so i'm new to this, these are my plans

[braden_]

they're still a bit in the future considering i just got laid off, but maybe you guys can give some input on the stuff i plan on buying so i could get an idea how it'll be.

alesis multimix 8 usb/usb2/firewire
thoughts on this mixer? i have no idea which i should buy as far as the 3 options go, i'll be recording just myself one track at a time which leads me towards the regular usb one.

alesis m1 320's
the active usb ones. is there a reason these are cheap? i don't care about the recording interface on them, just want decent monitors and funds are pretty limited. the amazon and guitar center ratings are high.

i'm also going to get some aurelux isolation pads for the monitors, but i really just wanted opinions on those alesis products. any thoughts?

 

[Nick98338]

If you're recording only one or two tracks at a time, you may not need a hardware mixer, at all. Most all of the recording software programs have a software mixer in them. But, maybe you just prefer using hardware knobs and sliders instead of software knobs and sliders.

 

[didgijimmy]

i love my alesis m1active 520s

they are not the usb but i think they cost me 200,or maybe 300. cheap for theamount of quality. they are relle easy to hook up without usb tho. and they offer tons of eq settings and acoustic's settings. i learn alot from listening through these. id highly recommend the m1 active series based on my experience with the 520s
good luck.

 

[braden_]

If you're recording only one or two tracks at a time, you may not need a hardware mixer, at all. Most all of the recording software programs have a software mixer in them. But, maybe you just prefer using hardware knobs and sliders instead of software knobs and sliders.

i think i do prefer hardware. also, i wouldn't consider it being a bad thing to be set up to do more in the future if i ever wanted to, which says usb2 or firewire rather than just usb. thanks for the input though.

they are not the usb but i think they cost me 200,or maybe 300. cheap for theamount of quality. they are relle easy to hook up without usb tho. and they offer tons of eq settings and acoustic's settings. i learn alot from listening through these. id highly recommend the m1 active series based on my experience with the 520s
good luck.

good to hear that. the 320's i'm sure are not quite as good as the 520's but for 100 bucks a pair it might be a worthwhile downgrade. i've read good things about them anyhow, so i'm glad someone likes the m1 series.

 

[dgatwood]

I wouldn't suggest the Alesis. You're probably better off with FireWire, but not that particular one---those FireWire interfaces are DICE II-based. I'd consider some of the Phonic Helix stuff if you really need a mixer.

 

[didgijimmy]

dgatwood, youre pretty resourceful and I've learned to respect your opinion. I would be interested in knowing why you don't like the Alesis. Are there issues i should be aware of in the future?I'd appreciate it if you would enlighten me.
thx.

 

[buckkillr8]

dgatwood, youre pretty resourceful and I've learned to respect your opinion. I would be interested in knowing why you don't like the Alesis. Are there issues i should be aware of in the future?I'd appreciate it if you would enlighten me.
thx.

I've personally always heard of driver issues with the multimix's.

 

[Chili]

I've got the Phonic firewire mixer myself and prefer it over the Alesis. I think both are in the same boat as far as quality is concerned. The difference is where the audio stream is pulled off the mixer to send to the computer. The Alesis is post fader, so any adjustments to the eq is permanently recorded. I'm not sure if you can run realtime effects (like reverb) while tracking. And the Alesis USB models only take the audio from the master faders, so everything affects the signal going to the computer.

The Phonic takes the audio signal right after the Gain and Inserts on each channel. The rest of mixer does not affect the signals going to the computer. This is important to me because I only want raw audio going to the computer that I can adjust during mixdown. But while tracking, i want to add realtime effects, like reverb, in my headphones. So, I can hear revrb on my vocals while recording, but it doesn't go to the computer.

It's best not to make any changes or adjustments to the audio signal before going into the computer because you really don't know what it's going to need until all the tracks are recorded and you are mixing down. Then you'll know how to eq, compress, apply effects, etc, to make each part fit into the song.

imho.
peace.

 

[braden_]

that's a good point. i hadn't really thought about that either way. gives me something to think about, thank you.

 

[didgijimmy]

i know dgatwood understood me..

when i was speaking of alesis i was referring only to the monitors, i have not tried the multimix myself. or maybe chilli u weren't referring to my reply and only to the first post. at any way if anyone does have info regarding problems with the alesis m1active series monitors, i would like to know...
not trying to make this thread about me of course
thx guys

 

[Chili]

when i was speaking of alesis i was referring only to the monitors, i have not tried the multimix myself. or maybe chilli u weren't referring to my reply and only to the first post. at any way if anyone does have info regarding problems with the alesis m1active series monitors, i would like to know...
not trying to make this thread about me of course
thx guys

Ahhh, no, I wasn't replying to your post specifically. I really believe firewire mixers are the best way to set up a studio for one person to record his songs. I especially like the phonic's features and so try to point them out when the question arises.

I was throwing support to dgatwood's post.

Cheers,