On the other hand, the Apollo x8 is a great centerpiece for your studio if you don't need more than 4 simultaneous mic inputs. The low latency it offers, plus the incredible range of industry-standard preamp emulations included, will raise your music game and boost your productivity. When you decide to buy an audio interface for your audio setup, you can use this as a guide. You will already be able to identify the kind of audio interface you require for your setup once you have finished reading this. A bright LED meter ensures you set your gain at the optimum levels for any instrument or vocal. This helps tread the line between sweet saturation and harsh clipping.

EVO 16 is designed to work in tandem with the EVO software app, and this offers deep control of the unit. Many of EVO 16’s parameters can also be accessed from the front panel using the parameter buttons and main volume, which doubles as an encoder. This is made much simpler thanks to EVO 16’s LCD display. This tiny display is not only crystal clear but easy to view even when you’re way off-axis. Thankfully, manufacturers rarely skimp on the quality of their preamps, often equipping their entire range of audio interfaces with the same preamp found on their flagship model. Not all inputs will have a preamp, so it is crucial to consider the actual number of preamps available, particularly for recording with condenser microphones. The I/O section is placed in the rear with two combo XLR/TRS inputs for the XMAX preamps, Main L/R outs, Headphone Out, Power Button, and USB connection. MiniFuse 2 has its own Control Centre software and is bundled with an Intro version of Arturia’s excellent Analog Lab, four effects, Native Instruments Guitar Rig LE, and Ableton Live Lite, plus three-month trial subs to Splice Creator and Auto-Tuner Unlimited. A digital signal processor is essentially a microprocessor chip that is mostly used to create systems for digital audio signal processing and telecommunication. A digital signal processor’s job is to take real-world signals—in this example, audio signals—and digitally process them.The 4i4 sits in a comfy middle ground with 2 combo input preamps, 2 1/4" inputs, and 4 outputs. It offers more mic inputs to accommodate the requirements of many home studio configurations. On most audio interfaces you’ll typically find both XLR and 1/4-inch inputs, often combined into combo connectors so that you can plug mics, guitars, synths and the like into the same input. Many interfaces also offer a phantom power option, which is required if you want to use certain microphones. Because of my current workflow of using analog summing emulator plugins like Waves NLS and Brainworx BX_Console, I've been wanting a more "hands-on" approach to my mixing. At first I considered getting analog summing mixers but found they would be limiting. I was completely satisfied with the plugin emulations. So I decided to shop for a new interface and a DAW controller.

EVO 16 works straight away on macOS, without the need to install any drivers. If you’re a Windows user, you’ll have to install the drivers. We suggest utilizing the user manual for this purpose. We also recommending installing the EVO software app as it allows for deep control of the unit and full utilization of the outputs. For the 3rd gen, Focusrite improved the gain range on their preamps to drive dynamic mics better. There was already so much to love in the preamps of the previous 4i4 - their low self-noise, impressive clarity, and detailed capture. Outputs: 2 x XLR, 8 x 1/4", 1 x XLR (AES/EBU), 2 x Optical Toslink (ADAT, S/MUX, S/PDIF - ADAT2), 1 x BNC (MADI), 1 x SC Duplex connector (MADI) Audient has also managed to improve the iD44’s Analogue to Digital Converter (ADC) THD+N figure by an impressive 9dB to a class-leading 112 dB. The Digital to Analogue Converters (DACs) are similarly pristine, with imperceptible noise and 126dB of dynamic range. The four mic pres are exactly the same as you’ll find in Audient’s pro-level consoles. Another feature of note, which may make this interface a winner for you, is the DC coupling on the outputs, which enables CV/gate information to be sent to modular synths and other hardware.The Scarlett 8i6 is an "in-betweener" interface, bridging the gap between the 4i4 , which has no S/PDIF capabilities, and the 18i8 with additional I/O options at a price jump. This guide aims to simplify your decision-making process, helping you pinpoint audio interfaces that merit your consideration. Our recommendations are founded on a collective wealth of experience and thorough scrutiny of pertinent review sources, including valuable insights from forum discussions. Furthermore, we offer detailed insights into the characteristics of each selected product. As is usually the case, the features to prioritize in a 16 channel interface will depend on your situation and needs. This of course begs the question, how to you get that digital audio? Getting Digital Audio Into Your Interface