Audient offers with the iD44 an extremely practical, robust and high-quality audio interface, which scores with a long feature list. Starting with the design, the powerful studio interface impresses with its high-quality workmanship - the desktop housing made entirely of metal promises a long lifetime and is suitable for both studio applications and mobile users. Buttons, controls and switches are also stable and simply feel good when working. Functions such as Cut, Dim, Talkback, user-defined keys and more are available to the user.
The technical side features a generous connection section: 4 x Class-A Audient console microphone preamps, 2 x ADAT inputs/outputs, 2 x discrete JFET instrument inputs, 2 x balanced inserts, 2 x independent stereo headphone outputs, main and alto speaker outputs, and a word clock output. Sufficient for more than just the common applications in home studios. And with 60 dB gain, top-class AD/DA converters, 96 kHz / 24 bit format, extremely low latency and the comprehensive Audient ARC download software package worth over 500€ (including Eventide Ultrachannel & Ultrareverb Plugin, Steinberg Cubase LE & Cubasis LE 2 for iOS), nothing stands in the way of top production, creative sessions or simple listening pleasure.
PROS
CONS
SUMMARY
The iD44 is a compact, well-featured 20-in/24-out desktop USB interface that, in combination with the companion iD Mixer application, possesses a feature set, a level of functionality and an ease of operation that punches well above its price.
CONCLUSION
Although the combination of the iD44 and the iD Mixer app is their most complex desktop USB audio interface to date, it seems to me that Audient have, once again, managed to get the balance between functionality, usability and form factor just about right. In addition, the iD44 sounds good, delivers an exemplary audio performance and has a price that appears to me to offer very good value for money.
Although the iD44 is well-suited to being the centrepiece of a home or projected studio, its compact form factor and excellent mic amps and DIs, together with its ADAT-format connectivity should also make it very attractive to mobile recordists and to laptop-wielding musicians on the move.
- Bob Thomas, Sound on Sound (February 2019)