What does an audio mixer do?

Think of an audio mixer as the command center for all your sound. It lets you plug in multiple audio sources—like your microphone, gaming console, computer, and even a phone for background music—and blend them together into one perfect stream or recording. You use the physical knobs and sliders to control the volume, tone, and effects for each source individually, so your voice stays clear over the game sounds and your background track doesn't drown anyone out. It's what gives you hands-on control to make everything sound balanced and professional.

What is the best mixer for audio?

The 'best' audio mixer depends entirely on what you're trying to do. For most streamers and podcasters starting out, a simple USB mixer is the perfect choice—it connects directly to your computer and is super easy to set up. If you're working with multiple co-hosts or instruments, you might need a mixer with more microphone inputs. For pros doing live sound, larger analog or digital mixers are the way to go. The best way to find yours is to think about how many things you need to plug in and whether you want USB connectivity. Check out our collection at YayaStation, where we group mixers by use-case to help you choose.

What are the different types of audio mixers?

You'll mainly come across three types. First, analog mixers are the classic kind with lots of physical knobs; they're great for live sound and hands-on control. Second, digital mixers often have touchscreens and let you save settings, which is fantastic for complex setups. Third, and most popular for creators, are USB mixers (or audio interfaces with mixing software). These plug right into your computer, making them the go-to choice for streaming, podcasting, and home recording because they combine physical controls with easy digital integration. Browse our range at YayaStation to see examples of each type.

Does an audio mixer improve sound quality?

Yes, absolutely, but with a key distinction: a good mixer mainly improves your control over the sound, which leads to better quality output. It won't magically make a poor microphone sound amazing. What it does is give you the tools to make the most of your gear. You can clean up a muddy voice with EQ, add crispness, balance volumes perfectly, and eliminate hums or buzzes. This control prevents distortion and clipping, resulting in a cleaner, more polished, and professional final sound that's lightyears ahead of adjusting sliders on your computer.

Do I need an audio mixer for streaming?

If you're just starting out, you can manage with software. But the moment you want to level up—adding a dedicated microphone, a console for game audio, and background music without fuss—a mixer becomes a game-changer. It lets you adjust all these sounds in real-time without clicking through windows on your stream, which looks more professional and prevents audio mistakes. For any streamer serious about delivering consistent, high-quality audio without the hassle, a compact USB mixer is one of the best investments you can make.

Allen & Heath - CQ-18T 16-channel Digital Mixer

Allen & Heath – CQ-18T 16-channel Digital Mixer

4,719 AED

The Allen & Heath CQ-18T is a compact and feature-packed 16-channel digital mixer that fits in your backpack.

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1 in stock

Allen & Heath - CQ-18T 16-channel Digital Mixer

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Description

The Allen & Heath CQ-18T is a compact — and feature-packed — 16-channel digital mixer that fits in your backpack. This portable 96kHz-capable mixer boasts uncompromising audio quality, ensuring top-notch sound in any application. And its smart controls and processing tools make it a breeze to use. The CQ-18T's Preamp Gain Assistant and Feedback Assistant make setup a snap, and its instrument-based Quick input delivers great mixes in no time flat. Want manual control? No problem. Each track includes a Complete input that allows for in-depth tweaking. You get built-in Smart-FX units, arming you with a full complement of reverbs, delays, modulations, and more. Navigating the CQ-18T is a cinch, thanks to its straightforward tactile encoders, custom keys, and responsive touchscreen.

Features

A compact 16-channel digital mixer that fits in your backpack
Exhibits outstanding sound quality at 96kHz
16 excellent-sounding microphone preamps and stereo Bluetooth input
Built-in 2.4GHz/5GHz Wi-Fi with auto channel
Preamp Gain Assistant takes all the guesswork out of setting levels
Feedback Assistant makes locating and neutralizing acoustic feedback frequencies a piece of cake
Instrument-based Quick inputs help you get a great sound quickly
Complete inputs allow for in-depth tweaking
Smart-FX engines include reverb, delay, modulation, and more
Tactile encoders adjust a wide range of parameters with easy-to-use knobs
Custom keys tailor the mixer to your preferred workflow
Responsive touchscreen combines physical control and at-a-glance visual feedback
24-in/22-out recording and playback via an onboard SD card reader
Built-in 24-in/22-out USB audio interface enables top-shelf digital multitrack recordings using a computer and DAW

Say Goodbye to Feedback

CQ’s Feedback Assistant automatically detects and eliminates problem frequencies using up to 16 filters per output so you can mix with confidence – and forget about feedback.

A New Breed of Effects

CQ introduces a new suite of high-quality, user-friendly reverb, delay and modulation algorithms with instrument-specific presets for speedy setup.

Get Yourself Connected

CQ-18T gives you all the connectivity you need to get going with 16 mic/line inputs plus a stereo line input. When it comes to outputs, there’s a pair of main mix outputs plus 6 outputs for monitor mixes

Simplify Speech

The integrated Automatic Mic Mixer (AMM) means you can instantly reduce background noise and improve clarity for speech applications without lifting a finger.

Weight

4 kg

Dimensions

35 × 25 × 9 cm

Brand

ALLEN&HEATH

Color

Black

GTIN-UPC-EAN

6938122251519

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SKU: AH-CQ-18T Category: Audio Mixer Tags: Allen & Heath - CQ-18T, Allen & Heath - CQ-18T 16-channel Digital Mixer, CQ-18T 16-channel Digital Mixer

Additional information

Weight	4 kg
Dimensions	35 × 25 × 9 cm
Brand	ALLEN&HEATH
Color	Black
GTIN-UPC-EAN	6938122251519

Shipping & Delivery

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