Multi-Channel Desktop Recording Studio, 2x2x2 (2-Input, 2-Bus, 2-Output) (Alpha)
Brand | Lexicon |
Compatible Devices | Laptop, Personal Computer |
Supported Software | Cubase LE5 ,Lexicon Pantheon VST reverb plug-in |
Connectivity Technology | USB |
Number of Channels | 2 |
About this item
- Record up to 2 tracks at once
- 44.1kHz to 48kHz sample rates, 16-bit or 24-bit resolution
- One XLR mic, two TRS line, and one Hi-Z instrument inputs
- Two TRS and RCA line outputs
- Software suite includes Cubase LE4 and Lexicon Pantheon VST reverb plug-in
- Record up to 2 tracks at once
- 44.1kHz to 48kHz sample rates, 16-bit or 24-bit resolution
- One XLR mic, two TRS line, and one Hi-Z instrument inputs
- Two TRS and RCA line outputs
- Software suite includes Cubase LE5 and Lexicon Pantheon VST reverb plug-in
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This Item Lexicon Multi-Channel Desktop Recording Studio, 2x2x2 (2-Input, 2-Bus, 2-Output) (Alpha) | Recommendations | dummy | dummy | dummy | dummy | |
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Price | $152.41$152.41 | $69.00$69.00 | $189.00$189.00 | $59.00$59.00 | $99.00$99.00 | $49.00$49.00 |
Delivery | Get it Apr 2 - 3 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, Mar 27 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, Mar 27 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, Mar 27 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, Mar 27 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, Mar 27 |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
Sound quality | 4.0 | 3.9 | 4.5 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 3.9 |
Tech Support | 3.3 | 3.4 | 4.2 | 3.8 | 3.6 | 3.4 |
For beginners | 3.5 | 4.1 | 4.3 | — | — | 4.1 |
Value for money | — | 4.3 | 4.4 | — | 4.0 | 4.3 |
Volume control | — | 3.7 | — | 4.3 | 4.6 | 3.7 |
Sold By | Simply Order | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon.com |
number of channels | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
hardware interface | usb | usb | usb2.0 | usb2.0 | usb | usb |
connectivity tech | USB | USB | USB | USB, XLR, xlr | USB | USB |
model year | — | 2021 | 2021 | 2014 | 2015 | 2021 |
style | Alpha | Interface only | 2-in/2-out | Audio Interface | USB Audio Interface | Interface only |
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Product information
Item Weight | 1.1 pounds |
---|---|
Product Dimensions | 6.75 x 6.5 x 1.6 inches |
ASIN | B000HVXMNE |
Item model number | Alpha |
Customer Reviews |
4.2 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #81,353 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments) #640 in Computer Recording Audio Interfaces |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Date First Available | August 17, 2006 |
Color Name | Regular |
Compatible Devices | Laptop, Personal Computer |
Hardware Interface | USB |
Supported Software | Cubase LE5 ,Lexicon Pantheon VST reverb plug-in |
Size | 2x2x2 (2-input, 2-bus, 2-output) |
Warranty & Support
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Product guides and documents
Product Description
Product Description
The Lexicon Alpha Desktop Recording Studio continues the tradition of excellence established by its popular siblings, the Lambda and Omega desktop recording studios. Alpha Studio is a bus-powered 2x2x2 USB I/O Mixer packaged as a complete recording solution with Cubase LE and the Lexicon Pantheon VST Reverb plug-in. The Alpha Studio features one XLR microphone input, two TRS line inputs, and two TRS & RCA line outs. Alpha's front panel features an ultra high-z 1/4-inch instrument input for direct to computer recording and a 1/8-inch high powered headphone output for use with professional or consumer headphones. Record anywhere you can carry your laptop! Studio quality hardware and powerful software that turns your PC or Mac into a 24-bit recording studio. FOUR INPUTS: RECORD UP TO TWO TRACKS AT ONCE! Stereo line inputs for keyboards, drum machines or analog output of a CD/MP3 player. RF-filtered TRS active-balanced inputs accept either balanced or unbalanced signals. Low-noise mic preamp with balanced XLR inputs. High-impedance front panel input for electric guitar or bass. PROFESSIONAL MIXER FEATURES Separate mic and line level input controls with individual peak indicators. Monitor mix control for balancing an audio source between live input and playback mix level while recording. Can be switched to stereo or mono. High-powered headphone amp offers ultra-clear fidelity while delivering ample power for any type of headphones. RF-filtered and TRS balanced Line outputs for speaker monitoring. USB POWERED Connect to your computer with the included USB cable and record with the included Cubase LE software. No need for a power supply... so you can record anywhere you can take your laptop.
