The latest product in Alesis' MultiMix range of analogue mixers is the 8 Line, a 1U rackmountable device with eight stereo line inputs and a single stereo output. Each channel has volume and pan controls, as well as a knob for routing the signal to an effects send. There's an effects return section with dedicated volume knob, and a master level knob, which controls the amount of signal that leaves the main outputs.

The rear panel has balanced inputs on quarter-inch jack, as well as an XLR socket for connecting a mic to the first channel, which is a handy function to have. Another useful feature on the MultiMix 8 Line is the 'main expand' ports, which allow two or more units to be linked up to share a stereo output.

It's set to cost $199 in the US, when it becomes available in October.

Also new from Alesis is the ProTrack, a device for recording audio directly on to an Apple iPod. It works with the Voice Memo feature on the iPod, and as such uses the iPod's own controls.

Simply slide the iPod into the docking port on the ProTrack and navigate to the correct menu in the iPod. Files are recorded at 16-bit/44.1kHz, and they can be transferred to a computer via iTunes.

The device has line and phantom-powered mic inputs, but it also has a stereo pair of condenser mics on board, which have separate level controls.

The ProTrack is also priced at $199, and will begin to ship in October.

www.alesis.com