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Alesis iO Dock £140
iO, iO, it's off to work we go as Alesis unleashes the iPad's musical potential
FutureMusic, Thu 6 Oct 2011, 3:17 pm BST
We all know by now that the iPad holds plenty of potential as an audio device with apps of many flavours (soft synths, guitar amp sims, multi-track recorders and so on) available and doubtless many more to come - we've even had the first iPad album.
Tapping into that potential - if you excuse the expression - however, hasn't always been overly user-friendly.
There's the built-in microphone on the iPad itself of course, and the likes of Line 6's MIDI Mobilizer for MIDI connectivity, plus various devices on the market designed to connect guitars and other instruments, but what would be really practical would be a single device that offered all the various connections you'd need for musical use with the iPad… And that is exactly the role that Alesis has defined with their new iO Dock.
Pad control
"Your iPad simply slides into place and mates with the Alesis via its 30-pin dock connector."
What you get is a light but solid wedge-shaped universal docking station that sits on your desktop or knee, and holds and protects an iPad or an iPad 2, (iO Dock includes a plastic insert for the smaller iPad 2), putting it at just the right angle for viewing and operating.
All the connections are logically grouped - audio round the back, MIDI on the left side, monitoring on the right. Two inputs are provided on combination XLR/jack sockets with phantom power for condenser mics, (globally switched for both), and a Hi-Z switch to allow guitars to be plugged directly into input two.
Gain knobs are provided for both inputs and there are also separate volume knobs for the quarter-inch jack headphone output and the left and right main outputs, also on quarter-inch jacks. Standard MIDI In and Out sockets are provided as well as a USB MIDI socket for a computer connection.
In addition, there's a video output so you can connect a bigger screen plus an assignable quarter-inch footswitch input, which enables remote control of any app-defined function such as stop/start or record.
Dock smarten
In use, your iPad simply slides into place and mates with the Alesis via its 30-pin dock connector. Power comes from a mains adaptor, so the iO Dock charges your iPad as you work and there's a useful locking clamp to make sure the power cable doesn't come loose.
Trying out the iO Dock with GarageBand, we had no problem playing the keyboard instruments from an external keyboard or getting audio from a plugged-in microphone and guitar into the iPad where it can take care of the conversion to digital. If desired, a useful direct monitoring switch can let you hear your analogue input signal alongside the iPad's output when recording.
Alesis says that the iO Dock is built to accommodate all current app-development standards including Core MIDI and, overall, we found that it works superbly with a range of apps.
Be aware, though, that some apps are not compatible with the iO Dock - IK Multimedia's Amplitube for instance, at the time of writing, doesn't 'see' the iO Dock and will only accept an input through devices like its own iRig, plugged into the iPad's headphone.
iO you
The bottom line is that the iO Dock is a great idea that transforms your iPad into an extremely functional musical production unit - and it's nicely priced too. Connect the iO Dock to a pair of powered monitors, start GarageBand up and you'll have a brilliantly compact desktop studio.
Verdict
All the connections you need to turn your iPad into a functional studio. What's not to like?
MusicRadar rating:
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User comments (8)
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So I'm sure that mattf77 wants Alesis to give him a free holiday or something because he has updated iOS to 5.0 where apple has messed up the way audio data is handled 30 Pin connector and Core MIDI. This is the reason why the io dock won't work and is clearly stated in the forums. Alesis has also stated that the issue will be fixed when Apple releases iOS 5.1 in March 2012.
If mattf77 would understand how operating systems work and also Apple's policy in not officially supporting 3rd party devices he wouldn't blame Alesis for this incombatibility. It's clearly apples fault.
No reason to try to artificially lower the score of a fine product. I suggest mattf77 goes to iPad review sites and lowers its score instead. -
http://community.alesis.com/alesis/topics/io_dock_hiss
Awful customer service and still not working. Do not buy this product until you are sure it is fixed. Beware! -
This is a good device and so far the only device that let's you record every instrument required for your songs. You can record bass, guitar, mic, midi etc. and it even charges your iPad. I have used garageband, MusicStudio and Ampkit and they all work fine with this device. I prefer MusicStudio because its more versatile than Garageband and combined with Alesis io Dock it really turns your iPad a fully functional and very decent level DAW.
I still have to give a warning for all people that are planning to buy it...
There has been a lot of discussion about the problems with this device and iOS 5.0. Well not actually just problems, It seems the device just doesn't work with 5.0 at all. I have heard that iOS 5.1 will fix the problem but it is realeased in March 2012. I have iOS 4.3 so the dock works fine with this version.
Before ordering the device I read a lot of angry forum comments, mainly about 5.0 problem but there were also other issues. I have to admit that I really just had to try push my luck when ordering this device.
The first device I got was broken, it had a constant electric buzz that sounded like thunder. However the replacement I got works great and in the end I feel it was absolutely worth it.:) -
Fine bit of kit. Shame it doesn't work with Amplitube but not surprised as I am sure IK don't want to damage sales of the wonderful iRig? By the way the reported audio problem has now been solved and apparently it was down to Apple and the update to iOS5 not Alesis so you may want to bear that in mind.
Gave it four stars but would have given 5 if it worked with Amplitube. -
Everyone should have one if it worked
It doesn't though, therefore....its crap -
Buyer beware. This device does not currently work
the audio is completely broken and alesis are being less than helpful
Have a look here http://community.alesis.com/alesis/topics/io_dock_hiss -
I like using it - if it doesn't do what you want and you don't need all the features then don't buy it. The several inputs are useful to me, but my complaint is that at the moment it doesn't work with Amplitube (although Amplitube advised me to keep checking the website for updates which should presumably fix this issue).
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I looked into this device, but it's a bit overkill and way too pricey for what I need. I just want CoreMIDI I/O with USB power to mt iPad. I found what I was looking for in iRig MIDI (http://www.ikmultimedia.com/irigmidi) and the price was right too.
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MusicRadar rating
Pros
Solid, fully featured interface.
Cons
Not all apps are currently compatible with the dock.
Verdict
All the connections you need to turn your iPad into a functional studio. What's not to like?
Review Policy
All MusicRadar's reviews are by independent product specialists, who are not aligned to any gear manufacturer or retailer. Our experts also write for renowned magazines such as Guitarist, Total Guitar, Computer Music, Future Music and Rhythm. All are part of Future PLC, the biggest publisher of music making magazines in the world.
User rating
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Specification
iO Dock
- Price:
- £140
Thomas33
14 weeks ago.
User rating 5 of 5