From the Manufacturer
Now you can record anywhere that you carry your laptop. The Lexicon Alpha USB Audio Interface is a complete hardware and software solution that turns your computer into a portable, professional 24-bit/48 kHz digital recording studio. It offers a 2x2x2 USB I/O mixer which is powered directly from the USB bus and includes Steinberg Cubase LE4 recording software, plus world-renowned Lexicon reverbs via the Pantheon VST plug-in. Front panel controls let you adjust Direct/Playback mix and input levels, toggle monitoring between stereo and mono, plug in an instrument directly, and monitor with headphones.
The Alpha Studio features one XLR low-noise microphone input, two TRS line inputs, a hi-Z 1/4" instrument input and two TRS and RCA line outs. The 1/8" high powered headphone output can be used with professional or consumer headphones. Conveniently powered directly from the USB bus, the Alpha Studio can stream two channels of 44.1 or 48 kHz audio at either 16- or 24-bit resolution to Mac or PC computers. Users can record two tracks at once from two input sources. The microphone and line inputs have individual level controls and peak meters which are summed at the analog-to-digital bus. As with all recording solutions from Lexicon, the Alpha Studio hardware can be used with almost any recording software the user prefers.
Cubase LE4 integrates seamlessly with the Alpha I/O Mixer to achieve an easy-to-use, 48-track complete recording solution that includes all of the modules that you need to track, edit and mix your masterpiece. Then, to complete your mix with that legendary "Lexicon Sound”, Alpha includes the Lexicon Pantheon VST Reverb plug-in which offers 35 factory presets and 6 reverb types.
The Lexicon Alpha USB desktop recording studio makes it easy to record, arrange, edit and mix your music.
FOUR INPUTS: RECORD UP TO TWO TRACKS AT ONCE!
- Stereo line inputs for keyboards, drum machines or analog output of a CD/MP3 player. RF-filtered TRS active-balanced inputs accept either balanced or unbalanced signals.
- Low-noise mic preamp with balanced XLR inputs.
- High-impedance front panel input for electric guitar or bass.
PROFESSIONAL MIXER FEATURES
- Separate mic and line level input controls with individual peak indicators.
- Monitor mix control for balancing an audio source between live input and playback mix level while recording. Can be switched to stereo or mono.
- High-powered headphone amp offers ultra-clear fidelity while delivering ample power for any type of headphones.
- RF-filtered and TRS balanced Line outputs for speaker monitoring.
USB POWERED
- Connect to your computer with the included USB cable. No need for a power supply…so you can record anywhere you can take your laptop.
Lexicon engineers are constantly working to improve the quality of our products. Specifications are, therefore subject to change without notice.
To compare this product to other products of the same line, please click here.
Microphone Inputs (1) Female XLR Pin 2 Hot Input Impedance 600 ohms balanced Phantom Power No GAIN +50 dB EIN -115dB A-weighted @50dB gain (150 Ohm source impedance) Maximum Input Level +10dBu Frequency Response +0, -0.5 dB 20 Hz - 20 kHz, ref. 1 kHz THD+N <.005%, 20 Hz - 20 kHz Line Inputs (2) 1/4" TRS balanced or unbalanced Input Impedance 20 kOhm balanced, 10 kOhm unbalanced Maximum Input Level +12 dBu Microphone Inputs (1) Female XLR Pin 2 Hot Input Impedance 600 ohms balanced Phantom Power No GAIN +50 dB EIN -115dB A-weighted @50dB gain (150 Ohm source impedance) Maximum Input Level +10dBu Frequency Response +0, -0.5 dB 20 Hz - 20 kHz, ref. 1 kHz THD+N <.005%, 20 Hz - 20 kHz Line Inputs (2) 1/4" TRS balanced or unbalanced Input Impedance 20 kOhm balanced, 10 kOhm unbalanced Maximum Input Level +12 dBu Frequency Response +0, -0.2 dB 20 Hz - 20 kHz, ref. 1kHz THD+N <.009% A/D, 20 Hz - 20 kHz Instrument Input (1) 1/4" mono jack Input Impedance 1 MOhm unbalanced Maximum Input Level +8.5 dBu Frequency Response +0, -1 dB 20 Hz - 20 kHz, ref. 1 kHz THD+N <.125% A/D Crosstalk <-74dB any input or output to any recording channel,20Hz - 20kHz <-95dB at 1kHz typical Line Outputs (2) 1/4" TRS bal./unbal. +(2) RCA Level +16dBu maximum (1/4" TRS) Impedance 1k ohm balanced, 500 ohm unbalanced Headphone Output (1) 1/8" stereo jack
20 mW per channel at 50 Ohms
D/A - A/D Sample Rate 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz (determined by computer application) Dynamic Range A/D (24 Bit) 100 dB typical, A-weighted, 20 Hz - 20 kHz
D/A (24 Bit) 100 dB typical, A-weighted, 20 Hz - 20 kHz
A/D/A (24 Bit) 97 dB typical, A-weighted, 20 Hz - 20 kHz USB Type B Socket Version 1.1, Version 1.1 hubs are not supported Power Requirements USB Bus-Powered Dimensions 6.75" Wx 1.6" Hx 6.5"D Weight 1.1 lbs. (0.49kgs)
