Each audio source has its own channel on a mixer, and each channel has a slider (or knob) to control the volume of that audio. The most basic task of a mixer is to do exactly what it sounds like - mix, or blend several audio signals at once. To help us understand which audio interface or mixer for podcasting we might need, first let's talk a bit about the difference between a mixer and an interface. I'll provide advice to cover all the bases below Interface vs mixer? Or maybe you often have dial-in telephone guests or interviews. However, some differences for podcast recording might be things like needing more than one microphone input, so you can record with a partner or interview guests. And solo musicians can record singing and playing instruments one at a time, and then layering tracks afterward. That's because one person can use them for voiceovers, audiobooks, video narrations, etc.
If you are recording by yourself, you might only need a recording interface with only one mic input. If you are doing solo recording, you might not need a mixer or interface at all! There are some good quality USB microphones out there that can plug right into a USB port on your computer. Of course, as with so many things, it all depends on your needs. What is the best audio interface or mixer for podcasting? With a few exceptions, the answer to that question would basically be the same for any audio recording.
