Soundcraft Signature 6chat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

Many users report the power supply failing over time, sometimes within a year, requiring replacement parts or DIY capacitor repair. This is described as a recurring design flaw tied to running the unit continuously.

@AFuturePresentation

Four years after this video was posted (2025) and it's still helping others. I've been having the \"Clip of Death\" ever since I bought my MTK22 used from a local music shop about a year ago. The mixer still works fine and I absolutely love everything about it except the power supply/clip of death issue. I'm happy to take the thing apart and swap in some new capacitors. I'll be order the parts today! Also as an FYI for anyone who has this mixer, I plug mine into a power strip so I can turn it off after every use. Works just fine. I also raised it from the desk that it's on by putting some cheap cork coasters (Ikea) under it. Maybe that helps with airflow? Thanks for the video! Cheers everyone! Dale in Milwaukeelaunch

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April 29, 2025

@ItsSkaterP

The sound isn’t as full as the older ones but it definitely is better/ thicker than nearly any interface that I’ve ever used under the $2000 price point.. especially if you sum all your tracks to the two track master bus within the Daw … but if you don’t have this connected to a furman where you could hit the off switch\n you’re definitely going to be replacing that power supply probably every year or so .. \n\nMy only problem is that it is not easy to do live streaming with this device \n\nthe software this built-in is not recognized by OBS or any other broadcasting applicationlaunch

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October 29, 2024

@OldManBadly

Fact 6 to 10: this unit does not have a power switch (an odd item to leave out, really) and if you leave it run too many hours, the power supplies tend to fail. I just replaced the one in mine. You need to have a power bar or furman or whatever to be able to power it down when not in use otherwise you will replace a power supply more often than you would like. Nice little mixer, some really stupid firmware quirks, but generally a decent soundcraft sound. Not as good as the older ones, but better than many.launch

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June 16, 2024

@BIGFLIPPA

DO NOT BUY the USB will fry itself after 12-18 months and unless you're happy with DIY going into your board and replacing broken capacitors Id say it's not worth it. Also not to mention the USB produces 8k and 16k interference spikes. That said, works GREAT in analog if not sing USB or have separate interface defeats the point but that's how I now use itlaunch

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December 2, 2023

Several users describe USB returns dropping out randomly, failing to work with streaming software like Streamlabs OBS, or specific channels (7-12) not outputting via USB at all, sometimes requiring workarounds or reinstalling drivers daily.

@Afternormal

I just got the signature mkt 12 and for the life of me I cant get output via usb (usb return ) to happen from any of the stereo channels ie: 7/8, 9/10 or 11/12, works flawlessly from channel 1-6 but not outputting via usb for channels 7 -12, same story on Mac and PC, it can input from any channel ie: attaching a guitar or any other audio hardware, but i can only get sound from channels 1-6 as usb, anyone have this similar problemlaunch

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June 7, 2023

@Lohbado

i've had the soundcraft signature 12 mtk 2 years. about 3 weeks ago output stopped working. after spending hours trouble shooting, i was at a loss. as a workaround, i got out an interface to connect to monitors, earphone and computer. on the computer sound preferences, input is from the soundcraft, output goes through the interface, because for some mysterious reason, i can't get output from the soundcraft. i read the manual and so on and am stumped.launch

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May 31, 2023

@chronnuggets580

I've had this mixer for several months and it worked ok in win7 but in windows 10, it stops working every single day. I spent ALL day stressing and trouble shooting every sound option imaginable to get this thing to work and finally did for a short time. next day (today) wake up to another issue. It's every day and I am selling it. So if you want a full time job of trying to keep this thing running. Enjoy!launch

