Yamaha MW10/MW12 USB mixing studio

Yamaha has rolled out two new USB-based mixers that could turn your Mac or Windows PC into a home studio. The MW10 and MW12 feature, respectively, 10 and 12 inputs, including XLR, 1/4-inch phone jacks and RCA jacks. Both units also come bundled with Cubase LE software. The MW10 has a suggested retail price of $249, while the MW12 goes for $379.

[bryan ribas @ Feb 3rd 2006 3:34PM]

Are they inputs for the computer or just one on the computer side. I modded my 16 track mixer with a guitar plug but it is only one input on the computer side. I need something that will make multi-track recording easy.

[mainfr4me @ Feb 3rd 2006 3:38PM]

I wonder how this would stack up against the Alesis Multimix series. Anyone played with one that could offer insight?

[TheChump @ Feb 3rd 2006 3:40PM]

I just recently bought a mixer from Alesis with 2 fewer channels, all the same features otherwise, and dsp effects on-board to boot for about $50 less. In addition the Alesus MultiMix 8 USB has all jacks on the face, and comes in a more durable and compact package.

[Peter Kirn @ Feb 3rd 2006 3:41PM]

See also similar products from Mackie/Tapco and Alesis (though this may be more tightly integrated with Cubase, if that's your app of choice).

The price is incredibly low -- maybe too low; wonder how they sound? I haven't run into anyone who knows much yet.

[Klar @ Feb 3rd 2006 5:20PM]

I had a friend with a similar board to this in his studio (no USB action, though). It was a bit noisy. It wasn't a ton of noise, but it was there, especially noticeable in the quieter sections of recordings.

They may have made that better in this version, but I would definitely check it out before making a purchase�unless it does not matter to you.

[Judson @ Feb 3rd 2006 5:37PM]

Del.ici.ous! lol. Thats a really cheap one if its that price.

[Derek @ Feb 3rd 2006 7:12PM]

A nice looking entry in a desolate field of products.

Does anybody know of a USB product which will allow RCA, XLR, and 1/4" inputs, without multiple tracks? I just want to be able to record one track at a time and then manipulate them with software, and I imagine having only one track would bring the price down significantly. Suggestions?

[Shane @ Feb 4th 2006 1:56AM]

This looks right for you.
It dosen't have RCA input, but you can easily use a RCA to 1/4" adapter to get the signal in.
I assume you won't need all 3 inputs at once to record a single track.

[Brendan @ Feb 4th 2006 10:30AM]

If you're just going to do one track at a time, you're best off buying a good mic and tube preamp, and getting some multitrack software...just plug into the line-in on your soundcard.

I do that, it cost around $150 (for the mic and preamp), and just go to the line-in on my Audigy 2. Quality is awesome for home rec.

[Nick @ Feb 4th 2006 10:34AM]

#5,

You can just buy a cheap USB soundcard (I use an M-Audio Sonica Theater). It has a 1/8 stereo line input, which can be easily adapted for RCA/XLR/whatever.

I'm not sure why you would want to pull mutiple things into a single track without mixing. That seems like a disaster waiting to happen

[Nick @ Feb 4th 2006 10:51AM]

Oh, so this mixer doesn't have multitrack output! It's just a USB soundcard stuck inside a cheap mixer.

See, the Mackie I saw allowed you to pull all 10 inputs into 10 seperate tracks on the computer over firewire.

This is just a USB1.1 soundcard (boo!)

[munboy @ Feb 4th 2006 1:19PM]

It's a nice soundboard. I have that one w/o usb. I'd buy it again.

[SD @ Feb 4th 2006 6:27PM]

This is a joke! Only USB 1.1?!? USB 1.1 does not have enough bandwidth for more than 5 or 6 tracks of 16/44.1 audio. It doesn't even support 24bit/96kHz audio which is pretty much the industry standard now in the recording world. For $500, you can get the Mackie Onyx 1220 with high end EQs and preamps as well as the Firwire interface card if they still are running the promotion where the card comes free with the purchase of an Onyx mixer. I bought mine in December and the sound quality is excellent. It also supports 24/96.

[Paul d'Aoust @ Apr 26th 2006 2:38PM]

This series is indeed a 2-in/2-out mixer; all the channels get mixed down to stereo (hence 2-in). I'd say it's great for live performances, where all you need to master is a stereo mix, but it is very annoying, I find, for studio recording for this reason: the monitor outs listen to both USB return and master mix at the same time, and one dial controls the gain of both. This means that, when you are recording a new track while listening to already recorded tracks, you can't take the instrument you're presently recording out of the monitor mix.

I think the Edirol UA-25 is a much better interface for home studio recording. Only two channels, but you can turn direct monitoring off. It's also not quite as noisy as the MW-10/12, as someone already mentioned.

And of course, if you want to record multi-track (e.g., drums or a live performance that you're mixing later), you'll want to look at a FireWire or PCI interface. Presonus Firebox and Firepod are good FireWire machines, and the M-Audio Delta 1010 is a good PCI one.

