Once computing power increased sufficiently, many DAWs including certain flavours of Pro Tools were able to bring these processing functions into the host computer, removing the need for expensive dedicated DSP. In essence, what you get is a separate fader page for each of 12 output pairs; these, in turn, have their own output faders, one of which can be assigned to the front-panel multi-function rotary to give basic monitor level and mute control. And its insanely good value. 32-bit! Product of the Week: Steinberg AXR4 Audio Interface - Mixonline Universal AudioApollo x8 2,950 (typical retail price)/$2,699. However it doesnt stop there: not only it offers a great amount of inputs, but it comes with four outputs, as well as two independent headphone outputs that allow you to monitor everything along with a friend or colleague. 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. Although a high-end audio interface boasts impressive capabilities, it doesn't mean that your sound will be equally impressive. Besides modeling the functionality of a circuit and the interaction between single components, VCM focuses on an unprecedented musical simulation of analog sound qualities, including typical characteristics like saturation and non-linearity subtleties that simple digital simulations cannot capture.Each effect is carefully analyzed by some of the best ears in the business and tweaked to provide the best-sounding results in todays pro sound environment. Theres no denying that these interfaces look great, and the functionality is really good. The end result is reliable and precise converters that require minimal tweaking. Plus, it comes with 48V of phantom power as well as zero-latency monitoring. This means you can use Pro Tools | HDX interface and AES3 multichannel. Its available in 4 configurations: 26 SE, 88, 1616 and 88+8MP. On the other side, it is quite easy to drop it off the table, as it is lightweight and small. Lynx Aurora(n) is a next-generation upgrade. Or you could decide to have 10 mono channels and 6 stereo channels. Additionally, there are Play and Record buttons which control a built-in SD card slot. Achieve connectivity through three interface platforms namely Pro Tools or Waves SoundGrid or built-in Thunderbolt. 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. That said, price-wise, Steinberg isnt charging a premium for such impressive specifications, and it would be reassuring to know such a capability was available if ever you needed it. Note:Allpriceswerecurrentatthe timeofwritingthisarticle. macOS/Windows: After installing the TOOLS, first update the firmware to the included version using the firmware update function on the dspMixFx AXR. Personally, this will be my next purchase. Its role is to configure the AXR's internal digital mixer, which is a powerful beast. Et merci Thomann. The online help and PDF manuals are available on steinberg.help. With the AXR4, however, Steinberg have struck out in a different direction. The Steinberg AXR4T interface is an impressively featured, great-sounding and competitively priced high-resolution audio interface that integrates closely with Cubase. VAT)Contact Steinberg. The front panel conveniently, allows you to control recordings and monitor levels as you perform. Two are mic/line/Hi-Z inputs, two are mic/lines, and the remainder are standard line-level inputs (all lines are balanced). Focusrite somehow keeps on delivering. Yearning to learn more about this state-of-the-art system? Theflexibilityof the AmpliTubesoftwarecombinedwithawell-designed interfacemakesthisquitetheoffer,especiallyforunder$500. This compact audio interface comes with 2 line/XLR inputs at the front, direct monitoring, two line outputs and monitor mix control. Bath The Apogee Symphony Desktop features 2 Mic/Line inputs, a DI Instrument input, 2 monitor outputs, 2 assignable stereo headphone outputs (3.5 mm & 6.3 mm) as well as optical input/output (ADAT & S/PDIF). England and Wales company registration number 2008885. Steinberg AXR4 - Sound On Sound The eight XLR inputs with mic preamps are an improvement of the Firewire Ensemble which used independent sockets. Its not on Amazon at the moment, so you might have to find a dealer close to you. The audio quality is top-notch, as it comes with 32-bit integer audio conversion and sample rates up to 384kHz. Overall, the design is both sleek and ergonomic. Get ready to be blown away by a sleek studio masterpiece that gives you a converter with a 7.1 surround sound mixing support. 