Alesis MultiMix 4 USB Four-Channel USB Mixer

by Alesis

Product Features

• 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

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 6 x 7.1 x 1.1 inches ; 1.8 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B001T9O5VG
• Item model number: MultiMix 4 USB
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #557 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)
  • #1 in Musical Instruments > Recording Equipment > Mixers & Accessories > Mixers > Unpowered

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Perfect for using in basic computer-recording setups, video editing and production studios, and portable podcasting setups, the Alesis MultiMix 4 USB outputs not only line-level analog audio but also stereo 16-bit, 44.1 kHz digital audio over USB for low-noise, easy computer connection. You can also monitor back from your computer through the same USB connection.

Alesis MultiMix 4 USB portable mixer (see larger image as well as schematic of controls).

The MultiMix 4 USB mixer has four input channels, all of which can accept a 1/4-inch line input. You can plug XLR microphones into channels one and two, including condensers thanks to the mixer's switchable 48V-phantom power supply. You can also plug a guitar or bass directly into channel one's switchable high-impedance input.

Channels one and two offer switchable high-pass filtering at 75Hz to eliminate low-frequency rumble, handling and wind noise. Each channel has an independent pan control and channels one and two provide high and low-shelving EQs. Channels one and two have independent gain trims, while channels three and four are configured as a stereo pair at the level and pan controls.

Key Features

• Four-channel mixer with USB stereo input and output
• Low-noise digital 16-bit, 44.1 kHz signal on USB for easy computer interface
• Four 1/4-inch line-level inputs plus RCA tape in/out
• Two XLR mic inputs with gains, high-pass filters, and switchable 48V phantom power
• High-impedance guitar input
• Dual-band EQ on mic inputs
• Multicolor LED metering
• Main and headphone outputs with independent level controls

Specifications

Inputs: Line (CH 1, 2): 10 KΩ input impedance 5.5 mV ~ 4.9 V RMS sensitivity for max output Mic (CH 1, 2): 600 Ω input impedance balanced 700 mV RMS sensitivity for max output Line (CH 3, 4): 700 mV RMS sensitivity for max output HPF (CH 1, 2): 200 Hz (-1 dB), 80 Hz (-3 dB), 20 Hz (-24 dB) Outputs: Line: 7 V RMS max Headphone: 0.5 W into 47 Ω Signal-To-Noise Ratio: Line: > 92 dB (max output; JIS A-weighted) Mic: > 62 dB Distortion: < 0.02%

Frequency Response: Line: 20 Hz - 20 kHz (± 0.5 dB) Mic: 20 Hz - 15 kHz (± 0.5 dB) Channel Equalizer: Bass: ± 14 dB @ 80 Hz Treble: ± 14 dB @ 12 kHz Channel Fader Kill: > 90 dB @ 1 kHz Crosstalk: > 85 dB @ 1 kHz Interface: USB1.1 or higher (stereo in and stereo out) Power Adapter: 10 V AC, 500 mA Weight: 1.5 pounds Dimensions: 7.75 x 6 x 2 inches (LxWxH)

Product Description

Desktop audio, solved. The MultiMix 4 USB is a four-channel desktop mixer with a USB digital audio interface built in. This compact mixer is perfect for using in basic computer-recording setups, video editing and production studios, and portable podcasting setups because it outputs not only line-level analog audio, but also stereo 16-bit, 44.1 kHz digital audio over USB for low-noise, easy computer connection. The MultiMix 4 USB mixer has four input channels, all of which can accept a 1/4" line input. You can can plug XLR microphones into channels one and two, including condensers thanks to the mixer's switchable 48V-phantom power supply. You can also plug a guitar or bass directly into channel one's switchable high-impedance input. Channels one and two offer switchable high-pass filtering at 75Hz to eliminate low-frequency rumble, handling and wind noise. Each channel has an independent pan control and channels one and two provide high and low-shelving EQs. Channels one and two have independent gain trims, while channels three and four are configured as a stereo pair at the level and pan controls. The MultiMix 4 USB has a two channel, five stage, multicolor LED meter for visual monitoring the main output level. A stereo, 1/4" headphone output has its own level control.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Solid product., November 27, 2009

By 

Eponymous Mind (Under the Pond, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Alesis MultiMix 4 USB Four-Channel USB Mixer (Electronics)

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.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Alesis MultiMix4 USB, June 12, 2010

By 

Peter D. Walchli "MKEgaffer" (Pewaukee, WI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Alesis MultiMix 4 USB Four-Channel USB Mixer (Electronics)

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.

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Noisy, not recommended, July 14, 2010

By 

Keith S. Chambers (Ashland, OR USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Alesis MultiMix 4 USB Four-Channel USB Mixer (Electronics)

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.