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Alesis IO2 2-Channel Portable 24/48 USB Audio Interface

Designed as the ideal Audio/MIDI companion to notebook computer-based recording environments, the iO|2 USB has a compact form factor that can easily fit in a laptop case or small backpack. The iO|2 USB features durable aluminum casing, USB power (eliminating cumbersome external power supplies) and is optimized for minimal laptop battery drain. Learn More...

    • New $149.00
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Overall User Ratings

Overall:
* * * * * * . . . . 6 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * . . . 7 out of 10

Individual User Ratings

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10

Feature:
Everything from MIDI to Audio I/O are there.

Quality:
ADAT quality, no less no more.

Value:
Paid around that range. Good Value return for what you fork out, no loss.

Desirability:
Yes, definitely.

Sound:
Original ADAT sound is what i never emphasized enough. Sound Clarity and neutrality is there. Never differ much from the previous standards of Alesis Audio Reproduction. Well Done, Alesis!

Ease of Use:
Plug and Play. You do not need to install anything for Windows XP SP2.

Support:
Guess havent tried but will be good.

Overall:
Comparing Tascam and M-audio portable interface in sound and design, This IO2 does not lose out in terms of quality and features. Driver stability may need to be drilled out to test its dependency. Nevertheless, it is a worthwhile investment for those on budget and yet something portable that also delivers well 24 bit depth and 96 Khz resolution sound recording.

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Overall:
* * . . . . . . . . 2 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * . . . 7 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * . . . 7 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Support:
* . . . . . . . . . 1 out of 10

Quality:
I have a lot of technical problems (driver issues) with it. Some programs I get a 'No ASIO driver error' and in the programs where it works it is very unstable. Even with al the latest updates.

Sound:
Good for its price.

Support:
Very bad experience with the support from Alesis. They don't reply to name 1......

Overall:
DOn't buy this audio interface! It's cheap but you don't get anything reliable or with good quality in return. And there's almost no useful info on the IO on fora etc. I 've never ever received a reply from Alesis. Not only concerning this IO 2 but also in the past with other equipment. If you are lucky the IO 2 may work, but I think you would be wise to look further.... I didn't and I am sorry now... just wasted euro 150,-

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Overall:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

Feature:
It came with Cubase LE... haven't even unwrapped the disc... I use GarageBand on an iBook G4. This thing has more features than I'll use. I just needed an interface for getting vocals and guitar into my iBook. I'll probably experiment with the MIDI i/o but I don't have any need for the S/PDIF at this time. All I cared about was 2 channels, XLR's with phantom power, and guitar/mic line in.

Quality:
Seems pretty solid. Aluminum casing... what else can I say? Feels a lot more solid than my Mbox.

Value:
Well worth the price! Knowing what I know now, if I'd had to pay more, I'd still think it was worth it.

Desirability:
Looks great, knobs are in a good spot, I love the placement of the XLR inputs.

Sound:
I'm EXTREMELY happy with this interface! Very low noise, clean signal from my AKG C2000B condenser. Also used it with my acoustic electric... I LOVE this thing! It's not an MBox, but it's pretty d@mn good!

Ease of Use:
I took it out of the box, plugged it into my iBook, opened GarageBand, and immediately started a session. Haven't introduced it to my PC yet... don't really care... but have heard that it's not much more involved.

Overall:
Until they come out with something with these features, at this level of quality, that works so well with GarageBand at a lower price, ... I'll be happy.

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Overall:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * . . . 7 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * . . . 7 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

Feature:
phantom power, balanced XLR ins.

Value:
Everything that tascam claims, except this one works and is fifty dollars cheaper.

Desirability:
I don't think that the input placement is great.

Sound:
This thing works. Which is good. The Tascam us-122 is a disaster with a few major flaws. Get this instead. The preamps are okay - they do get noisy when you push them, and you have to - it doesn't have the greatest gain in the world. True 48 volts phantom power. I actually measured 51 volts weighted. Does the job for 149 bucks.

Overall:
This will do what I want it to. Of course that means that I want more.

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Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10

Feature:
Everything you need for a small personal recording studio.

Desirability:
Needs more sexy LEDs

Support:
I had a few problems with the Alesis driver in WindowsXP as well. The ASIO drivers took several reinstalls to show up and it took a while to figure out, but after I got it to work, it was wonderful!

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Overall:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10

Feature:
It has everything I want for my small home/mobile studio: 2 mic input, pre-amp or 2 line-in for guitar, 2 inserts, midi, ASIO, direct monitoring, USB connection.

Quality:
It seems to be solid enough..., and stylish! I like it a lot!

Value:
For the recommended price, I think this is a very good option with very good results.

Desirability:
Alesis io|2 is very stylish... The plated colors, the round aspect, the styled buttons and faders, I like it a lot!

Sound:
I only used it for one live recording, and it did a great job. The sound is clear, with no noise and good levels.

Support:
Didn't use yet... But the website, could have more useful information.

Overall:
I think it's a very good choice. I'm enjoying it a lot. Alesis did a great job and I think it can compete with others rivals such as m-audio, or tascam.

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