They make some great software and hardware, and the Axe I/O is no exception to that.The new Axe I/O is designed as a combination of an amp simulator and an audio interface, for those who love their guitar. Most electronic music producers who may occasionally want to record something and need to output to monitors will absolutely love this. AXR4 Updates and Downloads | Steinberg These interfaces require complicated setup and have a lot of features for those who are in larger recording and monitoring situations. What about an audio interface that both looks good and does the job? Our team of expert musicians and producers spends hours testing products to help you choose the best music-making gear for you. What I do notice, however, is that when running in this maxed-out mode, digital I/O is disabled and the onboard effect processing and VCM SILK emulation are unavailable. All contents copyright SOS Publications Group and/or its licensors, 1985-2023. That being said, if the USB-C matters to you, then choose this one for sure. RME Fireface UFX+ vs StudioLive 32s vs Steinberg AxR4 - Gearspace.com The driver component can be updated separately in this case. It features 12 analogue inputs in total, of which the first four have mic preamps; the first two also provide optional high-impedance modes for DI'ing electric guitars. This time by Audient, which appears on the battlefield with the compact budget-friendly EVO 4. The AXR4 is equipped with exceptional hybrid mic preamps featuring switchable RND SILK emulation, which can accommodate any kind of microphone. This is especially true of high-end interfaces (were looking at you, Avid). I use Liquid Death Mountain Waterin my a**hole, Musicians insurance: Everything you need to know about covering you and your gear. The heat situation is also no doubt improved by the use of an external power supply, which attaches using a locking four-pin XLR. This includes Pultec EQP-1A EQ on guitars, the Fairchild 670 Compressor on drums, and Precision Reflection Equipment among others. Customers, Markus Vogel (Mellow Alteration) 20.02.2023. Surely they would at least include a thunderbolt option? You may login with either your assigned username or your e-mail address. Personally, this will be my next purchase. The superior modules and the dynamic temperature control ensure nonstop marvelous sound without the fear of overheating. The compact size allows it to be carried wherever you like, adding even more to its value. If you require more than the 28 inputs and 24 outputs available at base sample rates on a single AXR4, you'll need to stack multiple units: a single computer can host up to three of the devices, for a potential 84 ins and 72 outs. The integrated pre amps are also great sounding to me. The TOOLS for AXR4U come with a Yamaha Steinberg USB driver component included. On the other side, it is quite easy to drop it off the table, as it is lightweight and small. Qualified Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter not included. This is the cheapest audio interface money can buy while still not sacrificing quality. On the whole, if you are just starting to experiment with recording, give NI komplete Audio 2 a chance! If youre looking for this kind of studio solution, you wont find a better option. What's more, the unit comes with a built-in power supply and a single chassis capable of hosting up to 6 modules. This is an advanced interface created by Avid, for use with Pro Tools only. Monitors. Also, Thunderbolt is currently at version 3, which means youll need a 50-plus converter to hook up an AXR4T to an up-to-date computer. By integrating the Curv, you can smooth out inconsistent sound levels from incoming sources. Few anticipated that one of the talking points of this years NAMM show would centre around a head-turning piece of hardware from Steinberg. All in all, the touch console is what really makes controlling this audio interface fun and enjoyable. In addition to that, the SSL 2+ has a sleek and modern-looking appearance that makes it also pleasing to the eyes. This is very cheap for a rackmount interface with this many I/O options. Dom Sigalas is a London-based music producer, composer and musicologist. Apart from using the front panel to configure specific settings, it comes with a Controller application to control the unit over software. The build quality of the Evo 4 is robust, ensuring durability. Its mic preamps are also not your common-or-garden designs: they use a topology called AXR that is employed in Yamaha's premium digital consoles, and offer a licensed recreation of the Rupert Neve Designs Silk circuitry for situations where intentional colouring of the sound is