With the release of iPad, musicians want to connect audio devices to iPad. Most of the music device didn’t suit best with iPad. Thanks to Alesis that has released the iO Dock for iPad.

It could be used in many possible ways. Quality and weight of iO Dock can be the first reason for its impression in front of users. It looks solid in terms of quality and has plastic feel on touch. Alesis provides a tray with Dock for every iPad user. This tray locks the iPad in order to make whole setup quite stable. iO Dock firmly holds the iPad; it has rubber feet at the bottom that provide solid mounting on the floor, so that you can use it well while working on iPad. Alesis Dock charges the iPad via XLR connectors that can be used for guitar or line input. There is a second input point available that has a switch to choose between Mic, and Guitar. Other connectors on the back side of the Dock contains one switch socket, Video socket and an anchor post that can be used to secure cable in connections.

A direct switch available on the Alesis Dock allows monitoring of inputs via hardware or headphone outputs that has independent volume control. If you look at the left side of the Dock, you will find two MIDI connectors and a kind of USB socket that can be used for the connecting it to the computer in order to playback MIDI information. If you go for this Dock, you would also love to use type A USB socket that can be used to connect USB based keyboard without any need to attaching the Dock to the computer.

Performance wise, Alesis Dock works flawlessly with every single socket giving access to outputs and inputs as per requirement. However one microphone preamplifier circuit is a bit noisy but that happens with most of the audio devices of this quality. The revealing point is that iPad has stereo audio inputs available using which one can connect two microphones and this stereo input can be transformed into voice recording instrument. You can use this feature of iPad to work with applications like Twisted Wave Audio Editor, Garage Band but the only factor that could affect is the requirement for power in order to use this voice recording feature.

In order to reveal the features of Alesis Dock, take your iPad and mount it with Alesis Dock that acts as an audio/MIDI interface and you will get to know a very good reason for owing iPad due to its mobility. In return you will get fully loaded 2 input and 2 output DAW having MIDI functionality that you can use with MIDI supporting applications.

In my opinion, using iPad with Dock is the best suitable combination for using iPad live and of course presence of dock with iPad will make a lot of sense due to the features that both of them can deliver together.

The Alesis DM6 Kit (now DM6 USB Kit) reflects the best of Alesis in 20 years of its experience. This kit highlights Alesis’ expertise in professional electronic drumming gear. Its rack system and hardware are of unparalleled quality. The pads of Alesis DM6 Kit are great. This unique kit possesses metronome which is an indispensable tool for keeping stable time, whether you are practicing with a band or alone. The following account throws more light on this gifted kit.

Major Features of Alesis DM6 Kit

Main features of Alesis DM6 Kit are-

• Five-piece electronic drum-set having DM6 drum-sound components


• DM6 module includes an absolutely new-fangled sound module with 108 quality drum, cymbal and percussion sounds


• Practical and natural-feeling playing surfaces


• Fifteen programmable drum sets


• Dual-zone ensnare pad for rim click and rimshot ability


• USB-MIDI output to be used with drum-module software


• Connect your CD player or iPod and mix it in with 1/8 inch input


• Has velocity sensitivity for natural, musical response


• Available with bass drum drumsticks and pedal

These features include-

• 1 DM6 drum sound component


• 1 Drum key


• 1 DMHat Pedal hi-hat pedal


• 1 Assembly instructions/quick start guide


• 1 DMPad Kick Pad with stand


• 1 DM6 Kit cable snake


• 1 ProRack complete with mounting hardware


• 1 DMPedal single kick pedal


• 1 DMPad 8" Dual-Zone Pad


• 2 Drumsticks


• 3 DMPad 12" Cymbals


• 3 DMPad 8" Single-Zone Pads

Distinctive Alesis Feel



Natural rubber drum and cymbal surfaces are used for DM6 Kit's pads. They reduce vibration. This kit gives you two-sound compatibility. The Alesis DM6 USB Kit provides you a distinctive and an unmistakable experience, you never had before.

Sound Effect of Alesis DM6 Kit



The DM6 kit offers you an internal assortment of top-notch drum, cymbal and percussion sound that can give you an unlimited excitement. For custom sounds you can edit and save your drum kits.

The kit gives you ten presets and five custom slots. Along with the sounds in the DM6 module, there is a USB output. It sends you the notes that play out as MIDI signal. Thus, you can use the DM6 as a start to MIDI interface with drum-module software for an unlimited collection of sounds.

This kit also has headphone and amplifier outputs. Through them you can play music calmly in phones or connect up and rock.

Unparalleled Quality



The quality that Alesis DM6 Kit provides is matchless. Its hardware is wonderfully durable. The kit is mounted on a heavy-duty aluminum frame. The standard 1.5" tubing allows you to add on with clamps and mounts. This DM6 kit is also available with a complete set of mounting hardware and cables as well as strong kick drum and hi-hat pedals.

Alesis DM6 Kit is the perfect choice for aspirant drummers universally. It is also equipped with a built-in sequencer having forty preset music tracks to be played along. The DM6 USB Kit gives you more than you ever wanted.

Returning to more studio-oriented loudspeakers, I figured out you could be interested in a pair of monitors. Not just some pair of monitors. OK, these are from Alesis. Great, another obscure brand name! Where do I find them? Don’t worry, Alesis’ speakers won’t bite. I promise.

Alesis' new M1 Active Biamplified Reference pair of monitors offers the incredibly accurate response that perfectly translates to every playback system. With the aid of a reliable set of dual amplifiers the these speakers are capable of a broad, extremely flat frequency response, clear imaging with a wide sweet spot, high power handling and detailed high and mid-frequency response that only a professional powered monitor can deliver. Alright, we got it, it’s a professional product.

You won’t fall for a brief description like that, now would you? Check out the real deal:

• Custom drivers designed for active monitoring - the M1 Active's woofer and tweeter were specifically designed for the most linear, low distortion response in powered monitoring applications. The tweeter is made of ferrofluid materials so you know it’s going to deliver a clear and distortion-free sound.

• Active bi-amplifiers and electronic crossovers - a 75 watt woofer amp and a 25 watt tweeter amp were developed for the M1 Active, along with 8th order high- and low-pass electronic crossover filters.

• Attractive cabinet design with dual ports and offset tweeter - charcoal- toned cabinet and magnetically-shielded drivers allow for placement in close proximity with computer or video monitors.
And let us not forget about the technical specs:
- Enclosure Type: Ported
- Frequency Response (Hz-kHz): 45 Hz-22 kHz
- Crossover Frequency (kHz): 2 kHz
- Woofer Size/Type: 6.5" non-woven carbon filter
- Tweeter Size/Type: 1" silk dome
- Magnetic Shielding
- Cabinet Dimensions (HxWxD in inches): 8.5x15x9.25
- Weight (lbs.): 21
Alesis M1 Active are no that pricy for studio-grade monitors, just $299.95.