Lexicon Alpha Desktop Recording Studio USB Audio Interface
This USB audio interface boasts an XLR mic input, 1/4" instrument input, dual TRS I/O, headphone and RCA outs -- plus Cubase LE and a Lexicon reverb plug-in!
Overall User Ratings (based on 48 ratings)
Submitted March 11, 2012 by Steve G in Granbury, TX
"Well Worth the Money"
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I didn't expect much from this little interface, but wound up being extremely surprised. Definitely worth the money for the features and sound quality.
Sound
As for sound quality, this little unit is surprisingly quiet when a guitar is hooked directly into it and dead silent when a balanced xlr is connected. Very little coloration is introduced by the unit so not much adjusting is required on the output side.
Features
High-z, xlr, and balanced 1/4" cover the bases for inputs. Generous gain settings and mix control are fantastic. Asio support was a simple install and at 5ms latency perfect for my needs. Usb powered means one less cable to worry about.
Ease of Use
Five minutes of fiddling with knobs and an additional 10 for software I was able to crank out a very respectable recording.
Quality
Build quality of the unit seems a little flimsy but if you just hook it up on your desk and leave it there you shouldn't have any problems.
Value
Well worth the money in comparison to other options out there. I mean it's Lexicon for cryin out loud.
Manufacturer Support
Haven't had any prob with it. So I consider that great support.
The Wow Factor
Super simple design and setup surprised me the most.
Musical Background:
Audio guy, Pedal and amp designer
Musical Style:
rock, metal, industrial
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Submitted August 10, 2009 by a customer from yahoo.com
"Best price for simple, professional I/O"
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This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
Someday I look forward to getting the Omega, but in all honesty, this is enough for me. I'm very proud of my Alpha, and I will keep it forever. No disappointments because I knew exactly what I was getting. And if anyone is disappointed, it's probably because they though they were getting more for some reason, or their having setup problems, and are blaming it on the box instead of their computer of software. Just get an ASIO driver and everything will work out fine!
Sound
Just got mine today. It's probably the cheapest USB interface available. Perfect, does exactly what it says. 4 inputs all together, but you can only use 2 at a time. The XLR and the front 1/4 input are both routed to the same channel as Line 1 input in the back. As for the outs, I most likely won't be using the RCA ports, but I'm sure some DJ's will appreciate it.
Features
the L and R outputs are not 2 separate outs, they are only left and right. Still, you can use them as separate outs by panning the tracks to only left or right. For example, I ran 2 microphones through the inputs, and had one mic's sound going to the left channel, and the other mic went to the right. Neither one went through the other side at all. Maybe that's a no brainer, but I thought I might try to help out a little.
Ease of Use
Very to use. Especially with an ASIO 4 All driver.
Quality
It would be nicer if it was metal because the plastic would be more likely to break, but it seems pretty sturdy and strong
Value
Best pricing on a simple audio interface I've seen. Everyone else wants to overprice a simple in and out. This is a good deal.
Manufacturer Support
No service needed for me. Simple set up. Just follow the instruction on the setup.
The Wow Factor
sits on top of anything nicely. simple sleek design makes it look "high dollar." not too bulky, but could have a little more space between inputs. it's not bad, just if someone was using some huge cables, the might have to squeeze a little. if you're into all this smaller is better stuff though, and use slim cables like a normal person, you should be fine. It just doesn't waste any space
Musical Background:
Producer, Vocalist, Live Musician
Musical Style:
Industrial
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Submitted April 27, 2017 by Paul C in Martinsburg, WV
"Works great, great price"
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Easy to hook up, computer and software recognized it. Software (both Sonar X2 and FlStudio producer) work great with it. Cant complain.
Musical Background:
Play professionally, record for fun. 35 years playing.
Musical Style:
All styles
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Submitted April 21, 2010 by a customer from gmail.com
"overall a straight 9."
maybe another year or two and go for another lexicon usb deal but i will spend more money.
Sound
for the price i paid ($79.00) at guitar center i cannot complain. nice that it uses usb to power it up. use it with my lap top worked right out of the box. i would say that it compares with some of the cheaper pci cards i had used in the past like the m-audio stuff. that said do not expect anything except stereo/mono 2 channel. i work in surround 5.1 at times so it is a pain to have to switch back to my lap top soundcard. but not a real killer. i would buy another one in a second.
Features
had everything you would need right out of the box. i use steinberg nuendo 4. so cubase was unused.
