The Audient iD4 MKII is an excellent audio interface for both home and professional use. It is compact, yet packed with features that make it a great choice for a variety of recording and production needs.
The first thing that impressed me about the iD4 MKII is its build quality. The unit feels solid and well-constructed, with a sturdy metal casing that provides a good level of protection. The layout is intuitive, making it easy to use, even for those who are new to recording.
One of the standout features of the iD4 MKII is its preamp. The Class-A preamp provides a clear and detailed sound that captures every nuance of your performance. The mic preamp is particularly impressive, with plenty of gain to handle even the most demanding microphones. The JFET instrument input provides a transparent and detailed sound that is ideal for recording guitar and other instruments.
Another feature that I really appreciate about the iD4 MKII is the software bundle. It comes with a range of recording and production software, including Cubase AI, Ableton Live Lite, and an exclusive selection of Audient plug-ins. These tools make it easy to get started with recording and producing your own music, without having to invest in additional software.
In terms of connectivity, the iD4 MKII provides everything you need to get started. It features two inputs, including a combination XLR/TRS input for mics or instruments and a high-impedance instrument input for guitar and bass. There is also a headphone output, a main output, and a USB connection for your computer.
Overall, the Audient iD4 MKII is a high-quality audio interface that provides a great balance of features, performance, and value. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced recording artist, it's an excellent choice for your home or professional recording studio.
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OTHER OPTIONS:
The Audient iD4 MKII faces competition from several other audio interfaces in the market. Some of its competitors include:
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Focusrite Scarlett 2i2: This is a popular and well-regarded audio interface that is similar in price and features to the iD4 MKII. It offers two inputs, solid build quality, and a good range of software bundled with the device.
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PreSonus Studio 24c: This audio interface offers two inputs and outputs, as well as MIDI I/O and a powerful software bundle. It's a little more expensive than the iD4 MKII, but is still an excellent choice for those looking for a feature-rich audio interface.
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Behringer U-Phoria UM2: This budget-friendly audio interface offers a basic set of features for those looking for a more affordable option. It's not as feature-rich as the iD4 MKII, but is still a good choice for basic home recording needs.
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Tascam US-2x2: This audio interface offers two inputs and outputs, as well as a solid build quality and a good range of software bundled with the device. It is a little more expensive than the iD4 MKII, but is still a good choice for those looking for a feature-rich audio interface.
These are just a few examples of the competition that the Audient iD4 MKII faces in the market. There are many other options available, and the best choice will depend on your specific needs and budget.
LOOK AND FEEL:
It's a very little item, but it's quite robust, with a metal finish and excellent construction quality. Even though it's little, it's sturdy and won't slide about on your desk. It is powered by USB2 but also has a separate power supply: according to Audient, mains powering is required to use phantom power since it ensures that the entire voltage is provided. For non-phantom-powered tasks, USB power is sufficient.
Two combined XLR/line inputs are located around the rear and contain the same Class-A Audient Console mic preamps as the company's bigger units, as well as high-performance Burr Brown AD/DA converters. The idea is that you may receive the same sound quality as the more costly ones even if you use this little interface. There are stereo jack outputs for connecting to a monitoring system, as well as an optical input that receives ADAT data, which might be used to link a multichannel mic pre unit for recording an entire drum kit, for example. A Kensington lock port on the side allows you to secure it, which is useful in any public location.
The front edge has a discrete JFET instrument input for connecting a guitar, bass, or other instrument, as well as an independent class AB headphone output, which is supposed to mimic the input stage of a traditional valve amp. Each of the two channels has a gain control and phantom power switches on the main panel, which has a high-quality action and a pleasingly vintage feel. The current levels are shown by a basic level metre in the centre, which is colour coded.
TAKE CONTROL:
The software control panel, as is frequently the case, gives you access to far more extensive options than the hardware, and it's one of the best-designed control panels I've seen. The two mic, two digital, and two stereo DAW feeds may all be easily managed and controlled, including renaming, grouping, and monitor mixing. On the inputs, there are pad and phase buttons, as well as pan, solo, and mute controls.
In the Master area, you may fine-tune the device's behaviour, such as changing the iD button's purpose from scrolling to regulating polarity, dimming, or talking, choosing a digital input format, clock source, and assigning talkback. You may also select which signals are transmitted to the headphones and store and load console settings to make switching between configurations easier. It's a lot more versatile and user-friendly software control panel than you'd expect from a tiny recording interface, and it clearly benefits from Audient's work on the bigger machines. Despite having a lot of choices, it's still simple to use and greatly enhances the hardware's capabilities.
PROS:
- Good amount of clean gain from tried and tested Audient preamp.
- Robust stylish construction.
- Simple hardware monitoring with a panning option.
- Useful additional encoder features.
CONS:
- Requires USB 3.0 connection for correct operation.
The iD14 is definitely worth examining if you're looking for a high-quality and small audio interface with superb build quality and sound, as well as a surprisingly versatile software control panel. The pricing is clearly acceptable for the quality of the components and the output, and as any producer will tell you, saving a few dollars at the expense of quality anyplace along your signal route is typically a false economy. The iD14 is a genuine competitor if you want your recordings to sound as well as they can but don't want to spend a fortune doing so.
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