Audient iD22 Audio Interface

Reviews | Audient iD22 Audio Interface
98
A
udient’s ID22 is a 10-in,
14-out desktop interface
with AD/DA converters that
supply two mic preamps
and six analogue outputs. One of the
microphone preamps also doubles up as
a DI instrument input, perfect for
recording guitar or bass. A nice touch
here is that there are also four insert
points which allow you to integrate
hardware processors. Two mono or a
single stereo device can be hooked up,
giving you a good degree of fl exibility.
The considerable spread of inputs
and outputs doesn’t stop there either;
four analogue outputs, ADAT in and out
and a dedicated headphone output tie
things up nicely. The ability to run two
sets of monitors from the outputs
makes this a monitor controller as well
as a fully-featured recording interface.
Add to this the fact that the ADAT ports
can be used to expand the ID22’s
connectivity and its small form factor
suddenly seems pretty deceiving.
Control of all these outputs is split
between the front panel and the
supplied software. The layout of the
controls on the whole is very well
thought out; everything is where you
would expect it to be and easily located.
There is plenty of space between
controls and the milled aluminium
knobs feel extremely sturdy.
Although the switches feel solid,
they are very short and fi ddly to operate.
This may prove frustrating in a busy
recording session. Another very minor
build gripe is that the metal top panel
has been quite roughly cut and feels a
little sharp around its outer edges.
These could have been chamfered for a
more forgiving fi nish, however otherwise
the build quality is excellent.
All this aside, the most important
aspect of an audio interface has to be
how it sounds. Thankfully, the ID22
performs fl awlessly in this department.
Audient’s vast experience clearly pays
off here. The combination of great
sounding mic preamps and crystal clear
converters delivers not only a superb
monitoring experience but also a
pristine front-end for recording. The
ID22 really is right up there with the
best interfaces for fi delity.
When it comes to recording and
routing sounds within your DAW, the
software control panel does an excellent
job. Both on Mac and PC installation is
painless and the software runs smoothly
with no perceivable effect on CPU
overhead. Amongst other things it
allows you to set up two different cue
mixes, switch the fl avour of digital input
and even edit the function of three
built-in soft buttons on the hardware.
There are also nice touches like an
editable ‘scribble strip’ which can
display the names of your channels.
All in all, this is a great package that
produced pristine recordings in tests
and presented every mix in stunning
detail. It’s not the cheapest interface on
the market but, considering all the
metal work and the impressive feature
set, its price is more or less justifi able.
If you are looking for a transparent
interface with great build quality and
expandable connectivity then you
should certainly check out the ID22.
Audient iD22 Audio
Interface | £430
The iD22 promises world-class preamps and pristine converters. Mo
Volans puts it through its paces to see if it delivers…
WHAT IS IT?
A USB audio interface and
monitoring system
CONTACT
Who: Audient
Tel: + 44 (0)1256 381944
Web: http://audient.com
HIGHLIGHTS
1 Two Class A mic preamps
and one discrete JFET
instrument input
2 High current
headphone amplifi er
with independent DAC
3 Fully balanced inserts for
integrating outboard gear
SPECS
10-in, 14-out desktop
interface
2-in, 6-out high
performance 24-bit/96kHz
AD/DA converters
2 superb class-A mic
preamplifi ers & 1 discrete
JFET instrument input
Fully balanced insert points
for integrating outboard
gear
High current headphone
amplifi er fed by an
independent DAC
Main and alternative stereo
outputs
User defi ned monitoring
functionality with hardware
control
VERDICT
BUILD
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VALUE
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EASE OF USE
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VERSATILITY
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RESULTS
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A solid interface with top-notch
sound quality. Bar some very minor
reservations, highly recommended.
FMU292.rev_audient.indd 98 21/04/2015 15:39