Alesis io2 vs M-Audio Fast Track MKII

[Jude2010]

which is better?

 

[angryaspilet]

i have the exact same question.
i currently have a fast track (the older version) but my friend who owns the latest fast track pro has a pretty weak mic preamp. i'm curious about the alesis.

 

[Peter B]

Well I can't speak for the M Audio, but I have an Alesis io2 Express hooked up to my PC running Reaper and it's just brilliant. The preamps and A/Ds are top notch and using ASIO drivers I have no latency problems whatsoever.

I'm using it with 2 large diaphgram condenser mics, and unlike some of these small interfaces the io2's 48v phantom power stays at 48v with both mics connected, (with a previous Lexicon interface I used its 48v dropped to 32 volts with two mics plugged in). I occasionally use the line input with an external fx box to record electric guitar on one channel with the mic on the other. The thing I particularly like is that my gain structure with the io2 is spot on. With the preamp gains set about mid travel and all the faders on my DAW set nominal I'm recording at an average of around -18dB which is exactly where I want it. I have a roll-up keyboard plugged into the MIDI in on the io2, though I don't use it that much, maybe to tune up my sax quartet when we have a recording session, or maybe to work out some harmonies if I'm tinkering with quartet arrangements.

The io2 is a great little interface and I'd recommend it to anyone.

 

[Jude2010]

hay this post is soo old but anyways yeah
i got the Alesis io|2 and i'm very happy with it
it has way more features than the M-Audio and slightly cheaper its superb imo
definitely a good starter audio interface
and in case you're wondering about the difference between the Alesis io|2 and Alesis io|2 Express there is none quality wise, the design is just more slender in the Express model and they removed the S/PDIF ports in the Express model because not many people used it, they just use the main connections to monitors instead.
Just throwing it out there cause i was searching for the answer for like a week, on which model to get, before buying mine just so i didn't make a mistakes

I got the normal Alesis io|2 just because i liked the chunky/tough build on it better. It looked more professional in a way haha

 

[Peter B]

Well if we're in the picture game, here's my DAW, the io2 Express in situ and the mics connected to it in my little recording den..........I'll say again, it's a great llittle interface.

 

[thahgr]

Hi guys, I know the topic is old but I am in the same dilema, i want to buy one of the two
since my tascam us-122L has the "cyloning" problem.

Anyway, alesis is winning, I just have one thing I worry before buying it,
alesis uses asio4all drivers or just plug and play. With asio drivers you sometimes have the problem I read about using two programs simultaneously, have you encountered that?
This is of critical importance since I want to use guitar rig or amplitube together with mediaplayer, guitar&drum trainer,

Thank you very much

 

[edwardolive]

I have the Alessis iO2 Express and use it straight from the studio cardoid microphone without other preamp and if the levels are adjusted to suit your audio level coming in you can get a near perfect input into your computer. More than enough mic level, I had to turn my levels down and very, very little noise. Almost a flat line on silences and that is with only a "cheap" 129 euro Behringer b2 Pro mic.

I attach 2 photos of set up

Highly recommended product.

 

[ecc83]

Well I can't speak for the M Audio, but I have an Alesis io2 Express hooked up to my PC running Reaper and it's just brilliant. The preamps and A/Ds are top notch and using ASIO drivers I have no latency problems whatsoever.

I'm using it with 2 large diaphgram condenser mics, and unlike some of these small interfaces the io2's 48v phantom power stays at 48v with both mics connected, (with a previous Lexicon interface I used its 48v dropped to 32 volts with two mics plugged in). I occasionally use the line input with an external fx box to record electric guitar on one channel with the mic on the other. The thing I particularly like is that my gain structure with the io2 is spot on. With the preamp gains set about mid travel and all the faders on my DAW set nominal I'm recording at an average of around -18dB which is exactly where I want it. I have a roll-up keyboard plugged into the MIDI in on the io2, though I don't use it that much, maybe to tune up my sax quartet when we have a recording session, or maybe to work out some harmonies if I'm tinkering with quartet arrangements.

The io2 is a great little interface and I'd recommend it to anyone.

How are you measuring that phantom power? You can only get the full voltage if the XLR output is unloaded because the supply is fed from 6k8 per leg.

Dave.