iRig Stream Pro vs Roland GO:MIXER PRO-X: Which One is Better?

If you are a musician, podcaster, or content creator who wants to stream high-quality audio from your mobile device, you might be interested in two popular audio interfaces: the iRig Stream Pro and the Roland GO:MIXER PRO-X.

These devices are designed to help you connect your instruments, microphones, and media players to your smartphone or tablet and mix them live while broadcasting. But which one is better for your needs? How do they differ in features, price, sound quality, and compatibility?

The iRig Stream Pro is a compact audio interface that offers one-channel XLR mic input, two-channel RCA input, and headphone output. The Roland GO:MIXER PRO-X is a portable mixer that provides nine-channel audio input, phantom power, and center cancel function.

Choose the iRig Stream Pro if:

• You want to stream high-quality audio with more details and nuances. The iRig has a higher sample rate and bit depth than the Roland device, which might make your sound more clear and crisp.

• You want to stream in stereo or send separate channels to different apps or devices. The iRig has a switch that lets you choose between stereo or 4-channel mode, which might make your stream more dynamic and versatile.

• You want to power your device while streaming. You can power your device with an optional power supply, which might help you avoid interruptions and conserve battery life.

Choose the Roland GO:MIXER PRO-X if:

• You want to use high-quality microphones that require phantom power. The Roland device has phantom power that lets you use condenser microphones with it, which might improve your sound quality and versatility.

• You want to create karaoke tracks or backing tracks from your media player. The Roland device has a center cancel function that lets you reduce the vocals or lead instruments from your media player input, which might help you create custom tracks and practice along with them.

• You want to save money while getting a decent audio interface for mobile streaming. The Roland device is cheaper than the iRig device, which might be a good deal for budget-conscious users.

Common Features

Both the iRig Stream Pro and the Roland GO:MIXER PRO-X share some common features that make them suitable for mobile streaming.

• They can connect to various audio sources. Both devices have multiple inputs that can accommodate different types of audio sources, such as microphones, instruments, mixers, or media players. You can use them to stream your vocals, guitar, keyboard, DJ set, or background music from your phone or tablet.

• They have audio level indicators. Both devices have LED indicators that show you the audio level of your input sources. This helps you adjust the volume and avoid clipping or distortion.

• Both devices have 3.5mm headphone outputs that let you monitor your sound and listen to your stream. You can also use them to connect external speakers or headphones for better sound quality.

• They support stereo streaming. Both devices can stream stereo audio to your preferred platform, such as YouTube, Facebook Live, Instagram Live, Twitch, or Zoom. This gives you a more immersive and realistic sound experience for your audience.

• They are powered by your device or batteries. Both devices can run on the battery of your mobile device or computer via the USB connection. Alternatively, you can also power them with AA batteries (for the Roland GO:MIXER PRO-X) or an optional power supply (for the iRig Stream Pro).

iRig Stream Pro Feature Details

• Has a sample rate of 96 kHz and a bit depth of 24 bits, which means it can capture and reproduce more details and nuances of your sound than lower-resolution devices.

• Has a headphone output with device loopback, which means you can monitor your sound and listen to the audio from your device at the same time.

• Has a switch that lets you choose between stereo or 4-channel mode, which means you can stream in stereo or send separate channels to different apps or devices.

Roland GO:MIXER PRO-X Feature Details

• Has a center cancel function that lets you reduce the vocals or lead instruments from your media player input, which means you can create karaoke tracks or backing tracks from your media player. You can also use this function to practice along with your favorite songs.

• Has phantom power that lets you use condenser microphones with it, which means you can use high-quality microphones that require phantom power with the Roland device. However, you need to use batteries or an optional power supply to enable this feature.

Sound Quality

Another important aspect to compare between the iRig Stream Pro and the Roland GO:MIXER PRO-X is their sound quality. Both devices claim to deliver high-quality audio for mobile streaming, but how do they compare in terms of specifications and performance?

The iRig Stream Pro has a sample rate of 96 kHz and a bit depth of 24 bits, while the Roland GO:MIXER PRO-X has a sample rate of 44.1 kHz and a bit depth of 16 bits. They both have a frequency response of 20 Hz – 20 kHz , capturing and reproducing a wide range of frequencies with decent resolution and accuracy.

However, based on these specifications alone, it seems that the iRig Stream Pro has an edge over the Roland GO:MIXER PRO-X in terms of sound quality. The higher sample rate and bit depth of the iRig device mean that it can record more details and nuances of your sound than the Roland device.

Of course, specifications are not everything when it comes to sound quality. You also need to consider other factors, such as the quality of your input sources, the quality of your streaming platform, and the quality of your listening device.

Price Comparison

One of the main differences between the iRig Stream Pro and the Roland GO:MIXER PRO-X is their price. The iRig Stream Pro costs about $200, while the Roland GO:MIXER PRO-X costs about $230.

Compatibility

The iRig Stream Pro connects to your device via a mini-DIN port. The Roland GO:MIXER PRO-X connects to your device via a micro-USB port.

They both come with three cables: a Lightning cable for iOS devices, a USB-C cable for Android devices or Mac’s, and a USB-A cable for Windows PC’s.

These differences might affect how you use the iRig Stream Pro and the Roland GO:MIXER PRO-X with different devices and platforms. Depending on what features you need and prefer, you might find one device more compatible than the other.

Which One Would You Choose?