Established in 1980, Alesis was founded on innovative semi-conductor chip technology and award winning industrial designs that allowed entry level musicians and recording artists to afford professional studio recording products that were never affordable before. With high “bang for the buck” value, Alesis introduced the world’s first professional 16 bit effects processor under $1000, the Midiverb. Following on the heels of the Midiverb, Alesis progressed into studio quality drum machines (HR-16 and SR-16) as well as synthesizers, studio monitors and mixing consoles.
1991 proved to be the ground-breaking year for Alesis, with the introduction of the ADAT Multi-Channel Digital Tape Recorder. Before ADAT, a studio would have to invest $50,000 in order to afford a multi-track digital recorder. With ADAT, the price tag came down to $4,000, essentially allowing every home and project studio to afford digital recording. This new technology allowed any artist or musician to record studio quality recordings.
In 2001, Alesis was acquired by Jack O’Donnell, and ever-since the company has delivered more solutions and value to musicians than ever before. Under his leadership the company ventured into producing the worlds most affordable analog mixers with built-in Digital Signal Processing (award-winning MultiMix Series Mixers), an advanced yet affordable full line of electronic percussion products (USB Pro Kit, DM5 Pro Kit, SURGE Cymbals, Performance Pad), as well as highly innovative and adaptable computer audio interfaces and controllers (MasterControl). Alesis is committed to delivering the most innovative and inspiring professional audio gear for musicians, producers and engineers of all levels.