All user reviews for the Alesis iO|2 Express

With its simple yet compact design, the Alesis IO2 is indeed very small and thus very easy to transport.
Thanks to the XLR + guitar/line inputs you can connect mics, guitar, bass, and even a piano without problems. The built-in phantom power allows it to easily handle overhead-type mics, as well as any other condenser mic.

UTILIZATION

Connected via USB to a computer (I have a Macbook pro retina 2014), it allows you to record 2 tracks simultaneously, at 24bits/48kHz, with almost no noise and a more than decent gain. Plug and play on Mac and Windows, it has never left me high and dry, no interferences, and I've never had latency problems (which is very low and imperceptible).

GETTING STARTED

I got it from a friend, so I've never seen the box nor the documentation. But, overall, the design of this small audio interface is excellent and it couldn't be easier to use.
I've never had an issue, it's stable and effective.

OVERALL OPINION

Simple, small and effective, this audio interface is simply...simple. It meets my expectations by being able to record two tracks at 24b/48kHz with almost no latency and a pretty decent sound for this type of product. Furthermore, it's worth mentioning that it does a pretty good job as a soundcard, outputting audio, thanks to tis very comprehensive connections (1/4" jack, SPDIF, MIDI, USB).
A small wonder that I'll keep without hesitation and which, given its small size, will always come in handy in many situations where a bigger interface would be overkill!
So, yes, this small card is simply wonderful! You can buy it with your eyes closed!!

2-channel audio recording interface for computer
Recording at 24 bits and 48 kHz
Balanced Master output and headphones output
Professional A/D and D/A converter
Low-noise preamp and 48V phantom power
Mic, line and instrument level inputs
MIDI in and out to play and control instruments
It works with virtually all software programs without the need of installing drivers ─ Plug and Play
USB-powered, no external power supply needed
For Windows and Mac OS X
Comes with a CD, Steinberg Cubase LE and a USB cable
Dimensions: 4.9" x 6.3" x 2,2". (125 x 160 x 55 mm)
Weight: 13 oz (380 g)

I use it to connect my guitar directly, several mics for vocals or to my amplify my amp directly with the DI output.

UTILIZATION

In terms of drivers, there's not much to say, it's ASIO4all, so there's no problems.
I use cubase 5, with guitar pro 5, overloud TH2, amplitube.
The latencies are all right, not very high but they could be better.

GETTING STARTED

You simply plug it via USB and you're done!
It broke once, I sent it back to Thomann, and two weeks later it was as good as new!

OVERALL OPINION

I've had this soundcard for 2 years and I dream about replacing it (with something of better quality).
It's my first soundcard, so I never tested any other cards before.
I love the card's simplicity, you simply have to plug it in and there's no need to do anything else.
Excellent value for money, I recommend it.

With hindsight, I think I'd buy the same card if I had the same budget.

2-channel audio recording interface for computer
Recording at 24 bits and 48 kHz
Balanced Master output and headphones output
Professional A/D and D/A converter
Low-noise preamp and 48V phantom power
Mic, line and instrument level inputs
MIDI in and out to play and control instruments
It works with virtually all software programs without the need of installing drivers ─ Plug and Play
USB-powered, no external power supply needed
For Windows and Mac OS X
Comes with a CD, Steinberg Cubase LE and a USB cable
Dimensions: 4.9" x 6.3" x 2,2". (125 x 160 x 55 mm)
Weight: 13 oz (380 g)

"Recording at 24 bits and 48 kHz," that says it all. Clear and precise recording. I use it mainly to record electric, acoustic-electric and bass guitar, as well as rap texts and vocals.
Good overall reproduction, no particular remarks.

UTILIZATION

Stable drivers, I usually use it with the Asio4All drivers, no latency problems. The setup is quite extensive but in the end the result is very satisfying.
Unfortunately limited to 2 simultaneous tracks, which is nevertheless more than enough for my small home studio, 48V phantom power if required. I use it mainly with protools and also ableton.

GETTING STARTED

Installation on a PC is pretty smooth. You connect the USB cable and the drivers are installed a couple of seconds later, then it's ready to use.

OVERALL OPINION

I have used it for almost a year and have never had a crash. It's value for money is amazing. I strongly recommend it to people who want to start their home studio at a reasonable price.
I don't regret my choice. I have informed myself and this one seems the best value for money by far!

