All user reviews for the Akai Professional EIE Pro

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.

I mainly use it with my PC. Sometimes I am also serving on my Akai DSP 16.
I also connects via USB on a PV8 console and a Peavey 24 ZMX Electronic Alto home. Never a problem.

UTILIZATION

The drivers are stable. I often use with Ableton or Mixcraft 6
Ability to record four tracks, but I have never recorded more than two tracks simultaneously.
The gain knobs are accurate. The VU meters are enlightened in red that you exceed the limits which is very useful especially when you are recording alone. Inters micro / line selection are useful.

GETTING STARTED

I installed the drivers and everything worked from the start. So easy config.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it since 2012 and if I had the choice again no hesitation. Never planted, reliable brief excellent quality and good quality / price ratio. I made this choice because I already had the hardware Akai jnen and am very happy.

4 input

4 output, 2 adjustable with front panel volume

4 insert

taking MIDI and usb

UTILIZATION

then the problem I had is that the drivers were not recognized on my mac and logic

while the red model red normal EIS, it works without driver and it worked perfectly all the time

So this one is better but it is still necessary that the drivers going well

GETTING STARTED

so incompatible with my mac and logic, because drivers and sound forge not working above

OVERALL OPINION

and good practice

check that the drivers are compatible with your bazaar

Strengths: preamp with 4 inputs, 4 outputs, built-in USB hub, the meters to monitor the level of inputs 1/2 or 1/2 outputs a reasonable price.

I intended to connect a bass or a guitar, a condenser microphone and a synth stack the four inputs. The USB hub allows you to connect control surfaces without breaking the head, useful on laptops.

I plugged into a desktop with an i7 4,5GHz 16 GB of RAM, a 256GB SSD for the system, a 2TB RAID10 (4 1TB disk) with a 128GB SSD cache, nVidia 9800GTX +.

UTILIZATION

Very low latency on my computer it goes with a buffer of 49 bytes no problem in Ableton Live 9. OSX drivers seem to lag behind those of Windows it goes. Of course the four inputs are available in Live as well as the four outputs. Routing should be done in the DAW, there is no control panel software, impossible to reconfigure the routing or volumes in a load of settings at the card. Strange omission.

GETTING STARTED

No problem setup, there is virtually no configuration since there is no control panel. Everything is done to buttons and switches. The manual is non-existent: Three empty bit of useful information pages. The supplied USB cable is a bit cheap.

OVERALL OPINION

I used it two weeks before returning to the store to exchange it against another material.

In practice I immediately had a big problem: random crackling speakers. It was not until I changed the USB cable, I connect the EIE Pro to a USB port on a PCI card instead of ports on the motherboard, and above all I disable my network adapters (Ethernet, Wi-Fi) to finally not have all those crunches hours. It remained unacceptable to me, so I called my store, which made no difficulty to use this material to me in exchange for another. It seems that many users are experiencing similar problems to mine, or worse.

Apart from this problem I had (and that everyone does not necessarily meet), I found the sound not very good preamps and low volume. The contrast with the Focusrite Scarlett who replaced is striking.

For my part I highly recommend purchasing the EIE Pro. The sound quality is not at the rendezvous, it really lacks a control panel to save routing and volumes and recharge in one click, and there is a high risk of technical problems.

Besides price beating all competition, I chose the EIA-Pro AKAI for its relatively large number of inputs (4 + 4 instrumentals inserts) and its integrated USB2 hub. It's silly to say, but for me that connects a lot in USB (master, nano-kontrol ... Keyboards) on a Macbook with only 2 ports, this is a strong argument that ending up with 4 Additional ports.

UTILIZATION

Nothing special to report, everything seemed clear. I have a slight defect on one of my knobs: the dress in plastic tends to go if you pull on them, but nothing extreme. I love the ability to mix monitor output and single output.

Little thing that bothers me (I have not tried): It is no longer possible to control the overall volume on the Macbook, that goes over the USB is a level 100%.

GETTING STARTED

No worries for me. I'm easily under 10ms latency 96 KHz, I have not tried to go lower.

OVERALL OPINION

I was seduced by its design, and when I saw the price and features, I literally cracked. This is a great tool, very quality without breaking the bank. To end on a detail that crosses my mind, it's a shame not to be able to remove the light on the meters; these are really sharp when working a bit in the dark.

