Did I buy the wrong thing??!!

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throttle11

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I'm very pissed (at myself) right now...

I'm new to the interface and mixer market, did all the research that I could. I came up with the decision to go for the Alesis Multimix8USB2. Everything that I read online said it was USB2 and for those that recall my previous posts, I NEED a device that could handle recording 4 mics simultaneously. (I've read multiple sources say you CANT simultaneous record more than 2 mics without at least USB2)

I get the device, and it doesn't say USB2.0 on it, it says "Multimix8usbfx". I'm like wtf... Now I go to the damn Alesis website and I see 4 freakin versions, one the MM8usbfx and the MM8USB2.0!!fx (with or without the "fx"). Goddamnit, why the hell would they still put out a usb1 product when everything I read says all the modern computers have USB2! Ughhh...

Right now I need to make a decision... Do I keep this device, or ship the damn thing back and blow a total of 90bucks down the drain in total shipping costs when I get the one I actually needed. Can this device handle which I will also say (is falsely advertized on certain websites) "The Alesis MultiMix 8 USB FX is an 8-channel audio recording and sound reinforcement mixer with an internal effects processor and USB 2.0 connection. The USB 2.0 connection provides ultra-fast, low-latency, 16-bit/48kHz stereo audio recording. Designed for project studios and small P.A. applications, the MultiMix features 1/4" inputs for line level devices and guitars, as well as XLR inputs with gain trim, high-pass filters, and 48V phantom power for connecting microphones." -BHphotovideo.com
If it wasn't for a user review I wouldn't have known this was incorrect...

So please, someone give me an honest answer... Is this what I need for my podcast, or do I need a 2.0 for 4 mic recording simultaneously? It has a wall powered AC if that means anything... If I'm wrong, I seriously don't know why they call it a multimix and give it 4 friggin inputs. If I do need the 2.0, I'll bite the bullet and get it. Rather have the right thing than deal with something that won't be adequate.

Thanks and sorry for my ranting... Need suggestions quick!
 
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Based on my 2 minutes of googling....you have 4 mic inputs, but you only have 2 tracks going to the computer.

So if you need to record 4 separate tracks to the computer, then it is not going to meet your needs.

From the Alesis website MultiMix 8 USB

CONNECTIONS

•USB 1.1 Stereo input/Output for PC (Windows XP or Vista) and Mac (OS X).
 
And I think you might be confusing 4 simultaneous mics (which it will do) with how many individual tracks will go to the computer (2).

I don't think the USB 1 vs USB 2 is where you should focus.

What are you trying to accomplish? What are your needs? That is the most important question.

You might be just fine with what you bought....but if you can give some more details on what you are trying to do...that would help to determine if this mixer/interface is going to work for you.

Do you need 4 individual tracks going to the computer or just be able to use 4 mics?
 
I actually purchased the Multimix8USBFX not the Multimix8usb... (edited for correction)

I assume that it is the same issue. I'm not savvy on the number of tracks going to the computer, but I will take it that the one I have will not provide what I need from your response
 
Wish14 said:
And I think you might be confusing 4 simultaneous mics (which it will do) with how many individual tracks will go to the computer (2).

I don't think the USB 1 vs USB 2 is where you should focus.

What are you trying to accomplish? What are your needs? That is the most important question.

You might be just fine with what you bought....but if you can give some more details on what you are trying to do...that would help to determine if this mixer/interface is going to work for you.
Click to expand...


What I am using this for is for a podcasting setup between 4 individuals with mics. I don't want to do too much editing later on because it will be a real time communication & that's difficult to mess and mix with later on. Just want to have 4 simultaneous recordings on to one single track. Like 4 people talking within the same conversation. What i dont want is people talking on separate tracks and then synching it all together later. That wont work.
 
And more individual tracks going to the computer is always better than less....unless you are a minimalist or something.
 
You're correct I am confused with how to determine how many tracks go into the computer from these devices... ugh

Still probably am not keen on what device I need... Will the Tascam US600 interface provide what I need? That was option 2 before I chose the Alesis
 
If you don't mind me asking... how to you get the 2 tracks going to the computer into 1 single track? Although this may be a software issue
 
Example - you have 4 mic inputs.

Pan all of the mic channels to full left and you have 4 inputs going to track 1 to the computer.

Pan all of the mic channels to full right and you have 4 inputs going to track 2 to the computer.


Pan 2 of the mic channels full left and the other 2 mic channels full right and you have 2 inputs going to track 1 and the other two inputs going to track 2 or any combination that you want with the 4 channels.

Mixers and routing can be confusing at first. Hands on experience and practice is the best way to get to know how the mixer routing/busses work.
 
Hey thanks alot for the great info Wish... There are some things manuals nor youtube can explain as clearly as that.
 
You will want 4 individual tracks going to the 'puter if you want to do any editing at all.

