XLR to USB Mixer Question.

[ToddCW]

I have a Rode NT3 and a Rode NTG-3 that I use for video, and I wanted to use them for Podcasting too. I want a small portable mixer that I could just plug into a USB port, PC and MAC. I thought the new Alesi Multimix 4 would do it. I called Alesi (very helpful BTW), and they told me I could not record on separate tracks and that I would need the MultiMix 8 USB 2.0 Mixer. Obviously this is a lot more money and bigger. So the dilemma, do I get a more expensive and larger unit that I can use for video and Podcasting or a less expensive unit and deal with it? Just as an aside, I video a lot of backstage during photo shoots in the studio and I would use the mixer with line out to the Olympus LS-10 PCM recorder.

Input and recommendations are greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
ToddCW

[inac]

There's also the new X2u XLR-to USB adapter from Shure - it's $130 on Amazon, and won't be released till end of the month. Wondering how much of a difference that has in quality compared to just using a (cheaper) preamp to sound card

[okcpicker]

Todd,

I've been using the Alesis Multimix 8 USB mixer which allows 2 channels to go independently into the computer. I'm on Mac OS 10.4 and there is some return monitoring issues but other than that, the mixer is great for the money.