Who needed a usb hub and a sound card in my living room or + mobile mixer that I became pro EIA and am super satisfied!

Use in electronics "Techno etc. .." Using Ableton + acoustic guitar + voice

USB sound card with effective:

- 4 input instrument / mic + supply
- Usb Hub 3
- Monitor output / + single output
- 4 inputs insert

Macbook connected to my "white" 4GB Ram it turns nickel. I use it mostly in IN for recording, the sound coming in my OUT OR A10. Or nomadic ..

UTILIZATION

Update drivers required to run on Maverick. The map is provided at the base with an ID key lock licenses to carry your PC pc and Protools that you suddenly eat a USB.

Once parametrized in Ableton everything revolves nickel. Parameters depend on the intended use ... acoustic j decrease the size of the buffer to 256 or 128 history to have no latency for recording vocals separately and have an imperceptible latency. Electronic j'm 512 with either Live mode average 8/10 tracks composed by fashion .. 8/10 tracks with an average of 2/3 effects per track and 2/3 effects on the master and everything revolves nickel.

I've tested with a buffer 1024 in live mode and at first glance it seems not change the masses ... I still dig the map for a month.

GETTING STARTED

Updated to make drivers via the akai site for albeton detects ...

If a child configuration.

OVERALL OPINION

I AKAI since 2 months max.

I have the A10 which allows me to mix 4 decks but has no instrument input. I also have a mixer Berhinger which is much less portable and whose preamps are all m ^ m a notch below the pre-amp AKAI.

Ability to insert .. USB Hub ... Id lock and key free Protools. (M ^ m if I'm a fan Ableton it is always nice)

A very good product Q / P I would buy again and I would recommend anyone looking for a versatile sound card especially for mobile phones with limited connectivity.

I have a Focusrite Scarlett, the preamps and converters are a bit my reference sound. I needed a map to 4 XLR inputs with +48 v and more opportunities for monitoring + inserts to put a reverb on the vocal takes.

UTILIZATION

The drivers work very well. As Pro Tools comes with 10 express. Very low latency.

GETTING STARTED

Super simple to install and very stable.

OVERALL OPINION

Actually I am amazed, for the price it really is a great deal. The trick is pretty damn good, sounds great. Very good converters input / output and preamps not bad, if I compare with those of the Focusrite.

It could cost much more!

Bought it because one of my USB Yamaha MG166C table was totally inadequate ...
Used with said table, and a PC Asus i5 2400 with 8 GB of RAM and Windows 7 home premium 64 bit.

Home studio

UTILIZATION

The driver is perfectly stable, no update since installation.

Used with Cubase Elements 7 64-bit as DAW and VST Hosts for fast driving synths.

Latency input I can get down to 4 ms in 48 KHz

GETTING STARTED

The installation is done without problems, I / O Midi over USB are a real plus, as well as the integrated USB hub.

The manual is a little short, and there are no options for the AKAI software, everything is done by lez host.

It is still easy to use, knowing that my table saw, I do not use some functions of the AKAI

OVERALL OPINION

Used since September 2013, to replace an EMU 0404 PCI who died a natural death, and after the disappointment of the audio via USB 1 on the Yamaha table ...
Advantages: strength, audio quality, gauges needle
Cons: the buttons on the front are a little tight, the manual

Very good value for money, I do not regret buying

I was looking for a USB audio interface, with inputs and outputs "lines", as well as instruments, with A / D 24bit, 96kHz converter, for use with laptop or Pc Pc tower (portability), Windows 7 and 8.

UTILIZATION

Stable drivers, use with Cubase, Live! (8ms latency). I recorded one track at a time but I think it can record 4 tracks mono silmultané. The instrument preamp (guitar inputs) is of good quality and very good results for the price of the interface. We began to feel his weaknesses when multiple virtual instruments are used (3 or 4 max, if some effect plugins used), pure audio tracks, one is less limited (depending, always, the number of plugins used ).

