Alesis will, dass du alle USB slots verwendest.. alle..

TapeLink USB

TapeLink USB (pictured above) is Alesis way to archive your cassette. It’s a dual-cassette deck that lets you save your old(?) recordings to hard disk or flash, burn them to CD and so on. TapeLink is according to Alesis plug-and-play and requires no drivers for “most computers” (I wonder what that means). It’s 16 bit, 44.1 lHz with both normal and high-speed dubbing modes when copying. It also features dynamic noise-reduction circuitry, and comes with some software.

From the Alesis press release:

TapeLink USB comes with a software suite containing three applications. EZ Tape Converter makes transfer simple and convenient, Audacity audio-editing software enables musicians to edit their audio files once they’ve been transferred and BIAS SoundSoap professional noise-reduction software removes hiss, room noise, rumble, hum and other background noise.

Could be a good product if you did a lot of recordings on cassettes back in the day. My cassette recordings sucked so I don’t want to keep them.

USB Recording Kit

Alesis seem to like USB with audio (personally I despise it, but that’s just me) and have made a dedicated USB recording kit aimed towards laptop musicians. What’s in a kit like this?

The AM2 stereo microphone set contains a matched-stereo pair of AM2 condenser microphones, an XY-stereo mount, stand clips, windscreens and a carry case. The low profile, miniature cardioid condensers offer a switchable pad and high-pass filter for optimal signal management. They capture the nuance and subtlety that separate good recordings from great ones.

The iO|2 is a flexible digital audio interface with two XLR-1/4-inch combination inputs and 48V phantom power. The inputs enable users to plug in microphones, instruments and line-level inputs for easy recording of guitar, bass, keyboards and more. The iO|2 sends CD-quality 16-bit, 44.1 kHz digital audio to the user’s computer via USB and stereo signal to the user’s headphones.

The M1Active 320 USB studio monitors feature one-inch silk-dome tweeters and three-inch lightweight woofers and both analog and USB inputs for clean, low-distortion signal flow. The speakers have additional inputs, enabling users to employ them as a standalone recording solution when connected via USB. When used within the bundle, the speakers’ inputs add to the input count of the system.

I’m skeptic.

ProTrack Mobile Recording Kit

If USB isn’t the phrase de jour for Alesis, “recording kits” could be. The ProTrack Mobile Recording Kit combines the ProTrack handheld for iPod with Alesis AM2 Stereo Microphone Set (see above).

The ProTrack provides direct-to-iPod, stereo, digital recording in a portable, handheld form. Consumers can capture live audio anywhere and anytime with their iPod. The ProTrack’s design integrates the iPod into the recorder and clear, protective covers securely mount the user’s iPod to the recorder.

Users can record detailed, stereo audio using the ProTrack’s onboard dual condenser microphones, which are fixed in XY-stereo configuration for reliable stereo imaging. While the onboard microphones are capable of capturing quality sound, the ProTrack Mobile Recording Kit includes the AM2 Stereo Microphone Set, a matched-stereo, cardioid condenser microphone kit with two AM2 microphones, windscreens, clips, a padded hard case and an XY-stereo mount.

Using the ProTrack with the AM2 microphones enables the user to place a microphone with near-limitless flexibility in both stereo-miking techniques and applications. For example, drummers can use the AM2s to capture their drumset, guitarists can capture a stereo image of their acoustic guitar or amplifier and bands can record their sets live, in stereo. The ProTrack supplies the necessary 48V phantom power to power the AM2 condenser microphones.

MultiMix 4 USB

What’s an Alesis presentation without a small mixer? The MultiMix 4 USB is a four-channel desktop mixer 16-bit, 44.1 kHz.

If you think it’s interesting, read more about it at Alesis website. I don’t find it interesting.

M1Active 520 USB studio monitors

Yep, Alesis even have USB studio monitors!

M1Active 520 USB is a pair of active, bi-amplified, two-way reference monitors that faithfully reproduce frequencies from 20,000 Hz all the way down to 56 Hz, covering nearly all frequencies audible to human ears. Engineers can send audio directly from their DAW via USB to the speakers for extremely low noise, low-distortion signal flow. Priced attractively for any studio’s budget, M1Active 520 USB monitors perform with linearity, clarity and neutrality typically reserved for monitors that cost much more.

The M1Active 520 USB monitors are designed around a five-inch polypropylene low-frequency driver for full, smooth response in the low end and a one-inch silk dome high-frequency driver for absolute clarity in the highs. The low-resonance bass-reflex cabinet features beveled edges to reduce edge diffraction and a tuned port for bass extension. M1Active 520 USB’s bi-amplified design delivers 50W to the woofer and 25W to the tweeter. The monitors are magnetically shielded so studios can place them near computer screens and hard drives without concern.

When multitasking, engineers will appreciate the M1Active 520 USB’s large, front-panel, bi-color display that indicates presence of signal in blue and clipping in red for instant feedback on system status.

In addition to USB playback capability, M1Active 520 USBs boast a pair of TRS-balanced 1/4″ inputs, enabling them to be used as a high-quality computer audio interface. Users can connect a stereo source or two mono sources including a mixer, keyboard, sampler or tape deck and record directly to their computer through the speakers.

Before you ask, no I don’t hate Alesis, but I don’t want USB monitors! I don’t want more USB devices than absolutely necessary. I’m very happy with getting rid of both my USB hubs (well, I use the two USB conncections on my computer and those on my keyboard).

JamDock

JamDock lets you combine your iPod with… Well, whatever instrument you have.

JamDock enables musicians to mix their iPod and instrument and practice or play backing tracks live. JamDock has two 1/4-inch inputs that work with both line-level sources and high-impedance guitars and basses. The inputs sum to mono when there is only one side present, so the musician hears their guitar centered in their headphones. A pair of 1/4-inch outputs feed amplifiers or PA systems and a 1/4-inch stereo output feeds headphones.

Musicians can use JamDock on a flat surface, such as a guitar amp, or mount it on a drum rack or stand using the e-percussion Module Mount, sold separately.

JamDock comes with a free minusDrums.com music-track subscription for play-along sessions.

AudioLink

AudioLink USB cables is basically an audio interface Each cable outputs 16-bit, 44.1 kHz digital and are supposedly plug-and-play.

GuitarLink enables musicians to directly connect nearly any guitar, bass or line-level audio source to a computer via USB for mono recording; MicLink enables them to direct-connect any dynamic microphone via USB for mono recording; and LineLink enables them to directly connect nearly any mixer, keyboard, sampler, sequencer, drum machine or other stereo, line-level audio source via USB for stereo recording to a computer.

Alesis