Alesis, the world’s leading manufacturer of professional audio equipment and studio electronics, announces that the MasterControl audio interface and control surface is now shipping.

MasterControl is a professional audio interface and recording control surface, providing engineers with 44.1 – 192kHz-recording capability via ultra-fast, low latency FireWire and full-featured control of HUI-compatible DAWs and external MIDI devices.

MasterControl contains a broad swath of input and output connectivity, empowering studio owners and producers to connect nearly any source, processing or monitoring equipment. The input section consists of two XLR inputs with phantom power and channel inserts, six TRS line inputs and extensive expansion capability. Twenty six simultaneous inputs are possible with the optional S/PDIF and dual S/MUX ADAT Lightpipe inputs. Six analog outputs are configurable for use with 5.1 surround, three sets of stereo pairs or six discrete outputs. MasterControl offers dedicated speaker switching, enabling mix engineers to dynamically select between multiple monitors to check their mixes on different speakers or in different rooms. A stereo headphone output is also provided for an additional mix reference.

Each channel contains dedicated Solo, Record Enable, Mute and Select buttons for instant access to the most essential channel functions. The large, multifunction jog wheel can be used to shuttle, zoom and enter data. Nine 100mm-motorized faders and a dedicated transport-control section provide guess-free access to the most crucial recording operations. Two banks of eight assignable buttons enable users to customize functionality for commonly used actions such as markers, loop points and automation modes.

Eight 360-degree assignable virtual potentiometers with three banks each enable engineers to control 24 different parameters for extensive control of nearly any DAW. Removable, customizable templates provide a visual overview of all preset operations. All presets are fully editable and configurable.

Designed as a complete solution for studios’ recording and mixing needs, MasterControl contains a talkback microphone, a complete MIDI interface and a Preview button enabling review of knob, button and fader settings before sending them to the DAW software.

MasterControl comes bundled with two award-winning software applications for recording and sequencing. Steinberg Cubase LE 4 and Ableton Live Lite 7 handle all recording, editing and performance tasks and are compatible with most other popular music software.

“MasterControl is the missing link for professional and home studios alike,” said Jim Norman, Product Manager. “It’s quite simple in concept: you plug it into your computer, plug in your sources and monitoring system and you’re ready to record. We are even including two of the most popular software products to truly complete the system.”

THE ONLY HARDWARE YOU NEED TO RUN A PROFESSIONAL RECORDING STUDIO

Audio Interface + Control Surface + Control Room Manager = MasterControl
It’s a simple equation, and we know that as a musician, you’re not fond of math, but MasterControl really is the sum of its three distinct studio-management factors.

MasterControl eliminates your need for individual analog and digital audio interfaces, speaker switching and routing units, mixing and transport-control surfaces, hardware volume controls, and more. The only piece of gear you need to input all of your sources into your DAW; the only piece of gear you need to control recording and editing; and the only piece of gear you need to run professional tracking and mixing sessions is MasterControl. We even throw in two powerful recording and production programs: Steinberg Cubase LE 4 and Ableton Live Lite 7.

Master Audio Interface
MasterControl is a 24-bit, 192kHz, high-resolution, low-latency audio interface. It is capable of nearly any input type and quantity, with a flexible and generous output section. It features low-latency FireWire computer connectivity for Mac and PC. The single cable carries all audio and control data from MasterControl to your DAW.

MasterControl contains eight analog inputs. Inputs one and two offer XLR connection, high-definition, discrete-design preamplifiers, 48V phantom power, and channel inserts. Inputs three through eight contain 1/4" TRS, line jacks. MasterControl’s input section can be expanded handle up to 24 simultaneous inputs, including dual ADAT Lightpipe, coaxial, and optical S/PDIF. Six analog outputs and 16-channel MIDI I/O further extend MasterControl’s impressive I/O capabilities.

Extensive Control Surface
MasterControl contains hands-on controls for confidently running tracking and editing sessions. Multiple banks of assignable controllers enable access over 50 software parameters in real time.

