I bought the Alesis io26 about 6 months ago and have been pleased with it. For the price there is no other 8 channel analogue audio interface available with very decent Mic Pre-amps, inserts and Phantom power on all inputs. It has two guitar instrument impedance switches on the first two channels for electric guitars and basses. I use it with Sonar 8.5 to record and also practice live with my band.

Mic Pre-amps are nice and transparent with a nice amount of gain. There is obviously increased noise if you turn the gain up very loud but this has never been a problem for me. The only main issue is the drivers which are not really up to scratch compared to more expensive models. The minimum latency I can get on a new custom Intel i7 DAW system running Windows 7 is 128 samples for small projects, increasing it to 256 for larger projects at 48Khz. This is fine for most purposes although with a system like this lower latency should be possible. On my older AMD Athlon II dual core machine I could only run at 512 lowest without dropouts.

It has two headphone outputs which is really useful for me. The first is only assignable to output channels 1-2 but the second can be assigned to any pair for a different monitor mix. There is also a live hardware monitor options, however the latency is low enough at 128 samples to not need to use this.

One thing to note is that other users have often said that stability can be a problem when it is powered via firewire, and that plugging in a power adapter can solve a lot of problems. I have only ever used it with an adapter so I can’t comment on this. With the adapter it has been pretty solid.

In conclusion this is a great interface for the quality of the preamps, and features but the driver problems/high-ish latency means I would only recommend it if you are on a tight budget. If you have a bit more cash to spare maybe look at a “Focusrite Saffire Pro 40”, a “Presonus Firestudio” or a “M-Audio Profire 2626”

The service I received was astounding. Ordered on Saturday. Arrived on Monday. Dolphin Music, the best music supplier I've come across for a while.

The product itself. Not a single flaw. There is a slavery of the 1 hour set up time and then powering up but for it's value ... What a product. No problems at present. Very responsive, delivered in perfect condition.

I am planning on using many of the MIDI features but currently I am so shocked at was this product offers it's difficult to actually pull myself away. Even coming to write this review was hard to do. It is just so much fun and the rhythms that you can create is phenomenal.

If your looking for a starter kit, my recommendation is this. With Dolphin Music you even get a Drum Throne which is very comfortable.

Seriously consider this a purchase if you are looking for an e-kit.

10/10 Performance
10/10 Reliability
10/10 Service
10/10 Ease of Use
10/10 Fun

DEQ 230 is very good EQ. Beautifull Design, very simpel to use, and the sound and technic is good.

A very good bit of kit. So far I haven't taken this out gigging but I will do shortly. It will be used as a monitor for a small acoustic setup. I bought it because of it's very useful flexibility. It really does seem to do it all and do it well. I have tried it at home and it's main functions seem very well thought out and executed. The mic stand facility is useful the effects are more than useful. I had a Nanoverb in the past and I am aware that Alesis do do very good effects. This sounds great with an Acoustic guitar through it, clean fairly warm and plenty loud. It's definitely a get you out of jail piece of equipment. Ultimately I know if my main PA goes down then this will produce enough volume so I can be heard and do so with the minimum of fuss. The mic input is fine (no phantom power I think)and the absolute bonus is that it is small light and well finished. The only real trick I think it is missing is the facility to tilt back like a monitor. This could have been incorporated in the design I think but maybe they had their reasons for not doing so. Nine stars. It might have been ten if I had done this review after having gigged it for sometime, especially if it came through with no further issues

Easy to use, incredibly well built and very compact.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS & IN USE

I purchased the io2 for use with GB and Logic Express 8, on a 2.4GHz MacBook running OS X 10.5.6. The simple layout, rock solid build and class compliance with 10.5 appealed and the device certainly hasn't disappointed.

I was a little concerned about comments regarding compatibility with OS X 10.4, but having seen other users report no issues with 10.5 I took the plunge. The device was recognized instantly and I had no problems getting my DAWs to play nicely with the io2.

Guitars and bass are a breeze, playing/recording like a dream through Guitar Rig 3 with no noticeable latency! I've also had great results recording vocals and acoustic guitar with a T.Bone SC400 condenser. Some may say the preamps are a bit weedy but they're fine for my needs and have yielded surprisingly clear and warm results.

Initial problems sending MIDI data (from an old keyboard) were rectified by removing a badly built aggregate device with the OS X 'Audio/MIDI Setup' utility; most definitely a case of user error on my part. I was helped through this by the Alesis UK tech support line and was chuffed to bits by how helpful they were.

