NAMM 2009: Alesis Pro Track (Video)

We first saw Alesis’ Pro Track back at the Summer NAMM show in June 2008 as a non-working prototype. But at the Winter NAMM show in January, there was a fully working version on display, as you can see in the above video.

The Pro Track works with Apple’s range of music players, transforming them into portable audio recorders. Simply slide your iPod into the Pro Track’s docking sled and you can record 16-bit WAV files straight on to it, using the Voice Memo feature. The signal can be sourced from a stereo pair of on-board condenser mics, or from external equipment (including phantom-powered mics) connected to the Pro Track’s combination jack/XLR sockets.

The Pro Track also works with the iPod Touch and the iPhone, although users are required to purchase third-party recording software, such as iProRecorder from Bias, which costs $5 (£3.50 at the time of writing).

Controls are simple: there are individual gain controls for left and right inputs, as well as menu-navigation buttons on the top face. The sides of the device hosts the headphones level control and switches for applying a peak limiter to the input signal and turning on phantom power.

Protective plastic attachments designed with cut-outs for the scroll wheels and touch screens found on the Apple range come bundled with the Pro Track, keeping your beautifully crafted iPod out of harm’s way.

Alesis +44 (0)1252 341400
www.alesis.com