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Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the performance, value, and sound quality of the audio midi interface. For example, they mention that it works well, has zero latency, and is responsive. Some appreciate the sound quality, saying that it has a very good signal to noise ratio. That said, some complain about the software and the ease of setup.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers like the performance of the audio midi interface. For example, they say it works well, all the jacks work as advertised, and the knobs operate smoothly. Some mention that it works right out of the box and that the all-digital USB tactic seems to work perfectly.
"...Cubase LE provides a lot of functionality but ultimately it is (very respectable) starter software and I don't plan on purchasing the full $500..." Read more
"...The all-digital USB tactic seemed to work perfectly, with no cutouts and only a minimal delay..." Read more
"...once the drivers were loaded properly (easily done), it worked great both in CuBase as well the "Windows" sound card...." Read more
"...so I can say with certainty that the Lexicon Alpha works perfectly fine with Ubuntu Studio...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the ease of setup of the audio midi interface. Some mention it's easy to use, plug and play, and works great. However, others say that it'd be confusing to setup and initialize, with a more complex user interface and instructions.
"...Setting up the product was just an easy driver install from the included CD...." Read more
"...now, and I have no gripes about it (for what I do)) and very, very intuitive and user-friendly...." Read more
"...yet to mic up a drum kit...Still enjoying the product, still amazed at the ease of use. Did try to install software on a PC with Vista, no luck...." Read more
"...This is not the easy solution you're looking for...." Read more
Customers appreciate the value of the audio midi interface. They say it's the best external sound card for the price, works with mixers for vocals as well as instruments, and is a solid piece of hardware for the lowest price. Some say that it works well at a great price and is worth the hassle.
"...you can live with that limitation, I think you'll find this to be a great value...." Read more
"...But it is definitely worth the hassle...." Read more
"...But as I said, this is the lowest cost interface with good sound, phantom power for condenser microphones, separate headphone and monitor volume..." Read more
"...power by my laptop but either way, it works well and is definitely worth the price...." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the sound quality of the audio midi interface. They mention that it has a very good signal to noise ratio, and produces clear and crisp sounds. Some say that the recording quality on the Alpha is substantially better than the built-in sound cards.
"...The Alpha adds no noise to the signal and when I dial my guitar's volume to 0 there is absolutely no activity visible in the mixer...." Read more
"...I'm no recording engineer, but the recording quality on the Alpha is substantially better than the built in sound cards on nearly every computer..." Read more
"...Back to the Lexicon Alpha...very good signal to noise ratio - if I hear any noise from it, it's in the source material, not a consequence of the..." Read more
"...Sounds really really great, but only on one of my two laptops (3-year-old Toshiba t-135).- Looks nice...." Read more
Customers like the audio midi interface's latency. They say the driver that came with it gave them zero latency, and the zero-latency monitoring on the device works perfect with no issues. Some customers also mention that the device is very responsive and works well with VSTs like Guitar Rig.
"...Software monitoring with VSTs like Guitar Rig is very responsive and I am very satisfied with the latency...." Read more
"...USB tactic seemed to work perfectly, with no cutouts and only a minimal delay..." Read more
"...I use the Lexicon Alpha for guitar practice, enjoying the zero-lag monitoring function that lesser units lack...." Read more
"...installing the Cubase LE 4 software that comes with it -- the installer will stall at the "one minute remaining" mark & never finish...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the quality of the audio midi interface. Some mention that the high quality of digital recordings is amazing, and the hardware looks very sturdy. However, others say that there have been a few reliability issues and that it can't withstand a beating.
