adapts effortlessly to modern audio and video workflows, the MGX Series is well worth a closer look.
For more information on the MGX Series, contact us today on 01525 850085. Or chat to our expert sales team directly!
