Multi channel USB mixer

  • Thread starter Thread starter Aidan Bell
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Aidan Bell

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I record directly into my sound card which means I can only input one source at a time. I've decided to treat myself and so am looking for a mixer with at least three powered XLR inputs, and USB out which will allow me to record 3 or 4 or more inputs at a time. I don't, however, have a huge budget so I'm looking at the lower end of the scale financially. Can anybody recommend anything, please?
 
Here's a list for you to browse. You should probably start at around the $250 range. Be sure to weed out the interfaces that only send a stereo mix to your computer, that is not what you're looking for.

USB Audio Interfaces | Sweetwater.com

Good luck,
 
I'm very grateful for your help, thanks, but with respect I was looking for recommendations of specific units. I've actually spent much of today looking through lists of desks and interfaces on various sites. At the moment I'm verring towards the Alesis MultiMix 8 USB 2.0, here in the UK I've found one for £190.
 
The one you're looking at is a bit ambiguous about whether or not you can send more than 2 tracks via USB.
Unless someone comes along and says that they actually have it and are recording more than 2 channels VIA USB, I'd avoid it.
Chili gave you good advice.
 
I think there are some USB mixers that stream more than two channels, but you have to look for them. A lot of people come to this site asking questions regarding the Multimix units and their drivers. This leads me to believe it's not a great product and prone to headaches. Did you look at the Zoom R16?? Several people here have one and the feedback has been positive.

Are you limited to USB? Firewire would open up more choices.
 
Agreed. I've found the user guide online and in the features description at the beginning it states "Stereo USB input and output – routes the main ouput and the 2-track return through the USB port in crystalclean, 16-bit, 44.1 kHz stereo digital audio. Use the Multimix USB as a high-quality soundcard for recording and playback with Windows and Macintosh computers.".

I looked through the page that Chili recommended and thought I'd found another one from Peavey, but once again there was no description of recording more than two channels.

I'm starting to wonder whether the Zoom R16 is the only option ... ?
 
No, it's not the only option but is arguably one of the best.
Presonus and MOTU are two excellent choices in interfaces. There's a used MOTU on this site for $200 OBO.
What the Zoom R16 offers is versatility.
It is a stand alone recorder, an audio interface and a control surface.
In addition, it can run on batteries.
If I didn't have such an excellent set up myself, I'd opt for the Zoom.
Just looking at the options makes me wish I was starting from scratch again.
 
Cheers Jim. At a push I could probably afford the Zoom, but my concern is that this is for my home recording setup, so I don't need, or wish to pay, for a standalone recorder! I'll look straight away into the Presonus and MOTU options, thanks. I'm a bit baffled, as I would have thought that what I'm looking for would be a staple for many a home recording studio.
 
Aidan Bell said:
I'm a bit baffled, as I would have thought that what I'm looking for would be a staple for many a home recording studio.
Click to expand...

USB is the limitation for more than 2 channels, but there are some available. Go firewire and your options open up. Ooops, did I say that already?? :)
 
Apologies, I shouldn't have specified USB in my original post. I'm a big fan of FireWire and certainly wouldn't have any problem with using a FireWire device. So to that end, can anybody recommend anything specific? In fact I'm not insistent on a physical mixing desk, all I want to be able to do is to input up to 4 powered XLR sources and be able to record all four simultaneously.
 
USB can handle more than 2 channels, easily.
It was a problem back in the old days.
PCI is the best.
I'm a bit baffled, as I would have thought that what I'm looking for would be a staple for many a home recording studio.
Click to expand...
It is. That is why there are so many to choose from.
 
Aidan Bell said:
Apologies, I shouldn't have specified USB in my original post. I'm a big fan of FireWire and certainly wouldn't have any problem with using a FireWire device. So to that end, can anybody recommend anything specific? In fact I'm not insistent on a physical mixing desk, all I want to be able to do is to input up to 4 powered XLR sources and be able to record all four simultaneously.
Click to expand...

I have a Phonic Helix 12 FW mixer and it served its purpose well. The thing I liked most about it is that I can run my vocals through a reverb without the reverb actually going to the recorded track in the DAW. Common wisdom dictates not to apply any kind of processing to an incoming audio signal when you are recording because then it would be a permanent part of the track and it may not fit with the rest of the song when you go to mix down. But as a singer, having reverb on my vocals helps to sing better (and I need all the help I can get!!) so the mixer provided that function. It would stream the audio to the computer from right after the trim knob then the rest of the unit is like a regular mixer where you can add temporary effects while monitoring yourself.

The Alesis Multimix Firewire is similar but with one big difference, it streams audio after the fader, so it will include eq and effects, which is not desireable.
 
Actually, I came back armed with the Fast Track Ultra link too.
Not so much to make a point but to caution you not to limit your search to Firewire and PCI cards.
There were teething problems with USBs years ago but they have been resolved and USB devices are often less expensive.
Anyway, it's another option.
I started out with the Fast Track Pro and have a particular fondness for the M-Audio brand for that reason.
 
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