Alesis iO14 Reference Manual
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Alesis iO14 Reference Manual

Alesis iO14 Reference Manual

Firewire audio interface
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Summary of Contents for Alesis iO14

  • Page 1 Reference Manual...
  • Page 2 This page intentionally left blank 100%...

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    MIDI device..23 Creating a new file ...27 Chapter 5: Using the Control Panel ...31 Working with the IO14/26 control panel ...31 Accessing the control panel... 31 1. Select the Alesis IO..31 2. Create a nickname for your IO|14/26 (optional) ... 31 3.
  • Page 4 Using the IO14/26 with Sonar and other WDM applications ...50 WDM or ASIO? Experiment with both protocols ... 50 Choosing the IO14/26 as your audio device... 50 Chapter 9: Troubleshooting ...53 Computer or audio application does not see the IO|14 or IO|26 interface...56 Basic troubleshooting...
  • Page 5 Audio playback or recording is at the wrong speed...58 Audio playback or recording stutters or drops out...59 Audio echoes during recording...59 Technical Specifications ...60 Technical Specifications...60 Glossary ...63 Warranty/Contact Alesis ...67 Alesis Limited Warranty... 67 Alesis Contact Information... 68 Trademarks ... 68 Table Of Contents...
  • Page 6 Table Of Contents This page intentionally left blank...

  • Page 7: Introduction

    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”...

  • Page 8: About The Io|14 And Io|26

    Switchable guitar inputs for direct recording of guitars and basses. • Dedicated stereo turntable inputs (IO|26 only). • Alesis Hardware Direct Monitoring for hassle-free headphone mixes in any recording situation. The included software makes setting up mixes a snap. • Two headphone outputs optimized for the recording engineer and the artist.

  • Page 9: How To Use This Manual

    How to Use This Manual We know this manual will be an integral part of the experience with your IO 14 or IO|26 interface so we’ve done our best to make it complete, accurate, and helpful for you. The manual is divided into the following sections describing the various functions and applications of the IO audio interface.
  • Page 10 Introduction This page intentionally left blank.

  • Page 11: Chapter 1: Hardware Overview

    Hardware Overview Section Identification Top Panel Here’s what you’ll find on the top of your IO|14/26: MIC / LINE Inputs – The IO|14/26 features “combo” connectors that allow you to connect either XLR or ¼” cables to the inputs. For the IO’s inputs, use one of three different cable types: Use XLR cables to connect to standard microphones.
  • Page 12 Gain Knobs – These knobs let you set the preamplifier gain level. Set the gain with the aid of the meters on the front of the IO14/26. Start with the gain knob turned all the way down (counterclockwise); then slowly turn up the gain until the green LEDs are often illuminated and the yellow LED only illuminates when you play your loudest notes.
  • Page 13 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. The levels and pan positions of each of the direct signals is set using the “Hardware Direct Monitoring”...

  • Page 14: Rear Panel

    Use ADAT-compatible optical cables to connect to these inputs. S/PDIF Connectors – Connect S/PDIF-enabled digital devices (such as the Alesis Masterlink, CD players, DAT machines, MiniDisc Recorders, etc.) to your IO|14/26 using coaxial, RCA-terminated cables. MIDI Connectors – Connect your keyboards, sound modules, or other MIDI devices to your IO|14/26 using 5- pin MIDI cables.
  • Page 15 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. Up to 127 devices can be “daisy-chained” on one FireWire bus. Power Connector –...
  • Page 16 Hardware Overview This page intentionally left blank...

  • Page 17: Chapter 2: Installation (Windows)

    CD into your computer’s CD drive—BEFORE you plug your IO|14/26 into your computer for the first time. Install the software/drivers first Important: Follow these steps BEFORE you plug your IO14/26 into your computer for the first time. Begin by running the Alesis installer(s). These programs (there...

  • Page 18: Install Cubase Le (Optional)

    Installation (Windows) 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.

  • Page 19: Make Io|14/26 The Default Audio Device

    Make IO|14/26 the default audio device To use your IO|14/26 interface as your default Windows sound device, follow these steps: From the Windows Start menu, choose “Control Panel.” Depending on your Windows preferences, it will appear similar to one of the two pictures below: Choose “Sounds and Audio Devices”.
  • Page 20 Installation (Windows) Click the “Voice” tab. Change the voice playback and voice recording settings to the IO|14/26. Click “Apply” to apply these changes.

