British audio specialist Audient introduces the new 10in / 14out audio interface, iD24. Designed to make your recordings better, it slots neatly between the iD14 and the more recently launched iD44 in terms of functionality, and boasts the much coveted audio performance and feature set associated with the iD range. 

Andy Allen from Audient says, “iD24 is made with producers and engineers in mind. We’ve combined astonishing audio performance with ease of use whilst providing more features aimed at professionals such as balanced inserts, ADAT expandability and customisable monitor control.”

iD24 features two Audient Console Mic Preamps, which — as with every iD interface — are the same discrete circuit design as those found in the flagship ASP8024-HE console. The class leading converters utilise 32-bit DAC converter technology which deliver a massive 126dB of dynamic range. “We want to ensure our customers can hear their audio with incredible clarity. Being able to hear those subtle details is really important as it helps users to feel more confident when making recording and mix decisions,” explains Andy.

“We know the modern engineer often needs to be ready to handle bigger sessions like recording drums or a live band, and iD24’s optical input and output connections give you the ability to scale up your rig quickly and cost effectively,” he continues. Supporting both ADAT and SPDIF, iD24 gives the option to boost input capabilities by adding up to eight channels of external mic preamps.

Describing the advantages of iD24’s balanced inserts, Andy says, “For those customers who love their outboard, iD24 gives them the ability to integrate their favourite outboard FX into their signal chains when recording. Additionally, utilising the insert returns gives direct access to the A/D converters providing the cleanest signal path possible, which gives users the ability to process stems using outboard.” This also gives Audient customers the option of bypassing the Audient mic preamp altogether if necessary and utilising external mic preamps instead.

Maintaining a focus on workflow, any of the advanced monitoring features, including Speaker Select, Talkback, Polarity Invert and Mono can be assigned to any of the three programmable function buttons. This gives users the ability to customise their setup and take advantage of pro features like quickly alternating between speakers, referencing a mix in mono or communicating with the artist — all directly from the hardware.

Key Features:

• 2x Class-A Audient Console Mic Preamps
• Class Leading AD/DA Converters
• 1x Discrete JFET Instrument Input
• Main and Alt Speaker Outputs
• 1x Independent Dual Headphone Output
• 1x ADAT Input & Output
• 2x Fully Balanced Inserts
• Ultra-low Latency DSP Mixer
• Audio Loop-back
• ScrollControl
• 3x User Defined Function Keys
• Dedicated Dim and Cut Controls
• +48V, Pad, and HPF Switches
• USB 3.0 Compliant
• 24bit/96kHz
• Word Clock Output
• All-Metal Design
• Free Software + Plugins

iD24 is fully bus powered via a USB-C connection and benefits from the addition of dual headphones outputs, four line outputs and a dedicated low latency software mixer.

iD24 is now shipping and retails at US$399.

EVO by Audient announces the arrival of EVO SP8, an eight channel Smart Preamp with AD/DA. Billed as the perfect expander for your audio interface, SP8 is the newest addition to the EVO range.

“Bigger sessions demand more channels and expanding your existing audio interface via ADAT might be the most cost-effective solution to scale up your studio,” says Audient/EVO marketing director, Andy Allen. “SP8 does exactly that, giving you eight studio quality analogue preamps, a modern and intuitive user experience with exceptional audio performance across the board.”

With SP8’s eight mic/line inputs, eight line outputs and 2x ADAT I/O connections, this 8 channel smart mic preamp provides enough I/O to tackle multi-mic sessions like recording drums or even a full band.

As with all EVO products, SP8 benefits from the addition of Smartgain, an innovative and time saving feature which gives the option to automatically set the gain with the touch of a button. “As with EVO 16, EVO SP8 can automatically set the gain for all 8 channels at once,” explains Andy, highlighting the added advantage for musicians who have multiple mic inputs (drummers) or line inputs (synth players).

“If you’re expanding your current non-EVO audio interface, you get up to eight channels of simultaneous Smartgain with SP8, which not only takes the guesswork out of setting your levels, but also saves you time. If you are pairing two SP8s with your EVO 16 then you have Smartgain on all 24 channels! Soundcheck an entire band in less than 20 seconds. Imagine how that could transform a session and allow producers to stay focused on what’s important — making music,” says Andy.

There’s also a high resolution, full-colour LCD screen built into the unit. “Navigate SP8’s hardware features with blazing speed, courtesy of our Motion User Interface. The wide angle screen intelligently displays information as you need it, transforming EVO SP8 into a fully immersive, easy to use Smart Preamp — the first of its kind,” Andy continues. With the option to view the channel status and keep an eye on metering levels, Motion UI uses a centralised one-knob system to adjust all EVO 16’s hardware parameters.

