The 10 Best DSLR Audio Mixers
Editor's Notes
January 17, 2020:
Studies show that people will put up with the worst quality video but won't tolerate poor quality audio. Audio is often the distinguishing factor between what is considered an amateur or professional production, and it's what causes videographers the most headaches. The audio captured with the mic that's built-in to most DSLRs, as featured on our best DSLR cameras ranking, is typically thin and lacks the "presence" that handheld or boom mics can provide.
The solution is to use better quality mics, and even multiple mics, to capture the audio of an interview or event. If you don't want to use the "dual-system" method employed in professional filmmaking where the audio is captured on an external recorder and then later synchronized to the picture in post-production, or if you're a "crew of one" shooting a vlog and need a simple, portable solution, then consider one of the DSLR mixers I've included in this list.
DSLR audio mixers come in a wide variety of flavors and configurations but are all made to do one thing: take the audio from one or more microphones that normally won't connect directly to your camera and send their signal to your camera's built-in recorder. The difference between audio mixers and adaptors is that adaptors just convert one type of plug to another so you can use any mic you'd like with the traditional 1/8-inch audio input found on most DSLRs. I'm focused here on actual mixers that allow you to mix the audio from one or more mics into one audio stream that goes into your camera. The functions are as varied as the price tags, but there's something available for every videographer, from beginner to pro. I included mixers ranging from the high-end Tascam DR-60DMKII that accepts the professional XLR connector and can record onto an internal SD card, to the no-frills BOYA by MP4 that only accepts mics with 1/8-inch plugs like those used for headphones. Several mixers on the list can be mounted between the camera and a tripod like those featured on our tripods For DSLR cameras ranking. Mid-range mixers of note are the Movo AM200 and Saramonic SMARTRIG+ which provide two-channel mixing with lightweight portability and zero learning curve.
The mixers in this list were chosen for portability, ease of mounting directly to camera or tripod, and the ability to mix more than one audio source directly to your camera's audio input, all without breaking the bank.