[GreatScot @ Apr 27th 2006 1:34PM]

The Mackie Multimix series is a good theory, but beware--there is an evil, unstoppable hum on many WinXP machines for the USB, and the USB capability can blow out in weeks. I've heard it can happen if you plug in a low impedence mic using Phantom power. The Firewire has a bad reputation for driver problems. Also heard the Firewire doesn't like some plugin firewire PCI cards, possibly those that do not use the TI chipset. The firewire information is third-hand. I can personally vouch that the USB model has problems.

[Shreddin Pickens @ Jul 24th 2006 10:28AM]

Why bother?All those great imputs and you can't record multi-track . Some will say " i don't need it " , well go on then buy it then. Of course you will probably regrett the purchase in 6 months and want to upgrade to something like a FW-1082 or simular . But maybe you say the MW12 is good for live jams .But you can't overdubb the indulgent lead guitarest who's out of key can you. Good luck.

[Shreddin Pickens @ Jul 24th 2006 10:31AM]

Why bother?All those great imputs and you can't record multi-track . Some will say " i don't need it " , well go on then buy it then. Of course you will probably regrett the purchase in 6 months and want to upgrade to something like a FW-1082 or simular . But maybe you say the MW12 is good for live jams .But you can't overdubb the indulgent lead guitarest who's out of key can you. Good luck.

[algemac @ Oct 26th 2006 10:57PM]

these little mixers are ok, but i don't think they're worth the money. for an extra $20 you could simply pick up a yamaha i88x: http://www.westexmedia.com/html/yam_i88x.html

it has firewire connectivity, more inputs/outputs, very good microphone preamps and MIDI in/out. just my .02.

[Peter Johnson @ May 2nd 2007 1:27PM]

I just bough the MW10 and think it's really good.... I used to have an Audigy 2 and record from my Digitech's SPDIF out into the Audigy..... I was thinking of getting a new Audigy, but for me getting this was a smarter move... Great for track by track home recording, or even simultaneously recording of two tracks at home, OR mix a Full band in a live application... I agree, being able to multi track record all 10 tracks would be great.... Also, although Firewire is faster than USB 1, remember that USB2 is faster than firewire...so I'll be looking forward to some USB2 products that can multi track record 10 tracks for under $300 soon!

[biggsy @ Jun 3rd 2007 7:17PM]

I'm having a problem with the Yamaha MW10. I'm running vista. That could be the problem. When I first install Cubase LE and connect and power up it works fine. I'm getting playback through the MW10 and volume levels are great. But when I close Cubase and restart the sound is redirected through my laptop audio and not the MW10. The sound level is considerably reduced and the only way to fix it is reinstall Cubase. Very annonying. Does anyone know how I can fix this problem.

[Andy @ Sep 5th 2007 10:16AM]

biggsy...does the MW12 work OK with Vista in other apps (like Wavelab or Sound Forge)?

[paddy purnell @ Sep 7th 2007 2:06AM]

im just brought a mw10 on ebay, can anyone tell me if i can line my guitar amp into the mixer, and record?
does this machine work with garageband/logic 7.2 etc?
regards-paddy

[paddy purnell @ Sep 7th 2007 2:06AM]

im just brought a mw10 on ebay, can anyone tell me if i can line my guitar amp into the mixer, and record?
does this machine work with garageband/logic 7.2 etc?
regards-paddy

[kiran singh @ Dec 1st 2007 9:47PM]

Hi have MW12 hooked up to iMac. My problem is that I get digital distortion on the playback. I've checked the settings in system preferences and checked the midi utility. Sometimes its fine but then out of nowhere the noise returns. Very annoying

[Jared Thomson @ Dec 11th 2007 8:37PM]

Hi. I was wondering if you figured out what this problem was. I just recently got a macbook and am having the same problem.

[kiran singh @ Dec 11th 2007 8:41PM]

No I haven't. I'm a teacher and have six iMac hooked up to these mixers and I having the same problem on all. Yamaha is coming in to try and figure it out.

[mylafantastik @ Dec 30th 2007 11:21PM]

This is my first mixer and I'm not exactly tech savvy, so this might be a totally stupid question, but can you use a mic on the line in or does it have to be through an XLR and the mic in? Cause I can't seem to get the board to pick up anything.

[Jim Murphy @ Jul 5th 2008 8:02AM]

Trying to hook up a Yamaha MW10 USB Mixer to a Mac and I am not sure if my drivers are installed. The mic and the keyboard play through but it is not recognized in the Pro tools I/O list. The only listing is for an M-Audio interface(the program will not respond if it is not plugged in). The software is ProTools M powered.

[Jim Murphy @ Jul 5th 2008 8:10AM]

The Yamaha USB Mixer problem is solved, I ran the output from the mixer into the mic jack on the fast track usb interface, now I can't get it to playback. Any advice

[Brad @ Aug 2nd 2008 10:38AM]

Guys, this mixer is USB 2.0.

[Dave Parks @ Sep 18th 2008 5:46AM]

I've spotted a Yamaha MW 12 USB mixer in a pawn shop. The price is right. I need to know if ProTools Le is compatable with this mixer since I use ProTools almost exclusivly?
Thanks