Karaoke Forums

hello

I'm hosting on my laptop, and would like a USB mixer as my external soundcard

I am looking for a USB mixer, with effects, and that will allow me to compress the vocal tracks, either on-board or via channel inserts... I don't need more than 2 channels for mics, and two more for fill-music... I guess more channels is alright, but then the price increases

I've read all the posts here that i could regarding USB mixers... the yamaha, mackie and alesis seemed most appealing


But the Alesis Multimix 8 does not have on board compression, nor inserts, so I wouldn't be able to compress vocals, short of compressing the main out, which is not what i'd want

the yamaha MW10C seemed great, but then i realized it had no onboard effects... so I'd need to get the MW12CX (12-Channel USB Mixer with Effects)... that's about an extra $160... and a much bigger mixer, with way more channels than needed

so that leaves me with the Mackie ProFX8 i guess. It's USB, has on-board effects, and 2 channel inserts for a compressor (I have an FMR RNC)... $300 Canadian

I want to know anyone has other suggestions... USB/FX/Compression

thanks!

I'm not an expert and I don't really know anything about compressor/limiters. I've read about them here and on other boards, but it seems that you could probably run without one depending on what you're using your system for.

Can it be connected to the aux sends A and B-(4) 1/4" jacks, and there is a pair of aux return 1/4" jacks too? the Alesis has them.

I'm very pleased with the price, function, build quality and the vocal effects on the Alesis. I would definitely recommend one. Lots of featurs for a small mixer and pretty simple to operate. Plugs right into your USB port so no need for a sound card anymore.

I'd be surprised if you could find a small mixer WITH compression that does very much. My Yamaha EMX512 has compression on the first 4 channels and when I use it about the only thing I notice is that I get feedback if I turn it up when the vocal effects are running. In order to get better results you probably need a dedicated compressor.

To me the vocal effects are much more important than compression.

Just trying to help . . .

LondonLive and Lonman can give you a good recommendation, I'm sure.

You won't be unhappy to have the extra channels in the long run. Also, you get faders instead of knobs, which makes adjustment much easier when you are running a show.

That mixer gives you good enough compression for karaoke, decent effects, and nice signal routing options (groups, aux, etc.). It may cost more, but if you are doing this for karaoke hosting the faders alone might make the extra cost worth it.

Also, Yamaha is a better build and sound than Alesis, according to most I listen to. I used to own a MultiMix USB, and sold it. I far prefer the Yamaha MG124CX.

_________________
[color=#ffff55]Mickey J.[/color]
Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

The only mixers that are USB capable (for recording, can also act as external sound card) with both effects and compression features that I know are the Yamaha MW series:
- Yamaha MW8CX 8-channels $260
http://www.gigasonic.com/Yamaha-MW8CX.html

- Yamaha MW12CX 12-channels $360
http://www.zzounds.com/item--YAMMW12CX

However, if compression is not required, then there are other brands/models out there that are widely used on this board:
- Alesis Multimix USB 8-channels (only 2 stereo tracks for recording) $150
- Alesis Multimix Firewire 8-channels (all 8 channels tracks for recording) $200 (eBay)
- Mackie ProFX8 USB 8-channels $230
- Mackie ProFX12 USB 12-channels $280

Note:
- Additional/separate mic compression devices can be added as needed.
- Also, most USB 1.1 mixers can only handle 2 stereo channels tracks for recording. On the other hand, USB 2.0 and Firewire models shall be able to handle all individual channels/tracks for recording.

Yamaha is the only company right now that has built in compression in the channels that I know of.

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No, aux sends cannot be used for things like compression and eq.... only for time-based effects, like reverb, because aux's run in parallel... they send out a copy, so to speak... in other words for compression, you'd still be sending out an uncompressed signal to the mains, and then, through the aux's, a compressed one as well...

hey i hadn't seen this one.. hmm... any one have thoughts on this versus the mackie profx8?



...with mixers that have inserts



Wait a second.... oh, are you saying the yamaha MW8CX is usb 1.1? It appears they only say "usb" ... so it probably is, otherwise they would advertise 2.0, right?

That one is USB 1.1.
http://cachepe.zzounds.com/media/mw8cx_ ... 833a4d.pdf

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

oh and so is the profx8...

So anyone have thoughts on the Mackie Profx8 versus the Yamaha MW8CX?

Both:
-have on-board fx
-are usb 1.1

But the yamaha has on-board compression (though i have a 2-channel compressor I could use with the Mackie inserts)

Gimme yer opinions pleez

Personal opinion I like Mackie over the Yamaha & would just add a compressor to it. Convenient having the compression built in but prefer components, that is my opinion.

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

Thanks Lonman
I enjoy reading your replies and I respect your opinion!

My gut tells me mackie

Anyone else?

One of the arguments used by stereo audiophiles for decades.. If one unit crashes the system can still function. With integrated systems you are down...... This philosophy still stands..

I vote Mackie...

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I am sure you would do fine with the Mackie. It has faders too, so my big objection to these small mixers is met. I really like having compression, but you can add it later for $100-$150.

_________________
[color=#ffff55]Mickey J.[/color]
Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

He already has a compressor so it won't cost him anymore.

_________________
LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

Ah yes, haven't seen the RNC mentioned here before. That is a top-notch compressor, too.

_________________
[color=#ffff55]Mickey J.[/color]
Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

I've been considering the Mackie based on everyone here's opinion of it. I went to GC here to look and play with it, I like it.

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well, it looks like my decision is being made for me...

mackie isn't doing to hot n canada right now, several store i phoned said mackie shut down some distributors in asia, and they might be waiting several months before anything can be stocked... arg!

so I'm going with the yamaha mw8cx

actually not bad, it has compression AND inserts, so if I wanna use my external compressor I can (if the onboard doesn't work well enough)... or for an external eq

my only hesitation with the yamaha is that it has knobs instead of faders... but oh well, can't have everything at this price range i guess...

Myself I would give up the USB before I gave up the faders. I find it much easier to know what the mix is at a glance.

_________________
[color=#ffff55]Mickey J.[/color]
Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

I agree completely! Faders are MUCH better than knobs. Especially for at a glance.

You can always get a usb interface for your computer anyway!

Once again I am in the minority. I have become accustomed to knobs and prefer them to faders now. I used a Mackie board a few days ago with faders and I would take my Alesis any day over the Mackie DFX12.