Alesis MasterControl Firewire Audio Interface and Control Surface

Up-to 8-channels of 192kHz analog recording. Motorized faders and control surface. Includes Cubase LE.

Overall User Ratings (based on 11 ratings)
  • Overall:
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Sound:
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Features:
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Ease of Use:
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Quality:
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Value:
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Manufacturer Support:
    5 out of 5 stars
  • The Wow Factor:
    5 out of 5 stars
Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
(11) (see rating details)
Submitted May 6, 2009 by a customer from hotmail.com

"Absolutely the best purchase I've made in years."

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
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 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
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