Are you tired of dealing with poor audio quality in your streams or podcasts?
Many live streamers and podcasters face common issues such as background noise, audio distortion, and low volume levels, which can disrupt a smooth production. To ensure your stream or podcast runs smoothly and professionally, choosing the right equipment is crucial. However, creators struggle to find the right audio gear—sometimes the microphone sounds great but the mixer is disappointing, or vice versa.
To help you make a better decision, we've invited @Lo Know, a seasoned YouTube content creator, to provide a thorough, honest, and unbiased review of the AMIX40U audio mixers and AM20X USB/XLR microphones. Keep reading to find out if these products could be the solution you've been searching for to elevate your streaming and podcasting setup.
First Impressions of a Promising USB/XLR Microphone Setup
Upon unboxing the NearStream AM20X, Lo Know immediately noticed its dual connectivity options: USB-C and XLR.
This flexibility meant easy, plug-and-play convenience for quick recording sessions via USB, while still offering professional-grade quality through XLR for more serious projects.
During the initial microphone test, Lo Know chose the USB-C connection, pairing the mic with Audacity on his laptop. His first impression was clear: the microphone performed exceptionally well for a USB-C device.
Diving into the Details: Microphone Test and Build Quality
The AM20X didn’t just deliver good audio; it showed thoughtful design, especially when paired with its included stand.
Lo Know pointed out the stand’s flexible top adjustment, which allowed for easy positioning to get the right speaking angle.
The base, however, remained fixed, meaning the microphone couldn’t be pulled closer or pushed farther without physically moving the whole setup. Still, this limitation didn’t affect its usability for stationary recording environments, such as podcast desks or streaming stations.
Throughout his microphone test, Lo Know consistently noted how the AM20X made setup effortless, a big win for those trying to simplify their workflow.
Automatic Noise Reduction: A Game-Changer for Streaming and Podcasting
“The noise cancellation worked pretty well for me. Usually, turning on noise cancellation messes with how your voice sounds, but with this mic, it kept my voice clear while cutting out the background noise.”
One feature that stood out during Lo Know’s microphone test was the automatic noise cancellation system built into the AM20X.
“The microphone lights up with a soft blue glow when noise suppression is active, providing a visual confirmation.” To fully evaluate its effectiveness, Lo Know recorded audio both with and without noise cancellation：
- When disabled, computer fans and ambient room noise bled heavily into the recording.
- When enabled, those distractions nearly vanished, leaving behind a crisp vocal track.
Interestingly, while many noise-canceling microphones tend to dull the speaker’s voice, the AM20X maintained natural tonal quality.
This made it ideal for dynamic environments where background noise is unpredictable, whether during casual YouTube streams or professional podcast sessions.
For anyone assembling a USB/XLR microphone setup meant for real-world use, this level of automatic noise management is an impressive bonus.
Extra Features That Simplify Live Streaming
Beyond clear audio, Lo Know appreciated the AM20X’s convenient built-in functions:
- Users could monitor their voice through headphones simply by pressing a button, which turned the light green. A quick twist of the control knob muted the mic, changing the light to red for instant feedback.
- Acting as a USB audio interface, the AM20X allowed system sounds—like game effects or background music—to pass through, without interfering with clean vocal recordings.
These seamless integrations made NearStream’s microphone not just a recording device but a smart piece of any live streaming setup.
Testing the AMIX40U: A Reliable Audio Mixer for PC and Podcast Use
If the AM20X handled capturing voice, the AMIX40U took control of shaping it.
Lo Know spent several sessions experimenting with the AMIX40U, examining its potential as an audio mixer for pc and an audio mixer for podcast production.
Flexible Recording and Tone Shaping with the AMIX40U Audio Mixer
Lo Know was impressed with the versatility of the AMIX40U audio mixer, “One of its key features was the independent gain control for each channel, which made adjusting the microphone levels incredibly easy."