GETTING STARTED

Easy to install and use. No worries

OVERALL OPINION

2 months of use and very satisfied with the product that was exactly my expectations performance / connectivity / price. More expensive (motu apogee ...) card is, of course, less limited processing capacity (beefier DSP) real-time, but the preamp is very correct and realize what I want (recording instruments environment component in man studio). Very good choice

Four inputs, four outputs. It does not replace a mixer but for me, it saves a mix plus two inputs (with the possibility to choose the type analog input: line / mic (with or without phantom power) / guitar.

UTILIZATION

ASIO drivers stable, low latency.

GETTING STARTED

Installation (PC win7) is very simple.
The manual could be a little more substantial

OVERALL OPINION

I had a recurring problem with my previous cards: I always had digital noise PC that ended more or less polluting my recordings ... a PC that pollutes a lot electromagnetic level ... it pollutes the USB by the power supply, ground loops that radiates. In short, tired of hearing the gruibbbllee and scchhhtric ...

No such problems with the EIA! I think Akai has paid particular attention the analog part of their interface.

Use home studio
On Pc
C is very complete with 2 input and 2 output Jack in more out noon
Plus 4 or XLR input jack for instrument face with many setting
Vu meter excellent and allows manipulating a piece of monitoring have 2 listening difference

UTILIZATION

The driver is stable,
I used the following on live 9
No latency

GETTING STARTED

The very simple installation

OVERALL OPINION

I have it for 2 years
Before I tried a blazer sound and m audio fast track
Most of the space in and out different setting possible
The - lack of power for headphones

The Akai EIE Pro audio interface and a good product, cheap, I use an Akai EWI with Axiom 25 and controlled by Ableton Live on a MacBook Pro.
All in rehearsal and live until recently gave very good results ...

UTILIZATION

Since the release of Mac OSX 10.9, Akai has not been able to provide updated drivers. The EIE Pro is no longer recognized by the system!
Fortunately, Live always recognized, but it is no longer possible to broadcast live the sound of the EIA Mac ...

GETTING STARTED

Incompatibility with OSX Mavericks

OVERALL OPINION

Very good product ... if you work on something other than recent or updated Mac!

Purchased, at first, to be able to properly register and begin Music without it costing me an arm (limited budget). Assuring me, also, honorable and satisfactory quality to my ears.
In a second step: the ability to insert four instruments / mics and record at the same time. Option that made me buy the Roland UA55 concurence Quad capture ..
In a third step: the possibility, later adding other devices through ports noon, HUB and insert entries.
For now I just use: bass / guitar / drums (stereo) or bass, guitar / drum (mono) / microphone singing live ... And as for me and exercise alone save for the bass or guitar , of course ...
My config if the current is small and veillissante, but it does:
Asus K50C with Windows 7, CPU Intel C220 1.2 GHz, 3 GB RAM, 500 GB hard drive

UTILIZATION

In use, the original supplied drivers are stable and I do not need to perform updates while the latter is available on the Akai.

As a beginner, I use Reaper and Studio One 2 demo for the moment. Because it is these that I "speak" as well as the Akai is supplied with Cubase and Live ...
Anyway ... Whether one or the other, no worries for the recording and playback of four tracks simultaneously heard ... No latency for me.

GETTING STARTED

No problem with the installation, interface recognized immediately. No incompatibilities. Easy setup and the manual is clear enough. At the limit, you can almost do without ...

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for three months and it satisfies the inexperienced I am. I will publish my opinion in the year to bring back more "supported".

The +:
- Nice retro look
- Easy to understand
- An example of my appreciation:
recording in a friend homestudiste: my bass => comp EBS => Radial JDI DI => Audient Mico preamp => Focusrite interface (model?) => Ableton Live compared with a recording of my bass => comp EBS => Akai EIA pro => Reaper or Studio One 2: Same sound, in the end (to my ears) ... And no treatment in addition ...

The -: with time, I will find out maybe ...

The price / quality ratio is very good. Maybe I remake this choice, growing can be difficult: P .... I finally good, I am very satisfied with my small investment ... To be continued ...

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.

MAO make at home with keyboards and guitars,
as very, very amateur

UTILIZATION

I do not know why, but from time to time a blue screen appears and I have to reboot the system.
For my part I use Cubase 5 with a ton of vst plug in
I can simultaneously record four tracks simultaneously without any latency

GETTING STARTED

no problem for installation.

