All user reviews for the Akai Professional EIE Pro

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.