Hard disk recording and editing, digital signal processing, and CD burning in one easy-to-use box.

The Alesis MasterLink ML-9600 Master Disk Recorder is an easy-to-use tool to tackle a tough job. CD24 technology allows you to record and play back 24-bit, 96kHz CDs using inexpensive CDR media. Its CD recorder is seamlessly linked with a built-in 40GB hard disk recorder and essential tools for digital signal processing, editing, and mastering. Record direct-to-disk using any of the four standard sample rates (44.1, 48, 88.2, or 96kHz) and choice of three word lengths (16, 20, or 24 bit). Built-in signal processing includes equalization, compression, normalization, and peak limiting. Finally, push one button and burn your master onto CD in either Red Book or CD24 format. CD24 format uses the ISO 9660 format and standard audio file formats so its discs can be read by Macintosh, Windows, and Unix computer platforms. Most mastering facilities now accept MasterLink disks, making it an industry-standard mix-down device!

For live recording, there's nothing better-record entire performances in stunning 24-bit/96kHz clarity without ever stopping to change tapes or CDs.

As a songwriter's tool, the MasterLink is perfect for capturing every improvisational idea that any songwriting session can produce. In addition, it is the perfect device to store any songwriter's entire collection of work. Build a custom demo CD at a moment's notice!

Alesis MasterLink ML-9600 Master Disk Recorder Features:

• Easily assemble and burn custom-mix CDs
• Apply EQ, compression, and limiting to your mixes
• Burn standard Red Book or high-res CDs on inexpensive CDRs
• Adjust individual song levels and control fade-ins and fade-outs
• Drag-and-drop high-res (24/96) files from CD24 discs into computer-based systems
  
  NEW TO VERSION 2.0:
• Split and join track segments to create new tracks or alternate mixes
• Instantly copy EQ/Compressor/Limiter settings from one track to another
• Back up and store tracks along with their associated MasterLink processing settings
• Load whole CDs complete with track IDs into a playlist in one simple step

It's the final link in your dream studio. What are you waiting for? Order today.

Alesis MasterLink ML-9600 Master Disk Recorder Specifications:

• Audio (44.1kHz and 48kHz) frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz, +0/-0.3dB
• THD+N: <0.002% @ 1kHz, -1dBFS
• Signal-to-noise ratio: 113dB, A-weighted
• A/D converter: 24-bit, 128x oversampling
• D/A converter: 24-bit 128x oversampling
• Sample rates: 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, and 96kHz
• Word lengths: 16-, 20-, and 24-bit
• CD drive type: ATAPI CD-ROM (8x read, 4x write)
• CD read/write Formats: Red Book, CD24
• Hard disk type: 40GB IDE Drive
  
  Hard disk max recording times
• 10 hours @ 24-bit/96kHz
• 32 hours @ 16-bit/ 44.1kHz
  
  Digital inputs and outputs
• AES/EBU-compatible balanced XLR connectors
• S/PDIF-compatible unbalanced coaxial (RCA) connectors
  
  Analog inputs and outputs
• Balanced XLR connectors (+4dBu)
• Unbalanced phono (RCA) connectors (-10dBV)
  
  Nominal input and output level
• Balanced: +4dBu (-15dBFS)
• Unbalanced: -10dBV (-15dBFS)
  
  Maximum output
• Balanced: +19dBu = 0dBFS
• Unbalanced: +5dBV = 0dBFS
  
  Input impedance
• Balanced: 15kOhm nominal
• Unbalanced: 10kOhm nominal
  
  Output impedance
• Balanced: 75ohm nominal
• Unbalanced: 150ohm nominal
  
  Power Requirements: 90-240 VAC, 40W max; 50/60Hz
• Dimensions: 19"W x 3.5"H x 11"D
• Weight: 16-1/2 lbs.

Alesis MasterLink ML-9600 Master Disk Recorder

Write A Review

Average of 15 User Ratings

Overall

Quality

Features

Value

Customer Reviews

Overall

Quality

Features

Value

You can't be kidding.....

Posted by Country John from Tijuana Mexico on Jan 7, 2009

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Recording Engineer/Producer/Mastering Engineer

Reviewer's Play Style: I record anything, but I'm a folksinger

There are two kinds of people on this planet. Those who understand the mastering process and those who do not. For those of you who DO understand the mastering process and have experience mastering old-school, then you will be delighted to now have everything except your old gear at your fingertips.