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May 13, 2020

@DonMobliano

I just picked up the Soundcraft Signature 12 MTK based on this video. On paper this mixer is amazing, however since I have hooked it up I have had problems. I'm hoping someone can confirm if my problems are by design or an actual issue with my mixer. Note, I'm running Windows 10 fully updated/patched as of 10/2/2019. I want this Mixer to work so badly because I use it purely for streaming and I would love to have most of my audio routing in and out of the computer to go over USB and not require separate DACs/Soundcards and analog cables into the mixer.\n\n1) The USB returns almost never work at all. When I boot my machine up it's hit or miss as to whether or not the USB returns will actually send any audio to the mixer. Sometimes I can disable the USB return/output device in Windows and re-enable it and then it will start sending audio. Note, when I say sending audio I'm simply talking about the \"Test tone\" feature in windows to test is the interface is working. I reached out to Soundcraft support and I'm waiting for a more detailed response from them, but so far they have chalked this up to only having one app with the ability to access the device, like an exclusive lock on the device.\n\n2) I use Streamlabs OBS and in the rare occasions that I am able to get the USB returns to work within Windows and/or Audacity, as soon as I launch Streamlabs OBS, all USB returns die again. I can only get them back by closing Streamlabs OBS and disabling/re-enabling the devices in Windows.\n\n3) I have had one instance where the USB sends stopped working with the exception of the Master Mix LR send. In my case the channel 01/02 USB send stopped sending signal in for discord and Windows was not detecting any audio over the meter for the device input. Then after about 15 minutes it just magically started working again.\n\nSo these are the main problems I have had. I'm pretty sure I have a bad unit, but I'm hesitant to try to get another one since the feedback from Soundcraft support has indicated that only one app can control the interfaces at a time. I mean this would absolutely kill what I'm trying to use the mixer for. I want to be able to have Streamlabs OBS running with USB sends coming in from at least the main mix and have multiple USB returns working into the mixer for audio sources such as Games, Music, Discord, Main System, etc. If Streamlabs is going to squash all other apps when I load it up, then this completely doesn't work for me.\n\nThanks in advance for any help!launch

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October 3, 2019

Multiple users report needing to crank the gain knob nearly to max to get a usable signal from dynamic mics, introducing hiss, and comparing unfavorably to other interfaces with similar or lower rated gain.

@BryanBowser

I just bought one of these. It has all the features I wanted. I'm thinking about sending it back because of the low gain. In the Soundcraft manual, it tells you to turn the gain up until you get a full signal. To do this, the gain knob is turned up to almost full and at that level, there's a lot of hiss. I don't get it. I had a Soundcraft EFX board that was tough, well designed and balanced. The gain knob on every channel was usually in the middle which is pretty standard for most boards. It seems to have a very basic design flaw.launch

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July 18, 2023

@XFreedy23

Thanks for the good review!\n I currently have a soundcraft notepad-12fx, and it is almost perfect, but the microphone gain is REALLY low for some reason. According to the specification sheet, the notepad and the 12 MTK also have +60dB microphone gain. It is really strange, as I can get a much stronger signal from a focusrite scarletti 2i2 2nd gen, although it only has +50dB gain according to the spec sheet. AKG d5 and C414, with both microphone I can get a much stronger signal out of 2i2 through USB recording. Probably I can get a good deal on a 12 mtk, how is your experience with gain when recording separate microphone channels in a daw through the built in usb interface?\n(it still confuses me how the notepad with a higher gain setting(tried 3 different notepad) produces a lower signal than the 2i2)launch

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April 20, 2023

@rsherid

Got a Soundcraft Signature 12 MTK as my first mixer and the volume is VERY quiet when playing guitars through it (either mic or DI) and going out to my KRK speakers or Headphones. The Gain, Channel Fader (routed to master and group 1-2) and Master are all cranked to the max. Sometimes it reaches -3 max volume on the Master Meter, but that's it. Is there something I'm missing here? I heard these mixers were quiet to help clipping, but this is barely audible.launch

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July 8, 2020

@bastianmaze_beats8730

Hi! I just got my mtk12 and I’m excited about it. In the manual it says “this equipment must be earthed” , unfortunately I have no earthed connections al home (I’m planning to build a few). Besides equipment damage for voltage overload and electroshock (which sounds pretty bad) do you think it can run performance problems or so...? I’ve found that the headphone out is a bit noisy at 75% which might be normal, but also the gain of the mic preamps can’t drive a regular dynamic mic without taking the gain to high so it starts to add noise too; i can’t even see the wave form in my recordings clearly, do you think it might have something to do with the non earthed connection? Thanks!launch

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September 2, 2018

The mixer lacks a power switch, which the original designer confirms was a compromise; users must rely on a power strip to turn it off, and forgetting to do so accelerates power supply wear.

