Is the Multimix 8USB total junk?

[singinsolo]

I've seen a few great reviews and a few bad ones. I'm only doing acoustic guitar and vocals, and my computer only has one 3.5 stereo line in, so I was hoping the usb would give me more options. I figure I can overcome the multitracking issue by panning voice to one side and guitar to the other, then mixing down in the recording program. Could I do this just as easily with, for instance, the alesis multimix 6fx or the behringer ub1002fx? Money's really tight, so the extra $50 to $80 for the usb would be a drag if it wouldn't significantly improve my recording options.

Be gentle. I'm not only a newbie, but slightly tech-challenged.
Thanks,
Singinsolo

[YeshuasFan]

If you are planning to use the mixer as for analog-digital interface, the MultiMix 6FX will not help you. For the same money the MultiMix8USB would cost, you might explore some other digital interfaces also. M-Audio, Line 6, Lexicon, and Tascam, all have interfaces in the same price range.
If your needs require a mixer that also works as an interface, Yamaha also makes a mixer which has a USB output for use as a digital interface and it is in the same price range as the Alesis MultiMix 8.
Alesis customer support is a joke -- but not a very funny one when you have spent over $100 for equipment that does not work as designed, the owner's manual is poorly written, and then customer service expects you to pay for a long distance call which will last about 60 minutes--about 57 of which would be spent on hold.

[singinsolo]

Thanks. That broadened my knowledge considerably. I was hooked into the idea of needing a mixing board for two inputs, but these little interfaces seem a more efficient solution to the situation. Now I guess I'll ask around to see who's getting best results with what.

Thanks again,
Singinsolo