  • Page 21: Disable Windows System Sounds

    Disable Windows System Sounds Windows System Sounds—the sounds that Windows plays to signal starting up, shutting down, alerts and so forth—can interfere with your audio recording. We strongly suggest that you disable these sounds. Click the “Sounds” tab of “Sounds and Audio Devices.” Under “Sound Scheme,”...
  • Page 22 Installation (Windows) This page intentionally left blank...

  • Page 23: Chapter 3: Installation (Macintosh)

    BEFORE you plug your IO|14/26 into your computer for the first time. Install the software/drivers first Important: Follow these steps BEFORE you plug your IO14/26 into your computer for the first time. Begin by running the Alesis installer(s). These programs (there...

  • Page 24: Make Io|14/26 The Active Audio Device

    Installation (Macintosh) Make IO|14/26 the active audio device Open Audio/MIDI Setup and choose your IO|14/26 for both your inputs and outputs.

  • Page 25: Chapter 4: Getting Started With Cubase Le

    Getting Started with Cubase LE Introducing Cubase LE Your IO|14/26 ships with Cubase LE, a powerful audio and MIDI Digital Audio Workstation. The following instructions are designed to get you set up and recording audio with Cubase LE quickly. For more information on using this software, consult the documentation available in Cubase’s Help menu.
  • Page 26 Getting Started with Cubase LE Click the “VST Multitrack” option. From within the ASIO Driver drop-down box, choose the IO|14/26. Press Apply to accept the change.
  • Page 27 To enable MIDI, click on the “Default MIDI Ports” option on the left-hand side and select IO|14/26’s MIDI ports for input and output. Again, click “Apply” to accept the changes. Then press “OK” to exit this screen. Now that the IO|14/26 is selected as the audio device, individual channels must be activated for use.
  • Page 28 Getting Started with Cubase LE In Cubase, you can rename channels by clicking in the “Label” area. This is useful if, for instance, your lead vocals are always on channel 1, your bass drum is always on channel 2, etc.

  • Page 29: Creating A New File

    Creating a new file Now, you’re ready to create an audio project. Choose “File” | “New Project…” You can begin with a template or an empty file. For now, begin with an empty file. Getting Started with Cubase LE...
  • Page 30 Getting Started with Cubase LE Cubase needs to know where to place audio. Choose a directory here. Now, you have a blank project. Add an audio track for recording by choosing “Project” | “Add Track” | “Audio.” An excellent scheme for storing your projects is to create a directory called “audio projects.”...
  • Page 31 Be sure that the “inspector”—a strip on the left-hand side of Cubase that shows all sorts of information about the selected track—is active. If your view is similar to that shown below, the Inspector is active. If you do not see all of the information on the left- hand side, the Inspector is not active.
  • Page 32 To avoid any echo effects, open the Alesis Hardware Direct Monitoring panel and mute the corresponding input. This way, you will only hear the signal with effects without also hearing the pure signal output from the IO.

  • Page 33: Chapter 5: Using The Control Panel

    On the Mac, access this panel from the “configure device” button of Audio/MIDI Setup. 1. Select the Alesis IO. Be sure that your IO14/26 is shown here. If it is not shown, then your computer does not “see” it. Check the IO’s connections to your computer.

  • Page 34: Adjust Latency By Changing The Buffer Size

    Firewire bus. Experiment with each of these settings in your first few weeks using the IO14/26. Depending upon your computer configuration and the types of audio projects you do, you may find that one setting clearly outperforms the others.

  • Page 35: Specify How Sample Rates Can Change

    5. Specify how sample rates can change Since Windows (and various Windows applications) have a nasty tendency to try and take control over your audio sample rate— often without notice—this section allows you to ignore those sample change events. If you do not mind your sample rate changing freely, choose “Allow SR Changes.”...

  • Page 36: Set The Sample Rate

    FIREWIRE. Use this setting if you have another Firewire audio devices connected to the IO14/26 and you want that device’s clock to drive the IO14/26’s clock. No additional cables are necessary—the IO14/26 will read the clock signal coming from the other device over the Firewire cable.

  • Page 37: Chapter 6: Hardware Direct Monitoring

    For instance, when you are recording simpler projects that put less strain on your computer, you can generally choose lower buffer settings in the Alesis IO control panel. This way, you can use the input monitoring feature of your DAW recorder, and the latency (delay) experienced by your performers will be very slight.

  • Page 38: Output Monitor Tabs

    “Out 3-4.”) Note that the names you type will not alter the physical routing taking place in the IO14/26. At 176.4k and 192k sample rates, hardware direct monitor mixes can only be heard on outputs 1-4. Audio...

