Gear4Music
Andertons
Music Store
zZounds
Plugin BoutiqueIf you want a console that survives a crashed PC and mixes on its own hardware, the RØDECaster Pro II wins. It keeps your entire stream audio alive even when Windows dies, with four Neutrik combo inputs, 76dB Revolution preamps that drive an SM7B with no booster, and eight SMART pads that handle OBS commands and music ducking. The Mackie DLZ Creator is the one to pick when you want a big 10.1-inch touchscreen to walk you through every step, nine real faders, and a second PC over NDI. No wrong answer — just the right one for how you think about failure.
RØDECaster Pro II vs Mackie DLZ Creator: Best Podcast Mixer Compared
The RØDECaster Pro II and the Mackie DLZ Creator are the two flagship all-in-one consoles for streamers and podcasters, and they sit at the same price tier for a reason: both are the professional upgrade when a controller plus a separate interface stops being enough. I have run both through live streams, podcast sessions and heavy OBS workloads to find out which one actually earns its place on the desk — because they solve very different problems for the same money.
Verdict
The RØDECaster Pro II is the reliability pick for dual-PC streaming with pro audio gear built in. The Mackie DLZ Creator is the guided-setup pick for creators who want to get great sound fast without learning broadcast audio.
RØDECaster Pro II
Pros
- All processing runs on the hardware — a frozen PC cannot stop your stream
- Dual USB-C connects two computers at once for complex setups
- 76dB Revolution preamps drive an SM7B or RE20 with no Cloudlifter
- Eight SMART pads trigger OBS commands, music ducking and voice FX
- Multitrack recording to microSD, USB or computer
Cons
- It is steep if you only need scene switching, not full mixing
- Menus change between firmware updates and can catch you off guard
- No capture card — you still need separate video capture
- Deep channel editing is menu-driven on the small touchscreen rather than knob-per-function
- No hardware sends or inserts — you cannot route outboard gear into a channel
Mackie DLZ Creator
Pros
- 10.1-inch touchscreen with Mix Agent guides you through setup
- AutoMix balances up to four mics so every voice stays heard
- Nine professional 100mm faders give precise, tactile control over every channel
- NDI over Ethernet connects a second PC or another DLZ cleanly
- Bluetooth 5.0 phone calls with Mix Minus, no echo
Cons
- It is the most expensive option in this battle
- 10/100 Ethernet means NDI runs at slower speeds
- The guided workflow can feel slow if you already know what you are doing
- AutoMix treats all four mics equally — you cannot weight a host over a guest
- Almost every setting lives in the touchscreen, so a failed display takes most controls offline
How Do They Compare?
| RØDECaster Pro II | Mackie DLZ Creator | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | All-in-one production console | Adaptive digital mixer |
| Best For | Reliability-first streaming and dual-PC | Guided setup, guests and NDI |
| Mic Inputs | 4x Neutrik combo (mic/line/instrument) | 4x XLR/TRS combo + stereo line ins |
| Mic Preamps | 76dB Revolution, -131.5dBV EIN | 80dB Onyx80 |
| Faders | 6 physical + 3 virtual channels | 9x 100mm professional faders |
| Display | 5.5" touchscreen + rotary encoder | 10.1" touchscreen |
| Pads | 8 SMART pads (64 actions with banks) | 6 backlit sample pads |
| Connectivity | Dual USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Ethernet | USB-C, Bluetooth 5.0, NDI over Ethernet |
| Recording | 16-track multitrack to microSD/USB/computer | 12 channels + main mix to SD/USB |
The Quick Answer: RØDECaster Pro II vs Mackie DLZ Creator
Why the RØDECaster Pro II Is the Reliability Pick
The RØDECaster Pro II is a broadcasting console that thinks like a streamer. All processing runs on the hardware, so a frozen app or a reboot never silences your mic. Dual USB-C lets you feed two computers at once, the eight SMART pads fire OBS commands, duck the music or trigger voice FX on the fly, and 4GB of internal storage holds your samples. Its 5.5-inch touchscreen with haptic feedback and a rotary encoder feels fast because the quad-core engine keeps menus snappy. Buyers rate it 4.4/5 across 1,285 reviews, and the RØDE community is loud for a reason.
Why the Mackie DLZ Creator Is the Guided Pick
The Mackie DLZ Creator attacks from the other side. Where RØDE assumes you know what you want, Mackie assumes you are still learning. The Mix Agent walks you through setup and sound check in a few button presses, AutoMix balances up to four mics at once so nobody gets drowned out, and the three work modes (Easy, Enhanced, Pro) grow with you instead of throwing a manual at you. Under the hood it is serious too: four Onyx80 preamps with up to 80dB of gain, nine professional 100mm faders, a 10.1-inch touchscreen, and NDI over Ethernet so a second PC or even another DLZ Creator can join the network cleanly. It even takes phone calls over Bluetooth 5.0 with Mix Minus so the caller hears no echo.
The Verdict: Pick by How You Think About Failure
The honest tiebreaker is how you think about failure. If your worst nightmare is a software update breaking your stream, the RØDECaster Pro II is the safer, more reliable brain thanks to its hardware-first design and dual-PC routing. If you host guests, run a show with several voices and want a mixer that teaches you as you go, the Mackie DLZ Creator is the friendlier desk. Both record multitrack to SD or USB; the RØDE gives you 16 tracks to a computer over USB 1, the Mackie gives you 12 channels plus the main mix to an SD card or flash drive. Buy the RØDECaster for reliability and dual-PC setups, buy the DLZ Creator for guided confidence and guests.
⚠️ Attention:Prices may vary depending on your location; your final total is confirmed in your local currency at checkout. Each store applies its own shipping policy: some offer completely free shipping, others charge a shipping fee, and others provide free shipping above a minimum order amount. Additionally, some stores only ship within the U.S.
Conclusion
The RØDECaster Pro II wins if reliability and dual-PC routing are non-negotiables — your stream survives even when your computer does not. The Mackie DLZ Creator wins if you want a touchscreen-guided desk that handles guests and teaches you as it goes.
Looking for more? Check our Elgato Stream Deck + XL vs Razer Stream Controller battle, the best stream controllers and mixers guide, and the best digital mixers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Products Are in This Guide?
Mackie DLZ Creator
Mackie's DLZ Creator is an adaptive digital mixer built around a 10.1-inch touchscreen, four Onyx80 mic preamps and nine 100mm faders, with Mix Agent guiding setup and AutoMix balancing up to four mics at once. Three work modes (Easy, Enhanced, Pro) reshape the interface for your level, and it records or streams multitrack to a PC via USB-C, an SD card or a USB flash drive.
RØDE RØDECaster Pro II
Rode's RØDECaster Pro II is a standalone production console that processes your mic, music and alerts on the hardware itself, so a frozen PC never kills your stream. Four Neutrik combo inputs feed 76dB Revolution preamps, and it packs dual USB-C (two computers at once), eight SMART pads, APHEX processing, a 5.5-inch touchscreen and multitrack recording to microSD or USB.
Reviews
(0 reviews)
Cuban Tres, Bass & Guitar - played and recorded with my personal gear