Nine touch-sensitive, 100mm, motorized, capacitive Alps faders deliver the hands-on mixing experience that mixing in software with a mouse simply cannot rival. MasterControl has eight assignable knobs that access three control banks each and two banks of eight assignable buttons that access two control banks each. Dedicated transport controls and a multifunction jog wheel complete the tactile control package.

MasterControl’s DSP-driven internal mixer enables hardware-direct monitoring with zero discernable latency. It employs the industry-standard HUI protocol for communication with all popular DAW software, and requires no mapping for seamless interoperation. Building upon the standard, MasterControl also enables editing of templates and presets for customization. A large, dedicated display provides real-time visual feedback of all actions, and preview button allows safe audition of controls prior to sending commands to the DAW.

Control Room Management
MasterControl’s built-in speaker switching enables you to easily switch between multiple sets of monitor loudspeakers for ease of mix-accuracy checks. An internal talkback microphone enables easy communication with musicians while tracking.

Three pairs of independently assignable stereo outputs with dedicated, active mute buttons place the engineer squarely in the driver’s seat. With flexible, direct monitor routing, sources are assignable through any and all output pair(s). Dual, independently assignable stereo headphone outputs with independent gain controls further extend the output capabilities of MasterControl. The dedicated talkback microphone can be engaged from the control surface or using an optional footswitch.

Superior Audio Processing
MasterControl employs an advanced DICE II chip with JetPLL™ technology for clock-stable firewire-audio streaming and routing. JetPLL nearly eliminates audio-band jitter, greatly improves imaging, and decreases digital noise, all of which combine to deliver peerless sync.

As digital audio devices are added to a system, they increasingly create system-additive audio-band clock jitter. Variation between device clocks can actually fall outside the ability of some devices to cope, causing failure. JetPLL is extremely tolerant of wide variations in clock frequencies. Its hybrid design incorporates noise shaping to virtually remove audio-band jitter. This technology ensures the highest possible converter performance, resulting in better separation.

MasterControl contains 114 dB, 24-bit, 192 kHz stereo analog-to-digital converters. Sampling, analog-to-digital conversion, and anti-alias filtering are performed by MasterControl’s 24-bit, stereo ADCs at sample rates up to 192 kHz per channel. They employ a 5th-order delta-sigma modulator followed by low-latency digital filtering, eliminating the need for external anti-alias filtering and providing excellent noise rejection.

MasterControl also features 114 dB, 24-bit, 192 kHz multi-channel digital-to-analog converters. MasterControl’s uncompromising DAC system begins with digital de-emphasis, ATAPI channel mixing, digital-interpolation filtering, and an oversampled delta-sigma modulator. Audio is fed to the differential analog outputs through a multi-element switched-capacitor stage with low-latency IIR low-pass filtering.

Software and System Compatibility
MasterControl comes with a powerful software suite for recording and sequencing.
It includes Steinberg Cubase LE music production software with a full range of tools for audio and MIDI recording and mixing, and Ableton Live Lite, a production and performance program enabling you to create, produce and perform your music all in a single application.

MasterControl is an HUI+ control surface, meaning that it is uniquely programmable with HUI and Mackie Control compatibility for use with all popular DAWs, virtual instruments, and other audio software on Mac and PC.

• FireWire connectivity: one cable carries all audio and control data
• DICE II chip with JetPLL™ technology for stable clock sync
• Up to 192 kHz (highest available) recording / playback capability
• Eight analog inputs, expandable up to 24 simultaneous
• Nine Touch-Sensitive, 100mm, motorized, capacitive Alps faders
• Eight assignable knobs, three banks each
• Two banks of eight assignable buttons, two banks each
• Dedicated transport controls with multifunction jog wheel
• Three pairs of independently assignable stereo outputs
• Dual, independently assignable stereo headphone outputs
• Flexible, direct monitor routing, assignable through any/all output pair(s)
• Dedicated talkback microphone with control surface or footswitch operation
• Steinberg Cubase LE included
• Ableton Live Lite included
• HUI+ Control Surface
• Compatible with all popular DAWs, virtual instruments, and other audio software

INCLUDES

• MasterControl Complete Studio Interface and Control System
• Template inserts
• Power supply
• Firewire cable
• Reference manual
• Quick start manual
• Software CD
• Safety and warranty guide