Alesis iO Dock Pro Docking Station for iPad 

Comments about Alesis iO Dock Pro Docking Station for iPad:

Ordered a new one. Received a restock. Opened the box and found it with greasy fingerprints and scratches and nicks. Did not pass audio so I sent it back.

Comments about Alesis iO Dock Pro Docking Station for iPad:

There is a lot out there about it not working with the iPad 3. I think the adapter could be the issue. This unit came with the gray one which is for the iPad 3. One thing you have to watch out for....don't take the adapter out and put it on the iPad, then insert it. Leave the adapter in the unit...slide the ipad in. It's not clear in the instructions. If you do it the other way...it will not fit in tight. Once hooked up, it worked fine.

Comments about Alesis iO Dock Pro Docking Station for iPad:

One week in, this is a very impressive compact recording unit. I have not yet recorded live audio with it, but have interfaced with a very old midi keyboard and used the 1/4 inch outputs to record the midi channels into Cubase on another Mac. The transfers are VERY clean. The midi connect occasionally cuts out between the keyboard and the dock, but I suspect that this is a software issue. I really like the variety of inputs/outputs (XLR, 1/4 inch direct in, midi, USB), the relatively light weight, the compact size, and the snug fit with my iPad 2. I can't wait to see how it does with vocals, bass and guitar parts, but every indication is that it is going to be a winner.

Comments about Alesis iO Dock Pro Docking Station for iPad:

The iDock is a great addition to my recording Studio. It makes having the iPad ready all the time and keeps it charged. It is a well though out product that lets me get in and out all the sounds and capabilities withing the iPad.

Comments about Alesis iO Dock Pro Docking Station for iPad:

Wish it worked with later iPads. Just lucky that I happen to have an early iPad lying around. Otherwise, I would have had to return.

Comments about Alesis iO Dock Pro Docking Station for iPad:

Alesis claims that with a firmware update and iOS 5.1.1 the iO Dock will work. However this not true. Also they don't reply to email or forms for support.

Comments about Alesis iO Dock Pro Docking Station for iPad:

Overall this is the perfect accessory for the iPad making it into a profession piece of equiptment for your studio.
I just bought this item and wow I am totally impressed! I have a 2nd gen iPad with 5.01 iOS and wanted a way to sync and record some of the apps on the iPad into Logic. At first I had some of the same problems I read that other people had; sticking keys with midi, some kind of bad noise coming through when I used the guitar port. Then I found the Firmware update on the Alesis site and updated the IO Dock and it solved the problems. I have made several recordings using the usb midi cable to sync the ipad with Logic and they have come out great. This item really turns the iPad into a professional studio sound module.
The IO Dock is built with plastic but feels really sturdy and is very light weight making it a perfect fit for the iPad 2. All the plugins and switches are high quality and really feel professional. I like the fact the the mic inputs double as TRS inputs and the fact that the output is balance is really key to have a low line signal interference. Overall I am very please with this product.
The price is perfect considering how much value this brings to the iPad. I had a lot of audio apps on the iPad but no real way to sync it with my DAW. This turned my iPad into several sound modules saving me thousands of dollars I would have otherwise spent on drum machines and synths.

Comments about Alesis iO Dock Pro Docking Station for iPad:

I'm sure some people have had problems with midi, I haven't. I'm sure some have had problems with the versions, I haven't. all the bad reviews here and elsewhere might be true, but my experience with this device is stellar. It does exactly what it says and it's easy as well as fun. I will say this though, it's not for main recording, but to get something down as concept or to let the kiddies record some tracks and it's great. If your looking for that powerhouse piece of gear in the studio, this isn't it. I have recorded some open mic nights for a freind so he could listen back and it patched in to the house pa with no problems at all.

Overall I love this thing for quick rehearsal, tracking, and modeling. Beyond that, I would say its too much for an iPad to deal with anyway. just like any piece of studio equipment, make an informed decision and take a leap.

Comments about Alesis iO Dock Pro Docking Station for iPad:

Would be a great product if it worked as intended. Hopefully the iOS update in the next few months with take care of it.
This has the potential to be the best product out there to bring the many iPad music apps into your recording/production/live setup. It had MIDI connections as well as XLR/TRS inputs and stereo and headphone outs.

It does not currently function with iOS 5.0 and has many problems that are very poorly addressed by the manufacturer.
CAUTION! The iO Dock is currently unstable and can at any time create a sudden and unprompted white noise on the input signal which has the potential to cause hearing/equipment damage, even at moderate volumes. Alesis knows about this problem, but has not informed potential customers of the issue


If it worked: Great Deal!

Right now: How much would you pay to have somebody scream in your ear when you weren't paying attention?

Comments about Alesis iO Dock Pro Docking Station for iPad:

I was never treated by any company as badly as I was by Alesis. They simply do not reply to email. You cannot get through on the phone. Their representative on community forum is telling people that new version of iOS 5.0.1 is a fix and asking for their reports - to me it is asking consumers to act as testers. If Alesis had any sense of responsibility toward their consumers they would state on their website very clearly "this hardware is NOT compatible with iOS 5" and save some customers a major headache. Instead they opted for keeping their head in the sand and they hope the problem will go away at some point with one of the next iOS releases. To me it is simply not acceptable.
Good features s for hobbyist. When it was working it was perfect tool for travelling musician.
If you are planning to buy IO Dock DO NOT upgrade to iOS 5 - it will render the hardware unusable. Until iOS 5 it was really great interface - after iOS 5 is is useless - you cannot get clean recording with most of the apps - Ampkit+, JamUP, GarageBand are all broken. Crackling hiss. Alesis and Apple point fingers at each other - no telling when the new firmware update will be here. There is no way to get through to Alesis tech support. I feel like I wasted money on yet another interface that will likely become obsolete after iPad3. Very frustrating.

There is whole group of very angry consumers out there that bought the hardware and several apps to run on it and are getting no help from Alesis - no reply to emails - there is no way to get tech support on the phone. At present Alesis (via their representative on the community forum) is claiming that the newest iOS version 5.0.1 has fixes for audio issues and is encouraging people to install that version and "report the results". In other words they are looking for free testers. People that installed 5.0.1 say that it did not make any difference. At this point I would not advise anybody to buy IO Dock unless you are still running IOS4 and you do not pan to upgrade.
Before upgrade to iOS 5 it was great hardware - right now it is working about 60% of the time - it is OK if you eg, start Ampkit and practice without changing amps. For live performance it is NOT RELIABLE at all.