Can the Notepad-8FX Mixing Console accommodate a podcast with 4 guests?

You need a minimum of 8 inputs to host 4 people and a host simultaneously, and you should verify your microphone types before starting your first recording.

For a comprehensive evaluation of this hardware, see our full Soundcraft Notepad-8FX review.

Notepad-8FX input channels and phantom power support for podcasting

The Notepad-8FX features 8 channels of input, which provides enough capacity for a small group recording a multi-track session. We selected this mixer for our comparison because it includes an integrated USB audio interface for connecting to a Mac or PC. This mixer is a desk-based control board for blending audio signals, known in the industry as a mixing console. Because podcasting often requires high-quality microphones, you should confirm that your specific microphones do not require more than the 48V phantom power—the electricity used to power professional condenser microphones—that the console provides. This check is vital for mixing consoles because a lack of power on a specific channel will result in no audio from your guest’s microphone.

You can find the specific hardware capabilities in our Soundcraft Notepad-8FX spec breakdown.

What to Check Before Buying the Soundcraft Notepad-8FX

Before purchasing this console for your studio, verify these specific requirements to ensure your guest setup functions correctly:

To see our final recommendation, read the Soundcraft Notepad-8FX final verdict.

• Confirm that your 4 microphones use standard XLR inputs, as these are the physical ports used to plug in each guest.
• Verify that your microphones are compatible with 48V phantom power to ensure they receive electricity from the console.
• Check if you need to send audio to a secondary device, as the Aux Sends allow you to route signals to separate monitoring mixes.

Understanding the Notepad-8FX for Your Studio

The Notepad-8FX is a compact solution for users who need a reliable way to mix a DJ set with multiple controllers or a small group of voices. If you need to connect a full studio rack of outboard gear or mix a live band with a full drum kit, you would need to look at larger consoles with 12 to 24 inputs. This specific model is best suited for creators who need a portable, metal-enclosed mixer with built-in Lexicon effects for a home studio or a small podcasting setup.

If you prefer remote operation, see the best digital mixer for tablet control.

If you are a solo creator or a small team needing to manage up to 8 simultaneous audio sources with built-in effects, the Soundcraft Notepad-8FX is the right choice for your podcast.

Many creators also consider the best bluetooth audio mixer for mobile use for portable setups.

Reviewed by the EB Servant editorial team. EB Servant writes these guides from the 200 most-reviewed mixing console listings in our retail dataset, not from manufacturer copy.