Affordable mixer/interface experiences?

[waparker4]

I am looking for a new mixer for recording band rehearsals in my basement. 6-8 mic inputs would be excellent although 4 plus a few lines would do. (e.g. 4 vocalists, a kick mic, an overhead mic, plus line in for stereo keys, bass amp, gtr amp) I want a USB output to my DAW to record separate tracks of everybody during practice and it would be nice to have it portable for small acoustic performances so I'm not looking for a rack mounted thing. Also needs to have built-in FX (just reverb would be fine) and EQ is nice to have.

I am looking at the Alesis Multimix 8 USB 2.0, any other recommendations?

Would it be possible to run two Multimix 8's into one computer and have good accurate tracking of 8 mic channels from both units through USB? I know the Multimix 16 would have the inputs I need, but it would be nice to be able to break out 1 of the smaller units and take to an acoustic gig.

Thanks in advance.

http://www.alesis.com/products/view/multimix-8-usb-fx

 

[chulaivet1966]

I've had this Behringer 1622FX for a few years....but it's not the USB one.
I have no knowledge of USB vs AC mixers but there seems to be a trend of manufacturers going USB.
I'm sure the Alesis is a good option too so it's probably just a preferential call for you.

I'm very pleased with it for my purposes:
Takes up very little real estate, channel inserts on 1-4, on-board FX is a good option and only 200$ buckaroos.

Spend well weed hopper....

 

[Axis29]

I tried to get what you are talking about with one of the smaller Berhinger mixers years ago and was frustrated to find it only recorded in stereo.... And right after the 30 day return period ended, a friend showed me his Alesia that did do separate tracking for a similar price... Funny, I still have that Behringer mixer. I use it from time to time as a small PA mixer.

When I went looking for a new PA system with the band, I discover ed that Behringer was coming out with a new product called the X-Air 18. I read all the specs and saw the price and decided to go for it. It's quite a bit more expensive than the small Alesis, but I cannot rave about it enough! The reason I bring it up is that it would have enoug channels, if you're thinking one smaller mixer isn't enough.

I've had it for a while now and still absolutely love it!

Putting two mixers together seems like a nightmare to me... But, I've never tried. Would your recording software recognize two USB inputs? That would probably be the sticking point. Even if, during the processing of the signal, your tracks got slightly out of sync, you could 'fix it in the mix'... But, is that creating more work than it's worth? Again, never having tried it, I wouldn't have any idea. I may be over complicating it?

 

[Guitarteach]

My Yamaha MG10XU is proving really excellent both in home studio and for a small band project. It's now my primary USB audio interface. Works great with an iPad USB interface too for mobile recording.

Stereo only might be issue. It's the same as the Alesis - mixed down to stereo. Not independent digital channels into the DAW.

Great built in SPX fx - reverb , delays, etc. and nice options to monitor via USB if using a DAW. Compressor option on some channels is neat too.

You could get version with more channels.

http://www.yamahaproaudio.com/global/en/products/mixers/mg_xu/lineup.jsp

I have Yamaha studio gear nearly 30 yrs old. Never had any of their stuff fail - synths, rack fx, etc.

 

[Chud]

I would second the idea of the Behringer X-Air 18, either in rack or desktop format. You can save a few hundred $$ by going with the desktop version and have almost all the same features, just slightly different analog connectivity for the main outs and line ins. I almost went the desktop route, but ended up getting an open box rackable unit for a nice discount.

 

[chulaivet1966]

I tried to get what you are talking about with one of the smaller Berhinger mixers years ago and was frustrated to find it only recorded in stereo.... discover ed that Behringer was coming out with a new product called the X-Air 18. I read all the specs and saw the price and decided to go for it. It's quite a bit more expensive than the small Alesis, but I cannot rave about it enough!

Reveille everyone....

I'm not familiar with the issue of your comment regarding "only recorded in stereo".
I mix in the box so for a decade or more a mixer is just to record a few tracks and used as a glorified patch bay.

That X-Air is a novel device configuration.
It's a pricey muther, no doubt, but obviously has it's place in the market for specific needs/applications.
I did some reading of reviews and many have complained of connectivity issues at very inopportune times.
It's good that you and Chud don't seem to have had this issue.
I'm not enamored with the digital interface and operating protocols....but I'm not playing live anymore on a crowded club.
I'm mentally stuck in analogue land for my mixer preference.

OP...good luck in whatever you go with.

Carry on....

 

[waparker4]

So being based in Philly, when I perform with the band I don't run sound.. every venue has a system and every gig has a sound guy.
When I perform as a duo I have 3 inputs total, and when I record my band I'm in 1 fixed place. So I don't feel the urge to splurge on the X-Air system right now.

I have noticed a lot of these units only record the main mix through the USB which stinks. Except the Alesis Multimix USB 2.0 8 or 16.

