[PodcastMN] Alesis Multimix 12 vs. a mixer+Focusrite Saffire

[Graeme Fehr]

i'm runnin on a mac baby... it's in my blood!  seriously, i have the apple logo on my left wrist with the old ][ in the middle haha.

but thank you steve for your input!

I'm weary of the MBoxPro2, just because of the driver situation using the original MBox version 1.  It was right when they switched from ProTools 5 to 6 (i think) and i had a hell of a time with it trying to get it working with anything other than ProTools.

When i'm doing non-podcast recording, my weapon of choice is Ableton Live 6, and I know that Skype can be tricky and not able to route out to the mixers channel.  

Who knows if i'll go out and get anything new, i'd like to, and i know i will have to for my paying podcast gig for Ballpark Digest Podcast/August Publications because they are going to buy a recording set-up for me to use and i need ideas for that as well.

Thanks again Steve

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Steve Borsch 
  To: Graeme Fehr 
  Cc: podcastmn at lists.podcastmn.com 
  Sent: Monday, November 12, 2007 9:50 AM
  Subject: Re: [PodcastMN] Alesis Multimix 12 vs. a mixer+Focusrite Saffire



  Hi Graeme,

  I went on quite an adventure with mixing boards -- including the Alesis FW12 -- and I've got just a moment to give you a quick synopsis:

  a) These Firewire mixing boards do NOT act as system level audio products. They work great in Logic, Pro Tools and other audio software that can recognize them, but Skype does not and I even had issues with Audio Hijack Pro. 

  b) I've been through the Alesis; Mackie Onyx; and ended up with the MBoxPro2 which the Mac loves (you on a Mac or PC?). I can use if for anything including Skype recordings. 

  I'm not technical enough to know why drivers don't just automagically ensure that any device is recognized, but it did not and I spent hours on the phone with tech support from Alesis and Mackie and ultimately returned/exchanged at Guitar Center to get the MBoxPro2. 

  Hope this helps.


  -- 
  Steve Borsch
  Direct: 952.486.7678
  Email: Steve at iConnectDots.com
  Blog: http://www.iConnectDots.com 



  On Nov 12, 2007 9:39 AM, Graeme Fehr <weirdcookie at turkeyvan.com> wrote:

    Why when you have something that works, you still want better? or easier? or both?  Or is it Guitar Center's 'Don't Pay until 2009 sale?' (and they will match internet prices!)

    Right now i have the Focusrite Saffire + a eurotech 12 channel mixer.  The mixer is cheap and it does it's job and I picked up the Saffire after having an mBox.  Not only was the Saffire a lot easier to audio route within the computer vs. the mBox, but the Saffire has MIDI i/o.  

    And i don't use the built-in plug-ins that the saffire is known for (i never got in to them... except i registered them)

    I have 2 controller MIDI keyboards and I have a MIDI router with more inputs/outputs than the Saffire, even though i could daisy chain all my midi, but that's not needed right now.

    Now... to the point of the e-mail... should I upgrade/downsize from the Digital I/O + a digital mixer.

    The pros and cons that i see if I got the Alesis Multimix 12 Firewire and got rid of the Saffire:

    Cons: 1) no midi input, the Saffire's built-in plug-ins (if i ever used them), 2) headphone outputs and 10 outputs on the back if i ever wanted to do surround sound (and i have no hearing in my right ear, so wha't the point in that?)

    Pros: 1) Less cords, onboard effects, mute button!


    The one thing i can't do and that is sell back the Saffire.  Guitar Center won't allow it, probably because of the internal plugins/passwords.

    Has anyone used the Multimix 12, do you like it, and have you used Skype on it.  I'm assuming using Audio Hijack Pro/Nicecast won't be to much of a change, unless i wanted to get down and dirty inside OS X and route all the audio to the correct channels.

    sorry if this is long and it seems like i'm talking outloud, but who better to ask than people who are doing the same thing as me?


    -----
    Graeme Fehr
    ----
    http://itradio.turkeyvan.com - ITRadio's Website
    http://www.tpxradio.com - TPXRadio Website
    http://www.stickam.com/profile/tpxradio - ITRadio/TPXRadio Live Show Page.
    ITRadio is live every Thursday from 7-9CST.


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