2012
04/18
Optimizing Alesis iO Dock Performance
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Alesis iDock Audio And Midi Interface For iPad

Alesis iDock Audio And Midi Interface For iPad

The following video will demonstrate some tips for getting the best performance and signal possible while recording with the Alesis iO Dock.

PERFORMANCE TIPS

Make sure you are running the latest iPad iOS, the latest iO Dock firmware, and the latest version of any recording apps you plan to use.

As of this posting, the latest versions available are:

• iOS 5.1
• iO Dock firmware 1.0.7
• Garage Band 1.2

From the home screen, select ‘Settings’ and turn ‘Airplane Mode’ to ‘On’. This will disable both Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, and will ensure that your music app gets uninterrupted access to your iPad’s processor.

Next, be sure to quit any other open applications. For a walkthrough on quitting background apps, see the following video:

GETTING THE BEST POSSIBLE SIGNAL

GarageBand has many meters and volume sliders. Only one actually shows you your peak audio input level — see 2:14 in the video. Use this level meter as your sole reference when setting the input level knob on the rear of the iO Dock. Your goal when setting the input level is to accurately capture the performance with a good signal level, but without clipping or reaching the right side of the input level meter (0dB).

Once your input level is set properly using the input level meter as your sole reference, then balance the volume of other tracks, and your headphone volume to create a headphone mix that is balanced with your input signal.

Do not adjust your input signal to try to match the level of pre-recorded tracks, or based on what you hear in the headphones. The input is set solely based on the signal on the input level meter.

After recording is finished re-balance the tracks again into a final mix-down.

LINKS TO RELATED RESOURCES:

How to maximize your iPad’s Performance: http://www.apple.com/batteries/ipad.html

How to update your iPad OS: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4623

Where to update your Alesis iO Dock Firmware http://alesis.com/iodock?tt=5

Additional guidance on setting input gain levels: http://www.noterepeat.com/articles/q-and-a/20-gain-staging-101

Download the garage band demo project used in this video: http://www.noterepeat.com/images/iodock_video_garageband_demo.zip

Buy the Alesis iO Dock here

Alesis iO Dock Audio Interface for iPad

2011
04/04
iO Dock For iPad – Audio Interface & Midi Interface
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Alesis IO Dock For iPad

Alesis iO Dock. Connect all of your audio gear to the entire world of apps for iPad.

The iO Dock is the first device that enables anyone with an iPad or iPad 2 to create, produce, and perform music with virtually any pro audio gear or instruments. The iO Dock is a universal docking station specifically designed for the iPad, and it gives musicians, recording engineers, and music producers the connectivity they need to create and perform with iPad. Connect all your pro audio gear to virtually any app in the App Store with the iO Dock.

FLEXIBLE FUNCTIONALITY
Songwriters, music producers and performers of all kinds will find that the iO Dock connects the iPad’s powerful processor, touch-screen interface and extensive library of apps to their collection of microphones, instruments, professional speaker and PA systems, MIDI controllers, sound modules, video projectors and much more.

With the iO Dock and an iPad, musicians and producers can record, perform, craft and create music in virtually any situation or location. Built to accommodate all current app-development standards including Core MIDI, the iO Dock is a universal device that bridges your choice of music-creation apps, instruments, and devices.

COMPLETE CONNECTIVITY
The iO Dock provides microphone and instrument users with two combination XLR and 1/4-inch inputs, each with its own gain control and switchable phantom power for condenser microphones. Guitarists and bassists will appreciate the iO Dock’s guitar-direct switch, enabling them to play, perform and record right into amplifier- and effects-modeling apps. Bands can connect outputs from their mixer and easily record their performances and rehearsals or use the iO Dock as a metronome or loop-playback device. Producers can use the iO Dock’s MIDI jacks to sequence external keyboards, samplers, drum machines and synthesizers, or perform using the iO Dock as the sound module and their favorite MIDI-compliant keyboard, drum pad or other controller. An assignable 1/4-inch footswitch input enables remote control of any app-defined function such as stop/start or record. Users can also connect the iO Dock to their Mac or PC using the USB port to send MIDI back and forth for creative, new applications of the iPad and computer used in tandem.

Users can connect the iO Dock’s stereo pair of 1/4-inch main outputs to studio monitors for critical listening, or to PA systems for use in performance settings. They can monitor on headphones, and independently control the levels of the two outputs, each on its own knob. Recording musicians will appreciate the iO Dock’s direct-monitor switch, which enables them to toggle between the incoming and playback signal on their headphones. Rounding out the iO Dock’s output section is a composite video connector, enabling users to employ the iO Dock as a source for video projection behind bands on stage, or for connection to most televisions and computer monitors.

RUGGED RELIABILITY
The iO Dock was built for the real world. Whether you’re keeping it in the safety of the studio or taking it out for recording or performance use in the club or on tour, the iO Dock will not only deliver the connectivity you need for audio applications, but it also serves as a rugged, protective case for the iPad. The iO Dock completely houses the iPad on the bottom and three side surfaces. It also encases the iPad’s screen in a protective bezel on three of its four edges, further shielding the mobile computing device from the potential for damage in punishing environments.

The applications of the iPad for music creation, production, and performance are limited only by your creativity. As an imaginative, cutting-edge music maker, the iO Dock empowers you to seamlessly connect the world of pro audio gear and instruments to the iPad and the massive collection of apps.

BUY Alesis iO Dock Audio Interface for iPad

  • iPad Loops is an iOS music production blog dedicated to exposing the best iPad apps musicians, producers, and Djs. This is not a database of every app. It is, however, one of useful recommendations from someone with many years in music production. I try to update it on a daily basis (ok sometimes every two days) and I do my best to post useful apps only. My name is Jason Donnelly (Dj Puzzle). You might know me from my royalty free loop packs and sound design. Some of the apps that contain my sounds are Synth One, EG Segments, Hammerhead, Retronyms AudioCopy, Audio Evolution Mobile, LP-5, iPRO.DJSAMPLER, Looptastic. My work is published by Roland, Antares, Magix, Soundtrack Loops, Sample Logic, Acoustica, Loopmasters and many more. Subscribe to our RSS feed below to get updated when new apps are posted.
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