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. The entire top panel is made of a metal mesh, which reveals an interior absolutely stuffed with components. These are joined by a wide array of digital inputs, of which up to 16 are available for recording at any one time: two optical ports provide either stereo S/PDIF or up to 16 channels of ADAT-format I/O depending on sample rate, and there is also a DB25 connector, which delivers eight AES3 inputs and outputs. With so much functionality on board, both the front and back panels of the AXR4 are inevitably crowded. First of all, its sleek and modern-looking design is eye-catching, despite the overall small size of the interface. steinberg axr4 vs apollo - ASE Operation can be configured directly from the front panel, via a combination of button presses and the rotary wheel (which doubles as a button to confirm data entry). If that is true for you, the Apogee Symphony Desktop will certainly not disappoint you! The vast array of connectivity options also allows quick and easy expansion of the recording setup, for example with additional mic preamps or outboard gear, and allows you to connect guitars, keyboards and other instruments or audio sources. These musically distort the input signal with differing harmonic footprints, to bring some trademark Neve class to the recording stage. In addition, 32-bit converters with up to 384 kHz sample rate and AXR hybrid mic preamps equipped with RND SILK processing are the ideal recording basis for any professional studio. Others embrace the latest fads in user-interface design, which usually involves making everything as dark and as touch-friendly as possible. Learn how to master the fundamentals of electronic music production with the best roadmap for new producers, With 10 years of music production experience and some marketing chops, I head up the content here at EDMProd. TOOLS for AXR4T V1.2.x require the latest Firmware AXR4 V1.20 (see below). Think of it this way: you can pan if you select 16 mono channels. BA1 1UA. Overall, if you want a good-quality audio interface to start recording, the Steinberg UR22C might be your best bet! Power supply connector. Steinberg AXR4U - Thomann United States If you are recording something as dynamic as a symphony orchestra using the best mics and monitoring that money can buy and if you have incredibly sensitive hearing, then you may justbe able to discern a difference between 192kHz/24-bit and 384kHz/32-bit converters, but I have to confess that I cant hear any difference at all. While its not the prettiest, it certainly does the job, and the metering section shows you all you need to see. It spots dual headphone outputs and a preamp gain knob for easy adjusting and filtering. But before we check our options, lets take a look at what determines the price of audio interfaces. Some provide lots of one type of I/O, such as analogue line-level ins and outs, to cater for users who just want to connect an analogue console, or lots of outboard mic preamps. For onboard effects processing, the AXR4T uses Yamahas DSPX chip, which includes the companys VCM (Virtual Circuit Modelling) technology. 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?) Fortunately, it doesnt have to be just a dream, as the Antelope Audio Zen Tour is exactly that! VCM was developed by an engineering group led by Toshifumi Kunimoto (aka Dr. K), who was also responsible for the first physical modeling synthesizers, VL1 and VP1. RME Fireface UFX+ vs StudioLive 32s vs Steinberg AxR4 - Gearspace.com Whether you're a musician, a sound engineer, a songwriter or vocalist, you can expect top-of-the-range audio quality with this system. If you're not yet convinced, the Thunderbolt 3 connection is surely a winner. Millenium expands Still Cymbals low-volume cymbal line-up with two new colours, Travis Barker launches signature Liquid Death enema kit: How have I had such a successful career in music? Audio interfaces are ultimately judged on their sound quality and the AXR4 boasts some eye-catching numbers; up to 384kHz recording rates via 32-bit integer resolution. In summary, quality oozes from every pore here. All in all, the touch console is what really makes controlling this audio interface fun and enjoyable. This flexibility makes Atlas a future-proof digital interface, expected to allow other options such as Thunderbolt. Audio interfaces are ultimately judged on their sound quality and the AXR4 boasts some eye-catching numbers; up to 384kHz recording rates via 32-bit integer resolution. If you think Im exaggerating, let's take a closer look at the details. Now, let's find out the pros and cons of Atlas. Did I mention the Acoustically Focused Clocking? Thunderbolt 2 cable not included. The only disadvantage of this audio interface is the compact size. In essence, Aurora(n) is a masterpiece of simplicity and pure sound clarity. The only physical buttons you can expect are the power button and a large rotary encoder placed at the center. Thats why here we