You won't need to sync anything, but you might want to mute someone when they cough, for instance - nothing worse than having people cough in your earbuds. Can only do that with one mic per track.

You might also find that one of your speaker's voices is really not all that good, or doesn't stand out enough from the rest for reasons of timbre or volume, or because they've just moved back off the microphone for a second. Any number of reasons...

I know what you're trying to do as I was in your original thread and I probably said the same thing there.

If your machine only sends a stereo signal via USB, then yes, you have bought the wrong thing.
 
throttle11 said:
What I am using this for is for a podcasting setup between 4 individuals with mics. I don't want to do too much editing later on because it will be a real time communication & that's difficult to mess and mix with later on. Just want to have 4 simultaneous recordings on to one single track. Like 4 people talking within the same conversation. What i dont want is people talking on separate tracks and then synching it all together later. That wont work.
Click to expand...

I think you are just a bit confused on the definitions of tracks and channels. Even if you have multiple tracks there is no "syncing" to do, the tracks are recorded simultaneously in the software. If you want to have each voice on a unique track in your software so you can edit out individual mics or adjust things you will need the USB 2.0 model. If you just need to record 4 mics and have them all record to a single track (or two stereo tracks) you can do that with the unit you have.

Plug the unit into your computer, install Cubase, set up the VST connections, plug in 4 mics, set the levels - hit record, you will get all four mics recorded.

You could even (as stated above) record two of the mics hard left and two hard right and mix them later if you so desired. It's just the difference between recording a mix and multi-track recording.
 
Thanks guys for the info... sounds like I should've done more research before I baught this thing

I obviously didn't know these basic elements which appear to be very important in the operation of the device
I'll def favorite this page and refer to it when it gets down to recording time.
 
throttle11 said:
You're correct I am confused with how to determine how many tracks go into the computer from these devices... ugh

Still probably am not keen on what device I need... Will the Tascam US600 interface provide what I need? That was option 2 before I chose the Alesis
Click to expand...
dude ..... no offense but you need to slow down a bit before spending anymore money.
Even now it basically looks to me like you don't really know anything about recording yet .... at least not what you're gearing up to do.
You need to take some time and read up and understand this stuff a bit better or you're gonna waste more money.
people here will help you so start giving them the info they're asking so they can do that.

But from what I'm reading about your needs, I think what you've bought can be made to work and get by.
At this point you don't even understand tracks versus channels clearly so how could you know you need 4 tracks?
You're just jumping to another conclusion in saying that the Alesis won't work.
Quit spending money .... spend some time learning what you DO have and then you'll know enough to know whether you need something else and you'll know enough to make a decent decision about what you need.
Right now you're just gonna jump into another mistake.
 
Lt. Bob said:
dude ..... no offense but you need to slow down a bit before spending anymore money.
Even now it basically looks to me like you don't really know anything about recording yet .... at least not what you're gearing up to do.
You need to take some time and read up and understand this stuff a bit better or you're gonna waste more money.
people here will help you so start giving them the info they're asking so they can do that.

But from what I'm reading about your needs, I think what you've bought can be made to work and get by.
At this point you don't even understand tracks versus channels clearly so how could you know you need 4 tracks?
You're just jumping to another conclusion in saying that the Alesis won't work.
Quit spending money .... spend some time learning what you DO have and then you'll know enough to know whether you need something else and you'll know enough to make a decent decision about what you need.
Right now you're just gonna jump into another mistake.
Click to expand...


Lt. Bob, I can't disagree, you are right... I think the thing is I've always been more of a hands on learner. I've done some research on these devices and alot of it baffles me but I just assume there is some newb out there like me that buys it, messes with it for a little, then eventually figures it out. The information you get from non-forum based sites is written in language I don't quite understand because I either don't have something physical in front of me or I just don't understand the terminology.

I guess I figured podcasting was also alot simpler than recording music since I won't be editing much. I can see I was wrong in that. My bad on making a naive assumption, your points are taken
 
throttle11 said:
Lt. Bob, I can't disagree, you are right... I think the thing is I've always been more of a hands on learner. I've done some research on these devices and alot of it baffles me but I just assume there is some newb out there like me that buys it, messes with it for a little, then eventually figures it out. The information you get from non-forum based sites is written in language I don't quite understand because I either don't have something physical in front of me or I just don't understand the terminology.

I guess I figured podcasting was also alot simpler than recording music since I won't be editing much. I can see I was wrong in that. My bad on making a naive assumption, your points are taken
Click to expand...

That makes perfect sense and is completely understandable.
Don't think I was critisizing you ........ I wasn't.

But what I am suggesting is that you now DO have something to learn on "hands-on". It's entirely possible that you'll find the Alesis will mostly do what you want but even if it won't ...... now you can use your hands-on method to learn why and you'll then be prepared to go from there.
 
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