Core

Alesis Core 1 USB Audio Interface Review/Test

Today we're covering the Alesis Core 1 USB Audio Interface. This is a very small audio interface that plugs directly into your computer, or into your iOs device using the iPad camera connection kit. I do not own this kit so I was unable to test this out, but they do list this on the box.

If you are interested in this microphone, it will set you back $50 on Amazon

What's In the Box

  1. Interface
  2. USB Cable
  3. Cubase LE Download Card
  4. Documentation

Performance / Features

The build quality of this thing feels awesome. It has a full metal case, nice XLR connection, and sturdy dials. On the front of the interface you just have an XLR input. On the back of the interface you have a headphone volume control, 3.5mm headphone out, line volume, line/guitar switch, and a usb output. 

The headphones do not offer zero latency monitoring, so you have no way of monitoring what you're recording unless you run through a DAW. On that note, when running this through a DAW, the latency is horrible (approximately .5 seconds) even with my buffer size set to the minimum available.

The interface lists 24-bit Resolution and a 48kHz sampling rate. This interface does not offer phantom power and therefore will not work with any condenser microphones. You can only use this with a dynamic microphone or a 1/4" instrument. 

I also found that I needed to set my input volume to 100% to get a decent volume out of my SM58, and even with that setting, I still had to boost the audio by +12db to get the levels in the video. However, it is a relatively quiet interface and the noise was surprisingly decent even at 100%

Pros

  • Good construction
  • Works with iPad (based on box)
  • Low noise floor

Cons

  • Horrible latency
  • No zero latency monitoring
  • Low output for mic

Conclusion

I do not recommend this interface at all. Based on the horrible latency, the lack of zero latency monitoring, and the horrible output level for the mic, I find this to be completely unusable. I think that this device was generated mainly as a guitar interface, but with the latency experienced, it fails miserably. Look elsewhere if you're looking for an audio interface.

If you have any additional questions about this microphone, leave them in the comments on this site or on the youtube channel, and I will try to reply ASAP.

Buy the Alesis Core 1:
US: http://amzn.to/2aJa4JB
UK: http://amzn.to/2a9Uh8C