Alesis 7-51-0211-A User Manual

Firewire Audio/MIDI Computer Interface

Quick Start Owner’s Manual

(ENGLISH)

BOX CONTENTS

• IO INTERFACE

• POWER ADAPTER, FIREWIRE CABLE

• SOFTWARE CD

Manual de inicio rápido para el usuario

(ESPAÑOL)

CONTENIDO DE LA CAJA

• INTERFAZ IO

• ADAPTADOR DE ALIMENTACIÓN, CABLE FIREWIRE

• CD DE SOFTWARE

Schnellbedienungsanleitung

(DEUTSCH)

INHALT DER VERPACKUNG

• IO INTERFACE

• NETZADAPTER, FIREWIRE KABEL

• SOFTWARE CD

Guide d’utilisation simplifié

(FRANÇAIS)

CONTENU DE LA BOÎTE

• INTERFACE IO

• CÂBLE D’ALIMENTATION, CÂBLE FIREWIRE

• LOGICIEL

Manuale rapido di utilizzazione

(ITALIANO)

CONTENUTO DELLA CONFEZIONE

• INTERFACCIA IO

• ADATTATORE DI ALIMENTAZIONE, CAVO FIREWIRE

• SOFTWARE CD

Install the drivers onto your computer

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing the Alesis IO FireWire audio interface!

You could say Alesis knows a thing or two about recording.
Countless artists, engineers, and producers have relied on our
digital recorders since the introduction of the original “Blackface”
ADAT in 1991. Some publications have even claimed that our
ADAT recorders started the “home studio revolution” back in the
1990s. We’re proud that our line of affordable tools has made
professional-quality recording possible for millions of people
around the world.

The IO series FireWire interfaces are the next step in Alesis
recording technology. Once you work with the IO|14/26, we’re
confident you’ll appreciate the outstanding sound quality, superior
construction, and attention to detail.

We’re continually delighted by the recordings that have been
captured with our products. We hope that your IO|14/26 will be
there to inspire and capture your finest performances.

Sincerely,
The People of Alesis

BEFORE you connect your IO|14/26

Important: Download and install the drivers from
http://www.alesis.com—or insert the software CD into your
computer’s CD drive—BEFORE you plug your IO|14/26
into your computer for the first time.

For more effective service
and product update notices,
please register your IO|14
or IO|26 FireWire interface
at http://www.alesis.com/.

1

Key Features

The IO|14 and IO|26 are virtually identical. The larger IO|26
has more inputs and outputs than the IO|14.

• High-speed FireWire (IEEE 1394a) interface for low
latency and tons of audio I/O from your computer.

• Premium 192k A-to-D and D-to-A converters.

• True 24-bit operation for all digital and analog I/O.

• High-Definition Microphone Preamplifiers. +48v

phantom power—required for powering condenser
studio microphones—can be applied to each pair of
inputs on the unit.

• Switchable guitar inputs for direct recording of guitars
and basses.

• Dedicated stereo turntable inputs (IO|26 only).

• Alesis Hardware Direct Monitoring for latency-free

tracking.

• Two headphone outputs.

• S/PDIF I/O and ADAT inputs..

• Inserts on every analog input for patching additional

hardware into your signal path.

• Integrated MIDI I/O on standard 5-pin connectors.

• FireWire bus or AC adapter power.

Computer Requirements

Minimum PC Requirements:

2

• Pentium 4 Processor

• 256 MB RAM (512 MB or more recommended)

• Available Firewire (1394a) Port

• Windows XP (with Service Pack 2 installed)

Minimum Macintosh Requirements:

• Any Apple computer with native Firewire support

• Mac OS X “Panther” version 10.3 or later

• 256 MB RAM (512 MB or more recommended)

Top Panel Tour

MIC / LINE

1. Inputs – Connect either XLR or ¼” cables to the inputs.

2. Inserts – Place additional equipment (like compressors,
equalizers, etc.) into your signal path using “insert” cables.

3. Mic/Line or Guitar Switch (Channels 1-2 only) – Switch
to a high-impedance circuit to record electric guitars/basses.

4. Gain Knobs – Set the preamplifier gain level.

5. Monitor Blend Knob – This knob controls the amount of
direct signal (from the analog and digital inputs) that gets
blended in to outputs 1/2. This direct signal monitoring
bypasses the computer for lag-free listening while tracking.

6. Metering Section – 5-segment “ladder” meters show the
precise digital input signal for each analog channel.

Status lights indicate Firewire connection to the computer,
current sample rate, and ADAT, S/PDIF, and MIDI activity.

Stereo output meters show the levels for outputs 1/2.

