Product ReviewsLexicon Alpha Digital Recording Interface

Works on Linux

This device works out-of-box on Ubuntu 16+. The stereo/mono switch is invaluable when monitoring mono sources like guitars and vocals. I haven't used it enough to have an opinion on the preamp, but it sounds much cleaner than my previous M-Audio interface. There is no phantom power that I can see, but I also haven't looked at the manual either. I have no idea what the bundled software is like, I just plugged it in a got started. I liked this interface so much I bought a second for a friend and installed it easily on a Dell laptop with Windows XP. Lexicon really captured the correct price-point with this item.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: new | Sold by: musiciansfriend

Disappointment

The software on this unit is hard to install and instructions are vague. The registration process for the item takes several steps and is overly complicated. Most companies have you click a button and it takes you to the website or uploads registration. This one has you chasing things down in hard to find places to copy and paste serial numbers etc. Try not to buy this unless you have a software engineering degree and enjoy challengesRead full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: new | Sold by: sweetwatersound

Good output device, poor input.

This product came just about as expected for the retail price range that it fits into, with all the features of a more expensive audio device such as an M-Audio Fast Track, or even the disputed Tascam 144.

Audio out put was very clear, with no notable troubles putting enough volume into recording software. I used the copy of Cubase LE that came with the hardware with no trouble whatsoever. Recording in this manner is easy and painless, with good sound quality.

The bummer comes when you try to use a larger software suite in combination with multiple input devices, and strain the CPU as well as the sound card beyond their limits instantly. FL Studio handles everything very well until the underruns begin piling up quickly enough to cause an audio trainwreck.

All in all, if you want something to improve latency times, save up for something more expensive. But if you're just starting out and want something for recording vocal tracks individually, or multiple tracks to build a song with cubase, this is your cheap ticket home!Read full review...

Nice hardware but over complicated software

The hardware part works excellent it seems to be good quality and well made.

The recording software is over complicated to the point that they should
offer college courses on how to use it. I think my point is made when
you see the manual on the CD is nearly 600 pages but if you have time to learn
it I'm sure you could probably do any type of recording you could possibly
need. I guess my needs are more simple I just want to lay down a track and be
able to burn it on a CD something I've yet to figure out with this software I
got the track recorded but can't convert the file to .wav for recording to the
CD witch it is suppose to do. I guess I'll figure it out eventually.

I think they should include a simplified version for amateurs like me.Read full review...

Good, stable audio adapter, great price, works with Ubuntu Studio (Linux).

Works well with jackd/qjackctl under Ubuntu Studio 11.04. It needs to be plugged into a USB 2.0 port to work properly. Be sure to install the lowlatency kernel from here: https://launchpad.net/~abogani/+archive/ppa

Audio quality seems decent. I've only used it to record my Taylor 414CE acoustic/electric guitar so far. For around $50, it's a great audio adapter. Although its highest sample rate is 48000 samples per second at 24 bits. I generally don't use 96k samples per second any way, even when it's available.Read full review...

review of lexicon alpha

well, i have purchased alpha lexicon and generaly this product is good for people who make music at home and the sound quality is also good but as i saw other reviews of this product before i bought it is that it has latency when you record and play on FEEDBACK mode but you can adjust it on account of the computer speed. and the thing that i don't like is that i can't run the production program together with output sound (maybe it's something in the settings and maybe not), generaly i'm gratified.Read full review...

Great when it works; broke after 3 weeks.

Decided to buy due to it being amongst the cheapest audio interfaces available for music recording on the market.

Never again will I waste my time trying to save every nickel and dime. The cheap-end is great, and the features are nice (NO PHANTOM POWER ON THIS = NO CONDENSER MICS). I especially like the monitor mix function.

However, after 3 weeks, something inside the chassis is causing a huge amount of static/distortion upon playback, rendering it impossible to hear what I have recorded on a consistent basis.

Music gear has to be reliable. It can't be great for the first few week and give up on you. Therefore, don't buy the Lexicon Alpha. Skip eating out for the next week and get something better.Read full review...

This recording interface helps you out with onboard keys, Organs, synths!

I bought this particular recording interface because of the $59 price. And the Lexicon name is usually "quality" amongst rackmount effects units. I decided to try it. (And I was not dissapointed)..., The unit eliminated my latency problem on ALL of my keyboard sound -plug ins. My USB 61key piano NOW plays even the most COMPLEX cathedral pipe organs(huge sound!) flawlessly! And my Concert Steinway Grand(symphony) can do fast solos with great ease! (Now it's just up to my talent!)
Anyway, my oldest brother, who owns all sorts of portable keyboards,(played in bands for decades), was so impressed by my computer keyboards, that he had me order another (for him!) Now he takes his laptop to band practice, using THAT, to play keys, AND to record his band with....
So, needless to say, this unit speeds up your computer to keep up with the complex sounds of todays keyboard packages. You don't have to worry about spending a fortune to keep up. This one was one of the cheapest available, and it really did the job!
Thanks.Read full review...

does the job

I needed something small for use live. This is just the right size to fit on my keyboard. I like that it is powered through usb so i dont need additional cables. The drivers that it came on the CD however are absolute junk and crash the host constantly. newer versions on lexicons website work without any flaws. sound quality is fine for any recording i will be doing. its a nice small alternative to my firepod for when i dont need to record a ton of tracks at once.Read full review...

Good value, but definitely not pro quality. You get what you pay for.

Fairly simple to set up and configure within Windows 7 after downloading the drivers from Lexicon's website. I am using it to interface with Cubase 5 and it works fine. I do have a gripe about the monitor channel, which has some amount of fuzz that I haven't been able to get rid of.Read full review...