Alesis iO14 User manual

Reference Manual

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Table Of Contents
1
Introduction..........................................................5
About the IO|14 and IO|26 ..............................................6
How to Use This Manual ...................................................7
Chapter 1: Hardware Overview .......................9
Section Identification........................................................9
Top Panel .....................................................................................................9
Rear Panel ....................................................................................................12
Chapter 2: Installation (Windows)...................15
Install the software/drivers first.....................................15
Install Cubase LE (optional) ............................................16
Connect your IO|14/26 ......................................................16
Make IO|14/26 the default audio device .......................17
Disable Windows System Sounds....................................19
Chapter 3: Installation (Macintosh) ................21
Install the software/drivers first.....................................21
Install Cubase LE (optional) ............................................21
Connect your IO|14/26 ......................................................21
Make IO|14/26 the active audio device .........................22
Chapter 4: Getting Started with
Cubase LE..............................................................23
Introducing Cubase LE .....................................................23
Windows only: selecting the IO|14/26 as
your audio and 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. Adjust latency by changing the buffer size ........................................32
4. Choose a Buffer Mode .........................................................................32
5. Specify how sample rates can change.................................................33
6. Enable or Disable WDM audio...........................................................33
(Windows only) ...........................................................................................33
7. Set the clock master ..............................................................................33
8 Specify the audio clock source .............................................................33
9. Set the sample rate ................................................................................34
Chapter 6: Hardware Direct
Monitoring.............................................................35

Table Of Contents
2
The Alesis Hardware Direct Monitoring and
Routing Application...........................................................35
Using the Hardware Direct Monitoring
(HDM) panel.........................................................................35
1. Output Monitor Tabs ...........................................................................36
2. Pan/Mute/Solo ..................................................................................... 36
3. Volume.................................................................................................... 36
4. Stereo Channel Linking and Unlinking..............................................36
5. Channel Names......................................................................................36
6. Master HDM Mix Fader.......................................................................36
7. Narrow/Wide View Switch .................................................................37
8. Metering Options ..................................................................................37
9. Bank Hide/Show buttons ....................................................................37
10. ADAT-S/PDIF Toggle ......................................................................37
11. Main Level............................................................................................37
12. Save/Recall Settings............................................................................ 38
14. Headphones 2 Assignment................................................................38
15. S/PDIF output assignment ...............................................................38
Chapter 7: Getting In Deeper:
Hardware...............................................................39
Cabling 101...........................................................................39
Common Hookup Scenarios .............................................40
Singer / Songwriter ....................................................................................40
Full Studio Setup.........................................................................................41
Using the Insert Jacks.......................................................42
Additional Uses of Insert Jacks................................................................43
Chapter 8: Getting In Deeper:
Recording ..............................................................45
Watch Your Levels While Recording..............................45
Base Sample Rates: 44.1/88.2/ ..........................................46
176.4kHz versus 48/96/192kHz..........................................46
High Resolution Recording..............................................46
The Upside of High Definition recording..............................................46
The Downsides of High Definition Recording .....................................47
Surround Sound (IO|26 only)..........................................49
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.................................................................................56
Advanced troubleshooting under Windows ...........................................56

Table Of Contents
3
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
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Introduction
5
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
For more effective service
and product update notices,
please register your IO|14
or IO|26 FireWire interface
at http://www.alesis.com/.

Introduction
6
About the IO|14 and IO|26
Our IO|14 and IO|26 audio interfaces are professional-grade
tools with everything you need to turn your musical ideas to
polished recordings. The two units are virtually identical except
that the larger IO|26 has more inputs and outputs than its smaller
sibling, the IO|14. The IO|14 and IO|26 feature the following:
•High-speed FireWire (IEEE 1394a) interface for low
latency and tons of audio I/O from your computer.
The high bandwidth of the FireWire interface allows a
single IO|26 to handle 26 inputs and 8 outputs
simultaneously (the IO|14 handles 14 inputs and 6
outputs simultaneously).
•Premium 192k analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog
converters.
•True 24-bit operation for all digital and analog inputs
and outputs.
•High-Definition Microphone Preamplifiers. This new
design exhibits superb technical performance and
delivers pristine, unclouded sonics. +48v phantom
power—required for powering condenser studio
microphones—can be applied to any 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 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.
•S/PDIF I/O and ADAT inputs to cover all of your
digital connectivity needs..
•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.
•Solid construction that’s built for many years of heavy
use.

Introduction
7
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. While
it’s a good idea to read through the entire manual once carefully,
those having general knowledge about audio interfaces may want
to use the table of contents to look up specific topics.
Chapter 1: Hardware Overview describes every section of the
IO|14/26’s in detail. If you’re not sure about the function of a
knob, button, connector, or status light, read this section for
clarification.
Chapter 2: Installation (Windows) walks you though the installation of
the drivers and included software that accompany the IO|14/26.
This section covers ASIO, WDM, and MIDI I/O drivers for the
PC.
Chapter 3: Installation (Macintosh) discusses installation of the
CoreAudio and CoreMIDI drivers for Macintosh computers.
Chapter 4: Getting Started with Cubase LE is designed to help you
start recording right away.
Chapter 5: Using the Control Panel shows you how to configure
the IO|14/26.
Chapter 6: Hardware Direct Monitoring provides detailed instructions
for using the IO1|14/26’s built-in digital mixer for low-latency
audio monitoring.
Chapter 7: Getting In Deeper: Hardware covers a variety hardware
issues such as cabling, using the IO|14/26’s insert jacks, and
wiring up a home studio.
Chapter 8: Getting In Deeper: Recording discusses various recording
methods and techniques and includes a special section for
Cakewalk SONAR users.
Chapter 9: Troubleshooting provides various troubleshooting
techniques in case of difficulty.
Technical Specifications covers a variety of technical information that
technical users will want to know.
And at the end of this manual you’ll see a glossary of common
terms and a page about the IO|14/26’s warranty.
H
elpful tips and advice are
highlighted in a shaded box
like this.
When something important
appears in the manual, an
exclamation mark (like the
one shown at left) will appear
with some explanatory text.
This symbol indicates that
this information is vital when
operating the IO|14 and
I
O
|
16 inter
f
aces.
Helpful tips and ad
v
shaded box like thi
s
When something i
mp
manual, an exclam
a
s
hown at left) will
a
explanatory text.
Th
this information is
v
MultiMix-12FX.

Introduction
8
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