7. Phones 1&2 Volume – The IO|14/26 has two separate
headphone outputs.

8. Main Level – This knob sets the output level of channels
1/2.

9. Mic/Line or Phono Switch (IO|26 only) –If you want to
connect a turntable to your IO|26, use the RCA “phono”
inputs (on the rear of the unit) and engage this switch.

10. Phantom Power – These switches let you supply +48v
“Phantom Power” to condenser microphones that require
power. Each button engages/disengages phantom power for
a pair of inputs (i.e., channels 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, and 7-8).

The combo jack inputs
The XLR input “expects” to
see a microphone and
delivers between 6.8dB and
50dB of gain, depending on
the position of the gain knob.

The ¼” input “expects” to
see either a line input or an
electric guitar or bass,
depending on the setting of
the Mic/Line/Guitar switch.

In the Line position, the input
provides between -15.4dB
and 27.8dB of gain. This
allows plenty of gain for

It’s OK to set your gain levels
weak line level sources and
conservatively with the IO|14
also provides the ability to
and IO|26. These interfaces
pad down overly powerful
feature outstanding analog-
line sources.
to-digital converters and

preamplifiers, allowing you
In the Guitar position, the
to capture excellent
input provides 6.8dB to 50dB
recordings even if your
of gain—the same range as
signals peak at -9dB (or even
the XLR input.
lower).

Phantom power is only
necessary for condenser
microphones. Dynamic
microphones do not need
power to work correctly.
Check your microphone’s
manual to find out if it needs
phantom power.

3

Rear Panel Tour

1. Headphone Outputs – Connect your headphones to these
outputs. The first headphone output always mirrors the
analog 1/2 output pair. The second headphone output is
assignable in software.

2. Main outputs (8 outputs on IO|26; 2 outputs on IO|14)
– Use ¼,” “TRS” cables to connect these outputs to the
balanced inputs of your powered speakers or power amplifier.

The IO|26 (shown above) has 8 outputs. The IO|14 has 2
outputs. If you are using the IO|26 and wish to connect
additional speakers, headphone amplifiers or hardware
processors, connect them to outputs 3 through 8.

3. Phono input (IO|26 only) – Connect your turntable to this
input.

If your turntable has a grounding cable, attach it to the
grounding screw to the upper right of the phono inputs.
This grounding will minimize humming and buzzing.

4. ADAT Lightpipe Inputs –Use ADAT-compatible optical
cables to connect to these inputs.

5. S/PDIF Connectors – Connect S/PDIF-enabled digital
devices using coaxial, RCA-terminated cables.

6. MIDI Connectors – Connect your keyboards, sound
modules, or other MIDI devices using 5-pin MIDI cables.

7. FireWire Connectors – Connect one of these plugs to your
computer’s FireWire port. You can use the other jack to
connect additional FireWire devices (such as hard drives) to
your computer.

8. Power Connector – Use the supplied AC adapter if your
computer does not provide sufficient Firewire bus power to
power the IO|14/26 or if you want to preserve battery
power.

9. Kensington Security Slot – This locking mechanism allows
you to secure your IO|14/26 to a desk or some other heavy
object using an optional third-party locking device.

The IO|14/26’s outputs are
“impedance balanced.” This
wiring method provides all of
the benefits of “fully
balanced” wiring when the
outputs are connected to
balanced gear. Furthermore,
impedance balancing, unlike
other balancing methods,
allows for trouble-free
connection to unbalanced
devices.

If you connect an ADAT or
S/PDIF input device (or
both), you will need to select
one of them as the “clock
master” in the IO’s control
panel.

The device you select as the
clock master will determine
the IO’s clock rate and will
be responsible for keeping all
of the digital signals
synchronized.

If an AC adapter is attached,
the IO|14/26 will use it.
FireWire bus power is only
used if no AC power is
available.

4

Install the software/drivers first

Important: Download and install the drivers from http://www.alesis.com-­or insert the software CD into your computer’s CD drive—BEFORE you
plug your IO|14/26 into your computer for the first time.

Important: Follow these steps BEFORE you plug your IO|14/26 into your
computer for the first time.

Begin by running the Alesis installer(s). These programs (there
may be one or more than one) will install three very important
components onto your computer:

Windows users:
For each of the several installations that occur, click “Continue
Anyway” if Windows warns you that the drivers have not passed
Microsoft Logo Certification.

• Drivers. These are the system components
that allow Microsoft Windows or Mac OSX
to identify and interact with your IO|14/26.
You do not interact with the drivers directly,
but they must be installed on your computer
for the IO|14/26 to work.

• Control Panel. The control panel allows you to
set sample rates, clock sources, buffer sizes,
and other settings.

• Hardware Direct Monitoring Panel. This
application lets you route the IO|14/26’s
inputs directly to its outputs for a minimum
of latency (delay) when recording.

