Rode Streamer X Alternative? Mackie M-Caster Studio Setup and Review

I want to show you the Mackie M-Caster Studio setup that I’m currently using, after trying the Rode Streamer X and having to return it. So if you’re looking for a Streamer X alternative or you want an easy to use audio interface, let me show you how this works! I’ll cover pros and cons of the M-Caster Studio along the way, too.
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▶︎ Streamer X Review • Thoughts on Rode Strea...
▶︎ Mackie M-Caster Studio amzn.to/3DLMbyD
▶︎ EM99-B Mic: amzn.to/45DBwBX
Adobe Mic Check
▶︎ Adobe Mic Check podcast.adobe.com/miccheck
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▶︎ Lens for M50mk2: amzn.to/3tRv1fg
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My name is Meredith Marsh, and I am the video creator and blogger behind VidProMom, creator of Social Video Pro (30 Days to a Thriving KZbin Channel: socialvideoprocourse.com) and founder of the Video Pursuit Society (videopursuitsociety.com). Here to help you caffeinate, create, and conquer your content creation and grow your online business.
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[@craigjoe8691]

Thank FUCK for making this video. This interface has gone unnoticed by the majority of creators

[@AnotherTekGuy]

Been waiting on this video. I appreciate you making this. I wanted to see if this would be good for my OTG streaming setup. I actually purchased it already, but haven’t taken it out the box. Got a good deal on a used one from B&H. Great Job…Love the quality of your videos. You earned a new sub from me.

[@meredithmarsh]

Thank you! And thanks for watching. Good luck with your M-Caster. Let me know if you end up liking it!

[@DaveHoran]

I love the fact that you talk about hearing your own voice thru the in-ear monitors. I wear the big headphones (no hair to mess up 😂) but with better sound isolation comes the inability to hear yourself! This is a real problem for record as you dont want to seem like you're yelling into the mic. Even without a capture card, this new mixer seems perfect form what you need. Nicely done. 👍

[@meredithmarsh]

Yes! Thanks Dave!

[@softinix9462]

I think the rode streamer has a different purpose as it does the video capturing and replaces two devices. The mcaster studio is similar to rodecaster pro dou

[@BogdanCurta]

Hi. On Yamaha hs 80 m Studio monitors and recording studio conditions the Mackie M-Caster Studio is more natural , cean and dinamic in comparation with the Rode Streamer X .

[@KabukiStarship]

The ADC has 116db dynamic range and the DAC has 120db DR. That is really good on paper. The fatal flaw of the M-Caster is that there is no mix minus out, only loopback in. I need to route audio only to my headphones. Maybe they can fix this with a firmware update. Maybe I can route the computer's audio output to the input of the M-Caster. Every time I've tried that I've had ground loops that ruined the headphone output. In OBS, I have the desktop audio output and the monitor output, and if I monitor the desktop in OBS there is a delay, which is bad for gaming and real-time streaming. We also need 44.1KHz so that we can use the M-Caster a submixer using the 3.5mm output going into a 48KHz ADC to avoid signal aliasing form the clock. I would personally rather have an SD card for storage with MIDI IO (can be on 3.5mm breakout cable) so that I can trigger samples with my MIDI controller/drumpad.

[@RalphsRunningAdventures]

Great video! A basic question: are you recording separate audio (through your mic and M-Caster) and video (through your camera) files to your computer, then synching in post?

[@meredithmarsh]

Thanks! No I record them both together.

[@RalphsRunningAdventures]

@@meredithmarsh thank you for the reply. How do you record them together? Do you send the output of the M-caster to your camera?

[@meredithmarsh]

@@RalphsRunningAdventures I either use Descript or Screenflow to record

[@RalphsRunningAdventures]

@@meredithmarsh ..thank you for taking the time to respond. I appreciate it!

[@ThatUnfunGuy]

Here's a weird question, can you use this as a mixer if it's just getting power and I have studio monitors plugged in to in and playing audio without the USB connected computer turned on?