While I'm unable to vouch for the io2's compatibility
with Vista (32 or 63 bit) and can state that it works without a hitch in XP; both natively and running through Bootcamp and a virtual machine.

BUILD QUALITY

This thing is built like a tank, with all jacks and connectors being bolted directly to the unit casing, so longevity shouldn't be an issue. The casing itself is thick, rigid and far more durable than other interfaces at this price point and I've no qualms about chucking it in my laptop bag for a session away from home. Switches have a positive action and are easily accessible and the status light-strip lets you know if you've left the phantom power on by mistake.

There's no discernible noise from the control pots and the 'direct/USB monitoring mix' control is very useful. The only addition I'd make would be a couple of guard rails on the top to protect the knobs while in transit (as per the Tapco Link devices).

SUMMARY

In summary, I've no reservations about recommending the io2 to anyone looking for an affordable, durable and very versatile interface.

While you should certainly consider the potential issues with earlier versions of OS X (specifically 10.4) and think about how much welly you need from your mic preamps, I'd be surprised if these were a show-stopper for most users.

Whether you're a hobbyist or a seasoned pro who likes to travel light, you'd do well to check out this device.

I was looking to start a home studio setup and this setup is my first recording equipment of my own, having gained experience of this kind of thing at school.

I got this just after Christmas 08, after extensive research online and speaking directly to Dolphin. There were no reviews of this product which put me off slightly, but I hope that this will help people who find themselves in the same situation as I was, and give them something to refer to.

I was restricted by budget (the Alesis was much cheaper then than now because of the financial crisis) and wanted something that could be used both for live work and recording at home with my family.

My first plan was to get both an audio interface and mixer but that proved too expensive. I then moved onto the idea of just an audio interface. I looked at the Tascam US 122 but was told that that could only record two channels at once. That wouldn't do for some drumkit mics, guitars and other acoustic instruments. Plus, an interface by itself would not work well in a live setting.

I then realised that the reason I wanted an interface was to act as a Analog to Digital converter for my Apple Mac and found the Alesis models after looking at the Alesis i/o 26. I realised that the Multimix would solve the problem I had and give me enough inputs for all the mics i want to incorporate into my setup.

It has done the job almost perfectly. It is robust and simple to use. (Although it is worth looking at the manual though just to clarify the buttons which allow you to change from the direct mix to hear what is coming out of the computer). It has good mic preamps, although probably not good enough for professional use, and all the dials and faders are smooth and sturdy. It has multi track recording but that only works if the mixer is plugged into a USB 2.0 port on the computer. There is no latency from the direct mix. The latency through the Mac (and the mixer) into headphones is almost zero; this helps group recording.

The only downside to it is that the phantom power and mains power to the mixer are on the back and I prefer to have them on the top for easier control. They are also very close together, so I have accidently switched the mixer off when meaning to turn on phantom power. Also, the phantom power is universal to all ports which means (I think) that if you used ribbon mics with it they may get damaged,

Overall it is a great 2 in 1 piece of equipment and worth every penny I spent. It is great for a home setup and would work well alongside some better preamps for professional use.

Hope this is a help.

Will

OMG i have never seen anything like it i use it for on air talent to dj on a internet radio it dose the job fine i would recommend this if your looking to buy first time all it dose it just plugs strait into one of your USB ports and then your done :P:P:P

A fantastic work-horse; sturdy, reliable and above all gives professional sounding recordings. I regularly use the Alesis for voice-over work (currently I have radio ads running in Birmingham and the US that were recorded using this remarkable device). Works well with Apple's garageband too.

The kit is easy to set up and get started on. The 20 preset kits on the DM5 module are useful but I imagine i shall be only using a few of them on a regular basis. Previous reviewers have criticised the wheel which scrolls and selects the preset kits which can be over sensitive and sometimes skips through several at a time - yes, this does happen but isn't really a problem at all.

I haven't yet worked out how to construct my own kits. Some parts of the user manual are a little confusing.

The drum heads have a good feel and the triggering is really good. The cymbal pads are noisy and even with headphones on you can hear the contact. The high hat sound occasionally cuts off abruptly when struck hard.

Overall the sound is great and as a beginner, it is ideal. For the price, the DM5 pro kit is definitely worth the purchase.

Communication from dolphin music was good and i was kept up to date with the progress of my order which arrived within 10 days of ordering.

