Mixer w/ firewire

[Snarky]

Hi everyone.
I'm looking to expand to a four person podcast. So, I'm looking to get a extenal mixer with four mic inputs. It seems like it would be awfully conveinent if I could run audio in through my firwire and there are a couple of firwire mixers out there. The problem is they are somewhat new technology and some early reviews said there were some bad driver problems- resulting in a hissing sound on your recordings.
Does anyone out there have any of these (Alesis and Phonic make them)? Do you have any issues are have the companies resolved them?
thanks in advance.

[X Pat Radio]

The Mackie Onyx mixers with the addition firewire interface are used a lot, and don't have issues at all. The only drawback to them is the cost.

[pwfenton]

I use a Mackie ONYX 1220 No issues... extremely quiet... very versatile

Worth every penny.

[Snarky]

I wish I cold afford the Onyx series mixers. Looking at one with a firewire card is pushing $900.
I could possibly splurge on the Onyx mixer without the firewire card and possibly shoehorn through a Behringer FCA202 (http://www.behringer.com/FCA202/index.cfm?lang=ENGFCA202) analog to firewire connection. Reviews of this piece of equipment are nowhere to be found.
I could save $300, with the downside of having another external piece of equipment between my mixer and my laptop.
Anyone use one of these?

[X Pat Radio]

I wish I cold afford the Onyx series mixers. Looking at one with a firewire card is pushing $900.
I could possibly splurge on the Onyx mixer without the firewire card and possibly shoehorn through a Behringer FCA202 (http://www.behringer.com/FCA202/index.cfm?lang=ENGFCA202) analog to firewire connection. Reviews of this piece of equipment are nowhere to be found.
I could save $300, with the downside of having another external piece of equipment between my mixer and my laptop.
Anyone use one of these?

I use the FCA202, it works great if you only need a stereo in/out. The FCA202 is $80 or something. If you the larger firewire port, the FCA202 will draw power from the firewire cable.

[X Pat Radio]

I use a Mackie ONYX 1220 No issues... extremely quiet... very versatile

Worth every penny.

Thats what I'd like to have, with the firewire card.

[pwfenton]

I do have the firewire card. Should have mentioned that. It is a little pricey for hobby gear, but I traded in some stuff I wasn't using and eased the pain a little. I also helped that the keyboard player from my old band sells the Pro Audio gear at Sam Ash... I got a great deal.

[X Pat Radio]

I do have the firewire card. Should have mentioned that. It is a little pricey for hobby gear, but I traded in some stuff I wasn't using and eased the pain a little. I also helped that the keyboard player from my old band sells the Pro Audio gear at Sam Ash... I got a great deal.

Wish I could get one...so much for the quit your day job :)

[Snarky]

Okay, I'm going to reveal how wet behind the ears I am here....
As I've continued my search for a podcatsing rig I came across this http://www.gearjunkies.com/product_info.php?products_id=14240] alesis IO/14 . So it appears to be an analogue to digital interface featuring for mic inputs, this is exactly what I want. The problem is that there is no EQ, just gain settings.
Am I right in thinking that the firewire coming from this product will contain the audio on up to four different channels? So, would I even need an external EQ with this setup or could I just use EQ integrated in my software to tweak the settings?
thanks again.