Soundcraft EPM8From real comments

Name: Soundcraft EPM8
Rating: 2.8 (12 reviews)

Verdict distilled from 12 mentions across 9 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment42%

PROS 42%

CONS 58%

Rank based on 12 mentions across 9 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

You want phantom power isolated only to the XLR mic inputs on channels 1-6, sparing your line-level gear
You want a sweepable, semi-parametric mid EQ band rather than a fixed one
You plan to route channels into a DAW via an external interface like a Focusrite 2i2

What users love

Selective phantom power design0 mentions

Generally positive

Sweepable mid EQ band0 mentions

Generally positive

Multiple aux outputs0 mentions

Generally positive

Usable for DAW recording setups0 mentions

Generally positive

Skip this if...

You need faders and PFL/solo meters that work reliably without troubleshooting
You want to avoid units where a channel (like mix-L) stops sending audio
You expect a 4-band EQ; the EPM8's EQ section is only 3-band

What users complain about

Unresponsive faders0 mentions

Frequently criticized

Phantom power and voltage scope confusing0 mentions

Generally negative

Channel output failures0 mentions

Frequently criticized

Non-functioning PFL/solo meters0 mentions

Frequently criticized

EQ is 3-band, not 4-band0 mentions

Generally negative

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You are here

Soundcraft EPM8

Selective phantom power designMultiple aux outputsSweepable mid EQ bandPhantom power and voltage scope confusingUnresponsive fadersChannel output failures

Soundcraft EPM8

Selective phantom power design

Multiple aux outputs

Sweepable mid EQ band

Phantom power and voltage scope confusing

Unresponsive faders

Channel output failures

Versatile
1. MXR Super Badass Distortionarrow_upward15
2. Wampler Paisley Drivearrow_upward6
3. Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrivearrow_upward4
Expensive
1. Moog Subsequent 37arrow_downward3
2. Origin Effects Deluxe61arrow_downward3
3. Eventide Orvillearrow_downward4
Dynamic response
1. Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrivearrow_upward8
2. Wampler Paisley Drivearrow_upward2
3 band eq
1. MXR Super Badass Distortionarrow_upward6
2. Soundcraft EPM8arrow_downward1
Build quality
1. Moog Subsequent 37arrow_upward3
2. Origin Effects Deluxe61arrow_upward1

Overall Impression

Several owners report hardware reliability problems. One user's mix-L channel would not send audio even though the desk lights showed signal present, and moving the cable to mix-R produced only very quiet sound. Another reported the mix/solo meters not lighting up even with PFL engaged. A third said only the gain worked on each channel while faders did nothing, and a fourth found stereo channels audible only in PFL mode with faders having no effect.

Signal routing and phantom power scope take some learning. One user asked for confirmation that phantom power applies only to the female XLR mic inputs on channels 1-6, not the 6.3mm inputs, stereo channels, headphone jack, or main XLR outputs, and another separately asked whether phantom power affects line-in or insert voltage. A third wondered whether it is safe to pan separate mono sources across the left and right sides of a stereo channel, and a fourth asked how the Aux 1 and Aux 2 outputs are configured.

The EQ is 3-band, not 4-band, and the mixer sees DAW use. A commenter corrected a review's claim of a 4-band EQ, clarifying it is actually 3-band with a sweepable, semi-parametric mid control, which matters for anyone shopping by spec sheet. Separately, one buyer described getting the EPM8 to run drum mics for their kit, intending to set tone and pan per channel before sending the mix into a DAW through a Focusrite 2i2 interface.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?

powerSelective phantom power design

2 mentions

Generally positive

Users understand that phantom power is applied only to the female XLR mic inputs on channels 1-6, leaving 6.3mm line inputs, stereo channels, headphone jack, and main XLR outputs unaffected. This targeted design avoids accidentally powering gear plugged into non-mic inputs.

@disco.jellyfish

Just so I get this right:\nIf i switch Phantom Power on it only applies to the MIC inputs which are the female XLRs of channel 1-6. The Phantom Power does NOT apply to the 6,3mm inputs which are right below the XLR inputs neither does it apply to either of the stereo channels or the headphone jack or main XLR OUTputs.\n\nDid I get this correctly?

smart_display

September 1, 2020

@a1creativesstudio

sir..if phatom power is oN...will all XLR inputs will get 48v? what about line in voltage ? and what about insert voltage ???

smart_display

January 29, 2018

equalizerSweepable mid EQ band

1 mentions

Generally positive

The EQ section includes a sweepable, semi-parametric mid band rather than a fixed frequency, giving more tonal control than a basic fixed 3-band setup. A commenter specifically flagged this as a notable feature worth knowing about.

