With the Alesis iO Dock, you can link your iPad apps with microphones, instruments, MIDI, audio, and video, from one handy location. Available for iPad and iPad 2, the iO Dock lets musicians and producers record, perform, create, and edit music wherever their Apple tablet takes them.

The iO Dock turns an iPad into a professional music studio by connecting the iPad's processor, touch-screen interface, and extensive library of apps, to the user's collection of microphones, instruments, professional speaker and PA systems, MIDI controllers, sound modules, video projectors, and more. It's built to accommodate current app-development standards including Core MIDI and Akai Pro's AkaiConnect SDK.

Alesis's iO Dock provides microphone and instrument users with two combination XLR and 1/4-inch inputs, each with its own gain control and switchable phantom power for condenser microphones. There is also a guitar-direct switch, enabling guitar players to play, perform, and record right into amplifier and effects-modeling apps. Bands can connect outputs from their mixer to record their performances and rehearsals, or use the iO Dock as a metronome or loop-playback device onstage. Likewise, producers can use the iO Dock for iPad music production, using its MIDI and USB-MIDI jacks to sequence external keyboards, samplers, drum machines and synthesizers, or perform using the iO Dock as the sound module connected to their MIDI keyboard, drum pad, or other controller.

An assignable 1/4-inch footswitch input allows for remote control of any app-defined function such as stop / start or record. You can also connect the iO Dock to a Mac or PC using the USB port to remote-control software with faders, transport controls, or any other MIDI-compliant control app.

In addition, you can connect the iO Dock's stereo pair of 1/4-inch main outputs to studio monitors for critical listening, or to PA systems for use in performance settings. Monitor on headphones and independently control the levels of the main and headphone outputs, each on its own knob. For recording musicians, the iO Dock has a direct-monitor switch, which lets you toggle between the incoming and playback signal on headphones.

The output section also has a composite video connector, so you can use the iO Dock as a source for video projection behind bands on stage, or for connection to most televisions and computer monitors.

Alesis iO Dock features at a glance:

• Pro audio dock for iPad and iPad 2
• Connect microphones and instruments such as guitar, studio monitors, PA speakers, headphones, and MIDI controllers
• Universal device works with virtually every audio and MIDI app in the App Store
• Core MIDI compliant
• Perform, craft, create, and play back music in virtually any conceivable manner or location
• Video output for connection to TVs and projectors
• Inputs: two combo XLR-1/4" for use with audio gear, instruments, and computer audio
• Input channel gain controls and switchable phantom power for use with condenser microphones
• Guitar-direct switch for use with amplifier- and effects-modeling app
• Outputs: pair 1/4" and 1/4" headphone with separate volume controls
• Control: MIDI In, MIDI Out, USB MIDI, and assignable 1/4-inch footswitch input
• Includes iO Dock docking station for iPad, power supply, and quick start guide

The new iO Dock is now available for $399 (MSRP) or $199 (estimated street). Learn more at alesis.com.