ALTO ZMX52 Compact 5-Channel Mixer Review

We’ll be taking a quick look at the ALTO ZMX52 Compact 5-Channel Mixer. This mixer has everything a beginner/amateur needs. It’s compact and small, supports up to 5 channels, XLR input with phantom power, and comes with a nice large dial for the main audio level.

Let me start with a disclaimer. I have to say … I am NOT an audio expert nor am I a musician. But one thing I can say and that is … I’m a Vlogger, Youtuber and a live streamer.

So why do I need one of these popular audio mixers? Well lately, for the past several months I found myself doing a lot of live streaming, whether it’s gaming, podcasting or general chit-chat … I needed to get the audio perfect or at least just right for streaming.

During my recent live streaming/recording session, I discovered the need to have several sources of audio, which includes my microphone, sound effects machine, video camera (phone) and others. Sadly, there just isn’t enough audio inputs/line-in on my PC to allow me to connect all of the above. And even if I did, I wouldn’t be able to control the audio levels of each sound source. To solved this problem, a dedicated mixer is required.

Here’s a little information about ALTO Professional taken from their website.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

▲lto Professional was founded in 2000 by a passionate team of audio engineers striving to produce products that delivered superior performance at affordable price points for use in live performance settings . Through the use of modern manufacturing techniques, cutting edge DSP technology, and sophisticated design, Alto has succeeded in producing a range of products that provide both exceptional performance and exceptional value for the performing musician and live sound engineer.

That’s why we think of ourselves not as a Sound Reinforcement company, but as a Live Performance Reinforcement company. We not only produce tools for the live sound engineer – speakers, amplifiers and mixers – but also tools for the performing musician, including all-in-one PA systems for solo, duo and small group performance settings.

Our mission is simple: create products for use in live performance that literally blow away the competition, in terms of accuracy, power, durability, portability, and price. Every product we design, every component we select and every manufacturing process we use is in service of that simple mission.

At ▲lto, we’re dedicated to delivering products that will serve our customers for years to come, stand up to the rigors of the road and provide exceptional performance night in and night out. We’re as passionate about making the tools to help you be heard as you are about the music you create.

Let’s see how easy it is to set up and configure the ALTO ZMX52 Mixer for our streaming setup. I’m interested to see how the audio will sound.

You can buy the ALTO ZMX52 Compact 5-Channel Mixer for around USD $49 from Amazon – https://amzn.to/2NHkQlX

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Overview

Professional Mixing Features
The ZEPHYR ZMX52 is a 5-channel mixer with all the essential inputs, outputs, and EQ for solo gigs and multimedia studios. It features one mono channel with a microphone input (with Phantom Power), balanced TRS input, and a two-band EQ. It also delivers two stereo channels with two balanced TRS inputs each. There’s even two-track inputs for things such as audio playback. The ZMX52 is the perfect compact take-anywhere professional mixer.

Versatile Inputs and Outputs
The ZMX52 is the perfect mixer for quick, easy setups with no hassle. Not only can you can plug dynamic, condenser, and wireless microphones into the first channel, but you also get two stereo channel inputs for keyboards, drum machines, and other instruments. What’s more, you can easily plug in your MP3 player, CD players, or audio from a DVD player into the CD/TAPE input. But, you also have a dedicated stereo output to send to a recorder in addition to the main stereo outputs. Choose the ZMX52 as the audio central command for your live performances, home studio, or video suite.

High headroom, low noise
Just because the ZMX52 is the smallest, most affordable mixer we make doesn’t mean you have to make sacrifices. This compact mixer brings the same standard of quality to your performances as our top-of-the-line models. All Alto Professional ZEPHYR ZMX mixers are designed with high headroom and ultra low-noise, discrete mic preamps so you always get the full dynamic range of your mix every time.

Visualize your mix
We designed every ZEPHYR ZMX mixer with your performance in mind. Sometimes venues are dark and it can be hard to see what you’re working with. Alto Professional solves this problem by not only color coding each section of the mixer, but also by using brightly colored knobs so that you can easily find what you need to adjust before you ever lay a finger on the mixer. Our blue, red and white pots are instantly easy to identify in dim lighting. LED indicators for output level, peak, and phantom power also assist in making sure that you have multiple visual cues that compliment everything you’re hearing.

