Akai Professional EIE Pro

The Akai EIE Pro is an audio interface that connected to my computer via USB connection. This interface is more of a “box” type of shape and is not very sleek. But the quality that it provides is second to none. There are two VU level meters on the front of the interface and 3 extra USB ports to connect some other device to your computer through. There are also 5 Pin MIDI connections and a headphone output that has a switchable source and direct monitoring dial.

UTILIZATION

This interface was easy to get running, it does come with a manual and it will explain anything that you need to know before using or installing the drivers. You can use this interface in almost and DAW or performance software on both PC’s and Mac computers.

GETTING STARTED

The sound quality is pretty decent especially for an interface from Akai at this price. The preamp is pretty good as well, but it will all come down to which microphone the artist chooses to use with this interface. I suggest picking your microphones wisely because depending on what you are recording (vocals, instruments, etc..) it could seriously affect the sound quality of your recording. This interface does have 48 Volt phantom power and multichannel recording.

OVERALL OPINION

The look of this interface is pretty neat, it is more of a vintage style or looking interface but with the specs there is nothing vintage about it. It is very clean and modern sounding (when paired with the right microphone). Also Akai does update the drivers from time to time so it is good to keep your eye out. I have notices that they have updated more drivers than any other Brand of gear that I own. So with this interface I would not be surprised if it has not be updated several times already especially with Windows 8 being out now. But it does work great on XP, VISTA, and Windows 7.

The Akai Professional EIE Pro is an USB audio interface that has a different feel to it than other interfaces. It has more of a retro look to it along with an odd shape. It cannot be racked and is only a desktop unit. But even on a desktop it still has a weird shape to it because it is tall and not flat. It has a built in 3 port USB hub, and also MIDI options so you can bring some other gear into it. You can record up to 4 tracks at the same time on the EIE Pro making it a great unit to have for a small home studio. There are 4 preamps on each of the 4 XLR inputs.

UTILIZATION

The only thing that I would change about this interface outside of the fact that it cannot be racked is that it should come with a powerful software like Pro Tools LE or something that is of that level for people who are beginners and are wanting to start recording right away. This is where I feel Akai lacks and M Audio wins. Akai is not known for making interfaces but they are known for making great products. Hopefully in the future with some of the interfaces they put out there will be a copy of Pro Tools right with it. This was not an issue for me, but I am sure some people would rather have Pro Tools to work with this interface right out of the box. The drivers are stable though, and they do not get updated very often.

GETTING STARTED

Setting up this interface takes absolutely no effort at all. It is very easy and quick to set up on any system or computer. You will get zero latency monitoring while watching the LEDs to see if you have anything clipping.

OVERALL OPINION

But overall this is a solid interface, and it is very well built, with the perfect amount of simultaneous recording for a home musician. This could be one of the best desktop USB interfaces of this year.

The price for the purchase of a First or SECOND sound card.
USB keyboard, Moog Little Phatty, Live, Reason, ...


USE

After receiving my AKAI PRO EIA, I moved under my MACOSX 10.8.2. The book version of the driver card is version 2.13. The card is not recognized by the system, and therefore can not be used! After much research, I have an older version tlcharg 2118 on the site of Akai and everything works perfectly. Then look no further if you have the same problem as me, regards.

IMPLEMENTATION

After receiving my AKAI PRO EIA, I moved under my MACOSX 10.8.2. The book version of the driver card is version 2.13. The card is not recognized by the system, and therefore can not be used! After much research, I have an older version tlcharg 2118 on the site of Akai and everything works perfectly. Then look no further if you have the same problem as me, regards.

NOTICE GLOBAL

To go with the rear Drivers is not very pro I got ... But there is worse right? ; O)

The features that attracted me the most are:
The number of inputs / outputs (4 mono or 2 stereo) XLR or Jack with insert behind the card and the level mic / guitar Line facade.
The meters are very practical and true (although I feel it captures the master of the signal without effects on my ableton which can make typing in the red even with a limited eg ... ).
The practical side of Headphone Select for the headphone output, a mix knob for the signal in or out or in between. Phantom power, and switch level mic / guitar. Gains of knobs.
It covers the 16/24 bit and 44 kHz / 96 kHz.


I turn to the config following: 2.8 GHz Intel Core i7 / 8GB 1333 MHz DDR3 Mac OS X mid 2011 (running in dual core 2x4 for now).

UTILIZATION

I had no installation problems, I think Akai-corrected bugs early version. I can listen to music on the net with, as I can work in computer music

I use Ableton native or Waves VST plugins but mainly as Razor, U-he ... and they look pretty good even now my computer lags (BAWE it consumes these brands) 2x4 go dual core. In contrast, with native plugin Ableton we can put a lot of track with quite substantial chaining.

Then I use to get the hardware (comps, synths ...) and I've used Live without worries. (As against the card is a bit grossse to transport)

GETTING STARTED

Installation was made without problem as I said above, I rarely even too much hassle to install with friends, for jam sessions. So no worries to report incompatibilities my side.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for a few months and I've never had any major problems with the card has a few bugs that I had it or not detected because the lighting was probably occurred at a bad time. I had a m-audio fast track before.

This is not LA sound card, but a good face (a pretty cool aviator side), it is stable even after several hours of consecutive use. But precisely at this price it has many more advantages than disadvantages.