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- Four-channel mixer with digital output
- Low-noise digital 16-bit, 44.1 kHz signal on USB for easy computer interface
- Two channels of XLR inputs with gains and switchable 48V phantom power
- High-impedance guitar input
- Main and headphone outputs with independent level controls
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In general, I like it, but it has warts. The biggest issue, which was mentioned differently in other reviews was the hum & noise when you're monitoring a live recording through headphones. The weird thing is that this noise doesn't appear on the finished digital file. Since I'm not taking this into the field, I'll live with this odd behavior because the other features be the heck out of all of the other USB mixers in this price range (here's a hint: there aren't any, or at least their weren't any when I bought this). Before I got my cushy desk job, I moonlighted as an A2 so part of me wants to cringe at the noise in my headset; however, in an earlier life I worked with the old Hitachi HR100 1" VTRs, and they had the same problem except for about 100 times more money. I can live with this, and it gets a 3 only because of the monitoring issue...otherwise this little baby excellent.Buy Alesis MultiMix 4 USB Four-Channel USB Mixer Now
Pros: Great value-2 channel mixer, interface, preeamps w/ phantom power all-in-one for around $80. You can even record a drum kit (I use two matched pencil condenser mics) using the two channels and get pretty good results. Also, the metal case feels pretty durable.Cons: You might be one of the many who will have to overcome the noise issue (see below). Also, there are no "Mid" EQ knobs, just "Lo" and "Hi."
**Noise Issue Solution**
After desperately trying to find the magic gain, level, and headphone volume setting combination to get rid of the pesky noise issue, I turned to the audio properties of my Windows 7 laptop, which was the key to the solution..
So, right click on the speaker icon in the taskbar > Select "Recording Devices" > Select the "Recording" tab. Ensure the checkmark is on "3-USB Audio Codec."
Now, right click on the "3-USB Audio Codec" option and select "Properties." Go to the "Levels" tab. Set the microphone level all the way down (I have mine set to 5) and voila, you can now comfortably adjust the gain, level, and headphone volume knobs on the Alesis interface with ease, and your recordings and monitoring should no longer be plagued with a nasty noise.
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Use it for camtasia and webex recordings with USB audio to the computer and send a main out to a video camera as a line level to the video camera. USB audio levels are consistant across the many pc I've used it with; this is more a function of the Windows driver, but a relief because dell laptop soundcards suck and I'm thrilled to be able to bypass them. If you barely let your levels hit unity on the board indicator, then you'll get maximum levels on the computer input, but be careful... the instant it slightly flickers into the yellow then you will be clipping your audio. This USB audio gives low noise floors which is nice when bypassing crappy laptop soundcards.con: no aux send, but you could use the phone jack as an alternate output to a laptop or other device that requires mic levels and use a left or right main out for headphones.
If know I only need two mic inputs and can get away without a Mackie I love using this Alesis.
Solid metal build and light weight.
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I bought this small usb interface/mixer (Alesis Multimix 4) to allow me to digitize a set of cassette tapes (interviews and other research materials), and to be able to add voice over introductory comments using a dynamic microphone. I'd read reviews beforehand, some of which mentioned hiss or other noise. I assumed this might be idiosyncratic, and bought this unit. I set it up, very pleased with its looks and solid metal construction. Its a very nicely made piece of hardware.However, as soon as I powered it up (it has a small transformer and external power) and attached headphones (Sony MDR 7506 -professional quality), I could hear a clearly audible background hiss. I thought this might just be audible in the headphones, until I made test recordings using my microphone (a Shure SM58). Each test recording has a clearly audible background hiss or hum, which I could not get rid of no matter how I adjusted the gain and other settings. There is also a faint high pitched whine audible in some of the recordings. I had a friend who owns his own recording studio come over and test this unit with me. We concluded that while it looks great, this usb mixer must be made with inferior components, most likely the mic preamp, but possibly other components too.
Reluctantly, I returned it -with regrets as it seemed the perfect item, great looking and the price at about $78 was good. I subsequently bought a Yamaha AudioGram 6 (again through Amazon) and of course immediately tested it in the same way I did the Alesis. I was relieved to find that it performed flawlessly, very little extraneous noise (virtually none when just connecting the headphones) -just what I was hoping for. The Yamaha unit is about a half inch wider than the Alesis mixer, and has a plastic housing rather than metal (which I preferred). It is also quite a bit lighter in weight, but solid enough. I would hope the makers of the Alesis MultiMix 4 pay attention to this and other similar reviews and re-engineer their product to get rid of the noise it introduces. They'd have a winner if they did so.
It has one huge problem. There's a very annoying hissing sound even when the gain is only 1/3 up. It also adds some crackles to the recording. If you want a clean recording, this won't do.
As for the output, the same hissing noise is still present even when there is no Mic connected; just headphones. I can't recommend the product with so much noise at low settings.
I will return it and find something less noisy.
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