Choosing a Mixer

[tonsofquestions]

Hey everyone, this seems like an awesome community to be apart of... When I learn all this shit out I'll be sure to help out also.

I'm planning to start a radio show soon. It will have no more than 4 people talking at a time. I've researched and the best/cheapest route I'm thinking is a FireWire/USB mixer. Now, I just need to pick the best brand and model.

My first question is FireWire or USB? Which is faster and more stable? I know how to use Adobe Audition, so itd need to work with that.

Here are a few I've been looking into...

Alesis MultiMix 8 Firewire Mixer
Behringer Xenyx 1024
Yamaha MW10
Mackie Onyx 1220

If there are any better ones out there, I'm totally open to suggestions!

Thanks for the help,

Brett

 

[NRS]

I dont know if one is any more stable than the other but Firewire is generally faster than USB and meant to handle larger data transfers (like video and multitrack audio). I'm sure USB is plenty for streaming just two tracks of CD quality audio out of most any board though.......but,

Why limit yourself? Of the boards you listed, the Alesis MultiMix 8 Firewire stands out by far simply because it also does double duty as a Multitrack recording interface meaning you can stream each of its channels independantly out into a track of its own in Adobe Audition and remix them later if you want (the others can only stream one stereo track out at a time).

Another similair board to check out in the same price range would be a "Phonic Helix 12FW" cant say which is really better but have read the Alesis has had some driver issues that the Phonic didnt. As for preamp quality , its all subjective but may not matter much if your radio show is being PODcast anyway as I would assume it has to be reduced to a lower bitrate to be friendly to a variety of internet connections.

 

[tonsofquestions]

Thanks for replying...

I think I'll go with the Alesis.