Unveiled at the 2011 NAMM Show, the new Alesis iO4 is a compact audio-recording interface for home, project, and portable studio recording setups.

The iO4 is a four-channel USB device (Mac / Win), providing the I/O needed to record and monitor up to eight channels of audio (4 in, 4 out) at 16-bit recording, or four channels (2 in, 2 out) at 24-bit quality. The Alesis iO4 puts all its features into a compact enclosure that's small enough to fit into a mobile recording rig, laptop bag, or backpack.

The compact interface has four input channels, each of which has an XLR microphone input, a 1/4" TRS insert for external effects units, and a 1/4" TS jack that works with line-level sources and can accommodate direct connection of guitars. In addition, the iO4 features discrete-design preamplifiers and 48V phantom power on each of its four input channels, as well for use with nearly all microphones and audio sources.

According to Alesis, the unit's analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters ensure that every detail of each session or performance gets captured and played back faithfully. Producers and musicians will like that with the iO4, you can connect a second pair of reference monitors or route audio to external effects processors using the interface's four available output channels. For remote tracking and alternative playback, the iO4 has a 1/4" TRS headphone output. Also, the iO4 sports MIDI In and Out jacks for playing and controlling software with keyboard and pad controllers, workstations, and other MIDI-compatible instruments.

The iO4 sends and receives eight audio channels on a single USB cable for simple, universal interface to a computer. The bus-powered USB interface is class compliant for plug-and-play operation with Mac OS X and Windows XP, Vista, and 7.

And there's more -- the iO4 comes with Steinberg Cubase LE, digtal audio workstation (DAW) software for composing, recording, editing, and mixing. In addition to the included software, the iO4 is compatible with virtually all audio and MIDI software.

Overall, the compact iO4 interface provides a quick and flexible way to record up to four channels of audio into your DAW. Alesis plans on shipping the iO4 in the first quarter of 2011 for $149 (estimated Street).

For more information, visit alesis.com.