will take a look at the AXR4 which comes from the same company: Steinberg. You might know him from his personal or the many Steinberg YouTube channels where he often shares his music production and sound design tips. Ill be honest this is probably going to be my next daily driver in the studio. Summing up, if you are looking for a budget-friendly audio interface with top-quality preamps, the Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 is the one you need! Customers, 0 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. Consumer reviews rank this audio interface as high. Please try again later. Not only that makes your life easier, but it also allows for expansion, as you can stack up to 3 units for more inputs and outputs. The insert effects can optionally be applied to the recorded signal, if you like. Steinberg AXR4 review | MusicRadar The X8 provides up-to 24-bit/192kHz conversion to its eight channels of analogue I/O. The build quality of the Evo 4 is robust, ensuring durability. The AXR4's unglamorous but eminently useful dspMixFx software. The Steinberg is no where in the same league. 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. For the price, the RME Fireface UFX II gives a high level of features with a high level of usability. In short, the Apogee Symphony Desktop is mostly recommended to those who want to invest in a premium-quality compact and portable audio interface. Plus, it looks super pretty and that input meter is worth the price tag alone. On balance, however, I think Steinberg's engineers have done a pretty good job of working within their self-imposed limitations. 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. Please install TOOLS FOR AXR V1.2.0 before updating the firmware. According to numerous people on this site, Antelope reportedly can be atrocious in the customer support department. Its ease of use does not keep it from producing a high quality digital sound. You can use the MOTU 828es as a standalone mixer or with a host DAW at up to 24-bit/192 kHz. As stated before, this interface looks good and works good. This interface is the ultimate all-in-one for the bedroom producer. These features combine to make the AXR4 the perfect solution for any live recording situation. Youre currently missing out on our lovely designed product gallery and its useful features (zoom into the very last pixel of each picture, 360 view, videos and more). They include A/B monitor to check mixes of your connected speakers and a talk button for the built-in talkback mic. You might have heard you need an audio interface to produce music. I would say, it is one of the best. And, thats not even half of what you can expect from this sound beast. 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. This ensures you dont miss any recording session! Also, the 32-bit sample depth allows a theoretical maximum dynamic range of 192dB, 48dB more than 24-bit, but full volume is still full volume and so all thats really being achieved is to capture the analogue noise floor in greater detail. Can it hold its own against the competition? This is the cheapest audio interface money can buy while still not sacrificing quality. If there's an obvious limit to the professional intent behind the AXR4, it's that there are no RJ45 connectors. If you want the best-of-the-best, full speed ahead interface, then this is the right place. Another option from PreSonus is the Studio range. RME Fireface UFC II has become a global product, so it needs a worldwide warranty. For the HD, its the Pro Tools integration that makes this the interface of choice for many engineers. Monitors. The Thunderbolt 2-equipped AXR4T can run three units in daisy-chain mode for a maximum of 84 inputs and 72 outputs, sufficient for high end recording applications and also allowing for analog summing. 30 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee. When Digidesign first released Pro Tools, the computers of the time lacked the capability to perform the processor-intensive tasks of mixing and effects . Well essentially, there are two formats.Desktop and Rackmount. Payment can be made safely and securely with PayPal, Amazon Pay, Credit Card or Bank Transfer. Inputs 1 and 2 can accept Hi-Z signals, so electric guitars and basses, MIDI equipment and any kind of studio equipment or playback device can all be used. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, The red looks pretty dope though. 