There’s no understating the importance of audio quality for streamers. Poor audio quality regularly tops polls that query viewers for reasons why they leave a stream.
A decent external microphone and quality audio mixer are among the first things you should invest in from the beginning of your streaming career.
The GoXLR is a common recommendation for audio mixing, but the gear is pretty pricey, and doesn’t support Mac users.
The good news is that there are many alternatives at various price points that may be more suited for your streaming needs. In this guide, we’re going to take a look at 10 of the best GoXLR alternatives for streamers.
1. Elgato Wave XLR (easiest to set up)
Key features:
- Supports USB-C and 3.5 mm jacks
- 20 Hz to 20 kHz frequency response range
- Up to 75 dB of noise gain range
- Control dial for mic volume, audio volume, and mic/audio mix
Like most of Elgato’s products, the Wave XLR is a sleek little device that doesn’t take up a whole lot of space.
It’s the easiest mixer to set up in this entire list, and it may even feel basic compared to other XLR options.
It doesn’t have a complicated interface with multiple dials and faders; it instead has one dial and some buttons for controlling audio volume, mic volume, and crossfade between the two.
All you need to do is plug the USB cable, download Wave Link, and you’re set.
The Wave Link app has the same functionality as a full-form digital audio interface. It integrates seamlessly with Streamdeck, OBS, and Streamlabs, making it relatively easy to incorporate into your stream settings.
It provides a lot of functionality to easily control your audio setup and reduces all audio processing to a minimum while making your voice sound crisp and clear.
Pros:
- Easy to set up
- Small form factor
- Good audio quality
Cons:
- The Wave Link app has a bit of a learning curve
- The rear I/O doesn’t have enough ports to support dual-PC streamers
2. RODECaster Pro (most powerful mixer option)
Key features:
- 8 faders for controlling audio levels
- 4 XLR mic inputs on the interface
- 20 Hz to 20 kHz mic input range
- USB Type-C, 3.5 mm audio jack, and Bluetooth inputs, each with a fader
The RODECaster Pro is a pricey but versatile tool that functions as a USB mixer, soundboard, mobile recorder, and vocal DSP. All of those functions don’t come cheap, hence the big price tag. Check these RODECaster Pro alternatives if you’re on a budget.
This mixer supports up to four XLR microphones, each of which has its own volume dial and headphone jack so you can easily control and monitor their levels.
There is an 8-pad soundboard to the right with preset sound effects that can be customized.
New sounds can also be recorded on the fly. The interface includes a nifty touch screen that provides quick access to customization features and vocal effects.
For a deeper breakdown of the differences of the two, check out our RODEcaster Pro vs GoXLR comparison.
Pros:
- Guaranteed high-quality audio
- Very versatile device that works as a mixer, soundboard, mobile recorder, and vocal DSP
- Fully customizable 8-pad soundboard
- Four mic inputs, making it ideal for multi-PC streamers
Cons:
- It’s an expensive option, almost on par with the GoXLR Pro
- There’s a big learning curve, but it’s worth it if you’re a Twitch streamer
3. Tascam MiNiSTUDIO Creator US-42B (good option for streamers who are podcasters or musicians)
Key features:
- 2 mic input jacks
- 3 customizable sound pads for instant sound effects
- 48 V phantom power
- Built-in compressor and equalizer for easily adjusting sound
The Tascam Creator US-42B is a great mixer option for both beginner and experienced streamers. Its robust audio production features make it great for podcasters, musicians, and other content creators.
The unit comes with presets for speech and vocal effects that can be easily turned on/off by a button. Streamers can change mic-input sounds using five different voice effects.
There is also a dedicated dial for reverb effects that can add spatial sound to input from streamers who are singing or playing an instrument, and a “ducking” function for turning down the volume of background music if you want to make announcements.
The US-42B has three sound pads that can produce pre-recorded sound effects like clapping, cheering, or whatever you want.
The device comes with software that can be used to assign audio files to the sound pads. It is compatible with both headset mics and 4-pole earphones with mics designed for smartphones.