“We’re calling it the mic preamp of the future,” says Andy. “Our powerful EVO Mic Preamp technology combines all the sonic advantages of a studio-grade analogue mic preamp with digitally controlled tactile precision, so you can set your gain with pin-point accuracy — right down to the decibel.” EVO Mic Preamps provide 58dB Mic Gain, while its advanced 32-bit converter technology offers 121dB dynamic range.

Features:

• 8 x EVO Mic Preamps
• 2 x JFET Instrument Inputs
• 8 x Line Outputs
• 2 x ADAT Inputs
• 2 x ADAT Outputs
• Class Leading AD/DA Converters
• Multi-Channel Smartgain
• ‘EVO Motion UI’ Control System
• High-Res LCD Screen
• One Knob Centralised Control
• Ultra Clear Metering
• Input/Output Control
• Channel Status Indication
• Optional Rack Ears
• Word Clock Input
• 24bit / 96kHz

Just like EVO 16, the meticulously designed solid steel chassis with non-slip rubber feet means EVO SP8 fits comfortably either on a desktop, in a portable rig or as a permanent fixture in the studio. Optional rack-ears make it that bit more flexible.

EVO SP8 is expected to ship in the first quarter of 2023 and will retail at £399 inc VAT, €449 inc local VAT, and US$499 MAP.

Winners in 21 technical and seven creative excellence categories were announced at the 37th Annual NAMM TEC AWARDS, Saturday, June 4, from the global NAMM Show in Anaheim. Presented annually by NAMM, the event recognises the exemplary achievements and innovations behind the sound of recordings, live performances, films, television, video games and multi-media. Comedian, actor and musician Fred Armisen returned as host for the evening event.

For only the second time in TEC history, three companies won two awards each in Outstanding Technical Achievement. They were Genelec (Loudspeaker Manager – GLM V4.0 in Production Essentials and FM Design in Studio Design Project); PreSonus (Sphere in Audio Education Technology and ATOM SQ in DJ Production Technology); and Universal Audio (UAFX Golden Reverberator in Musical Instrument Amplification and Effects and LUNA Recording System v1.1.8 in Workstation Technology).

The Outstanding Creative Achievement category winners for 2021 projects reflected a year filled with a slew of top-ranking entertainment. Disney+ took home top honours in Film Sound Production and Television Sound production for its animated movie, “Soul” and the second season of “The Mandalorian,” respectively. In the category of Record Production – Single or Track, “Lost Cause” from Billie Eilish (Darkroom/Interscope) took the top spot, while “McCartney III” (Capitol) won for Record Production – Album. In Interactive Entertainment Sound Production, Ubisoft was honoured for its work on Assassin’s Creed Valhalla.

The evening recognised the timeless work and artistic innovation of Peter Asher, who was inducted and presented with the TEC Hall of Fame award. Throughout his decades-long career in the music industry, Asher has earned the reputation of being one of the industry’s most sought-after producers and performers. His career began in the ‘60s as the other half of the pop group Peter & Gordon. After the group disbanded, Asher was named Director of A&R at the Beatles’ Apple Records label, where he signed a then-unknown James Taylor. Asher would go on to work with the likes of Cher, Bonnie Raitt, Linda Ronstadt, Ringo Starr, and many others, earning him three GRAMMY Awards for his talents.

Upon receipt of the award, Asher shared, “The 21st of January, 1964 was a Tuesday, and the first time I ever went into a real recording studio. I went into EMI studios on Abbey Road… By the end of that day, a few important things had happened. I decided I wanted to be a record producer because I saw what a producer could do, in terms of shaping the sounds…So I have to thank for this award, not only the TEC Committee, but NAMM as a whole. And all the brilliant people who attend NAMM, and what they give us — all the great technology, the amazing instruments, the incredible inventions which sonically flourish in the hands of brilliant engineers.”

After accepting the award, Asher performed “A World Without Love,” a song from Asher’s days in the duo, Peter and Gordon. With the TEC Hall of Fame Award, Asher joins the likes of Dave Pensado and Herb Trawick (2020), Leslie Ann Jones (2019), The Section (2018), Jack Douglas (2017), and many others who have received the award since its founding in 1991.

Pioneer and bassist extraordinaire Carol Kaye was honoured with this year’s Les Paul Innovation Award, one of the night’s most anticipated honours from The Les Paul Foundation. The Foundation’s Executive Director Michael Braunstein introduced the award and noted Kaye’s impact on the musical landscape, “Carol, like Les [Paul], built a legacy that will continue to encourage all people to create incredible sounds.”