"The Alpha is perfect for getting a clean and clear recorded signal into your computer.This puppy has incredible sound quality...." Read more
"...I hear good things about Lexicon's reverbs but since the driver won't load in Reaper I can't really comment on it...." Read more
"...It's USB-powered, so you needn't worry about having to use a wall-wart, or deal with 60 Hz hum that might otherwise be present..." Read more
"...Looks nice. Metallic-looking sturdy plastic case.The bad:-..." Read more
Customers are dissatisfied with the software that comes with the audio midi interface. They mention that it leaves much to be desired, is difficult to install, and has many issues. Some customers also mention that the product licensing software didn't work when installing it, and that the software is old and comes on CD.
"...'s new OS 10.6 (Snow Leopard), but you will have problems installing the Cubase LE 4 software that comes with it -- the installer will stall at the "..." Read more
"...It's VERY challenging to set up with a modern computer and is designed to be used as a recording medium for dozens of inputs, not just the two from..." Read more
"Easy to use, easy to set up. Setup quirks: requires the installation of Cubase (or so the directions insist, I've not tested it)...." Read more
"...While Cubase is nice, I prefer Reaper since there are no restrictions on the software...." Read more
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The Lexicon Alpha audio interface works as advertised using the well known ASIO4ALL universal device driver. I uninstalled the included Alpha driver because as soon as my system accessed the sound device my CPU usage shot to 100% and nothing short of a hard restart would resolve the issue. This was repeatable and does not occur while using ASIO4ALL. YMMV.
My DAW of choice is Reaper. Software monitoring with VSTs like Guitar Rig is very responsive and I am very satisfied with the latency. A few plugins I've played with introduce a small amount of noticeable latency but most that I have tried cause no problems.
The Alpha adds no noise to the signal and when I dial my guitar's volume to 0 there is absolutely no activity visible in the mixer. My first audio interface was a Lightsnake, which added all sorts of pops and noise to the signal. You can actually see/hear the blinking light on recorded tracks, so while the Alpha may not be the quietest/best interface it is miles above the Lightsnake which is just $20 less than the Alpha.
The Lexicon reverb VST included with the Alpha will only work with the bundled Cubase LE. I hear good things about Lexicon's reverbs but since the driver won't load in Reaper I can't really comment on it. While Cubase is nice, I prefer Reaper since there are no restrictions on the software. Cubase LE provides a lot of functionality but ultimately it is (very respectable) starter software and I don't plan on purchasing the full $500 version anytime soon. Reaper is just $60 for personal use.
In short, if you are looking for a way to record vocals, or keyboard, guitar, or bass you could certainly do worse than the Lexicon Alpha. I wish these had been available years ago!
This puppy has incredible sound quality. I'm no recording engineer, but the recording quality on the Alpha is substantially better than the built in sound cards on nearly every computer you can buy these days.
Setting up the product was just an easy driver install from the included CD. In my informal tests, when I recorded my Yamaha Motif through the Alpha onto my regular old laptop, sound was crisp and clear. I could tell no audible difference between plugging my headphones directly into the Motif than from plugging them into the Alpha and having sound routed through Ableton Live. Quality was also pristine when I recorded an electric bass directly through the Alpha. The all-digital USB tactic seemed to work perfectly, with no cutouts and only a minimal delay (I found it to be about 30-40ms, but that could be just my computer).
Let me tell you, I could not get any usable audio input on this laptop before I purchased the Alpha. When I connected anything directly into my laptop's onboard analog sound input, it sounded tinny, like my crappy onboard sound was trying to compress the signal or something, and wiggling the cable around just a tiny bit induced ear-splitting artifacts. The Alpha solved both problems, and as long as you don't need to record more than a couple things at once, it's hard to find a better deal.
For the dough, it's tough to go wrong with this. I needed something with balanced outputs (which this has via its TRS outputs). I do not use this as a front end (for recording) because all of the recording that I do is usually 4 - 8 channels, and done on-location (live), so I can't say word one about how this functions as a front end.