  • Page 39: Narrow/Wide View Switch

    For outputs 1 and 2, the MIX BLEND knob on the front panel of the hardware can also be used to control this slider. 7. Narrow/Wide View Switch You can switch between “Narrow” and “Wide” views of the HDM panel. Note that the Input Monitor tab is always in Narrow mode.

  • Page 40: Save/Recall Settings

    Save setups that you want to recall for specific sessions under some other name. 13. Device Configuration (Control Panel shortcut) Click “Device Configuration” to go immediately to the IO14/26 Control Panel, where you can set the sample rate, clock master, device nickname, etc. 14. Headphones 2 Assignment The first set of headphones always follows the Out 1/2 mix.

  • Page 41: Chapter 7: Getting In Deeper: Hardware

    Getting In Deeper: Hardware Cabling 101 Cables are a crucial (and often overlooked) part of a studio. Many beginners run into problems because they use inappropriate or poor quality cabling to connect their gear and their recordings suffer as a result. Don’t let this happen to you! Use the following guidelines to maximize your sound quality: Use balanced cabling wherever possible –...

  • Page 42: Common Hookup Scenarios

    Getting In Deeper: Hardware Common Hookup Scenarios Singer / Songwriter The following setup will be commonly used by singer/songwriters working in their home studios. It allows for the artist to hook up guitars, keyboards, and microphones to the IO|14/26 and to monitor him/herself on headphones.

  • Page 43: Full Studio Setup

    Getting In Deeper: Hardware Full Studio Setup The following setup makes full use of the IO|14’s audio inputs and outputs. All of the arrows indicate analog ¼” or XLR cabling unless otherwise noted. An IO|26 would allow you to connect four additional analog inputs as well as 8 additional digital inputs via a second ADAT port.

  • Page 44: Using The Insert Jacks

    Getting In Deeper: Hardware Using the Insert Jacks Sometimes, you may want to add additional gear into your signal path before your analog-to-digital converter digitizes your signal and sends it to the computer. For example, many bass players like to compress their instrument with an analog compressor before recording into the computer.

  • Page 45: Additional Uses Of Insert Jacks

    IO|14/26’s preamps by themselves. For example, if you’re recording a performance onto an external hardware recorder (such as an Alesis HD24) but you need more preamplifiers, you can use an insert’s “send” cable to send your preamplified signal to the recorder and simply not use the “return”...
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  • Page 47: Chapter 8: Getting In Deeper: Recording

    If you do, you’ll introduce the nasty distortion known as “digital clipping” into your recording. Your Alesis io provides a number of methods to help you avoid digital clipping: 24-bit recording - Operating at 24 bits, the io offers 256 times more resolution than that of 16-bit compact disks.

  • Page 48: Base Sample Rates: 44.1/88.2

    High definition sample rates—including 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, and 192kHz—are all simply multiples (doublings and quadruplings) of the 44.1kHz and 48kHz standards. The IO14/26 offers all of these sample rates. If you’re unclear on what base sample rate to use, consider this guideline: •...

  • Page 49: The Downsides Of High Definition Recording

    Alesis has designed your IO14/26 to sound excellent at all sample rates. Decide for yourself if the benefits and tradeoffs are worth it for a particular session.
  • Page 50 Fewer ADAT optical inputs – If you’re using an external analog-to-digital converter to add more inputs to your IO14/26, you can add 8 (IO|14) or 16 (IO|26) channels at 44.1 or 48k, but you can only add 4 channels of 88.2k or 96k audio.

  • Page 51: Surround Sound (Io|26 Only)

    Surround Sound (IO|26 only) The IO|26’s 8 analog outputs make it perfect for multichannel surround-sound applications (such as sound for film, TV, or DVD). If your software supports surround mixing, simply hook up your speakers to the IO|26 and refer to the software’s documentation on how to set up a surround mixing environment.

  • Page 52: Using The Io14/26 With Sonar And Other Wdm Applications

    Getting In Deeper: Recording Using the IO14/26 with Sonar and other WDM applications WDM or ASIO? Experiment with both protocols An increasing number of Windows audio applications—including Sonar—offer a choice of either ASIO or WDM operation. It’s worth experimenting with the two different modes of operation.
  • Page 53 On the “General” tab, select any available IO14/26 channels as the Playback and Record timing masters. Click the “Advanced” tab. For WDM operation, be sure that the “Driver Mode” is set to “WDM/KS.” (If you change this setting, you will need to exit and then restart Sonar.)
  • Page 54 Getting In Deeper: Recording Move to the “Drivers” tab. Click on each input pair and also on the output pair to make them available to Sonar.