Several artists took to the stage in tribute to Kaye in a musical celebration worthy of her long and revered career. The Les Paul Innovation Award has been presented annually to remarkably-distinguished individuals from the music industry, such as Jackson Browne, Joe Perry (Aerosmith), Paul McCartney, Neil Young, Peter Frampton and 2020’s recipient, Joni Mitchell.

A notable moment in the evening came from Sequential, the winner of the category of Musical Instrument Hardware for its Prophet 5. At the acceptance speech, David Gibbons of Sequential/Oberheim shared, “Life is a series of wins and losses. And the world of MI spent a huge loss this week. Dave Smith, founder of Sequential, creator of the Prophet 5, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday. He was more than just the founder, he was an innovator, a mentor, and friend. His passing broke our hearts. And in so many ways, his life’s work broke the mould for synthesizer design. The Prophet 5 is a recreation of a 40-year synth design. And many people say the appeal comes from how alive it sounds. Did you ever think that perhaps, inventors breed some of their own lifeforce into their best designs? If that’s the case, then Dave’s spirit lives on in his remarkable body of work.”

Congratulations to the 37th Annual TEC Award recipients:

Audio Apps & Hardware/Peripherals for Smartphones & Tablets
Shure – Wireless Workbench 6.14.1

Audio Education Technology
PreSonus Audio – Electronics Sphere

Computer Audio Hardware
Rupert Neve Designs MBC: Dual Path A-D Converter & Limiter

DJ Production Technology (Hardware/Software)
PreSonus Audio Electronics – ATOM SQ

Headphone/Earpiece Technology
Austrian Audio – Hi-X65 Professional Open-Back Over-Ear Headphones

Large Format Console Technology
Neve – 8424

Microphone Preamplifiers
Audient – iD4 MKII

Microphones – Recording
TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik – TF11 FET

Microphones – Sound Reinforcement
sE Electronics – V7 VE

Musical Instrument Amplification & Effects
Universal Audio – UAFX Golden Reverberator

Musical Instrument Hardware
Sequential – Prophet-5/10

Musical Instrument Software
EastWest Sounds – Hollywood Orchestra Opus Edition

Production Essentials
Genelec – Loudspeaker Manager – GLM V4.0

Signal Processing Hardware
Rupert Neve Designs – 5254 Dual Diode Bridge Compressor

Signal Processing Software (Dynamics/EQ/Utilities)
iZotope – RX 8

Signal Processing Software (Effects)
FabFilter – Timeless 3

Small Format Console Technology
Solid State Logic – UF8 Advanced DAW Controller

Sound Reinforcement Loudspeakers
Meyer Sound – ULTRA-X20 Compact Wide Coverage Loudspeaker

Studio Monitors
EVE Audio – SC4070

Wireless Technology
Sennheiser – Evolution Wireless Digital

Workstation Technology/Recording Devices
Universal Audio – LUNA Recording System v1.1.8

Film/Sound Production
Soul – Disney+

Interactive Entertainment Sound Production
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla – Ubisoft

Remote Production – Recording or Broadcast
The Late Show With Stephen Colbert – CBS

Record Production – Album
McCartney III, Paul McCartney – Capitol

Record Production – Single or Track
Lost Cause, Billie Eilish – Darkroom/Interscope

Television Sound Production
The Mandalorian, Season 2 – Disney+

Studio Design Project
Genelec Immersive Experience Center, Natick, MA FM Design

Bringing its powerful iD44  desktop audio interface into line with recent product upgrades, Audient raises the stakes once again with the launch of iD44 (MKII). 

“As far as audio performance was concerned, iD44 was already fully spec’d,” says Andy Allen, Audient’s marketing director. “Yet we saw an opportunity to make the best better: making a major improvement to the all important ADC’s, incorporating additional must-have features and styling it with a beautiful new smoke-grey finish. All at the same price, delivering yet more value to our customers!”

The ADCs’ THD+N figure sees a 9dB improvement, representing an astounding step up in audio performance for the iD44 (MKII). “That’s super clean audio with less added noise and even less audible distortion,” says Andy. iD44 (MKII) now also benefits from the addition of Audio Loop-back, so users have the ability to capture playback from multiple applications on the computer at the same time as the microphones – ideal for content creators, podcasters and streamers.  

The incorporation of a dual headphone amp — including both a ¼” jack and a mini-jack — means three sets of headphones can be plugged in at once, as well as the makeover of the unit’s all-metal aesthetic, complete the key upgrades. Andy continues, “The combination of these enhancements alongside four Audient Console mic preamps, class-leading converters, ADAT expandability and balanced inserts means iD44 (MKII) really does deliver the audio performance of an Audient console straight to your desktop, and ensures with iD44, our customers get a professional grade audio interface without breaking the bank.”

