J.Palmer picked up the recommended ‘Entry’ system here at Podcastrigs for his new podcast. He states: “the big news is that I’ve treated myself to the Entry system, and it really exceeds my expectations – I’m really thrilled with the sound.”
Visit Joe’s Blog.
-ptfigg.
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looks like he needs an audio gate!
I have started up my podcast but the quality is pretty poor. I want to invest in some equipment but am not exactly sure what I need. I was planning on getting a modified entry level package, getting the Alesis MultiMix8 USB (or firewire) mixer and 2 KEL HM1 microphones. This is going to be a 2 person show. What is the difference between the Alesis MultiMix8 USB and the FireWire model. Will I get just as good quality with the usb model as with the firewire if i am going to publish in mp3 format? Thanks.
Tiger
Tiger,
What Firewire mixer are you referring to? [I dont think Alesis makes one] I think you would be real happy with the MultiMix8 and 2 HM-1’s. I tested this mic and it sounds fantastic.
http://www.podcastrigs.com/hm1.html
-paul.
What kind of stand can I use with the HM-1, does it work with just a normal table stand? or do I have to spend all that money on one of those broadcast arm stands that swing around?
Sorry for the easy questions.
Also am I going to have to buy cables for each HM-1 that I buy?
Thirdly, Alesis does make a firewire model http://alesis.com/products/new_products/index.html#MultiMix
its new? what are the advantages of firewire interface over usb?
Thanks again for all the help. Podcastingrigs.com has been a great help.
Hi,
The HM-1 has a standard ‘thread connector’ and will work with any standard Mic stand. Each mic needs its own cable for mixer connection, and THANKS! I was not aware of the Alsesis FW mixers. I will look at them today, Depending on the USB protocol, the data transfer rate will be faster with Firewire as compared to USB 1.1 for example. In reference to the quality of the actual signal with USB compared to Firewire [sonic quality of audio], I am not sure. I will look at the specs and get back to you.
-paul.
Firewire will let you do full duplex 24bit audio at frequencies as high as 192khz. Usb offers 16bit 48khz.
For basic podcasting [dialog/interviews etc], USB is fine. However I would opt for a firewire variation if I had the choice.
-paul.
THANKS!
No Problem…
-paul.
BTW, that link URL is incorrect, it should be:
http://www.josephpalmer.com/cgi-local/View_Permalink.cgi?entry=2005/3/23/15:33:14:00
Thanks Jo-Fixed it.
-paul.
BTW, I just released a new podcast that is a “Mic Test” I have sample audio from the MXL 990, an MXL 991, A Sure SM-57, an inexpensibe Audio Technica mic, and a plantronics headset. I also have audio demonstrating the software compressor in Cubase LE.
J.
The Alesis Multimix8USB mixer is an excellent unit. I bought that and don’t regret it one bit. I didn’t go for the recommended mic, but one that was much less expensive, with a cheap XLR cable, and already the sound quality easily bests half the podcasts I listen to.
I was pretty disappointed with the nasty Windows installer for Cubase LE. The OS X installer worked fine, but the software was initionally more complex than I cared to deal with, the manual wasn’t much help. I ended up reverting to Audacity again, which is fine, though there are trade-offs. I will give Cubase another shake.
PLEASE HELP! I don’t have any experience in working audio equipment, and needless to say Cubase LE is not very user friendly. Not even a manual in the box. I have the exact same setup that Joe purchased (entry). Should I go with a program like Audacity, or can you help me with referances to Cubase LE help? Any info you could provide would be much appreciated.
M
M,
I suggest at first you try using Audacity. The connected USB Mixer will be recognized via Core Audio and you will be ready to record.
Once you are comfortable, you can start learning Cubase which is a bit more difficult to say the least.
-paul.
I am interested in purchasing the entry system described above, but will it work with software such as Industrial Audio Software’s epodcast producer or other podcasting software suites other than Audacity or Cubase LE (based on an earlier answer I would assume yes, but I wanted to be sure)? In addition, does the entry system include (recommend) any affordable headphones? Thanks and kudos for a great site (very informative).
-Mike
Hi Mike,
Glad you are finding the site helpful. Essentially the Alesis mixer is a 2 Channel USB interface. Any audio application for Mac or PC would recognize it as an available i/o device. Keep in mind you can only send 2 channels [L+R] out from the mixer via USB to your computer for capture. This mixer DOES NOT offer multitrack capture.
The headphones I recommend are the AKG’s for $99 on the site up top. If you want something a bit cheaper, take a look at these:
http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=2860408
These sound great for this price.
-paul.
Paul,
Thanks for the great resource, I’m just reading and getting ready to purchase my first rig and it’s proving very helpful.
