The Yamaha MW10 is an all in one solution for those starting off looking to get into the world of home digital recording. The MW10 has all the features you'd expect from an analog mixer, but also has a USB port to use this in tandem with your computer. With MW10, you even get a copy of Steinberg Cubase LE software to throw on your computer, as I believe Steinberg is owned by Yamaha. As far as the characteristics of the mixer go, it contains ten inputs and four microphone preamplifiers. The other channels have RCA and 1/4" connections, and 1/4" connections are also found on the first four channels with mic pres. The mixer also contains 1/4" monitor outputs, built in compression for channels one and two, a headphone jack and aux sends and returns. Each of the four mic preamps has a three band EQ, with the final two stereo channels having just a high and a low. They also each have an aux knob and a pan knob.

UTILIZATION

If you know a bit about the way analog mixers work, you'll be at ease here with the Yamaha MW10. Even if you don't, do a bit of research online about the basic features of a mixer, which is all that you will be finding on the MW10 anyway. I'd only recommend having the manual around if you're a beginner.

SOUNDS

While the of the microphone preamps on the Yamaha MW10 are nothing to write home about, they definitely don't sound bad for a product in this price range and with this much versatility. Again, the EQs aren't great but will do fine for getting simple equalization done. While of course you do wish that the board sounded fuller in general, I think you might be asking a bit much by doing so.

OVERALL OPINION

For the price, it doesn't get much better than the Yamaha MW10. Yamaha can afford to do this because they are the largest in the business, so you definitely want to take advantage of that. Especially considering the fact that a new one will also include a copy of Cubase LE, the Yamaha MW10 is a the perfect all in one solution to get you started with your new home studio.