Features:

• 4 x Class-A Audient Console Mic Preamplifiers
• Class Leading AD/DA Converters
• 2 x ADAT Inputs & Outputs for Digital Expansion
• 2 x Discrete JFET Instrument Inputs
• 2 x Fully Balanced Inserts
• 1 x Independent Headphone Output
• 1 x Independent Dual Headphone Output
• Main and Alt Speaker Outputs
• Audio Loop-back
• ScrollControl
• 3 x User Defined Function Keys
• Dedicated Talkback, Dim and Cut Controls
• +48V, Pad, and HPF Switches
• Ultra-low Latency DSP Mixer
• Word Clock Output
• Standalone Mode
• USB 2.0 Compliant
• 24bit/96kHz
• All-Metal Design
• Power switch
• Free Software + Plugins

iD44 (MKII) is expected to ship in June 2022 and will retail at the same price as its predecessor: £499.99 inc VAT, €599 inc Local VAT and US$699.

British audio company, EVO by Audient has announced the launch of the latest product in its range, EVO 16. A 24 in / 24 out audio interface, this newest release features eight award-winning EVO Preamps, advanced converter technology as well as the ingenious Smartgain feature which can be used on all 8 channels simultaneously, and continues to deliver on the EVO promise to ‘make recording easy’.

“Building on the success of EVO 4 and EVO 8, we wanted to super-size the EVO concept,” says marketing director, Andy Allen describing the new audio interface which is designed to fit either on the desktop or in a rack. “EVO 16 offers the intuitive user experience, professional sound and technical quality you’d expect from parent company Audient, with plenty more I/O than its smaller counterparts. And yet it still fits firmly into the ‘affordable’ audio interface category.”

EVO 16 breaks convention with its high resolution, full colour screen built into the unit. “With our all-new Motion UI control system, we’ve found a new way of doing things,” explains Andy. “Motion UI uses the wide angle screen to intelligently display information on your session as and when you need it, making any interaction with EVO 16 a fully immersive, easy-to-use experience – more comparable to what you might expect when using a smart-device, with no menu deep diving required to activate features.

“Working alongside EVO 16’s hardware controls, Motion UI provides a centralised, one-knob control system for adjusting all EVO 16’s hardware parameters,” continues Andy. “Simply put, every adjustment is displayed on the screen in real time, letting the user make changes on the fly and take full control of the recording session without ever needing to look at the computer.”

As with the smaller EVO products, EVO 16 comes with the Smartgain feature, which automatically sets the gain with the touch of a button. “The added bonus with EVO 16, is that it can automatically set the gain for all 8 channels at once, ideal for drummers who have multiple mic inputs and synth players needing lots of line inputs,” explains Andy. “Smartgain has been designed to take the guesswork out of setting gain. Not only does it save time for the user, but it eliminates the hassle for those working on their own, which means users can spend less time figuring out the tech and more time recording.”

EVO 16’s 8 EVO Preamps provide 58dB Mic Gain, while its advanced converter technology offers a staggering 121dB dynamic range, providing professional grade audio performance across the board. There is also room for expansion with plenty of optical inputs and outputs, making it possible to record anything from just drums to a full band. Ensuring the studio can grow with time, there are both ADAT and SPDIF options to add up to 16 extra channels of mic preamps.

The EVO Mixer software compatible with MacOS and Windows gives further options to set up and route inputs & outputs, provide ultra-low latency monitoring and much more. The meticulously designed solid steel chassis with non-slip rubber feet means EVO 16 can fit comfortably either on a desktop, under a laptop or installed in a rack with its optional rack-ears.

Features:

• 8 x EVO Mic Preamps with Smartgain
• 2 x JFET Instrument Inputs
• 2 x Independent Headphone Outputs
• 8 x Line Outputs
• 2 x Optical Inputs
• 2 x Optical Outputs
• ‘EVO Motion UI’ Control System
• Multi-Channel Smartgain
• Programmable Function Button
• Ultra-Low Latency Software Mixer
• Monitor Control
• Audio Loop-back
• Word Clock Output
• USB2.0 (USB-C Connection)
• 24bit / 96kHz

‘EVO Motion UI’ Control System

• High-Res LCD Screen
• One Knob Centralised Control
• Ultra Clear Metering
• Input/Output Control
• Channel Status Indication

EVO 16 is expected to ship in the second quarter of 2022 and will retail at GBP399.99 inc VAT, and USD499.