Audient

review
Audient Sono Guitar recordinG interface
114
Guitarist november 2019
the end of the signal chain after the cab
simulation of the Torpedo processing, but
a separate feed to your DAW means you
can also simultaneously record a duplicate
signal that bypasses that signal processing.
This ‘No CAB’ track can be used later on
if you wish to apply some software amp
and cabinet simulation to it, or you can
choose to send it back out to a real amp and
re-record it with a microphone.
Audient believes that the Hi-Z guitar
input feeding the valve will give you the
same response and feel you’d get from a
guitar amp whatever pickups you may
be using, and it has to be said that playing
through it does feel naturally dynamic,
THE RIVALS
The IK Multimedia Axe I/O (£369) audio/MIDI
interface is designed for the same purpose as
the Sono but doesn’t have onboard sound-
shaping facilities other than choosing
impedance to suit your pickups and optional
JFET circuitry in the preamp. It does have a
reamping facility, though, and integration with
AmpliTube including rear-panel controller
inputs for expression pedals and footswitches.
For a fully formed sound, the Line 6 HX Stomp
(£429) is an amp and effects processor that
offers a two-in/two-out USB audio connection
for recording. Focusrite’s Scarlett Solo (£85)
is more basic but considerably more affordable,
featuring a mic input, input for guitars, plus
monitoring via line outputs and headphones.
3. Traffic light LEDs let you
gauge the strength of your
signal through the A/D
converter, its graduations
being ‘Signal’, ‘Some’,
‘Good’, ‘Hot’ and ‘Bad!’
4. Press and hold this
button to turn cabinet
simulation on and off:
once engaged, quick
presses will scroll through
the three onboard options
5. In the Two Notes Torpedo
Remote software you
can choose your speaker
cabinet and its mic, and
move that around in a
room of your choice
while the near-zero latency means timing
issues are non-existent. The standard clean
guitar sound you’ll get is clear and sparkly,
enhanced by the valve circuitry, which can
be driven harder with the input knob to give
you a bit more thickness and edge, although
not getting into the realms of overdrive. The
Bass, Mid and Treble knobs each offer up
to 15dB of cut and boost and let you gently
shape the sound. Of course, if you want to
get more drive, a boost or an overdrive –
particularly an amp-in-a-box style pedal
between guitar and unit – is the way to go.
After the valve and EQ stage the signal
goes through the A/D converter so it can
pass through the Two Notes Torpedo
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GIT452.rev_audient.indd 114 02/10/2019 23:30