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). Similar to its sister device the 2i2, the Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 is a device you cant look past.Essentially its the same as the 2i2 but dressed up a bit more with extra output options, MIDI in/out and extra switches. Do you sometimes wish for a professional audio interface that you could easily transport from one studio to another? To sum up, the Steinberg AXR4 is a must for professional sound engineers. Thanks to the FPGA technology, latency levels are almost NIL. The AXR4 has a number of noteworthy features, including 32-bit integer AD/DA converters that support sample rates up to 384 kHz, digital emulations of SILK processing from Rupert Neve Designs, a full matrix mixer using dspMixFx, and internal DSP that allows near zero- latency recording and monitoring. You wont be disappointed! Please note: Due to possible compatibility issues with some Windows and Mac systems, we recommend to refer to our Knowledge Base article. We can't guarantee correctness and completeness of all the data presented here, and therefore will not accept liability for any issues arising from usage of this data. Then let us know in the comments or drop me a line at [emailprotected]. Not for the faint of heart. Its longevity of 20 years makes it known. With the Symphony up to its MKII release, this is another great option for the high-end studio owner. The two headphone jacks on the front panel are completely independent. With the UAD plugins, you dont need separate racks of gear in your studio. And another thing, latency is at a super low 1.35mS. With the ability to handle a dynamic range of 121 dB, the built-in FPGA FX engine will blow your mind away with stunning effects. My biggest niggle with the AXR4T is the omission of a Thunderbolt cable and converter, but once over that little hump its all good. These are all things we look for, which is why we created the free EDM Starter Kit. The SSL 2+ is a high-quality audio interface made by Solid State Logic. Capable of adapting to every advancement in Apple computers, it sports a matte black shade thats incorporated with buttons to give you more physical control. Classically trained, and with 20 years of experience in the music industry, his multifaceted career encompasses composition for films, music production, mixing, mastering and sound design. The compact size allows it to be carried wherever you like, adding even more to its value. The logical audio interface is engineered for simplicity in operations. Steinbergs interface offers some parallels to the way rivals go about their business too. The interface has onboard processing capabilities, too, providing DSP support to Apogees FXRack plug-in suite. If not, lets check out the pro-level ones. You can use the level indicators together with the Output and Input knobs for adjusting, switching or parameter selection. After all, its sleek and modern-looking design with the characteristic red colour is hard to forget! The knobs and controls of this sound card are simple enough to make it intuitive to record and suitable for starters. The AXR4T offers 12 analogue inputs. Featuring 2 combo XLR/line inputs, it makes stereo recordings easy! Steinberg AXR4T Audio Interface Review - Gemtracks Beats Integrated with SynchroLock-2 jitter reduction, the clock output is super clean. The extras are also pretty great with this one. STEINBERG AXR4 | Hi-Res Audio Interface with RUPERT NEVE SILK - YouTube Steinberg UR816C. If you prefer, mixing and routing can alternatively be configured using a matrix window, as found in RME's TotalMix. Not only does it sound great, but its simple and affordable. The world clock lets you distribute external clock signals to other digital gear connected either through S/PDIF or ADAX. You can mute the Main output and the headphone output by long pressing the output encoder. This handy audio interface fits right into your guitar case. The Babyface Pro FS comes with 4 analog mic/line inputs, as well as optical inputs that include ADAT and SPDIF. Its the unison technology and elite-class AD/DA audio conversion. They allow you to record multiple instruments at once, and their number of both inputs and outputs is crucial for their price range. There are people on the Internet whose job is to review products. These can be added as plug-ins within your DAW, with the processing being performed by the AXR4T; alternatively, any pairing of the Compressor, EQ and Morphing Channel Strip can be inserted into the AXR4Ts mixers input channels and each channel also has a send that feeds to a single instance of the REV-X reverb. steinberg took more than a year to support axr4 on apple silicon and they very pretty unresponsive to customer queries regarding it, gives me the feeling that the product line is not a priority for yamaha. As the name suggests, it comes with 8 console mic discreet preamps with classic gear from Lang, Gyraf Audio among others. HEXA Core Processor means more recording horsepower whether tracking or mixing. Its popular for a reason. However, it