required. This rejoices in the snappy title of dspMixFx AXR, and at the time of this review was available only for Mac OS, although the Windows version should be available by the time you read this. HEXA Core Processor means more recording horsepower whether tracking or mixing. Plugins. The new release, 828s, lets you take full control with a large console-type mixing with 48 channels. The Steinberg is no where in the same league. Steinberg AXR4 - Sound On Sound Its longevity of 20 years makes it known. Some users have experienced malfunctions such as delay, so make sure that it is compatible with your computer before you buy it. He is responsible for the sound design for several major manufacturers including hardware synthesizers. The hybrid mic preamps with Rupert Neve Designs SILK emulation add exceptional tonal control, while SSPLL guarantees ultra-low jitter. MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Are you worried about its life expectancy if you plan to bring it with you everywhere? And possibly, with the emphasis on possibly, the preamps -- which by the way are not really advertised as full Neve or Portico preamps, although they have the Silk function which is nice to have. It seems to be getting quite a bit of hype. The AXR4 supports sample rates up to 384kHz, at word lengths of up to 32 bits, and employs a technology called Super Suppression Phase Locked Loop to deliver supernaturally low levels of jitter. Admittedly, Apogee Electronics has decided to give us a taste of the future with the re-designed Symphony MK II. Front panel configuration is a touch fiddly. If youre just starting out, youre probably on a budget. I will come and visit you! If this is okay for you, simply click on "Alrighty!" In addition, by feeding the audio signal to the front inputs, it can also be processed with the onboard SILK emulation, bringing the legendary sound of Rupert Neve Designs to every audio master. From cinematic textures and effects to unique signature instruments, Apollo was conceived and inspired by some of the most epic films, bringing great playability and expression to the table. The front panel features an intuitive touchscreen where you can access all the settings including headphone output levels, clock, and configuration settings. This gives you ultra-fast connectivity with near-zero latency. In case you run a Windows or Mac OS X version that is not supported by the current version, please find the previous version(s) below. Once again, like with the 2i2, the 2i4 is a great first interface. With +48 V phantom power available on all four XLR/TRS combo inputs, both condenser and dynamic microphones are accommodated, while all four inputs can also accept line level signals. Features listed here describe just a short summary of RME Fireface UFX II capabilities. All those holes presumably help with cooling, allowing the AXR4 to operate without an internal fan but making it a bad idea to use it as an ashtray. Probably going to need more outputs. Equally, just as Apogees preferential status within Logic Pro X means its preamps can be configured per channel within Logics mixer, so Cubase users will love the immediate relationship they can enjoy with the AXR4, with per- channel channel strips directly controllable within Steinbergs DAW. As the name suggests, it comes with 8 console mic discreet preamps with classic gear from Lang, Gyraf Audio among others. Universal Audio Apollo Twin is a well-known and one of the most expensive options. Manufacturer-provided product description, urls and documents. Share Reply Quote 11th April 2022 | Show parent # 5 Faceless2022 Here for the gear Quote: Originally Posted by thegrimbo In terms of sound quality, the Antelope Audio Zen Tour delivers crystal clear and transparent sound that will satisfy even the most demanding sound engineers. macOS/Windows: After installing the TOOLS, first update the firmware to the included version using the firmware update function on the dspMixFx AXR. Think of it this way: you can pan if you select 16 mono channels. Steinberg USB Audio Interfaces at a glance, Display USB Audio Interfaces from $ 2000 - $ 2500, Go to product group Studio and Recording Equipment, Steinberg Studio and Recording Equipment at a glance, 32-Bit integer/384 kHz recording and playback, 4 x AXR hybrid microphone preamp with Rupert Neve Designs SILK emulation, SSPLL technology for extremely low jitter, DSPX chip and dspMixFx technology for latency-free monitoring with DSP-powered effects, 2 x Mic/Line/Instrument inputs: XLR/Jack 6.3 mm combo, 2 x Mic/Line inputs: XLR/Jack 6.3 mm combo, 2 x Stereo headphone outputs: 6.3 mm Jack, Dimensions (W x H x D): 480 x 45 x 378 mm, Includes Cubase