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I have always struggled recording on my current setup, which includes a laptop, a Maya 44 USB, and a Mackie CFX12.  I have recently come across a product which could be the right one for my needs, and it is not too expensive either.

Has anyone heard of the Alesis iMultiMix 8 USB?  Do you think this is a good unit?  Here is a link to its description:

http://www.alesis.com/product.php?id=113

Cheers,

JD

I have the multimix 6fx and love it
only drawback with mine is its not usb oops thought of a 2nd drawback but it really is only a prob at gigs. there is not a seperate headphone/ctrl rm volume knob for individual channels...there is only the one master. At gigs where FOH volume is low (folk dining under speakers etc) it is hard to get enough coming back off the headphone master to run the fold back.
but as far as I am concerned I couldnt speak highly enough of them...I love the built in efx I love the ease of use...I just plain love it

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I think for what it sounds like you want to do, it would be an excellent choice. go fur it!.....

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Sweet Little Me In Karaokeland........

Thank you, Morgan and Foodie, for sharing your opinions.  Your help is well appreciated.

The CFX series is not really designed for computer recording, it was primarily designed to be a live board, it can be done with the right interfaces & programs.
As far as the Alesis - haven't tried that model you linked to is relatively new still, I would recommend getting the Firewire interface over the USB, you'll get more recording options like being able to send multiple tracks to the computer for individual editing instead of 1 stereo track you're locked into.

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Good point, Lonman.  It does make sense to use Firewire instead of USB.  I don't have Firewire on my laptop, so I have just ordered a Combo PC Card with USB and Firewire.  Thank you for your help!

M-audio is probably the way to go, they have several  multi channel capture cards and breakout boxes. You didn't say what you had for a puter JD, but for multi tracking you want a fast processor. Also, the Mackie CFX is a little noisey on the high side for digital recording. But there is absolutly no reason why you can't use it for this purpose. Did you buy, or plan on buying that Alesis? You didn't say exactly what you were going to record? a Band i take it. Do you do the ipod thing? What puter software are you going to use for edit? Cube Base? With the limited info you supplied, we gave you a very limited answer. recording what?

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Sweet Little Me In Karaokeland........

KFF, all I want at this time is to be able to record a singer using MP3G tracks on my laptop.  I haven't had much success with my Maya 44USB, Mackie CFX12, and laptop.  Admittedly, my laptop does not have a fast processor, but it has 2 gig of memory.  I hope that it is sufficient for recording.

I would prefer not spending extra on a new mixer for recording only if I can successfully record from my current setup.  I use Roxbox, and, for the life of me, I cannot understand why the recording function of that hoster does not record my vocals.  I also tried Audacity, but with little success.  Having spent countless hours on it, I thought that I should just invest on a mixer that does the job easily.

I realize that buying a mixer such as the Alesis Multimix would limit my capability to host a show.  If do buy that unit, I might end up just using it for recording and not use it in a gig.

JD

I am now having second thoughts about getting the Alesis Multimix.  It seems to me that the Mackie Onyx 1220 with Firewire I/O is much better.  Unfortunately, it is a lot more expensive than the Alesis.  The only way I can justify the Mackie is if I sell my CFX12 mixer.  The question is: "Can the Onyx 1220 be as good as the CFX12 for live sound?"

Thoughts, anyone?  Lonman?

 

I record with roxbox at live shows but I just track the vocals. I dont like recording with FX. Then use sonar3 to mix.

I cant figure it out not tracking the vocals. What do you have in sound properties in the cntrl pane for record? Also on the rox choice. They both should be for your sound brd. Since I dont like to run the faders at unity the record out is at  a low level A simple solution is routing through an Alesis Nanocompressor and set the output gain for the record level.

Are you using the record out going inti line in on the laptop? Ive never used a usb brd on second thought rox should be set on line in.

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You aren't going to get alot for the Mackie - used price averages about $100-150.  The ONYX is a great mixer, I didn't know you needed it for shows it sounded in your original post that you just wanted to record with it.  The ONYX definitely is a cleaner sounding mixer than the CFX even the VLZ series for that matter, it was designed MORE for recording than live but serves equally as well in both.  It is a lot pricier & on top of that you have to purchase the Firewire card in addition to the mixer if you want the full recording capability, it's not built in like some of the cheaper brands.

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Karyoker - Thank you for the suggestions.  I will try them.  If it works and the sound isn't too bad, I would just continue using the CFX12 and Roxbox.

Lonman - You are absolutely correct about the cost of the Onyx 1220.  It will indeed be too costly if I have to buy the Firewire I/O card and the Onyx mixer.  If I can't get decent recording from my current setup, the Alesis multimix with Firewire would be perfect given my budget.  

Thank you both for your help.