Alesis MultiMix 8FIREWIRE 8-Channel Mixer with Firewire

4 high-gain mic/line inputs with phantom power, 2 stereo balanced line inputs, aux send, stereo aux return, Cubase LE included.

Overall User Ratings

Overall:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * . . . 7 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * . . . . 6 out of 10

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"Excellent product bundled with terrible software"

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * . . . 7 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
 
 
 
zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
Feature:
This is the part where I want to blast Alesis for using Cubase 4 as their bundled software. I installed the drivers for the mixer, and then tried to install Cubase. Cubase locked up on install. Stuff happens, I wasn't too peeved. I tried to install it a few times more, fifth time was the charm (I don't know why). I then becan the arduous journey of setting up the liscense which required copying numbers anbd filling out forms and 3 or 4 emails. I timed it, it tookover 20 minutes just to activate the license. 2 strikes. I tried to record to cubase and got wierd errors related to the ASIO driver. Audacity would not record either (for more than about 20 seconds). I messed with ALL the setting for about a day. Finaly I uninstalled everything (drivers and software) and reinstalled only the drivers and control panel (no Cubase). Now the MultiMix works like a champ in Audacity. I was very very close to returning this mixer due to the recording problems I was having, so a note to Alesis if you are out there: the products you bundle with your equipment reflect on you and Cubase is a looser. Also, the phantom power switch is a little wierd. It is not so much a swith as it is an "on" button that you can kind of ballance in the "off" position. The effect is that if you want it off and bump it or anything, it can veryy easilly turn on. I don't know if other similar mixers offer anything like this, but the ability to mix in audio coming from the computer to the mixer over the firewire connection is a very cool feature.

Quality:
I haven't had it very long, but is feels very solid and heavy. The knobs feel smooth and well constructed, nothing feels cheap.

Value:
The only comparable product I saw offered the firewire feature as an upgrade, so the overall price was about double what I paid. So that's pretty good.

Desirability:
Very nice and professional looking. It looks impressive on my desk.

Sound:
I have to admit to not being the most experienced person with any kind of audio, but I have made a million mistaked and am learning fast. I do feel quallified to say the mixer causes no problems and and introduced no noise that I could detect in my setup.

Ease of Use:
I have already aired the problems with the bundled software. Other than that, it couldn't be easier. This was my first mixer, so I did skim the manual, then I was off recording.

Support:
no need yet.

Overall:
The only reason I would upgrade is for more channels, but I can't imagine needing more than 8.

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"IF it would only work as advertised, I would be in heaven."

Overall:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * . . . 7 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * . . . 7 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
 
 
 
zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
Feature:
Like I said above, the IDEA is amazing. After two firmware updates and three driver updates, this mixer ALMOST works. Still having trouble with VST instruments in Cubase and Acid. I am ready to un install and re install my 1010 so I can determine once and for all if the mixer is the culprit.

Quality:
The thing is built like a tank, and in ASIO mode is totally quiet. For a basic setup it should work really well. For me, I simply use too many devices! Some need ASIO, (acid), and others need WDM, (encore and premiere) Sucks for me.

Value:
IF THIS WOULD WORK, it would be worth a 10! Right now, I am not so sure. I may end up sending it back, if the 1010 re install fixes my problems.

Desirability:
IF IT WOULD WORK, it would the the balls!

Sound:
Oh god, where to begin. First off, I used a Midiman 1010 for years with no troubles at all...Video editing in Premiere, Vegas, Music with Acid 4 and 5, Reason, (using rewire and stand alone, Wavelab. The idea of this mixer is great. The reality is not so great. You have to switch between ASIO and WDM depending on the program. Does not like to play with other fire wire devices, even if fire wire is on a different chanel.

Support:
Alesis has been really responsive. I'll give them that. My hunch is I am not alone.

Overall:
IF IT WOULD WORK, I would be happy. Moving from the studio to the stage and into the field with the mixer is my goal. As it stands now, it is sill a dream.

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"Great little unit."

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
 
 
 
Feature:
Can't think of anything that it does not have.

Quality:
It seems to run a little hot but I have had no problems with it.

Value:
If all you need is 8 inputs and only 4 XLR's, it's great.

Sound:
Good clean sound.

Ease of Use:
If you know how to use a mixer, it is really easy. If you don't, it will not take you long to figure this out if you read the instructions.