Pros:
- I/O supports two mics
- Good enough for podcast or music production
- Software features an “easy” tab for beginners and an “expert” tab with advanced settings
Cons:
- It’s not a plug-and-play device; set up requires installing drivers and downloading firmware updates
- May be too basic for industry professionals
4. AVerMedia Live Streamer Nexus (good Stream Deck alternative)
Key features:
- USB 2.0, 3.5 mm headphone jack
- 10Hz to 20 kHz frequency response range
- Up to 96 kHz sampling rate
- Up to 114 dB dynamic response
The AVerMedia Live Streamer Nexus has the mixing capabilities of the GoXLR and the PC control of an Elgato Stream Deck. Its interface features audio dials, an IPS screen panel, and four customizable hotkey buttons.
The XLR input supports USB, condenser, and dynamic mics. It also includes a noise gate and compressor for better control of environmental sounds.
You can fine-tune your audio using the echo, reverb, and equalizer feature.
The Live Streamer Nexus also has companion software for digital outputs that can be used to independently control your sound.
The app also works together with the physical outputs and also integrates with apps like Discord.
Pros:
- I/O supports two mics
- Good enough for podcast or music production
- Software features an “easy” tab for beginners and an “expert” tab with advanced settings
Cons:
- It’s not a plug-and-play device; set up requires installing drivers and downloading firmware updates
- May be too basic for industry professionals
5. Motu M4 (good entry-level mixer for Mac users)
Key features:
- Four inputs and outputs
- Supports USB-C and 3.5 mm mics
- 120 dB dynamic range
- 24 bit/96 kHz sample rate for recording playback
The Motu M4 is a powerful entry-level mixer with USB drivers that enable streamers to easily connect and monitor live inputs through their computer.
It features a full-color LCD interface for watching level meters of all inputs/outputs and built-in loopback channels that can route your output and mix it with mic inputs.
The M4 is compatible with Macs or PCs.
Pros:
- Very low latency and low noise floor
- Direct monitoring through the LCD interface
Cons:
- It’s a little pricey
- It’s only a slight step above the Motu M2, which has fewer inputs and outputs
6. GoXLR Mini (most similar to the GoXLR Pro)
Key features:
- Supports 3.5 mm, dynamic, and condenser mics
- 48 V phantom power for mics
- Four sliders for physical control
- Quiet gain boost thanks to the MIDAS preamp
- Supports 70 dB of additional gain
The original GoXLR is without a doubt a favorite among streamers, content creators, and podcasters.
However, if you can’t afford the original, then the GoXLR Mini is an excellent alternative.
The Mini is like the “little brother” that provides the core functionality of the original, but at a lower price tag.
It doesn’t have the buttons for all of the effects and samplers, but it still has the bleep button and the cough/mute button.
Both the original and the Mini feature the MIDAS preamps, which is basically a middle-man that controls volume between your mic, interface, and streaming PC.
It provides up to 70 DB additional boost to ensure your audio is loud and clear.
The Mini is compatible with GoXLR software, which can be used to independently route the mic, chat, music, game, system, console, and line-in.
They can also be matched to any of the four mixing sliders on the front.
The Mini can’t customize your reverb, samples, and other effects like the Pro, but it can apply a noise gate, compressor, and equalizer.
That’s more than enough for most beginner Twitch streamers.
In our GoXLR vs GoXLR mini article we have a more comprehensive breakdown of both mixers.
Pros:
- Has many of the features found in the GoXLR Pro but for a fraction of the price
- Easy to integrate with PC, consoles, and other audio equipment
- Features a bleep button and a mute button
- Software can route several output options and easily customize the sliders
Cons:
- It’s still a pretty pricey mixer
- The number of soundcards the Mini supports may be too much for beginners
7. Pyle PMXU43BT (cheapest mixer option)
Key features:
- 2 XLR ¼” mic inputs
- 2 stereo line inputs
- 64 dB of additional gain
- 4-channel audio source mixing
- 48 V phantom power
The Pyle PMXU43BT is a compact audio mixer with multi-mixing capabilities, making it ideal for Twitch streamers who are musicians, DJs, and sound engineers.
All four input channels boast a 3-band equalizer and peak indicators.
The console also features a 16-bit DSP for special effects and a USB slot for connecting flash drives, laptops, PCs, or phones.
The bluetooth receiver makes it easy to stream music wirelessly from your tablet or smartphone.
The PMXU43BT may not be the flashiest mixer, but it’s affordable and has a lot of functionality.