AI with full 32-bit support, Available at short notice (usually 2-5 days), 4 And thats a list of the best interfaces available (or coming soon) in 2023! Adjust your studio needs by installing an option card, Comes with Curv, a built-in soft-knee limiter to smooth out irregular sounds, Easily sync everything with Word Clock and Loop Sync I/O, Audio clarity is next level with the AD/DA conversion, Built-in sample rate conversion for versatile digital I/O, Apart from price, everything seems to work fine, It comes with AD/DA standalone converter that can be used to expand other digital gear, DAC technology maintains low distortion to connected headphones while producing massive amplification, An optimized circuit for superior bandwidth, Setup can be expanded to suit your studio needs, Comes with a built-in Thunderbolt connectivity, Temperature controls to keep the system cool, The system delivers transparent sound with minimum hassle via the Hilo converter technology, Comes with a universal power supply and audiophile-grade headphone outs, Plenty of connectivity options thanks to the LSlot expansion feature, Recording and playback options to or from the SD card, You need to use software to change some parameters. The front-mounted mic channels are of the XLR-jack combo variety and feed to Yamaha AXR hybrid preamps. Expand with more interfaces over thunderbolt, Apogee Alloy Mic Preamp emulation (British Solid State & 50s American Tube), Touch screen interface showing all channel info, Built-in UAD DSP with HEXA core processing, 700+ samples for any time of EDM production, A selection of high-quality EDM Serum presets, Our best resources for making music, including the How To Make Electronic Music mega guide. Most low-to-middle end interfaces will be Desktop, while higher-end interfaces will be Rackmount. Whether you're a musician, a sound engineer, a songwriter or vocalist, you can expect top-of-the-range audio quality with this system. When Digidesign first released Pro Tools, the computers of the time lacked the capability to perform the processor-intensive tasks of mixing and effects . This interface looks amazing, to be honest. The latter make it easy to daisychain the AXR4 with other gear. The HD I/O interface integrates with Pro Tools | HD for unmatched performance. Here are the main features. You might be familiar with Steinberg because of Cubase: this audio software has been very popular with musicians. Price is comparable so its probably worth it to grab this one instead of the older model, unless you have a particular tie to the older one. This interface is one of those best-of-the-best interfaces, and will probably clock in at around $3500 (if the features are anything to go by). With the Symphony up to its MKII release, this is another great option for the high-end studio owner. Bath All in all, if you are looking for a compact and sturdy audio interface for your home studio, you should definitely take a look at the SSL 2+! It features a big volume knob on top of the interface that is easy to reach, along with meters that allow you to check your recording levels at a glance. There are many different types of audio interfaces in all price ranges and each made for a specific application. 30 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee. The solid chassis houses the greatest AD/DA technology out there. Some manufacturers try to make their control-panel programs fun to use by copping the look and feel of an expensive analogue console. The output encoder lets you adjust the main output or one of the headphones outputs. 2023 MusicTech is part of NME Networks. Well essentially, there are two formats.Desktop and Rackmount. VAT)Contact Steinberg. This interface is the ultimate all-in-one for the bedroom producer. Delivering, The EQ 601 combines the sound of a classic 1970s equalizer with a wide range of practical, The REV-X built into the AXR4 is a complex reverb algorithm developed by Yamaha. The industry-leading converters used in the AXR4 series deliver exceptional quality audio, thanks, The AXR4 features extraordinarily natural-sounding hybrid microphone preamps, developed by Yamaha, Recording engineers have used microphone preamps designed by the legendary Rupert Neve for many, The AXR4 is compatible with all major audio editing, mastering, and music production software, Alongside its array of XLR and 6.3mm audio connections, the AXR4 features digital in/out ports, Word clock with SSPLL jitter reduction technology, The AXR4 uses robust SSPLL (Super Suppression Phase Locked Loop) technology, currently the most, By using Thunderbolt 2 technology, the AXR4T delivers very low latency and high CPU efficiency, a, SuperSpeed