Alesis Transactive 50

This unit is a 50 Watt RMS combo amp/speaker/effects/mixer meant to be used for small clubs or practice spaces. I've owned it for a week. In that time i've used it for vocal/acoustic guitar practice at the house and for vocal amplification during our rock cover band practice. It's compact, lightweight and made of what seems to be durable materials. I'm happy with design and construction

See above. It is what it is.

I'm very satisfied with sound quality. I got what I hoped for. Tight, crisp, undistorted vocals. It definetly lacks bass response but I didn't expect much from a 5 inch woofer. The higher the volume the more noticeable it is, so I find it's best to keep the volume no more than halfway up. I'll give it an eight out of ten cuz it would have been nice to have a larger sub for a little more bass, but it is what it is. The speaker is very responsive to my acoustic electic guitar. EQ changes make a very noticeable difference which is awesome. I give sound quality a 10 for it. I'll split the difference and give it a 9!!

Lightweight, easy to handle. The grip on the top makes it easy to carry. It's mountable on a standard straight microphone stand which is cool. But make sure you have a solid base because it makes the mic stand top heavy and easily tipped. Full set of effects from standard analog delay and reverbs to a couple modulation effects. Sound good. It has a stereo link that makes it possible to put two of them inline together. I definetly plan on getting a second for this feature.

So far its performed well. I recommend it for musician's wanting to play small acoustic gigs indoors. I would recommend two of them (stereo mode) for medium sized indoor gigs or small outdoor acoustic gigs so you can double your acoustic coverage area. I would not recommend it for any type of full electric rock gigs. Lack of bass would be too noticeable if you play any type of grungy or hard rock.

This thing is very transparent. I use is with a Zoom G2 for my guitar. This allows me to simulate other amps and cabinets. It sounds amlomst exactly like going direct to high quality headphones from the Zoom. If you don't want to "hear" your amp, then this is a great option.

With the 2nd input I could use this with some backing tracks from my iPod or even plug in a nice mic for vocals. The effects are typical high quality alesis effects and are straight forward and usefull.

A tiny bit more power would be nice, but it still gets pretty darn loud.

For the price, this thing is great. I might get a second one and use the stereo link.

Mfr. Description:

The Alesis Transactive 50 is the perfect solution for musicians requiring practice or stage amplification, as well as vocalists needing a compact PA setup for intimate club work. This versatile multipurpose amplifier / mixer incorporates a 5-inch low frequency driver and a 1-inch tweeter, provides a clean 50 watts of power, two input channels, one aux input, and a rich selection of internal digital effects. Further adding to its versatility, the Transactive 50 provides a mic stand mount on the underside of the enclosure that facilitates pole-mount usage, and can be wall mounted for use as an installed PA cabinet.

With a lightweight, compact form factor, stereo effects, and Alesis' Stereo Link feature for creating a stereo system by cascading two such units, the Transactive 50 is ideal for musicians and vocalists alike -- either on stage or in rehearsal.

Featuring a handle slot designed right into the unit's rugged injection molded enclosure for easy carrying, and fluorescent lighting above the front panel controls for viewing settings under low light conditions, the Transactive 50 fits in just about anywhere.

Features
Keyboard players will find the Transactive 50 an ideal practice and stage solution

With its pole mount capability, both musicians and vocalists can use the Transactive 50 as a stage monitor

By cascading two units via the Stereo Link feature, the Transactive 50 makes a terrific PA system for small clubs and can even be wall mounted for installations

Compact form factor with built-in handle makes for easy transport

Transducer complement: 5-inch low frequency driver and a 1-inch tweeter

Loud and clear 50 watts of power

Two input channels, one aux input, and a selection of internal digital effects (reverb, chorus, delay, rotary)

"Combo" connector for accepting microphones with either XLR or quarter-inch connectors on Channel 1

Stereo Link feature for creating a stereo system by cascading two Transactive 50s

Practice in full stereo with effects via headphones

Three-band EQ in the unit's master section

Mic stand mount on underside of enclosure facilitates pole-mount usage

RCA aux inputs for patching CD/MP3 players or similar electronic equipment

Fluorescent lighting above front panel controls for viewing settings under low light conditions

Ability to wall mount the Transactive 50 for use as an installed PA cabinet

Specifications
External audio inputs
Input Connectors: Balanced 1/4??? TRS jacks
XLR microphone input
Maximum Input Level: TRS inputs: +21.5 dBU (9.2VRMS)
(channel volume at maximum) XLR input: +5 dBU (1.4VRMS)
Input Impedance @ 1 kHz: TRS inputs: 10K??
XLR input: >3K??
External audio outputs
Output Connectors: Stereo Link Output: 1/4??? TRS
Headphones: 1/4??? TRS
Aux In RCA
Maximum Output Level: Stereo Link output: +21.5dBu (9.2VRMS)
(before clipping) Headphone output: 100mW RMS@75??
Output Impedance: Stereo Link output: 1K??
Headphone output: 75??
Equalization circuit
Circuitry: Three-Band Analog EQ
Operation: EQ Bass: ?? 10 db @ 80 Hz
EQ Mid: ?? 10 dB @ 2.5 kHz
EQ Treble: ?? 10 dB @ 12 kHz
Digital Effects
General Characteristics: Stereo 28-bit effects.
Loudspeakers
General Characteristics: 1??? (2.54 cm) tweeter
5.5??? (13.97 cm) woofer
Amplification section
Power: 50W @ 6??
Frequency Response: 50Hz-20kHz
Power Consumption: 75 Watts max
(120VAC/60Hz,
240VAC/50Hz)
Physical
Dimensions (WxHxD): 10.2??? x 12.5??? x 10.0??? / 25.9 x 31.8 x 25.4 cm
Weight: 13.5 lbs / 6.2 kg (gross weight 7.9kg)

The specs above are from the Mfrs specs. This is not a full test; just personal impressions from my own experience with it (which may not be relevant to other genres of music).

I use this speaker with a Roland GS-10, amplifying Flamenco guitar, voice and auxilliary tracks in various combinations. For me, the speaker has a completely uncolored sound (like a keyboard amp), amplifying faithfully direct in (using either the mic input or instrument inputs) or input from the aux in (drum machine, etc.)

The effects are well done, and as expected.

I think it is perfect as a speaker for guitar muliteffects or computer modelers (e.g., from a laptop - Amplitube 2 or Guitar Rig 2)

The unit is extremely convenient for movement; and it is possible to pole mount the unit. It also can be connected with a second unit for stereo operation output if required.

I would like to see a combination jack for the mic input (both 1/4 and XLR) instead of just the XLR; and I would have liked a multieffects section, but that would have increased the price considerably.

But it is perfect (for small venues or practicing) if you are using an outboard effects processor like the GS-10 (or GNX4, or Amplitube 2 / GR2)

This unit works great for me, and I certainly recommend it to other musicians for small venues. At present, I would get another immediately if destroyed or stolen; it has a perfect form factor for me. (It fits conveniently in my motorcycle luggage pack)

I think the inputs are very well thought out; I just wish the mic input was a combination jack, instead of just XLR.

It provides the bass response for backing tracks that the GS-10 lacks, and so works great as the main speaker some distance away, where I can use the GS-10 to monitor my performance locally...

I am very, very satisfied with this purchase.