Alesis iMultimix 8 USB problem

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Level 1

13 points

Alesis iMultimix 8 USB problem

Hi,
I'm not particularly dumb but this problem is challenging me...

I bought an Alesis iMultimix 8 and connected it to iMac 20".
Changed audio input to USB audio CODEC and I can see the level bars (so, there is signal coming from the mixer, right?) but no sound is been played from speakers. Other system sounds and audio are OK. Tried to record from GB and Cubase and it's seems that it's recording but with low level (and a bit distorted).

Any ideas will be highly appreciated!
Tks,

iMac 2.4G, Mac OS X (10.5.5), MB Pro II 2,4GHz, MB 2,4GHz

Posted on Dec 13, 2008 7:38 PM

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Answer 1

den.thed

Level 10

91,618 points

Dec 13, 2008 10:17 PM in response to RioMacUser

Hi RioMacUser

To play thru audio from input to output, I use LineIn:

http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/18987

Dennis

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Answer 2

Dec 14, 2008 1:03 AM in response to RioMacUser

My experience is with Cubase LE but Cubase may be the same: you have to use the same device for output as input: so if you have set the mixer's USB output as the input in Cubase you have to monitor by the same route - you can't use the internal speakers. To do this you press the '2 TK TO CTRL RM' button and monitor with the CONTROL RM OUT or headphone jacks, using the extreme right-hand knob to control the monitoring level.

In Garageband you have to switch monitoring on in the pane where you select the input. Here you should be able to use the speakers.

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Answer 3

RioMacUser Author

Level 1

13 points

Dec 15, 2008 2:00 AM in response to den.thed

den.thed wrote:
Hi RioMacUser

To play thru audio from input to output, I use LineIn:

http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/18987

Dennis

Hi Dennis, thank you for the info.
I downloaded and yes, it worked, but the sound quality is terrible... a lot of noise and distorted.
Do you have any ideas about this problem?

Thank you a lot for your assistance.
Marcio

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Answer 4

RioMacUser Author

Level 1

13 points

Dec 15, 2008 2:08 AM in response to Roger Wilmut1

Roger Wilmut1 wrote:
My experience is with Cubase LE but Cubase may be the same: you have to use the same device for output as input: so if you have set the mixer's USB output as the input in Cubase you have to monitor by the same route - you can't use the internal speakers. To do this you press the '2 TK TO CTRL RM' button and monitor with the CONTROL RM OUT or headphone jacks, using the extreme right-hand knob to control the monitoring level.

In Garageband you have to switch monitoring on in the pane where you select the input. Here you should be able to use the speakers.

Thanks Roger.
It worked but as I said in the previous reply, the sound is noisy (a lot of hiss) and distorted.
Also, I can't understand why the USB audio Codec does not work as a second audio card, playing thru speakers automatically.
It makes no sense to me use an USB interface if I need to route back thru the same device for play.
Does it works the same way for other audio interfaces (USB or FW)?

Thank you for your help!
Marcio

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Answer 5

Dec 15, 2008 2:44 AM in response to RioMacUser

The restriction on using the same input and output device isn't to do with the device: it's Cubase that insists on this. In other programs you can usually use separate inputs and outputs. You will find exactly the same thing with other interfaces.

The distortion and hiss sounds like an analogue fault and that would be to do with the mixer inputs and settings. I haven't had this trouble with mine, though the microphone input isn't sensitive enough for some mics and this can cause audible hiss. Distortion is normally cause by overloading an input or the main mixer level settings: what is the mixer's meter telling you?

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Answer 6

RioMacUser Author

Level 1

13 points

Dec 15, 2008 7:13 PM in response to Roger Wilmut1

I can hear even with all pots down, including main mix.

Tried using GB and LineIn. Same thing.

And it's relatively loud (-15db).

Hey, just found the problem. The USB stream resolution was wrong under Audio Midi Setup: It was 1 ch 8bits 16,000 Hz and should be 2ch 16 bits 48,000Hz.

Thanks for the help!

Message was edited by: RioMacUser

Message was edited by: RioMacUser

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