OVERALL OPINION

I use this interface EIA Akai Pro for several months and really if the choice again I was back in the merchant eyes closed.
But hey I'm not a sound engineer but my little person and my old ears that suits me

The most for me was the 4 inputs. And I confess I do not remained indifferent to her look ... And relying on the reputation of Akai.

UTILIZATION

Used with Live 8. No worries if it's my computer configuration (Vista and laptop base)

Twenty tracks nevertheless turn out well. Slight lag observed (see my config, I think she bit better ...)

GETTING STARTED

Installation could not be more simple. One branch is used.

OVERALL OPINION

For 3 months, it makes me great service, with no apparent problems.

Little less perhaps, the space between the knobs quite limited ... but good.

Needing to copy a configuration starting from a console and through a Fast Track Ultra, the budget is tighter, I tested the Akai EIA at its output, but it was USB 1.1 and 16 bits. Then the Pro's output in the wake, phew, USB 2.0 and 24 bits, sample rates from 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz to 96 kHz.
The use should be simple, because everything started from a console (Peavey), but the recording had to go through a PC, a goal achieved through this interface 4 x 4 Look at the beautiful and easy to use, recognized several configurations and all software tested.
The connection is: four combo inputs XLR / jack with phantom power,
Selective listening headphones on the front.
4 outputs on the back Jack 6.35, a power supply (included) and cherry: a three-port USB Hub very useful, MIDI In & Out, and a switch ..

UTILIZATION

The drivers very stable, no need to update.
Software, Cubase 6, Reaper, Samplitude MX
Pro Tools, in loops, Mixcraft, Maker Premium MX, etc..
Two inputs used, four outputs, for a start of 10 tracks, so no latency observed, it's all good.

GETTING STARTED

Simpler, hard to beat, recognized by many systems, just plug. None known to date.
No need for a manual 4 x 4 with four potentiometers on the four inputs, two portholes vintage VU meters and accurate.

OVERALL OPINION

Since its initial availability, if you count the 1.1, except for the final configuration in "Pro" for a month. Yes, too many interfaces, Lol. But what good is a model that I think will make people happy, the Fast Track Ultra, a little more comprehensive but more expensive does not even arise as a rival.
Good quality, price, Look, the results obtained, its simplicity, deserves to be known, see in the future for reliability, but all builds confidence.
Akai, with both EIA, especially the Pro will appeal to a wide audience, a choice recommended to make or remake without problem.

I had an m-audio fast track pro before, but I was limited to two entries, I was looking for an interface with 4 inputs minimum ...

My choice fell on the EIA of Akai Pro.

I use the output of a stereo mixer (first two entries) and I also put out a vocalise live4 (with a microphone to record voice and sax) and a live guitar.

I plug my Boss DR-880 in MIDI. The advantage is the USB hub that I plug in my midi keyboard and my EWI USB.

It is recognized without problems with my MacBook Pro and my Mac Pro (Dual Core All 3 years old) in Logic Pro.

I also use it to play audio files out of my mac and my backing during rehearsals.

UTILIZATION

I have'nt had any problems since I installed it. Good sound quality and there is no problem to record on 4 inputs.

So far I've only recorded sax or guitar, vocals, Dr-880 and backing from the usb Mac. Everything works and the quality is superior to equivalent see my recordings on the fasttrack pro.

GETTING STARTED

The manual and software are well done. Although you don't have to read the manual except possibly for the installation of the software. On the Mac, the EIE is directly recognized.

I've had no problems so far.

OVERALL OPINION

I've used it for 3 months now and it gives me full satisfaction. It allows me to record my backing tracks and me jam along or exercise alone.

To me this is the best value offering full connectivity.

What I like most is the reactivity which is really good, I did not experience latency. In addition to itsconnectivity and the USB hub, I love the build quality. Metal case, sturdy and VU meters are very "pro".

What I like least, I can't say ...

For a homestudio or a small jazz combo or group, it fulfills its role. Connect an analog mixer it allows even more possibilities.

I will buy it again without a doubt. This is the most comprehensive of its category. If you want more, you need a digital mixer. But if you also have analog equipment do not hesitate if 4 powered inputs, MIDI in/out and usb hub are enough for you.