Audient overhaul their interfaces | SM Mastering

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As professional mastering engineers, we constantly monitor hardware upgrades that can elevate the monitoring and recording chain of project studios. Recently, British console and preamp giants have made waves in the industry; indeed, when audient overhaul their interfaces, the entire production community takes note of the substantial performance leaps offered at competitive price points. In this detailed review, we will dissect the brand-new MkII versions of the iD4 and iD14, alongside the entry-level EVO Start Recording Bundle, analyzing how these hardware updates affect your daily studio workflow.

When Audient Overhaul Their Interfaces: A Deep Dive into the MkII Upgrades

The MkII iterations of the highly popular iD4 and iD14 interfaces represent a massive leap forward in converter technology. The dynamic range on both the analog-to-digital (A-D) and digital-to-analog (D-A) stages has received a significant boost. The A-D converters now boast an impressive A-weighted dynamic range of 120dB, while the D-A converters reach an outstanding 126dB. These specifications rival much more expensive systems from industry giants like Universal Audio, offering mastering-grade transparency to budget-conscious creators.

Furthermore, with this generation, we observe how audient overhaul their interfaces by adopting the modern USB 3.0 protocol via a USB-C connection. This protocol switch allows the iD14 MkII to operate entirely on bus power, removing the need for an external power supply unit (PSU). Additionally, the iD14 MkII now features an extra headphone output and dual line outputs, which are perfect for routing signals through analog hardware or setting up a secondary pair of studio monitors.

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Specifications Comparison

To help you decide which unit fits your studio setup, here is a detailed breakdown of the overhauled range:

Workflow Integration and Studio Optimization

In our tests at SM Mastering, we observed that when audient overhaul their interfaces, they don’t just change the aesthetics of the unit. The new gun-metal finish is gorgeous, but the workflow enhancements are what truly stand out. If you are regularly comparing your mixes or sending stems to an external mastering house, check out our insights at the SM Mastering Audio Articles portal to optimize your routing and mastering preparation.

Additional product view and interface angle for Audient overhaul their interfaces.

Integrating these new interfaces into your setup is seamless. The improved headphone amplifiers easily drive high-impedance studio headphones, such as those from Neumann, allowing for precision editing and mixing on the go. The addition of the loopback feature on the MkII series also makes them incredibly versatile for content creators and streamers who need to route computer audio back into their digital audio workstation (DAW).

Practical Studio Workflow Tips:

• Utilize the Dual Headphone Outputs: Keep a reference headphone and a tracking headphone plugged in simultaneously to monitor the frequency response differences on the fly.
• External Analog Loop: Use the extra line outputs on the iD14 MkII to send audio out to outboard gear (like a compressor or EQ) and print it back into your DAW using the Class-A console mic preamps.
• USB-C Power Delivery: Ensure you connect the interface directly to a native USB 3.0 port on your computer to unlock the full voltage required for the high-headroom preamps and headphone amp.

The EVO Start Recording Bundle

For those just starting out, Audient has also packaged their smart technology into a highly affordable bundle. The EVO Start Recording Bundle features the ‘smart’ EVO 4 interface, the SR1 large-diaphragm condenser microphone with shockmount, and the SR2000 closed-back headphones. This comprehensive package provides everything needed to establish a functional home studio with app-controllable input gains. It represents another example of how audient overhaul their interfaces and ecosystem to make premium audio accessible to everyone, from hobbyist podcasters to bedroom musicians.

Conclusion

Ultimately, when audient overhaul their interfaces, the end-user always wins. By keeping the price points identical to the original MkI series while packing in superior converters, bus-powered convenience, and advanced routing options, Audient has solidified its position as a market leader. Whether you are a beginner looking for a streamlined bundle or an experienced engineer seeking a portable mastering-grade monitoring path, these upgrades are impossible to ignore.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Audient update the iD series to MkII?

Audient updated the iD series to provide significantly improved A-D and D-A conversion capabilities, true USB-C bus power, and dual headphone/line outputs, keeping up with modern digital studio demands without increasing the retail price.

Can the Audient iD14 MkII run without a power supply?

Yes. Thanks to the transition to the USB 3.0 protocol over a USB-C connection, the iD14 MkII can run entirely on bus power, making it fully portable compared to its predecessor which required an external PSU.

What does the EVO Start Recording Bundle include?

The bundle is a complete recording package including the smart EVO 4 audio interface, the SR1 large-diaphragm condenser microphone, the SR2000 closed-back monitoring headphones, a shockmount, and all the necessary connection cables.

Written by SM Mastering

Official content on sound engineering, mixing, mastering, and advanced electronic production by SM Mastering.