When the team at UK console and preamp manufacturer Audient brought out their first audio interface, the rather brilliant iD22 back in 2013 (no I can't believe it's that long ago either) I could not wait to get my hands on one as they promised the same stunning quality mic preamps as can be found in their consoles and rack mounted mic pre and A-D boxes. After all, why bother to make different circuits when the one you have sounds fantastic. Fast forward to 2018 and finally, I have my hands on the new Audient iD44, a USB-C interface, or is it in fact, much more than that?
Audient iD44
So let's get the tech specs out of the way first. The iD44 is a 20 in and 24 out audio interface for Windows and Mac OS that connects to your machine via USB-C over a USB 2.0 protocol which is quite fast enough for 44 simultaneous channels of 24bit 96kHz audio to travel through. So no wingeing from me that the iD44 is not full USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 compliant.
On the back panel where most of the I/O is situated, we have our 4 ASP Audient mic preamp inputs. Channels 1 and 2 have insert send and return jacks for using outboard processing like EQ or Compressors while tracking or mixing. These first 4 inputs are over combi XLR/Jack connectors that also double as line level inputs.
Next to these, we have the 4 line level outs which are by default configured to be our 2 sets of speaker outs, however, you can configure this to be standard line outs but remember, it is a good idea to have speakers plugged in at some point. It's sometimes nice to hear what you are doing.
We then have a Wordclock out BNC connector, 2 sets of ADAT light pipe connection, the main power switch, the USB-C connection jack and the jack for the external PSU.
iD44 ships with a USB-C to C cable and a USB-C to USB-A connector just in case you don't have a new Mac Book Pro. It's nice to not have to run to the computer shop to buy cables for your new toy. Thanks Audient.
Around the front (as you can see below) we have 2 stereo jack outputs for headphones and 2 jack inputs for the instrument DI inputs.
Anyone who has ever used an Audient interface (or one of their consoles) will be very familiar with the layout of the iD44. On the left, we have the 4 main inputs controls with (starting at the top) a nice solid feeling gain pot, LEDs for signal and peak, a toggle switch for 48v phantom power. Below this, there is another toggle switch for a -10dB pad, and one for the high pass filter.
In the middle (ish) of the unit we have the master level meters then we hit the control section.
Below the iD44 logo, we have the master volume control, which neatly doubles up as the main "Scroll Control" which is Audient's clever software that turns the main volume knob on the interface into an encoder to control different parameters in your DAW. I use Scroll Control to navigate around my Pro Tools 2018 session. It's a very nice addition to speed up your workflow. Then below this, we have the iD button (which switches in Scroll Control). A 'Dim' button to reduce the output volume and a 'Cut' button to mute the output.
Top right we have the volume pots for two independent headphone outputs, three Function keys (F1, F2 and F3) which can be configured to control pretty much any button on/off feature in your DAW. Finally, we have the talkback button. Now it has to be said that iD44 does not have a built-in talkback mic. However, using the iD software you can configure the mic that is built into your Mac or PC (that you use for Skype calls) to be your Talkback mic with no extra cabling. This is a very nice solution, smart thinking Audient.
Build Quality
The entire Audient product range is built with no compromise, In other words, built like tanks, and I'm very pleased to say it is business as usual with the iD44. To say it's a solid unit feels like I'm selling it short. This is a quality unit with a quality feel to all the knobs and buttons. No half-baked Friday afternoon jobs here. It looks and feels great. The layout is clear. Nothing feels like it is in the wrong place. There is nothing there to catch you out or make you go, "Why did they do that?"
Control Software & Drivers
You could build the greatest hardware unit ever but if the drivers are flakey and fall over and cause crashes I don't care how good your unit is, it just ain't worth it. The old iD Control software was very usable, stable and reliable, however, it was not very pretty and more complex routing, could be quite baffling to achieve.
The new Audient iD software fixes a great many of my gripes with the old system. During my recording session, I was able to run at a buffer of 32 samples all day and even as the session got bigger and I start to do overdubs I have no issues with skipping or Pro Tools errors or the evils of latency.
The new iD software looks great too. The level meters are really nice (I might even go as far as to say sexy). You can create 4 different cue mixes in the software with up to 8 channels coming back from your DAW so you can have a stereo backing track and rout click and the lead vocal to their own channels in the iD control mixer.
Routing is also done with the iD software. The matrix is simple yet powerful enough to get the signals you need where you need them. It just works and to be honest, it's a nice thing to say. It works and it gave me no reason to tare my hair out.
The Recording Session
So I'm sure so far you are thinking, "So much for the click-bate title James" as I haven't really given you much to go on with regard to the iD44's console heritage. I may have mentioned at some point on the blog but back in December 2015 I took delivery of a brand new Audient ASP 8024 Heritage Edition 24 channel console and I love it. I love the way it feels and I love the big console work-flow but most of all, I adore the way it sounds. So what if I told you that I was just as happy with the quality of the session I recorded with the new iD44 and an Audient ASP880 connected to the iD44 via ADAT optical. OK, you don't get EQ with the iD44 but the mic pres are the same as those found in the ASP8024 and to my ears, these are what counts. As the Audient strapline goes, "You can't un-hear quality" and I think they are right. Yes, iD44 sounds that good.
Audio Examples
The audio files below have been recorded at 32bit 48kHz then mildly compressed to MP3 for the internet. There is NO processing on the file, not even any reverb, the track did not require it. You are hearing the instruments recorded through the iD44 mics pres or in the case of the Drums through the iD44 and ASP880 mics preamps, which again are the same as those in my ASP 8024 console and the iD22 and 44 interfaces.
The Bass was recorded via the built-in JFET DI. These are designed to mimic the input stage of a classic valve amplifier. Once again the bass has not been processed in any way. Take a listen to the individual parts, then to the full mix.
Conclusion
I hope you will agree that having listened to the recorded audio files the iD44 sounds stunning and for a small unit (27.5 x 18.7cm) it really does pack an audio punch. The iD44 is designed to be the centrepiece to your studio workflow with just the right amount of connectivity and expandability to allow you to record quickly and easily and if you have some pro outboard gear you are not limited to how you use it or have it connected. It feels very much like recording with my 24 channel Audient console, but in many ways without the hassle. I do hope they don't want it back?
The Audient iD44 is shipping now for a street price of around £499. If you want to find out more about iD44 and the other Audient interfaces click the link.