Mix takes a deep dive into among the newer updates and bulletins within the private audio interface world.
APOGEE BOOM
In July 2022, Apogee Electronics launched Boom, a brand new entry-level audio interface aimed toward content material creators, streamers and the like. The 2×2 USB-C audio interface for macOS, iOS and Windows affords 24-bit/192kHz decision and consists of among the firm’s DSP efforts. Boom affords “professional-spec” AD/DA conversion parts with a most enter degree of +18 dBu. The onboard mic preamps supply 62 dB of acquire, and the unit consists of built-in {hardware} DSP with Symphony ECS Channel strip. The unit sports activities a 1⁄4-inch instrument/ line enter and a balanced mic/line/instrument Combi enter, whereas onboard outputs embody a 1⁄4-inch Zero ohm Headphone output and Left/ Right 1⁄4-inch balanced speaker outputs. The bus-powered unit can join on to an iPad Pro and be managed by the Apogee Control 2 app, which is included.
AUDIENT ID44 MKII AUDIO INTERFACE
Audient has up to date its iD44 desktop audio interface with the launch of iD44 MKII. The new unit is claimed to offer higher AD/DA converters with a 9 dB enchancment. The iD44 MKII now additionally affords Audio Loop-back, so customers have the power to seize playback from a number of purposes on the pc similtaneously the microphones, catering to an important want for content material creators, podcasters and streamers. The incorporation of a dual-headphone amp, together with each a 1⁄4-inch jack and a mini-jack, means three units of headphones could be plugged in without delay.
AVID MBOX STUDIO
At the October AES Show, Avid introduced again its MBox desktop audio interface with the brand new MBOX Studio, powered by Pro Tools software program. MBox Studio operates on each Mac and Windows OS and features a bundled Pro Tools Studio subscription (one yr). The 21-in/22-out gadget can join mics, devices, studio screens, Bluetooth units, and different analog, digital and MIDI gear. MBox Studio depends on the identical mic preamps present in Avid’s S6L and Pro Tools Carbon system. Free with the acquisition of MBOX Studio are one-year subscriptions for Pro Tools Studio and Avid Sibelius music notation software program, along with the bundled MBox Ignition Pack. With variable Z impedance switching on instrument inputs, customers can change guitar tones whereas recording to enhance the consequences chain.
FOCUSRITE VOCASTER
Focusrite is out to courtroom podcasters and content material creators with its new Vocaster audio interfaces. Vocaster One is a simple interface, supposed for the solo podcaster, whereas the Two is designed for reveals that function two hosts, company and/or audio segments. Accordingly, it options two mic inputs and two headphone outputs for recording and listening again.
With Vocaster Hub, the companion app, customers can management interface settings, set ranges, route audio from a telephone and pc, and extra. Features embody Auto Gain for setting ranges; Enhance, a set of three voice presets; a Mute button; and Loopback, which permits customers to stream pre-recorded segments instantly from a pc. Vocaster One Studio consists of the One interface; Focusrite’s DM1 dynamic mic with built-in grille and pop filter; and HP60v closed-back studio headphones. Vocaster Two Studio consists of the Two interface; a DM14v dynamic mic with built-in windshield and shock mount; and the HP60v closed-back studio headphones.
MOTU M6 AUDIO INTERFACE
The compact M6 USB-C audio interface from MOTU is suitable with Mac, Windows and iOS methods and helps as much as 192 kHz sampling charges. It options 4 mic/line/Hi-Z inputs and two pairs of balanced 1/4-inch outputs. The M6, which joins an M Series line that features the smaller M2 and M4 items, options ESS Sabre32 Ultra converters and supplies a 120 dB dynamic vary. In addition, M6 customers will expertise as little as 2.5 ms of round-trip latency (at 96 kHz with a 32-sample buffer), in keeping with MOTU.
