The Audient Mic Pre Experiment - Can you hear the difference?

Each of our products use the same console mic preamp design, so we decided to record sound examples using each of our products to allow you to hear the quality we have worked so hard to achieve from our smallest audio interface iD4, all the way up to our ASP8024 Heritage Edition Console. We know this is not a particularly scientific test, but it gives you real world examples of each of our products in use.

Find out more about how we did it and download the samples:

Check out Zach's Music here:

Thanks to the Visconti Studio at Kingston University for letting us use their amazing studio:

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[Secondheartbeat]

The console sounds so warm and deep, and the id44 goes very close to the console, good job guys.

[SeemoreDunkan]

3:59 This is at least the 4th time I'm coming back to this video and I still can't figure out why the ID44 has the cheaper and older AKM converters like the ID4.
And why does the 880 and 800 has DIFFERENT Burr Brown converters? Why is better?
What about the MKII that I got? Does it have the Same Burr Brown converters as the 880 or the 800? I really like my ID14 MKII but this is so confusing
The console sounded the best and I can only hear it with my newish monitors.

[leonardtristan]

it's almost scary how good a 57 can sound through a good chain with a good singer...

[wesamden]

Thanks for the explanation, but I was wondering what is the difference between
id44 & id44 mkii

[Prodby_duke]

To be absolutely honest, I hear resonance in the mid/high range of the id4, id44 and slightly in the id22. This could be completely based on the levels set when recording or the frequency range of the mic, but this is what I’m hearing.

[bentyreman]

I prefer the sound of the heritage edition console, but can't help thinking it might just be the best take, it's still surprising how close the others get, you're getting the same sound throughout all of your products, I have owned the iD22 since it came out. I also made a point of listening in wavelab at 96k on my most accurate mastering grade monitors in a good room.

[norbertl]

Thanks for the video. I bought a ID14 which I use in combination with a Sennheiser MK 4 for voice recordings. Totally happy with it!

[rickhbrown]

Thanks for the comparison. I have the iD14 as my interface and the ASP 880 for an additional 8 preamps. Been very pleased with it so far but what's the risk there in terms of the different converters?

[seanearnest]

Thanks for this informative and well-thought-out experiment! Just took the plunge and ordered the iD44 as my first-ever audio interface. Looking forward to giving it a whirl. Best regards, Seán

[nondelusional]

I've owned audio interfaces beginning with a echoaudio darla24, echoaudio audiopre8, to a steinburg ur22, tascam UH-7000 and I must say of the 18yrs. Of using and owning audio interfaces, the iD22 is the best audio interface I have ever owned. What brung me to the iD22 in the insert buss option. I have not seen any other audio interface on the market that has had this crucial option accept the echoaudio 'pre8' that I purchased in 2010.

[losangerouge]

Dear Audient, do you have plans in releasing a single channel Preamp? Dont get me wrong but you DO have one of the nicest sounding preamps in the market! It would be nice to have a single channel with a digital output as well that we could add to our arsenal!! PS. I love your products! Cheers

[teashea]

Very articulate presentation - well designed comparison and well executed. You guys are pros.

[vadimmartynyuk]

More difference with performance than in preamps here

[rubenca]

there's couple of variables here ... the console has the whole strip, in my limited experience I know that when I plug a mic into a Neve sounds one thing and a whole Neve mic and eq strip has a tighter and denser sounds due to 4 transformers ... I believe audience has a similar design to toft in the trans/less mic pres ? also running the console into the symphony is far different from using the ID44 ( I actually own this unit and love it as I also own an apogee thunderbolt element88 ) . the console sounded great and wide due to strips, mix bus and conversion ... the apogee tape like sheen and harmonic distortion really finishes it off ! I wish this had been done as console/interface pre out into an insert on an interface

[michaelyolch]

I was JUST about to purchase 2 channels of BAE 1073MP before watching this. I think I'll just stick with my ID44 and roll with it! :)

[NiaKeranova]

Dear Audient team, I am interested in purchasing the ID44 for my home studio, but I have a question regarding mic compatibility. I will be recording an acoustic guitar and wonder what small diaphragm condenser mic pair would be a better choice given that the AKM converters sound darker and have more low end (compared to id22 etc.). I am debating whether I should get AKG c 451 b (brighter) or an Aston Starlight (warmer) mic pair. I would appreciate your thoughts. Thank you! PS: I am looking for the more balanced sound that won't lack nighter low or high end.