@williammusicman

THAT IS A 3 BAND EQ!!! NOT 4! Mid is sweepable OR semi-parametric.

smart_display

February 6, 2020

call_splitMultiple aux outputs

1 mentions

Generally positive

The mixer offers Aux 1 and Aux 2 outputs, which users are exploring for additional routing options such as monitor or effects sends. A commenter asked specifically about the L/R configuration of these outputs, indicating interest in using them for expanded setups.

@erickrl

the auxiliar Output is stereo or mono? Aux 1 e Aux2 have 4 outputs(L and R) or 2?

smart_display

June 8, 2018

micUsable for DAW recording setups

1 mentions

Generally positive

At least one buyer used the EPM8 to run drum mics and route the mixed signal into a DAW via a Focusrite 2i2 interface, setting tone and pan per channel first. This suggests the mixer can serve as a front-end for home recording workflows.

@MichaelDBauer

My wife bought me one of these today for use with drum mics for my kit to run into my DAW. Sounds like I should be able to set the tones, pans etc I want through this to send to my DAW through my Focusrite 2i2 interface. Am I correct?

smart_display

November 23, 2020

tuneUnresponsive faders

2 mentions

Frequently criticized

One user reported that only the gain control worked on each channel while the faders did nothing, despite mute and PFL buttons being in the correct position. Another separately reported stereo inputs were audible only in PFL mode and that moving the faders had no effect.

@PhillyJo-d4q

Only the Gain works on each channel, the faders do not work. Any suggestions? All buttons are in the up position. Mute and PFL.

smart_display

July 3, 2025

@nivac5227

I listen the stereo inputs only in PFL mode, what's going on? I move the faders but nothing happens.

smart_display

August 24, 2019

helpPhantom power and voltage scope confusing

2 mentions

Generally negative

Multiple users asked for clarification on exactly which inputs receive 48V phantom power and how it interacts with line-in and insert voltage, indicating the documentation or interface does not make this obvious. This kind of question recurs across different commenters.

@disco.jellyfish

smart_display

September 1, 2020

@a1creativesstudio

sir..if phatom power is oN...will all XLR inputs will get 48v? what about line in voltage ? and what about insert voltage ???

smart_display

January 29, 2018

errorChannel output failures

1 mentions

Frequently criticized

One user found the mix-L channel would not send audio despite the desk lights showing signal, and moving the connection to mix-R only produced very quiet output. The user noted a different mixer unit showed the same issue, suggesting a recurring fault.

@MarkPontingProductions

I have this at work the mix-L not sending audio out, the desk lights show a left and right coming in, if I move the left fader down it still shows stereo l-r on the lights, moving the left out cable to the mix-R slot it plays out sound but very quite. A different mixer has been tested and has the same issue? Any ideas?

smart_display

July 28, 2018

warningNon-functioning PFL/solo meters

1 mentions

Frequently criticized

A user reported the mix/solo meters do not respond even when the PFL button is engaged, leaving them unsure whether the unit is simply broken. This affects the ability to monitor levels before sending channels to the main mix.

@jach4305

The mix/solo meters in my mixer is not working even when the PFL button is switched on. Do someone have an idea of what might be wrong? Or is it just broken?

smart_display

February 13, 2022

infoEQ is 3-band, not 4-band

1 mentions

Generally negative

A commenter corrected a review's description of the mixer, clarifying that the EQ section is actually 3-band with a sweepable, semi-parametric mid, rather than the 4-band setup that had been claimed. This could mislead buyers comparing spec sheets.

@williammusicman

THAT IS A 3 BAND EQ!!! NOT 4! Mid is sweepable OR semi-parametric.

smart_display

February 6, 2020

Soundcraft EPM8chat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

thumb_up_off_altBuy this if...

What users lovefavorite_border

thumb_down_off_altSkip this if...

What users complain aboutheart_broken

Compare in seconds

Who wins on what

Versatile

Expensive

Dynamic response

3 band eq

Build quality

auto_awesomeOverall Impression

Soundcraft EPM8From real comments

Buy this if...

What users love

Skip this if...

What users complain about

Overall Impression