Recommend me a 300$ Mixer

[viiv23]

I'm looking for something with at least 8 channels. I have almost zero experience with mixers. I'm deciding between these at the moment but I am open to suggestion.
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Mackie-ProFX12-Professional-Compact-Mixer?sku=500317

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Alesis-MultiMix-8-USB-2.0-8Channel-Mixer?sku=801473

 

[M1Fanatic]

TASCAM M-1516. Very under-rated in its day. Nice pre-'s.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Tascam-Mixing-C...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3efd1dac39

 

[viiv23]

I should have added that i want USB or firewire so I can manipulate each channel in the DAW

 

[M1Fanatic]

That's why they're so cheap.

That was a $1200+/- mixer in it's day. $2000+ today.

 

[wheelema]

Zoom R16. A bit over your budget, but highly rated. Both mixer and control surface, only two preamps, totally portable... runs off of USB, AC adapter, or AA batteries!

 

[The Cancers]

Do you want 8 channels, with preamps on each, or just eight total channels?
When you say manipulate tracks individually, do you mean you want it to act as a control surface as well, or just record each track individually to your DAW? These both have eight channels, but neither could take eight mics without extra external equipment (I don't know what other equipment you have or your experience level).
Neither of these is a control surface, so you're not going to plug and play "manipulating each channel in the DAW."
Also, the Mackie only sends the stereo mix to your computer, so any individual track manipulation is gonna need to be done during the recording.

I dunno, be more specific about what you want out of it. Are you sure you even need a mixer? Is this meant to be an audio interface, or do you have one already and have other uses for this in mind?
Without knowing your level of experience and other equipment, it's tough to know what advice to give you.

 

[ido1957]

I have an ALesis Multimix 16 USB 2.0 - got it used in mint condition on eBay for $300. So look on eBay if you don't need a warranty and you don;t mind used....