[@TC_Conner]

Great review Ms. Audio Engineer! (I think you know quite a bit more than you let on. 😁) I’m just getting started using a “new to me” Canon EOS M50 for my KZbin talking head videos. I’ve yet to set it up for use (live streaming, direct recording, etc.) with my iMac (M1). I’m not even sure how to go about doing that. I use a PreSonus DAW and I’m quite comfortable doing and setting up minor techie stuff. Do you have a connection setup guide video for connecting a camera to a computer? I’m beginning to enjoy your videos a lot more. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@meredithmarsh]

Thanks! I don't have a CURRENT setup guide video for connecting a camera to a computer (I guess I should create one?) but the gist is that my m50 Mark 2 is connected to my computer through an Elgato Camlink, which allows me to record to my computer (through Descript, Ecamm, Riverside, Streamyard, OBS, any of those kinds of programs) and use my "real" camera on Zoom calls. I don't think the original m50 has this capability because it doesn't have clean HDMI out BUT you can still record with it through Canon's EOS utility software.

[@TC_Conner]

@@meredithmarsh Thanks!

[@djwhelan4283]

Thank you for this video Meredith, I want one from my DJ Streaming and this seems perfect, and it has 3GB of storage for the samples, it's currently 79 quid in the UK..which is a bargain, great video BTW :)

[@meredithmarsh]

Thanks!! 🙏

[@miguelkieling532]

Hey Meredith. I was wondering if you your camera is set to record in 4K when you’re using your Camlink? I see your output is 1080… Great video by the way!

[@meredithmarsh]

Thanks! No I keep it set at 1080.

[@mackietv]

Hey Meredith, we know who you are now. Thank you for reviewing M-Caster Studio!

[@meredithmarsh]

😂 you’re welcome ☺️

[@alamaguitars5693]

Can you use this to livestream on FB and IG using only your phone not a computer?

[@meredithmarsh]

I’m not sure

[@byronbrimstone5163]

Does it work directly with the "Mic" input in a DSLR?

[@AntoniEgitoCRM]

Probably if you use jack output from Mackie to jack in camera you are able to record it in the camera. Or do you mean other connection like usb-c or proprietary?

[@jeffacuesta]

can i plug my electric guitar to the instrument input using a 3.5mm to 6.35mm audio adapter ?

[@indorock]

Yes, but even better you can just plug it in directly to the combo XLR/6.3mm mic input.

[@dream-bits]

Thank you so much for this video. One very very important note: This device is available in black and white! YES! WHITE!. Rode only provides a black version of the streamer x but the Mackie is also available in white and looks amazing!

[@meredithmarsh]

You’re welcome. I saw the white one and I thought about it!!! ❤️

[@Finsterwald_]

@@meredithmarsh this is very important for me, as I have an all white setup and a black device would be a deal breaker, no matter how good it is 😅

[@NerdTechsDoug]

Can I use my bluetooth headset with it or bluetooth is only an audio source?

[@AntoniEgitoCRM]

Seems as bluetooth is only imitating a headset for input/output device such as computer, smartphone etc. Your mobile phone can start sending audio like music or a call to the M-caster as audio input for ypur mix. M-caster simultaneously is sending mix-minus back to the phone so caller can hear all but themselves. There is not direc connection to the BT headset (e.g. to monitor the output)

[@Insanartist]

I was so disappointed by the Streamer X and now i'm was looking at the Rodecaster Duo, but the price...Ouch! But i'm looking at the Tascam Mixcast 4 which is on sale (kinda) and 5 months payments with 0 interest fees from Amazon, i'm tempted :P

[@goell_live]

Can i plug in a USB microfon? And use the jack cable for audio out to my Smartphone?thank you from Austria ❤

[@TheresaCroft]

So...I already have Scarlet...this just another option...I am a podcaster..amidst an ai coach.

[@meredithmarsh]

You should be good to go with the scarlet!

[@HosuyakawaYazuki-]

You may know, or not...RODE just purchased Mackie.

[@meredithmarsh]

Yep! I heard!

[@xJLx]

If you compare the two devices means you've understood nothing about

[@Midas-gd8fv]

No