Pros:
- Plug-and-play mixer that’s simple enough even for beginners to use
- USB slot makes it easy to connect flash drives or laptops
Cons:
- It comes with 16 preset effects
- Might be better suited for DJs than game streamers
8. Mackie Mix Series Mix5 (good choice for home studio)
Key features:
- 5-channel mixer
- 1 XLR mic input with studio-level audio quality
- 2 stereo ¼” line inputs
- 50 dB mic gain
- Enough phantom power for studio condenser mics
The Mackie Mix Series Mix5 is a compact mixer that provides decent sound quality without any complicated extra bells and whistles.
The Mix5 is a 5-channel mixer that includes one mic preamplifier outfitted with a 2-band equalizer.
It also includes two additional channels with stereo inputs for musical instruments or keyboards.
It features an RCA I/O path for additional routing options that can separate volume controls from the main input and the headphones.
Considering it’s affordable price, this board is quite sturdy with clearly labeled buttons, knobs, and inputs.
It supports a variety of additional accessories that you can purchase as your Twitch streaming career continues to grow.
Pros:
- Performs well considering its price
- Easy to use, even for beginners
Cons:
- It doesn’t offer a lot of functionality for its price
- Doesn’t have a lot of inputs
9. Creative SoundBlaster K3+ (most compact option)
Key features:
- USB 2.0, USB 3.0, line-in support
- Up to 48 V phantom power
- 16–24 bit/ 48–96 kHz sample rate for mic and playback
- 93 dB signal-to-noise ratio
The SoundBlaster K3+ is a popular mixer for Twitch streamers and one of the most recommended GoXLR alternatives.
It’s a small compact mixer with an array of dials for adjusting audio settings.
Setting it up is as easy as connecting your laptop or PC to the USB port and plugging in your XLR mic.
Phantom power provides enough juice to drive condenser mics and produce crystal-clear recordings. The K3+ has nine dials for adjusting reverb effects and six preset sound effects.
It is compatible with smartphones, tablets, Macs, and PCs—no special driver installation necessary.
Pros:
- I/O supports a multiple-PC setup
- Compact and small; requires very little real estate
- Easy to set up and use with no driver installation required
Cons:
- Switching between the soundboard, autotune, and reverbs may be confusing
- Some streamers may find the audio volume to be too low
10. Levusu L5 (great option for professional live broadcasts)
Key features:
- 4 mic inputs: 3.5 mm, XLR, and condenser mic
- Dials for mic and monitor
- 6 dials for adjusting pitch
- 48 V phantom power mic
The Levusu L5 is a great mixer for professional live broadcasts. It can simultaneously support up to two people, five devices, and five platforms.
It comes with six live-streaming modes: chat, autotune, warcraft, MC, sing, and Lolita. It also has 10 preset audio effects like laughter, heartbeat, danger, clap, and more.
Streamers have the option to customize those presets to add their own audio effects.
The L5 is compatible with PC, PS4, iOS, and Android. The console is portable and includes a 2,000 mAh rechargeable battery that can last for up to 10 hours (without phantom power), allowing streamers to broadcast from anywhere.
Pros:
- Easy to set up. Simply plug and play via the USB sound card function.
- Can simultaneously support multiple people and devices
Cons:
- Has a bit of a learning curve; it may take time to figure out all the buttons and dials
- Veteran Twitch streamers may find it lacking in features
Free Software Alternative: Voicemeeter Banana
Voicemeeter Banana is a good virtual GoXLR alternative if you’re unable to get your hands on a hardware mixer. It’s a free-to-use PC program that simulates a mixer.
You can use it to funnel your audio through the program and control how your Twitch stream sounds.
It has a learning curve, however, once you figure out how it works, it’s pretty easy to use and integrate into OBS, XSplit, and other streaming software. Our Voicemeeter setup guide for splitting audio in OBS can help you out!
The Bottom Line
Brand name is an important factor for a lot of Twitch streamers who are shopping for an audio mixer.
Many streamers tend to stick to a particular brand like GoXLR because it has a good reputation in the streaming community, but how much it costs to import one to the U.S. is forcing streamers to search for more affordable alternatives.
The good news is that the market for audio mixers has grown tremendously in recent years, and streamers are spoiled for choice.
You have the freedom to choose from a wide range alternatives to the GoXLR mixer that offer different features at varying price points.
If you’re looking for the best of the best, go with the RODEcaster Pro.
And if you’re wanting something cheaper, but performs similar to the standard GoXLR, then the GoXLR mini is your best play.
