I've bought this mixer to route my external synths into the Maschine+ which is running in standalone mode.
According to the specifications, my decision was a no brainer.
- Possibility to operate with batteries for better portability
- 96kHz audio processing + audio effects
- class compliant audio interface mode
- recording feature with overdub!
More I used the mixer more I got disappointed.
Here's what I've find good, bad and terrible about this mixer.
Good:
Sound and build quality.
It works as a class compliant audio interface (Maschine+ recognizes it) (if you are interested in this please read the terrible part!)
More than enough monitoring outs.
Bad:
In 96kHz, you can only use the unit as a mixer (Recording in 96kHz might work too but I don't need it)
All rest of the functionality like ABC Mixes, effects and Audio Interface mode only work in 41kHz mode.
I've used the unit with Eneloop Ni-Mh batteries, it doesn't run for a long time, maybe 1 hour?
Alkaline surely lasts longer but who doesn't get bad conscience replacing alkaline batteries every 2 hours?
Overall handling of the device feels retro (but in a bad way). Some of the options like putting the unit into audio interface mode are not saved, so you have to put the unit into that mode every time you power it up.
Input channels 7 and 8 are shared with output 1/2 and 3/4 correspondingly, when used in audio interface mode. So you can not hear the output from the host, when you are recording from those channels.
Recording with overdub is definitely is not the overdub you know from DAWs, so don't expect it to work like a guitar looper.
Terrible:
Here comes the most annoying thing about this mixer (if you want to use it as a class compliant audio interface).
You can use the unit as a class compliant audio interface ONLY IF you power the unit with batteries!!!
As the unit wants you to unplug the usb cable befor switching into the class compliant mode.
Such a terrible design!
