Experience with USB Interface feature of Yamaha MW10

[b3_john]

I'm in need of a small (read: inexpensive) keyboard mixer and noticed today that for not a ton more money than something like the Yamaha MG10/2 I can get the MW10 instead that has a built-in USB audio interface. Does anyone have experience with the MW10 specifically for the USB audio interface? It comes with Cubase LE for Mac and WinXP, I'd be using this for Mac/Garageband at home (for now) and Mac/LogicExpress at the rehearsal studio. Plus this would also be my live keyboard mixer as well as a headphone mixer for late night practicing while the kiddies are asleep.

 

Would I be better off with just a lower end mixer plus a separate USB audio/MIDI interface (and if so, which ones)? Money is an object. I have tons of other equipment needs and $200 is actually pushing it for this component.

 

John

[stevie b]

John,

I have a MW10 that I use for pratice. For actual band recording I use a Mackie Onyx 400F. The Mackie has great clean preamps / coverters. I use Tracktion 2 and can interface with the MW10 with no problems. I bought the MW10 so I could easily interface bewtween CD, computer, multiple keys inputs and ocassionally have a bandmate over and save a quick mix on computer with the USB interface. I have only had this for a month so I have not tried it with other instruments, but the CD, recording, keys scenario works well, (rhodes, Kurz PC2X, and K1000SE). I am using it with Yamaha HS80M studio monitors, and it sounds clean. I believe it is a good option for a keyboard mixer and for $50 more bucks has some recording features for throwing down ideas or a pratice mix.

If your looking soley for a recording interface there are better options.

 

Steve B.