ORIGINAL: geoman
Can someone tell what the difference is between the Alesis Multimix 16 USB 2.0 vs the firewire model ? Any recommendations as to which one is preferable?

USB 2.0 is the newer model. It can do up to 88.2k and 96k sample rates. The FW version only does 44.1k and 48k rates. The drivers for the FW version can be buggy on some systems (as seen in this and other threads). I haven't seen anyone comment on the USB driver quality yet. The FW version has SPDIF output, but the USB doesn't appear to have one based on the pictures. The devices seem the same in almost every other aspect.

The difference is speed and size. The FW is going to handle way more channels at once into your pc. I think the usb only handles like 2-4 channels at once. With the fw , you get all the channels at once.

Think of it as a comparison to this- DSL vs. Cable, same function but dsl doesnt have the bandwith. Same goes for usb vs firewire.

If your going to do alot of tracking, Id go for the FW

The difference is speed and size. The FW is going to handle way more channels at once into your pc. I think the usb only handles like 2-4 channels at once. With the fw , you get all the channels at once.

Previous Alesis mixers used USB 1 for the interface and only had 2 in/2 out capability. The new Multimix USB 2.0 models use the faster version of USB (up to 480 mbps) and will have zero problems handling 16 channels in/2 channels out. There are other quality multi-channel audio interfaces using USB2 on the market as well.

Hello!

There´s a new driver out right now (January 2008) for the firewire-model.
Maybe some known problems are solved, I never had any!

Driver-Download

I only know the link to the german homepage, sorry!

Have a nice day!

ORIGINAL: altima_boy_2001

The difference is speed and size. The FW is going to handle way more channels at once into your pc. I think the usb only handles like 2-4 channels at once. With the fw , you get all the channels at once.

Previous Alesis mixers used USB 1 for the interface and only had 2 in/2 out capability. The new Multimix USB 2.0 models use the faster version of USB (up to 480 mbps) and will have zero problems handling 16 channels in/2 channels out. There are other quality multi-channel audio interfaces using USB2 on the market as well.

FW vs USB 2.0 another article
FW vs. USB
Firewire vs. USB

Although USB 2.0 is rated at 480 mbps and FW is 400 mbps when you look at how they handle data, the FW comes out on top every time. Looks can be decieving

ORIGINAL: unkleMartinD28

Although USB 2.0 is rated at 480 mbps and FW is 400 mbps when you look at how they handle data, the FW comes out on top every time. Looks can be decieving

Nevertheless, the USB 2.0 will be fast enough. 'Enough' being the key word here. Who cares which is faster in theory?

Sven

ORIGINAL: SvenArne

ORIGINAL: unkleMartinD28

Although USB 2.0 is rated at 480 mbps and FW is 400 mbps when you look at how they handle data, the FW comes out on top every time. Looks can be decieving

Nevertheless, the USB 2.0 will be fast enough. 'Enough' being the key word here. Who cares which is faster in theory?

Sven

I can understand your point of USB 2.0 being "enough" but Both mixers are msrp $599 US, why wouldn't you take the better performer?
Its a proven fact that FW is 30+ percent faster in data transfer in both directions, it's not theory. Look it up. A majority of todays interfaces are FW and thats not by mistake.

I have a Alesis Multimix 12 Firewire, and I installed to Windows Vista Business with new drivers from web. Instalation is ok, because ALESIS Control Panel is empty, i cannot change any parameters there. Anybody has this problem?

Yes i have tohse problems!!!
Drivers installed fine, but when i try to install firmware, the installes kjust says " waiting for device", and nothing happens forever!

I try running Waves GTR3 , or Sonar, i get " initialising audio device failed" (or something along those lines)

I have Multimix 12, running on XP SP2, dual core cpu, 3gb of ram, 1tb of hd space.

Any suggestions before i throw this mother outta window?
Thank you

Has anyone updated the MultiMix 16 FW to the March 2008 driver AND firmware update?

I did. Now I'm having all kinds of intermittent problems. Just thought I'd see if I'm the only one.