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INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on your purchase of the Alesis MasterControl!
The MasterControl is Alesis’s most advanced computer recording product to date and designed to be
the centerpiece of your studio. Just consider this list of features:
y 24-bit, 192kHz audio interface with analog preamplifiers and line inputs, plus ADAT and S/PDIF
digital audio inputs. Up to twenty-six inputs and six outputs can be used simultaneously.
Standard MIDI inputs and outputs are included, too.
y Audiophile performance from 111dB ADCs, 114db DACs, and a high-definition microphone
preamplifier design. All line inputs and outputs are balanced for maximum signal-to-noise
(SNR) performance.
y Full featured control surface with 100mm motorized faders, three-row knob control, assignable
buttons, transport control, preview functionality, and a dedicated display to keep you oriented at
all times.
y Templates for all the most popular DAWs are included. Call up a preset and use the included
templates to make the most out of your preferred music creation software.
y Sophisticated control room functionality including freely assignable outputs, dedicated buttons
for speaker switching, two independent headphone outputs, and integrated talkback
microphone.
y DSP-driven, 26x6 built-in hardware mixer for tracking live instruments and vocals with no
discernible latency.
y Low-latency ASIO, WDM, and CoreAudio drivers for high performance and the lowest possible
latency.
y Steinberg Cubase and Ableton Live Lite Alesis Edition included in the box so you can get
started recording and mixing immediately.
How this manual is organized
This reference manual is designed to get you up and running with the MasterControl fast. After
providing an overview of the MasterControl’s physical features, the manual guides you through driver
installation and then connecting your MasterControl to your DAW software.
Once you have connected your MasterControl, you are ready to move on to the next step: customizing
the MasterControl for your own mode of working. This customization occurs within the GLOBAL menus.
Next, you will learn about the powerful features of the built-in DIRECT MONITORING mixer.
At the end of this manual, there is a quick tutorial for starting a Cubase LE project, followed by a list of
unique features pertinent to the various presets.
Enjoy your Alesis MasterControl—the new centerpiece of your recording studio!