USB 3.1 with USB Type-C (AXR4U), The AXR4U features the USB 3.1 Gen 1 SuperSpeed standard, which provides fast, reliable and, Based on Steinbergs award-winning advanced music production system Cubase Pro, Cubase AI is a, Thanks to the built-in DSP chips including Yamahas custom-designed DSPX chip and dspMixFx AXR, The 276 is a stereo compressor that has enhanced numerous professional productions. Consumers are not pleased with the warranty. Another great option from Focusrite. Now, lets check out the best (low-budget) audio interfaces out there! With pro-level transparency, zero compromises on performance, and the SD card recording function, this should be a top priority for any artist, sound engineer, or musician looking for a quality audio interface. An audio interface with a rich sound filling your studio, integrated with remote control options and real-time effects. To be honest, when you get to this level, devices compete less on trivialities like looks and more on features. Plus, it comes with 48V of phantom power as well as zero-latency monitoring. If you liked the One/Duet/Quartet and want the design and reliability in a rackmount format, then this is the one to go for. Other than that, a good reliable product with many features that gives more than expected for its price range. How can you resist this top-of-the-range converter? It delivers high-quality audio, and part of it is thanks to its classy preamps for your mics and instruments. Set up presets in seconds with the volume knobs and knobs assigned for individual headphone outputs. So, what does the new Aurora(n) series bring to the table? Its been around for a while for a reason. They use slightly different wording to describe the benefits of each on the website which made me wonder (reading between the lines thunderbolt faster / better latency?) First of all, audio interfaces are an indispensable tool for every sound engineer and musician that wants to record. To top it off, Atlas offers a maximum recording capability of up to 18 input and output channels concurrently, including stereo headphones. Steinberg have done neither, preferring to create something that is very plain and functional. Now, this isnt exactly true. No more USB hubs, MIDI interfaces or mixers. This recreates the warming compression and saturation of classic Neve preamps; Red mode adds sparkle and definition in the mid-to-high frequency band, whereas Blue mode adds solidity and body to the lower frequencies. But if you like simplicity and dont mind the input/output configuration (and work on a Mac), the price point might work out nicely for you. If you need some extra outputs for a second speaker pair or have some hardware you what to use with your DAW, then this is the choice for you. Its the unison technology and elite-class AD/DA audio conversion. 101Audio is supported by its audience. Headphones. Although most electronic music producers dont record a whole lot, for those that do and/or want the flexibility to when needed, this the ultimate no-brainer. The Symphony MK II offers you four base configurations 2x6, 8x8, 16x16, and 8x8 with 8 mic pre-amps thats easy to expand to meet the needs of your studio. AXR4Ts extreme 384kHz/32-bit AD/DA conversion certainly grabs the attention and may be desirable in some very specific circumstances, but it disables useful features for little discernible benefit, so I doubt many users will crank things up beyond the more conventional 192kHz/24-bit digital format. If you want really top-notch audio quality with the flexibility of DSP and analog emulation, this is quite a bargain, really (considering UADs other interfaces). The Universal Audio Apollo X8 now comes with more power thanks to the HEXA Core Processor. Thats what you get with the Antelope Discrete 8. The AXR4 ensures universal excellence for all recording applications. When the AXR4 first arrived, I was excited to use it in 32-bit integer recording, which is supported by Cubase . The first thing that you notice is the fact that the AXR4 comes at a size that you can easily fit into a rack. Class compatible with iPad and compatible with major recording software, Desktop 2x6 Thunderbolt audio interface with world-class 24-bit/192 kHz audio conversion. Theflexibilityof the AmpliTubesoftwarecombinedwithawell-designed interfacemakesthisquitetheoffer,especiallyforunder$500. Can it hold its own against the competition? The UAD powered plugins emulate the classic audio equipment analog preamps. In short, the Apogee Symphony Desktop is mostly recommended to those who want to invest in a premium-quality compact and portable audio interface. Steinberg AXR4U - Thomann United States The form factor on the AudioBox