Does make me laugh reading all these reviews about people not being able to program this drum machine. It's you've ever programmed ANY drum machine (not software S***) it's the most intuitive drum m/c ever. The SR despite being nearly 20 years old (bear that in mind as some of the sounds are 80's) is still being sold as a new product - that says something! Depends what you want to do with it - if, like myself, you're a regular pub performer needing straight drum kit sounds, nothing touches these largely due to the 100-song capacity. ALL THE PRESET BEATS ARE RUBBISH you need to program your own from the minute you take it out of the box. Three critisms: you run out of pattern memory before you run out of song memory - the handclap sample is dire! - and you can't change tempo mid-song. The "NEW" SR-18 is basically a repackaged SR-16 likewise the "Performance Pad". I use two live on stage as part of a duo (again, I ran out of memory with one!) and we have over a 100 song repertoire. £90? Jesus, get one - what else can you buy for £90? :)

fantastic hardware for budding musician ,,now let me explain the benefits of this unit .its usb compatible just plug in you sound equipment and conect to your computer record all that noise yes noise not music becouse this comes with cubase 4 le .its nearly worth the purchurse just for cubase .its not the full progrme that cost £400 but a version scaled down.so what can you do well all those dud notes record them re sync them upto 8 channells of noise mix then play reshuffle play again then just add mike what you got is the basis of music .....this aint fast process but you can achive miricles in quite short time .back to the unit itself it has 4 mono inputs 1-4 and two stereo 5&6 7&8 all with equalizer high gain for low input pre and post aux for enhancment but to top of it able to make sound changes upto 100 in all like hall room stadium but allso have you ever heard you self speeking or singing like a dylak ha ha you can input music lik cd or ipod then play along this box of trics is a must for the music beginer or more advanced ,,,but what i found best of all i could sit back with a set of headphones pluged in and play my guitar full blast as if i was in a studio but without anoying anyone in the house .no more amplifier just this great box of trick and headphone and adjust to what i want it to sound like alesis also make a ipod version little bit more in money take a look at ther site and choose which version would suit you best and your pocket both versions are capable of producing great sound but the ipod version has the advantage of recording without the aid of a computer if thats what you want alesis products have been made of a very high standard and you would be forgiven if you thought it was made 10 years ago becouse its not plastic junk it looks and feels as if it was made for a professinol as may be you are that so this woul suit you dowto the ground input range from acusti electric guitar to keyboad or mike violin as long as you are able to electricly conect or play into a mike this is a must musician dream piece of equipment all possative coments except youll have fun in getting it to work on a computer be patient and all will fall into place also that computer needs to be powefull enough and a good capacity hard drive worth investing externall drive to save your work bye bye cheap as chips when you relise what you are getting for your money both unit alesis 8 usb and cubase 4 le how can you go wrong ....make them sounds now sound like music

This kit is excellent for the money!
the spunds are great and i am especially fond of the dual zone snare drum trigger, kit sounds great and is built to last of strong dteel tubing.

Can also confirm that this works perfectly on a Mac (OS X 10.5.5) and also on Windows XP running under Boot Camp.

Don't listen to the guy above about the mac problem. I've got one of these little boxes, I just plug my perception into it and i get a sweet sound constantly. I'm running my mac on 10.5.5 and I've no problems what so ever.

Ok, first of all Gav's copy and pasted his review from Sound on Sound http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/Aug02/articles/alesism1.asp

Second, Andy, you need to send your pair back cuz their faulty!

i've been using these as my desktop listening and mixing monitors for a couple of years now. I've come to know their responce really well despite their bad positioning in a corner. At the end of the day these are for project studios really and they are most definatly the best things you can buy. Not many other monitors have such a flat responce for the price and great clarity for mixing (and occasionally mastering).

Some acousticly designed stands can benefit but if like me you're gunna be using them for all sorts of purposes, getting to know how your fav albums sound on them pretty much eliminates the need anyway!

Best buy for price and spec.

I've read a bit on here about people struggling to use this machine. It's not hard, you just need to give it time, practise lots, have patience and it'll all come. I've, IMO, mastered this machine now, and it's fantastic. Works great with many different styles, i've used it on many songs. Very happy with this drum machine, although the sounds and effects are rather simple, the finishing product makes up for this.

A great machine at a great price.

PROS:
Great sounds
Fun to use
Lots of styles
Fairly easy to use
Lots of space to programme your own beats and create your pre sit kits.
THE PRICE!

CONS
Fairly limited effects