We're not trying to keep the needle in the grooves anymore. We are mastering for a very dynamic market that uses modern recording techniques and requires modern mastering equipment to process these new and hot mixes. This deck does it all. It's sweet, it works, get it in the rack, read the manual (a bit confusing) and put it to work. It's pro gear, industrial strength etc.

If you do NOT understand the mastering process, then you should get a decent consumer recorder or stick with your laptop to burn your "masters."

For the rest of us, there is the Masterlink. Buy it. You'll love it.

Overall

Quality

Features

Value

Buyer Beware

Posted by RPH3 from Indianapolis, IN on Mar 27, 2008

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Hobbyist recording engineer

Reviewer's Play Style: Classical

The Masterlink ML9600 makes beautiful recordings, but it has two fatal flaws. Editing recordings for rendering to CD requires multiple presses on the "play" button, which is exactly adjacent to and unseparated from the "record" button. Accidentally hitting both simultaneously will make your recording unavailable. It is still on the hard disc if you don't record over the selection, but the software will not allow retrieval of the data. Alesis absolutely will not help and in explanation talks inappropriately about their "proprietary" software. In like manner, if power goes off, or if you turn off power before hitting "stop," you will lose your entire session. These flaws are unacceptable and should be deal breakers.

Overall

Quality

Features

Value

Best Gear For Its Price

Posted by Audio Engineer from Dallas, TX on Mar 11, 2008

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Recording Engineer, Musician

Reviewer's Play Style: All genres

Quite honestly, I don't know what all the fuss here is all about. This gear, especially for the price you pay for it, is perhaps one of the most awesome and prolific mastering and mixdown tools you'll ever own in your studio. First, let me clear this up; the unit was not built nor intented as a regular CD burner. It's a MIXDOWN and MASTERING tool, with an expandable internal hard drive, replacing the ever popular DAT machines. Simply put it; IT'S ONE OF THE BEST TOOLS you will ever own!! Browse on-line for all the pro studios, you will certainly find that almost every single one of them owns this gear in their mastering room.

Overall

Quality

Features

Value

OK

Posted by BH from Memphis, TN on Jan 11, 2007

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Active Musician

Reviewer's Play Style: Rock, Jazz

Good unit, but the system OS crapped out on me, there is no download page on Alesis' support page for software updates (9600 Not Found, how convenient), and no software CD was included with the original unit. So when I ever get an update CD from Alesis, my data will most likely all be wiped out. I backed up most of my important masters to CD already, but still it's a pain. Good unit (when it works), but back up EVERYTHING EVERY DAY. YOU WILL BE SORRY IF YOU DON'T.

Overall

Quality

Features

Value

Good box for newbies.

Posted by e.man from Hollywood on Dec 11, 2006

Experience w/product: I have heard about it

Reviewer's Background: Producer Engineer

Reviewer's Play Style: All

I bought this box along with a bunch of other stuff, without reading all its promo material. First big problem, no computer keyboard input on back, you end up diddling with the little front panel, to do simple jobs. BIGGEST PROBLEM, the unit will not record a Real Time CD, everything has to be captured to the internal HD and... Rendered??? Big hassle, especially for those who have pro tools, you can do anything this unit will do with pro tools and a regualr CD burner, better, faster. The unit's internal signall processing is terrible, not for professional use. This is a great unit for those who have never mastered a CD, field recording and other tasks, like burning repeat copies, other than that, if you have pro tools and a DVD/CD burner, you can do a much more better job and faster. This box adds another step to your work by insisting that you capture all to its HD, then lay out a playlist, before a CD burn. The CD 24 feature is nice, however, you can burn exactly the same thing w/your computer and play them back from your computer CD burner. The 24 bit CDs this unit creates will not play back on an audio CD player, they are CD-ROMS, they will play back on the master link or since they are ISO-9660 discs a computer. This unit is great for those who want a mastering auto pilot machine, field recording and pretty much a hassle all around elswhere. Buy the Tascam 7X series RT burner. After all CD audio still has to live on 44.1k 16 bit media, for now. The Masterlink adds another dsp step to your final burn, never a good thing. Might as well burn RT and find out how your final disc will sound right away, so you can adjust your mix eq. and levels to get instant mix feedback on your favorite monitors or jam box. I gave mine away!

View more product reviews »

If you would like to write a review, please see our product review guidelines.

Alesis MasterLink ML-9600 Master Disk Recorder

Read 15 Reviews