a firewire mixer battle

[kidkage]

I'm ready to buy a interface and start using cubase.
I settled on getting a full duplex firewire mixer with 8 xlr ins.
I'm just having a tough time choosing between an Alesis Multimix 16 ($450) , a Phonic 18 Universal ($580), and a Mackie Onyx 1620i ($730).

From what I understand they're all essentially of the same specs, although, the eq on the mackie seems better, and I'd assume the preamps would be better as well. My problem is I'm not sure I can justify the price differences between the few, because I would use outboard preamps, and channel strips, and wouldnt really eq during tracking on the mixer. I still have to buy some krk's and a steinberg cc121 this year, so should I just get whats cheapest, or should I get what costs the most and has the extra options running the risk that i might not really use them?

I don't want to not regret my purchase. And I'm also tired of being in the "damn, i shouldve got the expensive one when i had the chance" mode thanks to that whole "you get what you pay for thing".

anyone got some advice?
I'm buying next week. I wouldn't have a problem spending whatever if I knew the quality difference (or lack thereof) called for it.

edit: I think that the alesis is usb 2.0, not firewire. I assume it's not that big of a deal.

 

[kidkage]

we got nothing?

 

[Bobbsy]

I can't comment on the Alesis or the Mackie but on a couple of occasions I've had the misfortune of taking apart Phonic mixers trying to fix them for friends. In both cases the build quality was shocking--and one of them had an internal power supply I'd describe as actually dangerous--a small amount of flexing of the case could have resulted in the whole unit touching mains voltage.

That was a few years ago and perhaps they've improved since then--but, based on that experience I've avoided them since.

 

[kidkage]

I can't comment on the Alesis or the Mackie but on a couple of occasions I've had the misfortune of taking apart Phonic mixers trying to fix them for friends. In both cases the build quality was shocking--and one of them had an internal power supply I'd describe as actually dangerous--a small amount of flexing of the case could have resulted in the whole unit touching mains voltage.

That was a few years ago and perhaps they've improved since then--but, based on that experience I've avoided them since.

Rough...
And I had just about settled on the phonic :/
arcadeko uses an alesis and says it's solid.

So I guess at this point it's mackie vs. alesis

 

[arcadeko]

A few other people here also use the Alesis - (I think maybe csus7?) I can't remember but I know a few people use them. I had a capacitor burn out which gave me some hum (so don;t leave it running 24/7 cause they wear out!) but I had it replaced at a local tv repair shop for $20 in under 10 minutes! (I took the box apart myself and brought it in so he just had to disconnect the boards and solder the new cap in )

Anyway - I get great clean recordings on it and never had any trouble with it. I never used the Mackie but they look nice - I wouldn't get one cause the Alesis does everything I need it to. And I also do not use the EQ on the board, everything is set at noon. I do use the preamps and they are clear and give me no problems. Maybe someone with a Mackie can chime in

 

[kidkage]

Now, this thing was in the field months ago, but I told myself I wouldn't have enough. I worked more than I intended to though and do now... but... It will definitely be the largest purchase I've ever made. But my mom says if I'm going to get something get what the dream piece is and get it out of the way.

I'm trying to imagine that they're all the same price and pick the one that way... but I CAN'T.

 

[kidkage]

I never used the Mackie but they look nice - I wouldn't get one cause the Alesis does everything I need it to. And I also do not use the EQ on the board, everything is set at noon. I do use the preamps and they are clear and give me no problems. Maybe someone with a Mackie can chime in

I don't really anticipate using the eq on the board. clear preamps? solid..

The USB 2.0 vs Firewire thing is making the choice a little hard too.
I know theres no audio quality difference but how is the speed difference?

so now it's... the main event...