Support:
I have had several e-mails back and forth with Alesis about being able to daisy-chain it with another one of these units, or any other interface. They kept telling me that it would not work. I took a chance and tried it with a PeSonus FP10. It might not work with a PC, but it worked great with my iMac using the aggregate device editor that comes with a Mac.

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"Hardware is great... ASIO Firewire Drivers are horrible and don't work well."

Overall:
* * * . . . . . . . 3 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Quality:
* * * . . . . . . . 3 out of 10
Value:
* * * . . . . . . . 3 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * . . . . . . . 3 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * . . . . . . . . 2 out of 10
Support:
* . . . . . . . . . 1 out of 10
 
 
 
zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
Feature:
Good Features for the price. On board effects are plenty for amature and low to midrange productions

Quality:
Hardware is good... Drivers for ASIO Firewire are terrible.

Value:
If it doesn't work right, there's not much value. It really needs to work with Video production software the same as it does for Cubase LE... which is pretty good.

Desirability:
I really want it to work right because it's a nice hardware unit.

Sound:
The sound quality is good but the MIc Preamp is pretty weak. The input gain needs to be at a high level so it's hard to balance too much pick up and voice being too light.

Ease of Use:
Extremely difficult to get to work properly with video software.. especially Adobe Premiere Elements version 4. Alesis Firewire drivers are terrrible with Adobe. We couldn't get both channels to record within Adobe. Alesis firewire control panel woudl frequently crash, it even caused an instant reset of the computer.

Support:
I sent a support request in 3 weeks ago and I'm still witing for a response. I didn't even receive an acknowledgement. Adobe Premier supprt forums respnded and they simply indicated just search the web for Alesis MM8 and there are tons of reported problems.

Overall:
I'm hoping Alesis will have an upgraded ASIO firewire driver soon. The ASIO Full duplex Audio Driver that accompanied the software in Cubase LE is extremly flakey. Most of the time it never loads and can't be used. The unit needs to work with video production software.

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"Great analog mixer! Crap update software! Dont run it!"

Overall:
* * . . . . . . . . 2 out of 10
Features:
* * * * . . . . . . 4 out of 10
Quality:
* . . . . . . . . . 1 out of 10
Value:
* . . . . . . . . . 1 out of 10
I Want It:
* * . . . . . . . . 2 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * . . . . . 5 out of 10
Support:
* . . . . . . . . . 1 out of 10
 
 
 
Feature:
I really didn't get to test. I'll write why below. But as a standalone mixer, it performs as expected.

Quality:
As a standalone mixer, its great. It feels heavy and the knobs feel good. Would have preferred a stop at 0. But.. the first time I plugged it into my computer, i decided to get the updated firmware from the alesis website. The flash program crashed on my brand new XP installation (just build the computer a week ago) - WHILE flashing. Made the unit so it could not be recognized by the computer.

Value:
Firewire mixer and audio interface.. right. I'm sure it would have been great if I could have got it to work. I really wish I could have used this unit as an audio interface... the sound from the mixer itself was great.

Desirability:
I would want it to work.

Sound:
Sounds Good. Clean, Clear and very prominent. The effects are, somewhat usable for onboard.

Ease of Use:
Just as easy as any other mixer.

Support:
The tech guy offered stupid advice. Anyone who knows hardware knows that if a flash fails halfway through, the unit is dead. He suggested things like changing the cable.. turning it off and on... I made it very clear that the unit did recognize at first, but the flash process crashed causing a "bricked" unit. Well silly me, I couldn't find my reciept. And anyway I had the unit for 45 days before hooking it up to my new computer. Alesis offered no help... i ended up selling it at a pawn shop for a fraction of what I paid.

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"MultiMix 8 FireWire......MY NEW LOVER!?!"

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * . . . . 6 out of 10
 
 
 
Feature:
The built-in effects are fantastic, I got my girlfriend weirded out completely by putting headphones on her and handing her the mic....she loved it, and so do I. If it somehow also worked as a midi controller, I'd give it a massive 10, but for now, just a 9....I dig the firewire connectivity as well.

Quality:
I haven't compared it to too many other devices, but the quality seems top-notch to me. Nice and sturdy. Heavy. Good sound. No problems. But since I don't know the competition too well, it gets just a 9.

