Alesis MasterControl Firewire Audio Interface and Control Surface
No longer available at zZounds
Up-to 8-channels of 192kHz analog recording. Motorized faders and control surface. Includes Cubase LE.
Overview
The Alesis MasterControl is the perfect solution for studio projects that demand a high-quality, all-in-one audio interface and control surface. MasterControl delivers up to 8 channels of 44.1-192kHz audio directly to your computer via ultra-fast, low-latency FireWire connectivity. The audio interface features 2 mic (XLR) inputs with phantom power and channel inserts, and 6 line (TRS) inputs. An additional 18 inputs of digital audio are possible with the MasterControl-s S/PDIF and dual S/MUX ADAT Lightpipe options, for forward-thinking expansion. For monitoring your recordings and sessions, the MasterControl features 6 analog outputs, configurable as discrete, 5.1 Surround or Stereo x 3.
In addition, the MasterControl functions as a fully-featured, programmable control surface with full MIDI I/O, providing hands-on, dedicated control over your HUI-compatible DAWs and external MIDI devices. Equipped with motorized faders, dedicated transport control, multifunctional jog wheel, assignable buttons and knobs, the MasterControl gives you flawless, convenient control over the parameters of your DAW.
The MasterControl is bundled with award-winning Cubase LE software, to suit all of your recording and editing needs, and is compatible with most popular DAW software products on the market today.
In addition, the MasterControl functions as a fully-featured, programmable control surface with full MIDI I/O, providing hands-on, dedicated control over your HUI-compatible DAWs and external MIDI devices. Equipped with motorized faders, dedicated transport control, multifunctional jog wheel, assignable buttons and knobs, the MasterControl gives you flawless, convenient control over the parameters of your DAW.
The MasterControl is bundled with award-winning Cubase LE software, to suit all of your recording and editing needs, and is compatible with most popular DAW software products on the market today.
Specs
8 Built-in analog inputs - 2 XLR mic preamp inputs with Phantom Power and channel inserts, 6 TRS 1/4" line inputs
192kHz analog recording / playback capability
6 analog outputs - configurable as discrete, 5.1 Surround, or Stereo X 3, with dedicated speaker switching
Nine 100mm motorized faders and eight 360* virtual assignable knobs (three banks each) Provides instant access to 28 different parameters on every DAW channel
2 banks of 8 fully-assignable buttons provide 16 different functions per preset (setting markers and loop points, setting automation modes, cut/copy/paste)
Expandable audio inputs for up to 26 simultaneous inputs. S/PDIF and dual S/MUX ADAT Lightpipe inputs provide 18 additional recording inputs
16 channel MIDI I/O
2 X 16 character LCD provides instant controller feedback and enables customization of knob and button functions
Fully-editable presets allow for instantaneous, dedicated control over DAWs (HUI-compatible) and external MIDI devices
Removable, customizable templates provide total visual overview of preset operation
Preview button shows knob, button, and fader parameters before sending them out to DAW
Built-in talk-back microphone and control-surface based cue mix setup
Bundled with Cubase LE software and compatible with most digital audio workstation software products
192kHz analog recording / playback capability
6 analog outputs - configurable as discrete, 5.1 Surround, or Stereo X 3, with dedicated speaker switching
Nine 100mm motorized faders and eight 360* virtual assignable knobs (three banks each) Provides instant access to 28 different parameters on every DAW channel
2 banks of 8 fully-assignable buttons provide 16 different functions per preset (setting markers and loop points, setting automation modes, cut/copy/paste)
Expandable audio inputs for up to 26 simultaneous inputs. S/PDIF and dual S/MUX ADAT Lightpipe inputs provide 18 additional recording inputs
16 channel MIDI I/O
2 X 16 character LCD provides instant controller feedback and enables customization of knob and button functions
Fully-editable presets allow for instantaneous, dedicated control over DAWs (HUI-compatible) and external MIDI devices
Removable, customizable templates provide total visual overview of preset operation
Preview button shows knob, button, and fader parameters before sending them out to DAW
Built-in talk-back microphone and control-surface based cue mix setup
Bundled with Cubase LE software and compatible with most digital audio workstation software products
Documents and Manuals
For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 401-658-5760
Web: https://support.alesis.com
Phone: 401-658-5760
Web: https://support.alesis.com
Reviews
Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.
(11 ratings)
Submitted May 6, 2009 by a customer from hotmail.com
"Absolutely the best purchase I've made in years."