  • Page 55: Chapter 9: Troubleshooting

    Troubleshooting If you’re having problems operating the IO|14 or IO|26, this troubleshooting index may help you resolve your issues. Symptoms No sound from the IO|14/26. Audio signal is distorted. Cause No power. Main Output level set too low. Speakers (or amplifier) is turned off or down.

  • Page 56: Troubleshooting

    Troubleshooting Audio signal carries an unwanted hum. Microphone level is too low. No or low sound from a channel input. Turntable input is too low in level and/or lacks bass. Not using balanced cables. Improper grounding Damaged cable Phantom power is not turned on.
  • Page 57 See your FireWire chipset documentation for further information if required. Replace power supply (only use Alesis-recommended AC output power supply). If you are powering your IO|14/26 through the FireWire cable, you need to make sure...

  • Page 58: Computer Or Audio Application Does Not See The Io|14 Or Io|26 Interface

    Troubleshooting Computer or audio application does not see the IO|14 or IO|26 interface Basic troubleshooting First, check that the IO|14/26 is seen by the computer: Under “Sounds and Audio Devices” (Windows) or “Audio MIDI Setup” (Mac), look for your IO|14 or IO|26 to be listed as an available device.
  • Page 59 Right-click the “My Computer” icon and select “Properties.” The active tab at the top of this window is now the “General” tab. Click the “Hardware” tab. Then, click the “Device Manager” button. Troubleshooting...

  • Page 60: Audio Playback Or Recording Is At The Wrong Speed

    3. As a last resort, power your computer off and on. Faulty connection If “Alesis 1394” appears, but there is a yellow question mark or exclamation point next to it, the drivers are improperly installed. Right-click on the “Alesis 1394” listing and choose “Uninstall…”, and uninstall the device.

  • Page 61: Audio Playback Or Recording Stutters Or Drops Out

    To resolve this problem, either disable your audio software’s “input monitor” option or, if you want to monitor through your software, mute the appropriate input channel(s) on the Alesis Hardware Direct Monitoring application. For more information on the HDM application, see page 35.

  • Page 62: Technical Specifications

    Troubleshooting Technical Specifications Analog Inputs Sample rates: Frequency response: Dynamic range: Signal-to-noise ratio: THD+N: Crosstalk: Preamplifier THD+N: Preamplifier slew rate: Microphone gain range: Microphone impedance: Line gain range: Line impedance: Guitar gain range: Guitar impedance: Turntable Input (IO|26 only): Sample rates: Frequency response: Dynamic Range: Signal-to-noise ratio:...
  • Page 63 Crosstalk: Output impedance: Headphone Outputs Frequency response: Power (@ 32 Ohms): Gain range: THD+N: Signal-to-noise ratio: Output impedance: Load impedance range: S/PDIF and ADAT digital inputs Bit depth: Sample rates: Dimensions (Without packaging or power adapter) IO|14: IO|26: Technical Specifications -105dB @ 1 kHz 220 Ohm +/-0.1 dB, 22Hz to 22kHz...
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  • Page 65: Glossary

    Glossary Here are the definitions to some terms you’ll probably encounter while using your IO|14/26 FireWire Audio Interface. Term ASIO ASIO is an acronym for “Audio Stream Input/Output.” It is an audio protocol developed by Steinberg and used by many software manufacturers to communicate with audio hardware.
  • Page 66 Glossary fader Firewire gain IEEE 1394a insert latency level master section mic preamp mixer mono (monaural) phantom power return A device that allows you to control the level of an audio signal by sliding the fader up and down a straight path. Each input on the IO|14/26 has its own fader in the Zero Latency Monitoring application.
  • Page 67 sample rate Digital audio is chopped up into tiny time slices. The sample rate is the number of time slices captured in one second. 44.1kHz—44,100 samples per second—is the standard used for Compact Disc audio. 48kHz—48,000 samples per second, is commonly used for film and video.
  • Page 68 Glossary This page intentionally left blank...

  • Page 69: Warranty/Contact Alesis

    For the most effective service, the purchaser should register the purchase on the ALESIS website at http://www.alesis.com/support/warranty.htm. During the warranty period ALESIS shall, at its sole and absolute option, either repair or replace free of charge any product that proves to be defective on inspection by ALESIS or its authorized service representative.

  • Page 70: Alesis Contact Information

    Revision 1.0 by Leo Der Stepanian and Fred Morgenstern Copyright 2006, Alesis Distribution, LLC. All rights reserved Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited. “IO|14” and “IO|26” are trademarks of Alesis, LLC. Specifications subject to change without notice. Trademarks All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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