The Yamaha MGX12 and MGX16 are compact digital mixers that keep the faders and knobs of the classic MG series and add a 4.3 inch colour touchscreen, USB multitrack recording, microSD recording and Bluetooth. They share the same core. The difference is how many mic inputs, faders and USB channels you get. This guide shows both side by side so you can choose.
Quick answer
- Podcasts, streaming, a duo or small band, up to four microphones: the Yamaha MGX12.
- A fuller band, a venue or a house of worship, up to eight microphones and more line sources: the Yamaha MGX16.
Specs side by side
| Yamaha MGX12 | Yamaha MGX16 | |
|---|---|---|
| Channels | 18 | 22 |
| MGX mic preamps | 4 | 8 |
| Preamp gain range | 86 dB | 86 dB |
| Faders | 11 plus 1 | 15 plus 1 |
| Touchscreen | 4.3 inch colour | 4.3 inch colour |
| USB (main interface) | 18 in, 18 out, 32-bit / 96 kHz | 22 in, 22 out |
| USB (sub interface) | 2 in, 2 out for streaming | 2-track recording or streaming |
| microSD recording | 16 tracks | 16 tracks |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Assist features | Auto Gain, Clip Safe | Auto Gain, Clip Safe, Scene Recall |
| Headphone outputs | 4 | 4 |
Specs are taken from the product pages on this store. See each listing for the full specification of your model.
How to choose
Count the microphones you will plug in at once, then add a few spare. The MGX12 has four mic preamps, so it suits a podcast, a stream or a small act. The MGX16 has eight, plus four stereo line inputs and eight TRS outputs, which suits a larger setup. Both record to a computer over USB-C and to a microSD card without a computer, and both take Bluetooth audio from a phone or tablet.
What the USB connections do
Each mixer has two USB-C ports. The main port sends every channel to your recording software for multitrack recording. The second port is a simple 2-in 2-out interface, which lets you send a separate mix to a stream while you run the main mix.
Common questions
Can I record without a computer?
Yes. Both mixers record 16 tracks to a microSD card.
Which one is better for streaming?
Either. Both have a second USB port for streaming and Bluetooth for guest or phone audio. Choose by the number of microphones you need.
Are these genuine India stock with warranty?
Pro Audio Brands lists both with manufacturer warranty. See each product page for the current price and availability.
Looking for an analog mixer instead? See our MG12XU vs MG16XU guide, or browse all Yamaha gear.