doesnt sacrifice any features for being small. IK Multimedia is a very underrated audio company. The interface supports a maximum of 16 digital I/O channels, but the actual number available depends upon the units sample rate and the connection format being used. However, if you want a stock standard interface that does its job, at this price point it probably doesnt make much sense. The advanced SSPLL jitter reduction technology guarantees perfect sync of all connected devices. Very similar to the legacy Apollo series with some new bells and whistles (like HEXA core processing for DSP and surround mixing). You can virtually control every parameter or calibration via specific gestures. This might be the first interface with wireless capability. Admittedly, Apogee Electronics has decided to give us a taste of the future with the re-designed Symphony MK II. The AXR4 can connect to a huge range of musical instruments and audio equipment, making it an ideal interface for any professional application. I haven't heard it, but I easily can tell enough from its specs. The best part about the Quartet is finally all the I/Os are actually on the device itself, not as part of a dongle. If these options have you overwhelmed, chances are youre probably a new producer and dont know what to choose. The Neve SILK preamp modelling allows a lot of analogue character to be dialled-in to the otherwise transparent mic preamps, and the VCM plugins are well chosen to provide flexible, console-like channel processing; being able to apply these effects within the interface, latency free, and feed them back to performers is of great benefit, too. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). Patching a HiFi EQ to DAW for mix/master? Its comprehensive connectivity allows the connection of high-end outboard mastering equipment like equalizers, compressors and processors in the audio chain, as well as several pairs of monitor speakers. Now in its 3rd generation, this audio interface comes with two inputs, phantom power and its famous high-end preamps that musicians have embraced from the previous versions of this interface. I upgraded from UA Apollo and do not regret anything. Below are their opinions. So, what makes Symphony I/O MK II so special? This is a major sonic upgrade from previous versions. Unsurprisingly, the AXR4 is a pretty deep and heavy unit, and appears to be constructed to a very high standard indeed. Plus, the ability to combine up to 4 Apollos and a total of 6 UAD devices by allowing Thunderbolt users to expand their I/O and DSP. The LCD panel is easy to read and the headphone amplifiers will blow you away. Price 2,227/2,599/$2,799 (exc. Read those numbers again: 384kHz! The added control room features instantly give you full control of recording sessions. Although, not sure why its only USB at this point. 1 quarter-inch (only) input 2 quarter-inch output +48V Phantom Power Headphones Output Easy-access gain and output knobs on the top surface Signal indicator Desktop use Compact USB Powered Compatible with most major DAWs Recording software included Our Take Enter your email below and get the guide (read by over 50,000 producers) along with two bonus resources. Class compatible with iPad and compatible with major recording software, Desktop 2x6 Thunderbolt audio interface with world-class 24-bit/192 kHz audio conversion. 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. Every aspect of the AXR4T is geared toward recording best-quality audio. Remarquable interface. The form factor on the AudioBox is a little nicer than the U-Phoria, so its probably goingtobeabitmoredurableontheroad. First of all, audio interfaces are an indispensable tool for every sound engineer and musician that wants to record. Steinberg claim that their UR series is "considered by many to be the benchmark USB audio interface range". There are heaps on inputs and outputs on this one, so coupled with the nice display, the AVB is certainly a contender for sure. Steinberg Media Technologies | LinkedIn. Additionally, it features a number of digital connections such as ADAT, S/PDIF, AES/EBU, Word Clock and MIDI. The HD I/O 16x16 digital gives an all-digital interface. Most electronic music producers who may occasionally want to record something and need to output to monitors will absolutely love this. The USB96 is quite a nice little interface great for portability and serving the needs of a bedroom producer. There are many different types of audio interfaces in all price ranges and each made for a specific application. RME Fireface UFX II General RME Fireface UFX II audio interface offers good monitoring of sound. These feature a clean, natural-sounding analogue stage and incorporate Rupert Neve Designs SILK modelling in the digital domain.