However, once the drivers were loaded properly (easily done), it worked great both in CuBase as well the "Windows" sound card. Now, the down side is that it only supports 44.1 kHz and 48.0 kHz sample rates, but if you can live with that limitation, I think you'll find this to be a great value. A decided bonus here is the inclusion of CuBase LE5 on a separate CDROM; I know that Pro Tools is in much wider use, but if you are new to music production, I think you'll find CuBase quite capable ('been using CuBase for years now, and I have no gripes about it (for what I do)) and very, very intuitive and user-friendly. Back to the Lexicon Alpha...very good signal to noise ratio - if I hear any noise from it, it's in the source material, not a consequence of the unit proper.
Now back to Windows apps...whether I am using the Windows Media Player, or VLC, or other apps that are used to play audio / video, the audio functions perfectly. It's USB-powered, so you needn't worry about having to use a wall-wart, or deal with 60 Hz hum that might otherwise be present (as all USB devices are DC-powered). My only real caution here is that the headphone amplifier does not seem to have all that much power available (can distort at high levels), which is probably a consequence of the USB-power and (electrical) current limitations of the USB protocol. That is, it would be easier to deliver the required power to a headphone if the mains in were of a higher voltage and not necessarily starved for current. Mind you, in my case, this does not matter in my application because the device is feeding a downstream component that is designed to have adequate power to drive headphones. So, that's a potential caveat - if you use inefficient headphones, you may experience some distortion; your mileage may vary.
Again, I can't say a word about the fidelity of the card when used as an input device, because I don't use it in that fashion.
No regrets whatsoever with this one.
Top reviews from other countries
Innanzitutto, l'Alpha Studio è incredibilmente facile da installare e utilizzare. Basta collegarlo al computer tramite la porta USB e il gioco è fatto. Non sono richiesti driver complicati o configurazioni complesse. È davvero plug-and-play, il che è un grande vantaggio per chiunque sia alle prime armi nella registrazione musicale.
La qualità audio offerta da questa interfaccia è eccezionale. Le registrazioni risultano nitide, dettagliate e di alta qualità. L'Alpha Studio offre preamplificatori di qualità professionale che catturano accuratamente le sfumature e le dinamiche delle performance musicali. Ho notato un notevole miglioramento nella chiarezza e nella presenza delle registrazioni grazie a questa interfaccia audio.
La versatilità dell'Alpha Studio è un altro punto forte. Dispone di ingressi combinati XLR/TRS che consentono di collegare microfoni e strumenti musicali direttamente all'interfaccia. Ci sono anche controlli di guadagno e una selezione di diverse opzioni di connessione che permettono di adattarsi a diverse situazioni di registrazione. È possibile registrare voci, chitarre, tastiere e altri strumenti senza problemi.
Un'altra caratteristica che ho apprezzato è la presenza dell'uscita cuffie separata con controllo del volume indipendente. Questo mi ha consentito di monitorare le registrazioni in tempo reale senza latenza, ottenendo un feedback immediato sulla qualità del suono.
Infine, l'Alpha Studio è compatto e portatile, perfetto per chi ha bisogno di registrare in movimento. È resistente e ben costruito, offrendo una durata nel tempo senza compromettere la qualità.
In conclusione, l'interfaccia audio Lexicon Alpha Studio è un prodotto eccezionale per chiunque desideri registrare musica con qualità professionale. La facilità d'uso, la qualità audio, la versatilità e la portabilità fanno di questo dispositivo una scelta eccellente. Consiglio vivamente l'Alpha Studio a musicisti, produttori e a tutti coloro che desiderano ottenere registrazioni di alta qualità senza dover investire in costosi e complessi apparecchiature.
Pros:
Tamaño contenido lo cual es un plus si no el escritorio se satura.
Bastante por table para llevarla contigo.
Calidad de sonido, sin ser un entendido para mi suena infinitamente mejor.
Alimentada por el usb no necesita alimentacion exterior.
Numerosas entradas y salidas , entrada xlr, salida jack 3,5 auriculares, 6,3 entrada instrumentos, salida rca, entrada y salida 6,3 stereo.
Poca latencia.
Contras:
Escasas instrucciones.
Drivers en la web.
Reviewed in Spain on August 28, 2019
Pros:
Tamaño contenido lo cual es un plus si no el escritorio se satura.
Bastante por table para llevarla contigo.
Calidad de sonido, sin ser un entendido para mi suena infinitamente mejor.
Alimentada por el usb no necesita alimentacion exterior.
Numerosas entradas y salidas , entrada xlr, salida jack 3,5 auriculares, 6,3 entrada instrumentos, salida rca, entrada y salida 6,3 stereo.
Poca latencia.
Contras:
Escasas instrucciones.
Drivers en la web.