The Hardware Direct Monitoring Panel also
allows you to change Headphone2 and
S/PDIF output assignments.

Windows Logo Certification warning.

Ignore this warning by clicking “Continue Anyway.”

If you have access to the
Internet, check
http://www.alesis.com for the
very latest software updates.
The updates posted there are
guaranteed to be the most
current, best software
versions available.

5

Install Cubase LE (optional)

If you are interested in using Cubase LE as your multitrack Digital
Audio Workstation, install it from the CD now.

Connect your IO|14/26

Now, connect your IO|14/26 to your computer using a Firewire
cable. Watch for one of the lights on the unit to turn on within a
few seconds. If a light does not turn on—or if you are using a
notebook computer with a small four-pin Firewire connector—
plug in the external AC adapter.

Windows users:
Windows will recognize the IO|14/26 and start the Found New
Hardware wizard. The installation process will automatically install
these drivers one by one.

When you are prompted whether to install the drivers
automatically or search for a specific location, choose to install
them automatically.

If you are asked whether you want to connect to the Internet to
check for the latest driver, choose not to.

Let the installer continue installing the various sets of drivers until
you see a message stating, “Your new hardware is installed and
ready to use.” Do not cancel any of the installations, as they are all
required for proper operation.

Begin using your IO|14/26

You are now ready to begin using your IO|14/26.

For further information, please consult the reference manual.

7-51-0211-A

6

|

Interfaz de computadora de audio/MIDI Firewire

Manual de inicio rápido para el usuario

(ESPAÑOL)

Instale los drivers en su computadora

Importante: Descargue e instale los drivers desde

http://www.alesis.com —o inserte el CD de software en la

unidad de CD de su computadora— ANTES de enchufar la
IO

Introducción

¡Gracias por haber comprado la interfaz de audio IO FireWire
Alesis!

Podemos decir que Alesis sabe algo acerca de la grabación.
Incontables artistas, ingenieros y productores confían en nuestras
grabadoras digitales desde la introducción de la ADAT “Blackface”
original en 1991. Algunas publicaciones llegaron incluso a decir
que las grabadoras ADAT iniciaron la “revolución del estudio
hogareño” allá en loa años 90. Estamos orgullosos de que nuestra
línea de herramientas de costo accesible haya la grabación de
calidad profesional al alcance de millones de personas de todo el
mundo.

Las interfaces FireWire serie IO son el paso siguiente en la
tecnología de grabación de Alesis. Estamos seguros de que una
vez que trabaje con la IO|14/26, apreciará la sobresaliente calidad
sonora, la construcción superior y la atención por el detalle.

Las grabaciones que hemos capturado con nuestros productos nos
deleitan en todo momento. Esperamos que cuente con su
IO|14/26 para inspirar y capturar sus mejores interpretaciones.

Atentamente,
La Gente de Alesis

ANTES de conectar la IO|14/26

14/26 en la misma por primera vez.

Para obtener un servicio
más efectivo y avisos de
actualización de productos,
registre su interfaz
FireWire IO|14 o IO|26 en
http://www.alesis.com/.

7

Características principales

La IO|14 y la IO|26 son virtualmente idénticas. La IO|26 es más
grande y tiene más entradas y salidas que la IO|14.

• Interfaz FireWire (IEEE 1394a) de alta velocidad para
obtener baja latencia y toneladas de E/S de audio de su
computadora.

• Convertidores Premium digital-analógico y analógico
digital de 192k.

• Operación verdadera de 24 bits para todas las E/S
digitales y analógicas.

• Preamplificadores de micrófono de alta definición. La
alimentación fantasma de +48 V —requerida para
alimentar micrófonos de condensador de estudios— se
puede aplicar a cada par de entradas de la unidad.

• Entradas de guitarra conmutables para grabación directa
de guitarras y contrabajos.

• Entradas de giradiscos estéreo dedicadas (sólo IO|26).

• Monitoreo directo de hardware de Alesis para una

grabación libre de latencia.

• Dos salidas para auriculares.

• Entradas S/PDIF I/O y ADAT.

• Se inserta en todas las entradas analógicas para

interconectar hardware adicional en su ruta de señal.

• E/S MIDI integrada en conectores estándar de 5 pines.

• Alimentación por bus FireWire o adaptador de CA.

Requisitos de computadora

Requisitos mínimos de PC:

8

• Procesador Pentium 4

• 256 MB de RAM (se recomiendan 512 MB o más)

• Puerto Firewire (1394a) disponible

• Windows XP (con Service Pack 2 instalado)

Requisitos mínimos de Macintosh:

• Cualquier computadora Apple con soporte de Firewire nativo

• Mac OS X “Panther” versión 10.3 o posterior

• 256 MB de RAM (se recomiendan 512 MB o más)