Your sound mixer should come with cables that plug directly into a port in your Mac computer.
Connecting your sound mixer to a Mac is a simple process. Once you have connected your mixer to other instruments or microphones, you then can connect the mixer to your Mac. Connect the smaller end of the 3.4 mm-to-RCA cable with the line out jack that’s in the back of the Mac computer or if it’s a Macbook, on the side of the computer. Then connect the other end of the cable to the RCA line-in or jacks on the mixer. You may need an adapter to connect the mixer to the computer if you do not have these things. You then should be able to play an audio file and hear the sound from the amplifier when it’s plugged into the mixer.
Related: Neewer NW Stereo 05 Channel Mixer: An Ideal Option for Sound Recording?
Contents
How do I connect my sound mixer to my laptop?
Connecting a sound mixer to your laptop involves one of six scenarios. If you have an RCA cable or dual 1/4 inch to 1/8 inch cable, you would connect that to a USB sound card then to the computer. If you have an XLR to 1/8 inch cable, you would also connect that through the USB sound card then to the computer. An XLR to USB cable is able to plug straight into your USB port in the computer. A USB audio mixer and a USB audio interface will plug straight into the computer via USB as well.
Related: How to Set Up a USB Mix MinusÂ
How do I connect my mixer to Garageband?
In order to connect your sound mixer to Garageband, you will need to first insert your USB or cable into the port of the mixer. Insert the other end of these cables into the computer port. Open GarageBand and click on Preferences. Select the Audio/MIDI tab to open the control panel. Select the Audio Input menu and select the device from the list. This process will now have connected your mixer to the program.
Best Audio Mixers for MacBook Pro
For podcasters, finding a great audio mixer that’s appropriate for the MacBook Pro is an important first step to producing quality sound. The Yamaha AG03 and Yamaha AG06 are great mixers for solo and 2-person podcasting situations. They both have “loopback” features that can add in computer-based audio into the mix. Both condenser microphones and dynamic microphones can be used on these two mixers, which helps in producing different ranges of sound.
Related: How to Record a Podcast With Two Mics (and a DAW) and Top 9 Best Podcast Mixers | The Ultimate Buying Guide
Conclusion
Adding a sound mixer to your recording process for podcasting and studio recording enhances your sound and ability to edit. To plug the mixer into a Mac computer, you simply take the larger end of the RCA cable to the line out jack of the computer. There are six different types of cables/cords that will either plug directly into a computer or require an adaptor of some kind. Once you plug these cables in to your computer, it is an easy setup to start mixing sound via Garageband. The best audio mixers for your Macbook Pro include the Yamaha AG03 and AG606, as they are inexpensive and able to record with both condenser microphones and dynamic microphones.
