Alesis io|26 vs. Focusrite Saffire Pro 10

[SpaceShipOne]

I'm not an expert on features. I'm looking for a good preamp interface with more than 2 channels. I'm looking at these two. What's your opinion?

 

[innerdreamrecords.co]

Re: Alesis io|26 vs. Focusrite Saffire Pro 10

I'm not a fan of the lower priced Focusrite gear. I think the M-Audio stuff sounds better. That said in the range you're talking about they're all going to be about the same +-.

 

[devastone]

Re: Alesis io|26 vs. Focusrite Saffire Pro 10

Don't overlook the Presonus FP10 also.

I had an Alesis IO26, nice unit, I really liked the desktop package. But, I had problems with the drivers in Vista and since it is a new laptop, I couldn't run XP because I couldn't get alot of the drivers for the laptop I needed. If you are running XP, the Alesis is a great unit. I ended up picking up a Presonus Firepod really cheap so that is what I use now, I've upgraded the firmware to the FP10 specs (they are the same units, they just got in trouble with Apple for using the name firePOD). It runs really well, although I would prefer the IO26 just because of space on my desktop.

FWIW, Alesis probably has their drivers updated to run better on Vista now. Vista is a PITA with this kind of stuff, mostly because it is relatively new and all the bugs are worked out of the drivers, and because it is a resource pig but there are ways to help that out. When I first got my laptop (an HP), it took about 2 - 3 minutes to boot, now it takes about 20 - 30 seconds.

Hope this helps,
Roger

 

[SpaceShipOne]

Re: Alesis io|26 vs. Focusrite Saffire Pro 10

Don't overlook the Presonus FP10 also.

I had an Alesis IO26, nice unit, I really liked the desktop package. But, I had problems with the drivers in Vista and since it is a new laptop, I couldn't run XP because I couldn't get alot of the drivers for the laptop I needed. If you are running XP, the Alesis is a great unit. I ended up picking up a Presonus Firepod really cheap so that is what I use now, I've upgraded the firmware to the FP10 specs (they are the same units, they just got in trouble with Apple for using the name firePOD). It runs really well, although I would prefer the IO26 just because of space on my desktop.

FWIW, Alesis probably has their drivers updated to run better on Vista now. Vista is a PITA with this kind of stuff, mostly because it is relatively new and all the bugs are worked out of the drivers, and because it is a resource pig but there are ways to help that out. When I first got my laptop (an HP), it took about 2 - 3 minutes to boot, now it takes about 20 - 30 seconds.

Hope this helps,
Roger

From everything I looked up, the presonus is buggy as hell and the preamps tend to color midranges, and the alesis has tons of problems. The focusrite is the best of the 3 apparently, and can be linked together. Still waiting on hearing a hands on with it.

 

[innerdreamrecords.co]

Re: Alesis io|26 vs. Focusrite Saffire Pro 10

I've owned several of the Focusrite Platinum series interfaces, they are brittle and flat sounding to me. I seriously suggest looking elsewhere.
Motu, this http://www.musiciansfriend.com/prod...eWire-Interface-with-192kHz-Output?sku=180311 and M-Audio would be better choices imho.

 

[SpaceShipOne]

Re: Alesis io|26 vs. Focusrite Saffire Pro 10

I've owned several of the Focusrite Platinum series interfaces, they are brittle and flat sounding to me. I seriously suggest looking elsewhere.
Motu, this http://www.musiciansfriend.com/prod...eWire-Interface-with-192kHz-Output?sku=180311 and M-Audio would be better choices imho.

Too much money. I'll be pushing it for the focusrite.

 

[innerdreamrecords.co]

Re: Alesis io|26 vs. Focusrite Saffire Pro 10

Last suggestion, these sound great and work really well from my experience with them.

http://www.zzounds.com/item--ECHLAYLA3G

 

[SpaceShipOne]

Re: Alesis io|26 vs. Focusrite Saffire Pro 10

Last suggestion, these sound great and work really well from my experience with them.

http://www.zzounds.com/item--ECHLAYLA3G

Good suggestion but I don't want to get a mixer as well. Thanks!

 

[innerdreamrecords.co]

Re: Alesis io|26 vs. Focusrite Saffire Pro 10

Good suggestion but I don't want to get a mixer as well. Thanks!

You don't need a mixer too do you?

6 balanced 1/4 in. analog inputs:

-- 113dB (A-weighted) dynamic range

-- +4dBu / -10dBV nominal levels

8 balanced 1/4 in. analog outputs:

-- 114dB (A-weighted) dynamic range

-- +4dBu / -10dBV nominal levels

S/PDIF I/O (coax & optical) at 24-bit/96kHz

ADAT optical digital I/O

MIDI I/O

 

[SpaceShipOne]

Re: Alesis io|26 vs. Focusrite Saffire Pro 10

You don't need a mixer too do you?

6 balanced 1/4 in. analog inputs:

-- 113dB (A-weighted) dynamic range

-- +4dBu / -10dBV nominal levels

8 balanced 1/4 in. analog outputs:

-- 114dB (A-weighted) dynamic range

-- +4dBu / -10dBV nominal levels

S/PDIF I/O (coax & optical) at 24-bit/96kHz

ADAT optical digital I/O

MIDI I/O

The link one had 1/4 inch in, not xlr.

 

[Virtual Kevorkian]

Re: Alesis io|26 vs. Focusrite Saffire Pro 10

I find my Saffire Pro anything but brittle and flat. Green series pres, great AD/DA conversion. They shouldn't be confused with the Mbox-styled Saffire boxes.

The Alesis is way cheapo, I wouldn't go for it. Never been a big fan of the M-Audio stuff besides the upper end FW series... but you'd need an ADAT pre to go along with it to get a decent pre count.

Echo makes great stuff, but it's PCI only.