I am interested in the Alesis as I’m going to have 4 people talking at the same time. Perhaps a dumb question, but the note above says the USB is a 2 channel interface. Is that 2 stereo channels – left and right for a total of 4 mono channels? Or, is that 2 channels period, which makes me wonder why the mixer has 4 mic inputs.
Thanks for any insights…
- Fran
Fran,
2 Channels = 1 left and 1 right. Also keep in mind your tracks on the mixer will be pre-mixed into a stereo pair and sent out via USB. You will not have access to 4 independent channels for recording.
-ptfigg.
Thanks for the reply. I can see I’m going to have to chat with a local music friend face to face to understand this completely. I’m asking for more than the normal situation with that many or more people.
- Fran
Fran,
“Stereo USB input and output – routes the main ouput
and the 2-track return through the USB port in crystalclean,
16-bit, 44.1 kHz stereo digital audio. Use the
Multimix USB as a high-quality soundcard for recording
and playback with Windows and Macintosh computers.”
So, think of the mixer as a sound card with the added benifit of multiple audio source inputs.
Hi there, I am looking for some insight on using the Alesis Multimix 8 (USB) with Audacity on Windows XP. Have you (or anyone) had much success with that type of setup?
I know some of the 2-track USB mixers come with Cubase LE, but I really like using Audacity and would like to keep using it as my main software program.
Just looking for some options! Thanks!
P.S. I like the site.
Scott,
Stop by the forum …
http://www.podcastrigs.net/forum
-ptfigg.
i have recently purchased the multimix 8 usb . i cannot figure out how to record onto my computer withou merging the beat and voice.i would like any kind of insight of how to keep the voice seperate from the beat so that i can clean up or lay over effects withou comprimising the sound of the beat .
thanks
Shaun.
The Multimix can only send out the main stereo mix. One thing you can try — hard pan 2 channels [L] + [R]. Deal with each channel in post by converting each channel back to a stereo track.
-ptfigg.
i have recently recieved an alesis multimix 8 firewire for christmas but the driver dosent work correctly. every time i clic record in cubase it cuts out and the sound from the microphone channel cuts out and all i get is silence. i have ajusted the bit rate and the frequency in cubase and in the control panel to 48 khz but still the folt persists. advice to any one wanting to but it. you have to really understand computers or your doomed like me….
….if any one can help me please email me at cobra_naish@hotmail.com
thanx
I have the Alesis 8 USB and connected it with my mic and the usb cable to my pc. Can’t seem to get anything to happen. Do I need any other hardware. How do I record voice into my pc? Thanks…
Sam,
Visit the forum for help:
http://www.podcastrigs.net/forum
-ptfigg.
# Samuel Wrote:
January 20th, 2006 at 4:22 am
I have the Alesis 8 USB and connected it with my mic and the usb cable to my pc. Can’t seem to get anything to happen. Do I need any other hardware. How do I record voice into my pc? Thanks…
———————–
Hi Samuel,
If your using Windows XP, all you have to do is plug the mixer into an available USB port (preferably not one in a “hub”) and XP will automatically see the mixer. What sortware are you using? Check the
program’s audio device in and out options…select the USB Audio Device. This will give you both input to the pc and out of computer back to the mixer (for monitoring, etc.). You can go to http://www.Alesis.com and under support they have a nice tutorial (with pictures!) that explain things very well. Good luck!
# Samuel Says:
January 20th, 2006 at 4:22 am
I have the Alesis 8 USB and connected it with my mic and the usb cable to my pc. Can’t seem to get anything to happen. Do I need any other hardware. How do I record voice into my pc? Thanks…
—————————————————————————————–
i have the same problem but the forum didnt help me and im using audacity as my software
The Multi-Mix can only send out 8 channel assignments in one program, Cubase LE. The mixer is designed almost exclusively to Cubase. If you read the Cubase setup file that is on the Alesis website it explains how to assign channels and inputs and clearly shows adding 8 inputs, but good luck trying to figure out Cubase, I’ll stick with Audition.
Help…I’m a newbie and need help with audio equipment in order to produce podcast phone interviews. I have JK Audio’s Broadcast Host and just picked up a Behringer EuroRack UB10002 mixer. That’s the only hardware I have for my iMac besides a Shure SM58 microphone. For the life of me, I can’t figure out how to set my cabling connections to best record phone interviews…I’ve been aimlessly trying various configurations and am having no luck.
Can anyone help??
John,
I just approved your forum submission. Let’s take this discussion over there. I’m happy to help.
-ptfigg.
Hi I have a alesis multimix8usb mixer with windows xp and audition, how the heck do you get it to work? Cant find anything anywhere that tells you. Whenever i try and record on audition its dead nothing there although the pc has recognized the usb mixer Help!!!!