Alesis vs. Presonus

 

[arcadeko]

I saw that studiolive advertised in recording magazine, looks pretty cool but I don't think I would use any of the features. For a live performance I might, but not as an interface. As an interface I just want to get my tracks recorded into my DAW, I am not going to add effects and tweak out the EQ on the board. And I could put $1300 to better use than just getting an interface. It looks real slick but for recording purposes all those bells and whistles are useless to me.

The Firewire vs. USB 2 issue is a non-issue. The speed benchmarks don't even come into play. Tracks are recorded in real-time regardless of the interface. You are never transferring files back and forth. There is no reason to even factor that into the equation.

I would also check out the Mackie and Tascam mixer interfaces in this price range before you decide.

 

[Bobbsy]

Question then...if you're not going to use the facilities of a mixer, why not just invest in a basic interface with 8 mic preamps? Frankly, you'd likely get better quality into simple interface rather than buying channel EQ, effects, etc. that you don't actually want.

 

[kidkage]

Question then...if you're not going to use the facilities of a mixer, why not just invest in a basic interface with 8 mic preamps? Frankly, you'd likely get better quality into simple interface rather than buying channel EQ, effects, etc. that you don't actually want.

...good question




I dont know
I mean I may do a little eq-ing on drums or something, and I may need those features for mixing or live jamming stuff. I figure there's no harm in having it there just in case.
Atleast in the case of the mackie. That presonus stuff i'll have no use for since i like outboard, or DAW stuff.

Would it be possible to mix from the mixer/interface?
Like record something flat, run the flat track through an input in the Mackie (just an example mixer/interface), and then record the track being played back on the mackie eq'd as a new track?


I've spent too many months waiting to buy, and have changed my mind dozens of times. All I'm positive of is that I'm buying Wednesday and I won't be buying anything from Phonic. Whatever is pulling the strongest on Wednesday will be it.

 

[kidkage]

Question then...if you're not going to use the facilities of a mixer, why not just invest in a basic interface with 8 mic preamps? Frankly, you'd likely get better quality into simple interface rather than buying channel EQ, effects, etc. that you don't actually want.

Oh, and if you've got any full duplex basic interface recommendations in the 400 to possibly even 1000 dollar range, throw em at me.

 

[arcadeko]

Would it be possible to mix from the mixer/interface?
Like record something flat, run the flat track through an input in the Mackie (just an example mixer/interface), and then record the track being played back on the mackie eq'd as a new track?

it may be possible but there is no point - your DAW will have better EQ plug-ins than any board you buy.

I've spent too many months waiting to buy, and have changed my mind dozens of times. All I'm positive of is that I'm buying Wednesday and I won't be buying anything from Phonic. Whatever is pulling the strongest on Wednesday will be it.

Dude - you have done way more research than 90% of the people out there that buy interfaces. I'm sure whatever you pick will be fine - everything you have talked about seems reasonable. And whatever it is I am sure there will be other people here who have the same thing and can help you.

I think I will start a thread in the computer recording forum and find out what everyone is using... maybe that will help you out. Or more likely make it more complicated!

BAM: https://homerecording.com/bbs/gener...what-interface-do-you-use-330848/#post3733926 - if you are reading this and have an interface and haven't replied tot hat thread get over there!

 

[kidkage]

All the info that I cram in before Wednesday is good

 

[kidkage]

damn you all for making me seriously consider a stand alone interface as opposed to a mixer/interface



the features will be basically useless to me, but...
the mixers just look so cool

 

[Bobbsy]

Would it be possible to mix from the mixer/interface?
Like record something flat, run the flat track through an input in the Mackie (just an example mixer/interface), and then record the track being played back on the mackie eq'd as a new track?

Perhaps possible but doing it this way will result in some slight latency--you'll have to use your ears to decide if the slight delay is acceptable.

However, the bigger is that the EQ available "in the box" on pretty well any DAW is far superior to that in the Mackie anyway, The Onyx series has somewhat better EQ than some of the earlier Mackie stuff (which was absolute rubbish) but even so it's designed more for live applications than detailed mixing.