Need Help Selecting a firewire mixer

Styme99 · Post by **Styme99** » Sat Mar 04, 2006 7:39 pm

i have a motu 828 mk2 going into a mac g5 in which i am using cubase sx3. i would like to mic drums and the 828 isnt cutting it. so i was thinking on getting a firewire mixer so i can use the preamps. i was thinking of something like the Phonic Helix 18 channel firewire mixer, or the alesis multimix 16 firewire mixer, but i heard that the alesis is crap. im looking in the price range of $750 give or take, but i will also wait a while and save for something in the $1000 range like the motu 896hd. so does anyone have any good ideas?

Spikey Horse · Post by **Spikey Horse** » Sat Mar 04, 2006 8:25 pm

Mackie Onyx Series

http://www.mackie.com/products/mixers/index.html

cheap no

nice yes

BradLyons · Post by **BradLyons** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 12:51 am

No no no no no no

The 828mkII is a very good interface, but there is another aspect you're either not thinking of or just not aware... but I think will be the best route for you to take. Part of the great design of the 828mkII is the ADAT Optical port on the back which allows you to add another 8-channels of audio signal for a total of 16-inputs. In most scenarios, 8 channels of drums are plenty. I would suggest to look at the Focusrite Octopre with the ADAT option -or- the Presonus DigimaxLT. Both are 8-ch pres that are definitely much better than what is in the MOTU, have A/D conversion built-in to give you 16-inputs total, and are very well-built products. They each have their own distinct sound and feature-sets, but IMHO based on the information you've provided....this is your best bet and one that I have configured on MANY occassions.