Basically, I bought this soundcard to listen to audio motivated by its simplicity and price.
I would have never imagined that it would become essential for my compositions thanks to the 2 inputs, which allow me to efficiently record my synthesizer.
I use ableton live and the setup is child's play.
It comes with a lite version of cubase. I have not used it much, but it's very nice to have a rather comprehensive software at this price point.

UTILIZATION

The drivers for pc must be installed, on Mac everything is done directly.
I use Ableton Live.
I record two tracks simultaneously
I haven't seen any updates, but I think it works fine without them.
The problem is the latency, I don't know how much latency it has exactly, but it has some. I have tried to set it optimally and I can get reasonable results to record in the studio.

GETTING STARTED

Problem-free installation, everything is clear and easy.
I haven't found any incompatibilities.
Very clear and concise user's manual.

OVERALL OPINION

I've used it for 3 years and it's my first soundcard.
What I like best: The prices, the ease-of-use.
What I like the least: It has only two inputs, the sound loses a bit of quality, which is normal given the price...
Superb value for money.
I would definitely buy it as a first soundcard, although I right now crave a motu (which is another ballgame altogether).

The Alesis iO2 Express is an Audio Interface that has a very basic layout and design. The knobs appear to look like they are made out of heavy materials but they really are not and this could be an issue if the unit gets dropped. This interface only cost around 80 dollars though so I didn’t expect for it to be made out of the best materials. I was using this interface for my mobile set up for a few months. It is a 2 input unit with and XLR microphone input and ¼ TRS input for other units to be running into it. It gets its power directly from my laptop so there was no need to have any other power sources for it. I just kept it in my laptop bag and I was good to go no matter where I was.

UTILIZATION

Using and setting up the iO2 Express was very easy, it even came with a copy of Steinberg Cubase LE, which I used with it for a while. It worked great with Cubase and recording simple songs and stuff with this interface sounded great until I tried to record some more intricate stuff with it like instruments and other sound sources and it was just not able to handle everything I wanted to throw at it. Also I wanted to record more instruments and voices simultaneously and that just was not possible so I was forced to upgrade.

GETTING STARTED

The manual was easy to read and navigate through. I ran this interface and software on my Windows Vista computer running 32 bit and it also worked on my older XP laptop just fine as well.

OVERALL OPINION

I never had any driver issues with this interface or any type of crashes with it. It has worked great every single time that I used it. I do question its durability though when used and traveled with a lot.

This is my first sound card, I do not know anything and I was motivated by a friend who had the same with more inputs. I used to make the connection between Live 8, my MPC 2500, my MPK 49 and my Waldorf Blofeld. My PC is a Dell Vostro 3500 i5 processor, 4GB of RAM.

UTILIZATION

With this product latency is no longer a problem and that was my only goal. For drivers there is a cd that puts everything in place, no problem. However, I prefer to use asio4all in Live.

GETTING STARTED

No problem using the configuration is easy (it is rarely what complicated this kind of product), I have not encountered a conflict for the moment, and it is hardly necessary to use the manual.

OVERALL OPINION

I use the i / o express for about 2 years and I have never encountered any problems. I have no basis for comparison but I would say that this sound card sufficiently reduced latencies. She does not have a lot of connections, but it is not his ambition. It is very light, seems sturdy enough, neutral design. It has reason to be satisfied with the quality / price ratio (especially if purchased online).

Basically, I wanted a more sound cards or rather to conduct a workshop computer music.
It was therefore something easily transportable, convenient to install with USB power not to run after the catch or become entangled in electrical wires. It was a good start. Then I wanted college students learn to manipulate the sound, that is to say, turn the knobs, snap buttons, plug in can clearly see the inputs and outputs. Also the headphone jack is quickly accessible on the front for the multi-posts.
Finally, this card perfectly filled his office with a sound quite right, breathless, and with power comes with a version of Cubase.

UTILIZATION

No problem of instability. No driver to install whatsoever a Mac or PC, plug it works. At the latency of 4 virtual instruments, I get 10-12 with 512 ms buffer on configs middle school type in 44Khz.
I have not tried to record more than two tracks at the same time or 24-bit.
Regarding updates, I do not need a priori for the moment.
I mainly use Audacity, Live, Cubase and MuseScore.

GETTING STARTED

It is recommended to install Asio4All for better compatibility in XP.
Manual clear without real value in fact.

OVERALL OPINION

Used for more than one year, these sound cards, despite their side a little cheap, are more robust than what I imagined, mostly used by teenagers. Lightweight, ergonomic and efficiency are qualities that I really appreciate in this particular field of animation workshop.
I remake this choice because the price / quality ratio is very good.