Ease of Use
plug and play for the most part.
Quality
made well enough for me. quality is typical lexicon (means good)!
Value
worth every penny.
Manufacturer Support
have not required any help.been running it for 2 years i think. no glitches yet.
The Wow Factor
sex appeal?
Musical Background:
active lap top musician
Musical Style:
outsider electronic ambient found sounds
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Submitted January 13, 2017 by David G in Roan mountain, TN
"Nice product"
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Nice product For the price. The unit was easy to set up and works like it should. I have an issue with the cubase software activation but the manufacturer took care of the problem.
Musical Background:
Guitar and bass 20 years
Musical Style:
Ambient, shoegaze, post rock, metal
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Submitted December 21, 2007 by a customer from gmail.com
"Studio in a box, all you need is a computer and some chops. You can actualy use it to record on to a tape deck as well."
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Features
Many similar products on the market do not come with a usb cable, this one do wah didy!
Value
I paid 99.00 for mine, its a great bargain conidering its multiple use factor and the sofware package.
Musical Background:
ive got a gibson without a case
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Submitted July 9, 2012 by a customer from hotmail.com
"works"
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does the basic job that i needed it to perfectly. record vinyl to computer with this easily.
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Submitted June 1, 2013 by Eric R in Brewer, ME
"Why buy anything else."
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Sounds great. Super quiet. Priced great.
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Submitted September 7, 2012 by Gary G in FAYETTEVILLE, AR
"Lexicon Alpha Desktop Recording Studio"
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The Lexicon Alpha Desktop Recording Studio is great and easy to use. However, cubase LE 5 is a whole other story. Installing cubase will make want to blow your brains out. What idiot invented such a pain in the ass install process which wouldn't have been so bad if it walked you threw the registration process. the software itself is good though not very intuitive. Pray that you don't ever need customer service support. It's damn near impossible to get any. All I can say is Pro Tools.
Musical Background:
18 years
Musical Style:
rock
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Submitted December 28, 2008 by a customer from gmail.com
"Lesson learned."
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I new I needed to buy another soundcard after a few days of use. It took a few days to get it installed and working properly because the drivers were buggy, hard to find, and the quality just wasn't there.
Sound
My main soundcard broke and I got this to get me by while i saved up to get a better card. The sound was drastically different as soon as I hooked it up. I really didn't think the playback would be affected as well, but the lows were not well defined and the highs were not pristine.
Ease of Use
Lots of problems getting it compatible with sonar. I did get it working though, lots of trial and error. Getting a great sound can be achieved, you just have to keep the high noise floor in mind. I wouldn't recommend this for someone doing acoustic or acepella work.
Quality
Cosmetically its fine. It's compact, lightweight, doesn't get in the way. The quality of playback is horrendous, and the recording itself wasn't very good. Very high noise floor in my opinion.
Value
You get what you pay for. This would be great for someone just starting out with 1 or 2 inputs to record.
Manufacturer Support
The cd it came with didn't read in my brand new cd drive. Aside from whatever software it comes with, I couldn't even access the drivers needed to install. Had to get them off the website - as recommended by the sales guy I bought it from when I called back.
The Wow Factor
it was just a practical addition. I do regret buying it though.
Musical Background:
producer, beat maker.
Musical Style:
hip hop
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Submitted February 7, 2007 by a customer from yahoo.com
"like i said its great to learn with and use"
it works great,
Sound
not a bad deal if your just getting started
Features
cubase le is a great tool to learn the basics plus alittle extra
Ease of Use
it was almost to easy
Quality
it is great
Value
yes it is
Manufacturer Support
no so fast to respond to a question
The Wow Factor
i dunno about sex appeal but i will upgrade
Musical Background:
active
Musical Style:
rock. metal.newbbie at recording
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Submitted September 8, 2016 by Tim J in San Francisco, CA
"Crap"
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Some real problems. When my mac goes to sleep, the device goes into a "low power mode" and won't awaken until its USB cable is manually unplugged and replugged. The "low power mode" is noisey, so my speakers will play loud static. Also, the volume knob is noisey — adjusting the volume creates loud static sounds. I emailed the manufacturer and was told nothing can be done.
Musical Background:
DJ & producer
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Submitted August 11, 2013 by kay magar
"inquiries"
is there a usb port available for usb mic ?
Musical Background:
rapper
Musical Style:
hip hop/rap
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