Features

Six total inputs with a phantom powered XLR jack on channel 1
1/4” Main, Tape, Headphone & Aux outputs for flexible signal routing
Perfect for musicians looking for a compact, capable mixer
Mic input channel with gold plated XLR and balanced line input
Two stereo input channels with balanced TRS jack
High headroom circuitry offering extra dynamic range
Ultra-low-noise discrete mic preamp with Phantom power
Balanced inputs for highest signal integrity and low-noise operation
Warm, natural two-band EQ on mono channel
2-Track inputs w/assignable bus: main mix or headphone out
Highly accurate four-segment bar graph meters
Aux inputs/outputs for external audio source integration
Peak LEDs on each channel

Technical Specifications

Mono channel (Ch. 1)

Microphone Input: Electronically balanced, discrete input configuration
Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 22 kHz, +/-1 dB
Distortion( THD&N): ≦0.005% at +4 dBu, 1 kHz
Gain range: 0 dB to 44 dB (Mic)
Maximum Voltage Gain: 74 dB Ch. Mic Input → Main Mix out & Tape out, 80 dB Ch. Mic Input → Control room & phones
SNR (Signal to Noise Rate): ≧110 dBu
Phantom power (Mic Pin2/Pin3 and Pin1): +18 V
Line Input: Electronically balanced
Frequency Response:20 Hz to 22 kHz, +/- 1 dB
Distortion (THD&N): ≦0.005% at +4 dBu, 1 kHz
Gain range: 15 dBu to 30 dBu

Stereo channels (Ch. 2 – 5)

Line Input: Electronically balanced
SNR (Signal to Noise Ratio): ≧110 dBu
Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 22 kHz, +/- 1dB
Distortion (THD&N): ≦0.005% at +4 dBu, 1 kHz
Gain range: 0 dBu
Maximum Voltage Gain: 30 dB Ch. Line → Main Mix out

Impedance

Microphone Input: 3.9 kOhms
All Other Input: 10 kOhms or Greater
Tape Out: 1 kOhms
All Other Outputs: 120 Ohms

Equalization

Mono channel: High ±15 dB @ 12 kHz, Low ±15 dB @ 80 Hz

Crosstalk

Adjacent Input: ≦-80 dB @ 1KHz (Ch. 1 – 6)
Input to Output: ≦-75 dB @ 1KHz (Stereo L/R, Ch. 1-4, Pan: panned hard left or right)

Main Mix Section

Output level: 0dBu Unbalanced, 1/4″ Jacks
Max out: +22dBu Unbalanced, 1/4″ Jacks
Noise (Bus noise): ≦-90 dB @ 20 Hz – 22 KHz (channel & Main level at 0 dB, other at minimum, DSP mute)

Power and Dims

Power Supply: 18 V, 500 mA
Rated Power Consumption: 9 W
Dimensions (WxLxH): 128.1mm x 204mm x 38mm
Weight: 1.65 lb

The Box and Packaging

A Closer Look

Installation

Verdict and Conclusion

The ALTO ZMX52 Compact 5-Channel Mixer does what it say on the box. It’s compact and portable making it perfect for musicians on the move (or streamers alike). Setting up and configuring the mixer is super easy, so no complaints here.

With a total of 6 inputs each with its own level adjustments, and one phantom powered XLR input (for mic), it’s more than enough for most beginners and amateur users.

What I like about the mixer is the onboard digital effects, although it only one the first input, does a good enough job. There’s adjustments for Gain, EQ (hi and low) and Pan.

You can pick up the ALTO ZMX52 Compact 5-Channel Mixer for around USD $49 from Amazon. At this price, it’s an absolute bargain. It does everything I need it to do (plus more if I wanted to use the mixer for instruments). There are more expensive mixers dedicated for streaming such as the Soundblaster K3+, but at a price of USD $129, it’s something you might want to think twice.

If you’re doing a lot of streaming, podcast or live gaming, and you want to be able to connect several audio source to your PC … then you seriously need to consider the ALTO ZMX52 Compact 5-Channel Mixer. It has everything you’ll need at a price that’s too attractive to miss!