I am now leaning towards a small mixer that I can fit on a music stand for acoustic gigs, and a larger mixer or audio interface with capability to record individual tracks, to keep in the rehearsal space. I currently use a Presonus Firestudio Project which is great, except I need a new computer and when I buy a new computer it won't have Firewire capability..

 

[Chud]

I did some reading of reviews and many have complained of connectivity issues at very inopportune times.
It's good that you and Chud don't seem to have had this issue.

I think a lot of those issues stem from relying on the internal router which is not dual band, so the signal space can be crowded at 2.4ghz and cause problems. That would be the inherent weak spot of this unit. Using an external router in the 5ghz band solves all those problems. The rest of the connectivity issues come from iPads or other tablets and laptops going to sleep and losing connectivity rather than anything with the Behringer. Once you change setting on your linked device to not sleep, those issues disappear as well.

 

[Axis29]

Sorry for the hijack....

I will say I have had connectivity issues... But, it's not actually the Behringer end of it... It's the way the iPad handles WiFi. When you change focus, or it goes to screen saver mode, it drops the connection. Took me a little learning to figure it out, but once I did, I literally have had zero issues. These days, I tend to bring my macBook and use it to control the X-Air... Granted, it makes another thing I bring. But, the flexibility/functionality of the X-Air make it worth it for me.

The form factor of the X-Air is really convenient. I can set it back behind the drummer at the back of the stage. I can run shorter mic cables, I don't have to have really long ones for the far side of the stage, for example. I run a couple XLR cables back form the monitors and miss and hide the ones to the mains out behind the band. I can control it for anywhere... Including taking my iPad out into the audience when I'm not actually playing guitar. The software looks a lot like an analog console to me... so, it makes sense.

If I could find an Analog mixer, that didn't weight three metric tons, had a remote control surface that I could carry around a venue and had decent effects built in... I'd be excited about it. But the price of the X-Air really is what put the nail in the coffin.

Yes, the X-Air is more expensive than a simple, smaller mixer/interface. But, when I bought it, it was the least expensive of it's ilk. Line6 makes one. It's decent, but I don't really care for the interface. Right after Berlinger released the X-Airs, some of the other companies released very similar units as well. But, they were all about twice the price of the Behringer...


So, now back to the regular scheduled program.... kinda.

I thought about getting a smaller mixer for small shows. I do still have that small 8 channel Behringer mixer. It still works just fine. And, it sounds just fine as well. What's really sad, is that most shows I do with my band, we only mic vocals and a harmonica, an acoustic guitar or two for time to time. So, that 8 channel mixer could probably cover the majority of our shows... But, I do make use of the separate mixes and remote control of the audio. I think my X-Air has earned it's price a few fold over since I've owned it. I sure have no complaints!

But, the X-air is probably overkill for the what the OP originally talked about...

 

[RLee77]

I'm really sold on the Focusrite interfaces/mixers... they are solid, great drivers, great preamps. Lots of different sizes to choose from.

 

[studio]

Had one of these for a good while:

Worked wonders with an 8 piece band!

 

[boldaslove71]

I think the Zoom R16 or R24 would meet the OP's requirement. It can record 8 tracks simultaneously. Two units can be synced together for 16 simultaneous tracks. It can operated stand-alone (for recording) and can either be used as an all on one production machine, or simply import the wav files into a DAW for mixing / mastering. It can run on batteries or AC, is very light, has main / phones output and a slew of built in effects. There are 2 channels of phantom power and two built in condenser mics. It can be connected to a PC/MAC as just an 8 channel interface. It can also be used with the DAW as MIDI controller for transport and faders. There are additional buttons that can be mapped for other DAW functions.

I've had one for about 3 years. No issues. I've used mine in the past to record the whole band (drummer sub mixed to 2 channels). It was very simple to set up and operate (took the insert outputs from main mixer). Having the 8 channels to later massage in my DAW allowed great flexibility.

It can be used as a stand alone mixer by connecting powered monitors or poweramp / speakers. There are 9 faders, including a master.

I also use it as a very quick and easy stand alone recorder, either via the condenser mics or the inputs. This is great for song ideas and quick jams, as I can get myself bogged down in my DAW and loose focus on the song creation / idea stage. I leave that DAW portion for later.

Some have criticized the mic pre amps as being a bit noisy. I have used an external preamp for mics and set the gain to line as a work around.

I paid about $400 years ago. Not sure what the street price is now. I think it was a good value.

I think a lot of these USB mixers only deliver a 2 channel output. Having the 8 individual tracks is a game changer in the mixdown department, not only for the individual track levels, but also editing and individual EQ/Compression. I've had decent success sidechain compressing the drum/bass tracks which has added more punch to my mixes.

Ive heard good things about the Behringer U-Phoria UMC1820, which is a rack mount 8 pre interface, which is about $300.