@OldManBadly

Fact 6 to 10: this unit does not have a power switch (an odd item to leave out, really) and if you leave it run too many hours, the power supplies tend to fail. I just replaced the one in mine. You need to have a power bar or furman or whatever to be able to power it down when not in use otherwise you will replace a power supply more often than you would like. Nice little mixer, some really stupid firmware quirks, but generally a decent soundcraft sound. Not as good as the older ones, but better than many.launch

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June 16, 2024

@digitalneuralcreations

Great video! I have the Signature 22 MTK. I got it about 2 years ago and I love it! I have a semi-professional recording studio and needed the larger console for projects. It's not all that uncommon for higher end recording equipment to not have power switches. I have some rack mounted gear that doesn't have power switches such as Lexicon. Companies just assume they will be plugged in to power conditioners/ surge protectors that have power switches.launch

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January 3, 2021

@seankarpowicz3421

Hi Ms Mad Lemon,\n\nI am the person who designed this mixer for Soundcraft around 2014 and was I Soundcraft until I left the company in early 2016. I agree with you on the power switch... A few other sacrifices that pained me as well... But I get such joy seeing people use the Signature Series consoles. They hold a very special place in my heart so to see someone enjoying it so much is brilliant. \n\nI laughed very hard at the manual being included with the lamp but not the very complicated mixer lol\n\nCheers!launch

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April 5, 2019

Some users report multiple units breaking within two years across repeated purchases, while others had faulty units out of the box, leading them to switch brands entirely.

@jayhunthuntcreative

Had 2 of these. My 3rd Soundcraft. I like the planning but I am not impressed with the quality of these boards. All 3 broke within 2 years and never left the studio. Never buy another. I am going for Allen & Heath. Better sound, can actually export effects via USB and just a better board. Just limited to 4 in and out USB however. I'll live.launch

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October 30, 2020

@tof1998

I had 2 of these (both faulty ) not to mention the low level usb output was horrible...Yes the effects are of good quality but putting them post fade ( ie effects not gong to OBS or xsplit or whatever ) is stupid....My other problem with this mixer was that mic input was always live, regardless of weather it was on or not....Sorry epos, this mixer promised so much but was a disaster for me.\nI went back to my Berhinger 18/32 for a short while then changed to a yamaha MG12 XU ...I dont use the usb i use a Presonus studio 6-8 and an outboard dbx 286s.....\nJust as an aside, Soundcraft used to be of excellent quality but took a lot of flak with this mixer. ( and rightly so )launch

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August 23, 2018

A user researching AUX routing for samplers discovered the aux outputs are mono rather than stereo as expected, limiting stereo imaging options for external gear.

@strongocho

30:05 I am currently struggling with this right now... I Got the soundcraft signature 12MTK and have been absolutely in love with this mixer until recently I hit a roadblock when trying to route samplers into it without getting interference from themselves. I thought it would be perfect to run one of the AUX outputs to each one then mute the output of the mixer to that AUX eliminating the interference. This is when I learned that the AUX outputs are only mono... I was hoping they were stereo like the headphone output. Now I am getting adapters that split the mono so it is not just one side, but it is still technically mono and I will lose any stereo space out of the AUX outputs.launch

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August 15, 2019

One commenter with live sound experience says having only one FX rack (versus two on competing consoles) makes switching between reverb and delay effects slow and requires pre-planning during a show.

@resco91

The fact tjst it onlu has one FX Rack is a deal breaker fot me let's say i want a reverb kn vocals but then I want to do a delay throw, having one fx rack, whilst nit impossible it does make it a pain, and I'm speaking out of personal experience, I've worked with the A&H ZED series, moving for reverb and delay all the time is kind of slow so you have to plan your delay throws ahead of time like four to five seconds in advance so you have time to switch between them and then have time to quickly tap the right tempo as with a board thst has two rack , you just mute your delay, always have you tap ready , you tap the bps ahead of time, then it just takes a fraction of a second to unmute the bus, although I'm not a dynacord fan because of it's reputation here that's one thing they did right, putting two separate fx racks on their consoles and a 13 GEQ that you can route to either LR or monitorslaunch

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September 11, 2026

A studio user notes the lack of physical analog inserts after the DAW returns, limiting integration with outboard compressors and processors, and asks if a future version might add this.

@studioxfinalcut6791

Sir, i am fully impressed with signature mtk 22 for my studio within my budget but the main feature i am missing is the analog inserts for my outboard gears. Is there any possibility of 2nd gen mtk 22 where there will be physical inserts after daw returns. Or is there any other version of hybrid mixer that incudes this feature with similer budget?launch

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August 2, 2018