Verified Customer
zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
I'm using this in my home studio and the results are very close to our recording studio with a much more elaborate setup. Having everything I use efficiently placed on the board and the reliability i've experienced so far has made this device a real bargain. Zzounds got it to me early which was a bonus.
Sound
All of my input signals are crystal clear. I'm using a separate preamp for my microphone. Headphones and monitor outputs are quiet (no noise). I want to say it sounds better than expected but i knew it would sound clean.
Features
I was looking for a control surface for about 8 months and almost went with the Tascam 1884 simply because it was expandable but decided this was the best way to go and maybe down the line Alesis would come up with an add-on controller interface with 8 more faders. Either way the transport section and monitor controls make this a must have for me. Faders are cool at first. Now i'm just used to them. I'm only using 4 inputs but i guess it's good to have the others just in case.
Ease of Use
I'm using it with cubase 4 and sonar 7pe. I have also used it with reasons 4. The presets work flawlessly and switching DAWs on the MC is simple. I also managed to get fruity loops 8xxl to work with it. I run recording sessions and make a ton of beats with this device and it has sped up the process so much it has almost paid for itself in just a few weeks. I have yet… read more to edit or customize buttons yet because the presets are pretty thorough for me. Setup took about 10 minutes from the moment i turned on my computer. No conflicts at all with this device. Faders are very very responsive both from touch and from the DAW. They're also quiet, to me at least. The manual was surprisingly very specific for cubase, sonar, and logic which made setup a 2 minute process instead of a 2 hour ordeal.
Quality
This thing is very very sturdy. From the picture you can't really tell but the entire thing is metal (even on the faders) except for the buttons, jog wheel and the sides of the MC. It's definitely heavier than I expected. I usually don't buy new release products but after a month I have yet to have ANY problems what so ever. I can definitely see this lasting years.
Value
I easily saved a few hundred bucks by getting this device and for what I got I should have paid more.
Manufacturer Support
I haven't had to contact them at all.
The Wow Factor
I followed this device from the beginning and added it to my wishlist long before it came out. I almost got the Tascam 1884 but I'm glad I didn't. I've been able to replace 3 pieces of equipment while becoming dramatically efficient. The colors match the MPC so they look great together (as if that matters).
Musical Background:
Producer, Recording Engineer
Musical Style:
Hip-hop, R&B, Pop, Alternative read less
Sound
All of my input signals are crystal clear. I'm using a separate preamp for my microphone. Headphones and monitor outputs are quiet (no noise). I want to say it sounds better than expected but i knew it would sound clean.
Features
I was looking for a control surface for about 8 months and almost went with the Tascam 1884 simply because it was expandable but decided this was the best way to go and maybe down the line Alesis would come up with an add-on controller interface with 8 more faders. Either way the transport section and monitor controls make this a must have for me. Faders are cool at first. Now i'm just used to them. I'm only using 4 inputs but i guess it's good to have the others just in case.
Ease of Use
I'm using it with cubase 4 and sonar 7pe. I have also used it with reasons 4. The presets work flawlessly and switching DAWs on the MC is simple. I also managed to get fruity loops 8xxl to work with it. I run recording sessions and make a ton of beats with this device and it has sped up the process so much it has almost paid for itself in just a few weeks. I have yet… read more to edit or customize buttons yet because the presets are pretty thorough for me. Setup took about 10 minutes from the moment i turned on my computer. No conflicts at all with this device. Faders are very very responsive both from touch and from the DAW. They're also quiet, to me at least. The manual was surprisingly very specific for cubase, sonar, and logic which made setup a 2 minute process instead of a 2 hour ordeal.
Quality
This thing is very very sturdy. From the picture you can't really tell but the entire thing is metal (even on the faders) except for the buttons, jog wheel and the sides of the MC. It's definitely heavier than I expected. I usually don't buy new release products but after a month I have yet to have ANY problems what so ever. I can definitely see this lasting years.
Value
I easily saved a few hundred bucks by getting this device and for what I got I should have paid more.
Manufacturer Support
I haven't had to contact them at all.
The Wow Factor
I followed this device from the beginning and added it to my wishlist long before it came out. I almost got the Tascam 1884 but I'm glad I didn't. I've been able to replace 3 pieces of equipment while becoming dramatically efficient. The colors match the MPC so they look great together (as if that matters).
Musical Background:
Producer, Recording Engineer
Musical Style:
Hip-hop, R&B, Pop, Alternative read less
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No longer available at zZounds
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