is a little nicer than the U-Phoria, so its probably goingtobeabitmoredurableontheroad. Et merci Thomann. You get what youd expect from an interface at this price point 2 inputs and 2 outputs, but there are a lot of premium features too, such as the Vintage Mic Preamp and MIDI in/out. I haven't heard it, but I easily can tell enough from its specs. Find out more about the new functions and refinements of the update version 2 for AXR4. It is true that higher frequencies can have a detectable impact on lower, audible, frequencies, but whether frequencies as high as 192kHz cause an audible impact is debatable. The only issue we had with this device is that the built-in compressors and effects are not enough for a decent result. Self-taught DJ and producer Memphis LK is smashing the glass ceiling, Softube Icons: Compressor Collection review: Three classic compressors faithfully modernised, 100 gecs: It often sounds like saccharine bullshit, but seriously, do what you love, Women and non-binary audio professionals vastly underrepresented in 2022s top tracks, finds study, 12 analogue inputs, eight analogue outputs, Four AXR mic preamps with Rupert Neve Designs SILK emulation, Onboard effects processing; real-time effects on direct monitor signal, Jitter-free Word Clock using SSPLL virtual jitter-reduction technology, Up to three AXR4T units can be daisy-chained for high I/O counts. Operation manual, installation guide and setup guide, macOS High Sierra, macOS Mojave, macOS Catalina, macOS Big Sur, macOS Monterey, Thunderbolt 2 (Mac), Thunderbolt 3 (Windows), Intel Core i series (9th Gen and earlier) multi core processor 2GHz, Intel Core i-series multicore processor 2 GHz or faster, or AMD equivalent processor, driver and tools, account sign up and product registration, manuals and instructions. Nevertheless, the front panel gives you access to all the basic functions with an OLED display. This unit is pretty cool, but also pretty pricey. Depending on your OS, you just need the right drivers. What we really liked about this audio interface is the fact that the dials are on top, making it easy to reach them even when you are holding your guitar. The digital I/O ports support ADAT and S/PDIF formats. For instance, if you create a mono or stereo audio track in Cubase and assign an AXR4 input to it, you'll see all of its input parameters in a new Inspector window associated with that track. Le son, la qualit de fabrication, les possibilits, l'intgration Nuendo qui tait attendue, la facilit d'utilisation travers le Daw. The best part about the Quartet is finally all the I/Os are actually on the device itself, not as part of a dongle. On the downside, certain parameters such as direct monitoring have to be changed through the computer, which makes it a little annoying, as it could have featured physical buttons. RME Fireface UFC II has become a global product, so it needs a worldwide warranty. With our cookies we would like to offer you the best shopping experience possible with everything that goes with it. This is a high-end professional audio converter for real professionals. This insane interface from Steinberg was very hyped at NAMM this year, and if their track record as a company is anything to go off, then the AXR4 will be a hit in studios worldwide. So if you dont mind squinting, then the UFX II might end up on your rack. Installation Guide for macOS 11 or newer (PDF), Installation Guide for macOS 11 or later (PDF). 32-bit integer audio conversion and sample rates up to 384kHz. The driver component can be updated separately in this case. I also make music under, 2 digitally-controlled outputs for monitoring, Headphones Output with dedicated output knob, Easy-access gain and output knobs on the top surface, Comes with a suite of FX plugins included, Inputs/Playback mixer to hear original signal, Includes Studio One DAW, 6GB+ of resources and extra plugins, Built-in omnidirectional condenser microphone, 1 quarter-inch input (line or instrument), Gain knobs with intuitive ring singal indicators, Great audio conversion (up to 192kHz sample rate), Included plugins (Addictive Keys, Focusrite, Softube), 1 quarter-inch outputs/RCA outputs + 1 dedicated RCA output, Legacy 4K mode preamp switches inspired by SSL consoles (sounds great on certain instruments), 2 XLR/quarter-inch inputs with Phantom Power, 2 mic/line inputs with phantom power and Class A preamps, Direct iOS compatability through USB MIDI port, 2 XLR/quarter-inch input channels with phantom power and preamps, 4 XLR/quarter-inch input channels with phantom power and preamps, USB connectivity (with Ethernet for virtual mixing console), Direct iOS compatibility through USB MIDI port.