Value:
All of these types of equipment seems a little spendy to me. Obviously high-grade electronics, but shelling out 400 bucks is well, a pretty big investment. SO far it's been worth it and I'm sure will continue to be, so it the LONG-RUN it's an excellent value for what you get. In the short run, you take it out of the box, hold it in your hand and go "this was 400 dollars"?? whew......

Desirability:
Nice sloped face, black metal construction. Nothing is flimsy or breakable seeming, so, for being so stout and unbreakable, it has a pretty dang sleek look and feel to it. I have a nice computer monitor and guitar and all that, but still the Multimix8 is one of the nicer looking things in my studio. Looks great, and I obviously DID want it, seeing as how I bought it.....ha.

Sound:
I don't know if it's because I just recently bought it in December '06 and they've fixed the drivers or what, but it sounds AWESOME to me. The sound is crystal clear, and works well with Acid Pro 6, there seems to be some mystery interferece when I plug in my Korg Triton keyboard for some reason, I can suddenly hear all of the electronics inside my laptop buzzing and whirring.....odd, maybe I just dont know enough about the electronics. Anyway, it sounds fantastic, with no HISS that I've noticed.

Ease of Use:
I don't know how it could be much easier....maybe the driver install?? It's kida weird cause it installs FOUR times in a row to get all the inputs and whatever, but it walks you through the whole process so it's not much hassle. Everything works smooth.

Support:
Haven't had any support. Haven't needed any support.

Overall:
Overall I am very pleased with this little machine. I can tell that it will serve me well, hopefully for years to come. It sounds fantastic, it has a nice price, the features are excellent, it looks sleek and cool, it has a variety of useful functions, transfers audio lightning fast through firewire....and comes with Cubase LE.... If you know how to hook things up properly to your computer and download updates YOU SHOULD HAVE NO PROBLEMS, unlike some of the whiners here tossing out "ones" in rating this device. It is worth your time and effort. RECOMMENDED!

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"Great value, great sound...make some beautiful music!"

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
 
 
 
zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
Feature:
I'd love a solo button...but other than that, it's got everything a lonely studio boy or girl could want!

Quality:
Tell you what - I haven't had problem one with it. The drivers work great, no crashes, no distortion, and the thing is solid as heck. I'm not planning on slinging into walls or anything...

Value:
Incredible value! An 8-track mixer, 4 mic drivers, nice clean effects, for $300? All this and Cubase too? It's a low-budget delight.

Desirability:
Here's the thing - I was tempted to get a Mackie 12, and purchase the FireWire update. Then I'd have a Mackie and chicks would dig me, but the whole shebang would have cost a grand - and I still wouldn't have any software. Chicks may not dig me quite as much with the Alesis, but with the leftover scratch I can BUY chicks! Just kidding. Instead, I purchased headphones, monitors, some really good mics and cables...and I still haven't spend a full grand yet.

Sound:
Decent sound, especially for the price. I'm using it exclusively to record - the drivers pick up a little noise, but the sound quality is strong.

Ease of Use:
Extremely easy to use, even for a novice. Cubase takes some getting used to, but it's a powerful little program.

Support:
Haven't had to call support at all.

Overall:
If I wear the sucker out, I'll get another one. It's just so easy to use. I see a lot of complaints about bad drivers, but so far everything has worked perfectly. The bugs must be fixed.

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"No problems here running through an Intel iMac..."

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
 
 
 
zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
Feature:
Good features especially the on-board sound effects... very decent for guitar and vocals...

Quality:
Built like a tank and looks great too...

Value:
Good value... decent price at around $300

Desirability:
It is very darn "sexy and sleek"... Makes your little home recording studio look more "pro"...

Sound:
I love the sound this little baby pushes out... I was using a Line6 KB837 as my interface and this mixer's preamps just made my Variax Line 6 guitar sound like it should... A-B'ing back to the KB837 the sound became amateurish and even muffled sounding... One good thing about the KB837 is that I can still use it for midi purposes and it kicks...!

Ease of Use:
Pretty straightforward... if you've used a mixing board before then no new surprises...

Support:
9 only because I haven't had to use it yet, save for the website which allowed me to download the latest drivers for my Intel iMac... with the disc alone the Mixer would not work, until I downloaded the update...

Overall:
I think its a keeper...

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"Great in the Kitchen, Great in the Bedroom"

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* *