The front-panel enter channels every have an XLR/1/4-inch Combo enter, Gain management, switchable 48V phantom energy, and a Monitor mode change. The again panel consists of two further 1/4-inch line inputs, which may deal with balanced or unbalanced alerts. Full-color LCD meters present every particular person enter and output. The M6 additionally encompasses a pair of unbiased TRS headphone outputs, every with its personal quantity management.
NEVE 88M DUAL MIC PREAMP & USB INTERFACE
Neve launched the 88M, its first Dual Mic Preamp and USB Audio Interface, on the NAMM present in early June. Using the identical transformer-balanced expertise as Neve’s flagship large-format 88RS, the 88M is meant to convey sound of AIR, Abbey Road and Capitol Studios into residence and transportable studio setups. The front-end recording system, with plug-and-play connectivity, is complemented with mastering-grade AD/DA conversion. Analog and digital parts are integrated at each stage all through the whole sign path.
PRESONUS AUDIOBOX GO
AudioField Go from PreSonus is USB-bus-powered with Mac and Windows computer systems, iOS telephones and tablets, and plenty of Android units. It’s additionally USB-class-compliant and helps as much as 24-bit 96kHz audio. Though AudioField Go is a 2-in/2-out interface, it has just one mic enter, which is on an XLR/1/4-inch mic/line combo jack with switchable phantom energy. The second enter is 1⁄4-inch instrument. For outputs, the unit encompasses a pair of TRS balanced outs for feeding screens and a 1⁄4-inch TRS headphone out. The entrance panel sports activities enter acquire knobs for channels 1 and a pair of, and the unit encompasses a Mix knob that lets customers dial within the ratio of audio getting back from a DAW and the direct sign being recorded. The entrance panel homes a big knob for controlling the extent of the primary outputs and a smaller one for the headphone quantity.
SOLID STATE LOGIC SSL 12
The SSL 12, a 12-in 8-out USB bus-powered audio interface, expands on the unique SSL 2 and SSL 2+ fashions with: 4 SSL-designed mic preamplifiers (-130.5 dBu EIN efficiency and 62 dB acquire vary); Hi-Z instrument inputs for guitars, bass or classic devices; two headphone outputs; and next-generation 32-bit /192 kHz AD/DA converters Advanced routing and monitoring choices, mixed with ADAT enter supporting eight further channels of digital audio, supply a complete of 12 tracks of simultaneous recording and eight channels of playback.
The bundle consists of SSL’s 360° software program mixer, Alternative Monitor Switching, Mono Sum, Invert Phase Left, Dim, Cut, in addition to entry to an onboard talkback microphone. Creating as much as 4 unbiased, near-zero-latency foldback mixes is feasible. SSL 12 additionally consists of the SSL Production Pack, a collection of software program devices, sounds, plug-ins and DAW that features the Vocalstrip and Drumstrip 2 plug-ins in addition to 3-month entry to SSL’s Complete subscription.
UNIVERSAL AUDIO VOLT SERIES
The new Volt vary represents Universal Audio’s first foray into native audio interfaces, with USB-C, tabletop-style units designed for private recording, podcasts and different low-input-count purposes. The fundamental Volt fashions, the 1×2 Volt 1 and a pair of×2 Volt 2, include built-in Vintage Mic Preamp mode, which supplies a switchable emulation of the Universal Audio 610 mic pre. The Volt 176 and 276 additionally embody 1176-style compressors on their inputs. The 4×4 Volt 476 options two mic preamps and two line inputs, whereas the 4×4 Volt 476P (Mac/ Windows/iOS) is the one Volt to this point with 4 mic preamps. It additionally has 4 XLR/TRS combo jacks to deal with mic, line or instrument-level alerts, to go along with a pair of 1/4-inch TRS headphone outputs, every with its personal quantity management. The again panel incorporates six 1/4-inch outputs—Monitor L and R, and 4 line outputs—in addition to the USB-C port for connecting to your pc, an influence jack for the included adapter, and a big Off/On change.