With just the press of a button, Lo Know could activate a channel and turn the knob to raise or lower the input level, making it perfect for quickly adapting to different microphones or guest speakers during a live broadcast.
Beyond the gain control, the built-in EQ presets on the AMIX40U allowed Lo Know to fine-tune his audio to fit different needs. The Raw Mode kept the audio untouched, offering maximum flexibility for post-production. For richer vocals, Lo Know could switch to the Deep Mode, which boosted the low frequencies, or the Bright Mode, which enhanced the higher frequencies to bring more clarity to his speech.
This combination of flexible controls and easy adjustments made the mixer ideal for various content types, from podcast interviews to casual gaming livestreams.
For those working with professional microphones, the AMIX40U’s 48V phantom power support was a game-changer. With a single button press, Lo Know could power high-end XLR microphones directly from the mixer, eliminating the need for a separate interface and streamlining his audio mixer for PC workflow.
Noise Reduction, Reverb, and Advanced Audio Management Features
The multi-level noise reduction feature on the AMIX40U was another highlight, offering three settings: Off, Medium, and High.
Lo Know tested these in various environments and found that the High setting was incredibly effective in noisy surroundings, while the Medium setting was ideal for home studios. This feature greatly enhanced the microphone’s performance, ensuring clear and professional-quality audio regardless of the recording environment.
The adjustable reverb was another tool Lo Know enjoyed experimenting with. From subtle ambiance to dramatic, hall-like echoes, adding reverb allowed him to creatively shape the mood of his broadcast. This feature is perfect for content creators looking for that extra level of flexibility in their audio presentation.
Effortless Music Integration and Streamlined Workflow
For streamers and podcasters, managing background music and system audio is a crucial part of the content creation process.
Lo Know appreciated the ease with which he could mix background music into his live vocals using the AMIX40U. Whether connecting via Bluetooth or an aux cable, he had independent volume control for both the background music and the microphone input, ensuring the music never overshadowed his voice. The main and headphone outputs allowed for precise volume adjustments, giving Lo Know the ability to monitor his mix separately from what the audience heard.
One feature that stood out was the Loopback function. This allowed Lo Know to seamlessly capture system audio—such as game sounds or music—alongside his microphone input. This function is perfect for streamers who want to create layered livestreams with minimal setup, eliminating the need for complex routing. Additionally, the Bluetooth support provided a convenient way to integrate wireless audio sources, further enhancing Lo Know’s multitasking capabilities during live streams.
Final Verdict: Is the NearStream Combo Worth It for Content Creators?
After extensive use, Lo Know offered a recommendation for the NearStream AM20X microphone and AMIX40U mixer combo.
What makes AMIX40U & AM20X Stand Out?
- Crisp, natural voice reproduction
- Effective noise cancellation with minimal tonal impact
- Simple USB-C plug-and-play combined with professional XLR options
- Compact yet powerful mixer features
- Loopback, Bluetooth, and real-time audio effects support
Small Drawbacks to consider:
- The microphone’s lightweight plastic feel may not suit those expecting a heavy, "premium" device.
- High-level noise suppression could slightly soften fine vocal textures in extremely quiet environments.
Still, these issues were minor compared to the system’s overall performance and flexibility. For creators seeking a strong USB/XLR microphone and a fully featured audio mixer for PC, NearStream delivers tremendous value.
Conclusion: Professional Streaming, Simplified with NearStream
In his search for the perfect live streaming setup, Lo Know found NearStream’s AM20X and AMIX40U to be refreshingly practical.
By combining solid audio performance with flexible functionality, these tools helped him focus on content creation rather than technical hurdles.
For anyone looking to upgrade their USB/XLR microphone game, or seeking a straightforward audio mixer for podcast recording, NearStream’s offerings deserve serious consideration.
Professional doesn’t always mean complicated—sometimes, the best gear just lets creativity flow naturally. If you’re ready to level up your streaming or podcasting setup, NearStream is definitely worth checking out. Click here to see more: AMIX40U | AM20X