[MarlonKingShow]

Thanks for the demo, they all sounded pretty good, but id44 sounded closest to the console which sounded best to me. the lower models seemed to have a sligher more sparkle that was less appealling, or inverted the 44 and console less bright.
really wish you did an ID66 which was the same as the ID44 but with an extra 2 line ins on back and extra 2 line outs. the ID44 does not have a separate set of monitor outs, and when wanting to use external gear and make use of the JFET connections at same time, they knock one another out (as in you can't use outboard the same on channels 3 and 4 and can't use jfet on 3 and 4), that extra flexibility would really top it off, appreciate you don't want to knock out the usefulness of the asp800 and 880 but the other option would be to put send returns on all 4 channels and add an extra 2 outs for monitor outs and have it as the ID46. just some ideas I hope you can take onboard to create the ultimate product :) Thanks

[chrisbatten]

Actually Using Descent Headphones When you Adjust for the Drop in Volume for the ID44 Take, the ID44 Definitely Sounds Closest to the ASP8024 and the Asp 800 and asp 880 Stems Seem to Sound Almost Identical to the ID44 which is amazing considering the differences in architecture and converters which make each of the models what they are in terms of feature sets and differences in converters and Subtle improvements in R & So Really Wel Done for Keeping Consistency and Compatability almost Perfect within th eProduct Really Looking forward to mine Just a tip def make sure You turn Your ID off when Not in Use As Being Class A Audient Kit Does Produce a lot of Heat and the Power Supply Chip (DC Voltage regulator) Failed in my micro almost certainly due to my leaving it on for extended periods due to the lack of a on off Which ca be repaired by the way but only by Audient approved really looking forward to reuniting the two when it's must also mention that the same thing is happening to the main board of my Tascam Dm4800 to Be fair to Audient.... Who are doing such an Amazing Service in Selling the ID Series in this Price Range which also fortunately appears to be a kind of Goldylocks zone for them too....As there's no way You could get 4 channels of outboard press for this kind of money....and if your cleaver and have seriously expensive converters already plugged into your computer You could also route each of the present to outs 1234 individually and enjoy Headphone mixes as well which although a fiddle is also incredible for the However for me personally with 3 Liquid Saffire 56's there's also no way that I could have justified the full cost had er....the id 44 mkii Not Just Been Released.... Although the fact that this is also my gateway to an M1 Mac mini at some point as the 56's are no longer supported by Focusrite for Big Sur etc which feels really good now that I can make that step when it comes to Although even at full price 4 channels of stunning mic pre's Incredible DAC and ADC Now 3 Headphone Outs and Comprehensive monitor control and Talkback routing is Amazingly Affordable and therefore Accessible to we mortal Musicians and Engineers even at full Price of £500 and really quite a steal and sitting just on the edge of serious money for normal Also I'm guessing the absence of a ID88 doesn't do the ASP 800 and 880 Sales any Harm either especially as they are existing the thought of an ID88 with 8 Pre's and Outs and therefore an Even more Comprehensive Solution for Ourboard and Headphone mixes Would Be An Amazing Thanks So much Audient For Making Such Professional Solutions Affordable and Accessible to Engineers and Musicians Chris :)

[DJUwU]

Never knew the chips inside the different ID interfaces were different! I thought they were the same chips...just more of it in the higher models! Interesting stuff!

[fuzzfizz]

i dont get it, you said id44 have the same akm converters as the id4 and it is lower quality than id14 and id22?