New from Alesis, the MultiMix 16 USB FX is a 16-channel audio mixer with digital effects and a USB recording interface. Alesis debuted the new audio mixer at the 2011 Winter NAMM Show.

The MultiMix 16 USB FX desktop mixer was designed to be used in a computer-based recording environment. According to Alesis, musicians will find the MultiMix 16 USB FX to be easy to use, rugged, and feature-packed, whether they are mixing a band or sub-mixing a group of inputs, such as a drumset.

This new MultiMix provides a selection of eight XLR inputs with switchable phantom power supply for condenser microphones. It also provides 1/4-inch and RCA connectors for working with instruments and line-level audio sources; guitarists will appreciate the unit's guitar input, which enables them to plug their instruments directly into the mixer for amp-free recording.

A range of studio-grade effects are included as well. Alesis notes that studio owners who already have their own effects processing gear will like the MultiMix 16 USB FX's auxiliary input, which is assignable to pre- and post-fader points in the audio signal path. In addition, the MultiMix 16 USB FX offers flexible EQ controls, including a sweepable parametric on channels one through six.

Like the other mixers in the MultiMix USB series, the MultiMix 16 USB FX contains a complete USB recording interface. You can plug the MultiMix 16 USB FX's class-compliant USB connection into a Mac or PC without installing any software drivers, and get a digital-direct stereo connection with any audio software application. The unit enables bidirectional stereo signal, so that you can record the stereo Main output into your computer and listen back, using the mixer as an interface from software to headphones and monitoring loudspeakers.

The MultiMix 16 USB FX comes with a copy of Steinberg Cubase LE digtal audio workstation (DAW) software for composing, recording, editing, and mixing.

The Alesis MultiMix 16 USB FX is priced at $549 (retail) or $349 (estimated street). For more information, visit alesis.com.