Audient ID44 MKII - How Good Is It?

[@teashea1]

So glad you decided to continue to make videos - We appreciate you. thanks

[@-musiclee-]

i have the Audient iD14 mk2, and LOVE IT, so small, so clean, it's all i need on my desk, built like a tank

[@michaelbonanno7476]

I have an id44… and it’s great! There are a few oddities about it, but like Barry said, it’s got what I need! :)

[@21recordsmix]

Audient better than ssl ?

[@TheProducer77051]

Have you ever had to shut it off and on because a signal pegged (for lack of a better description) the preamp where it sounds like something is wrong with it?

[@watchaddicts1213]

This is really HIGH PRAISE, coming from you, Barry. I could stretch to the RME Fireface UCS II, but it would be painful. Anyway, was on the verge of Clarett+ 8 when I found this Audient video. Me and a computer and a guitar….and I don’t sing. Don’t need 8 channels. Maybe I meet 4 sirens with beautiful voices! GREAT VIDEO! Very helpful. Audient seems like a more solid choice. I’ve fallen into the Apollo trap once before-seemed like a money pit somehow. WELK done presenting the Audient! My iConnectivity unit has ports dying left and right, so I have to act soon. I would be Absolutely happy to buy through your LINK, so DO expect to hear back from me as I make my purchase. Mark

[@teashea1]

I agree about the software control app. It needs to be updated.

[@TheRobJarvis]

I just got my Id44 and I love it. It has everything you could need and sounds great. I wish I could make a few personal modifications to it but that really doesn't matter.

[@shanehen]

I have the Mk I ID44. Really great interface.

[@roycox4415]

I’ve been recording on the I’d 44 for about 5 years now and only use the Adat inputs. Having dual adats was critical for me as well. I’m using one of them to take in 8 channels of api lunchbox pres converted via a presonus dp88 unit that sends the 8 channels directly to the converters and then Adat into the id44 and then the other Adat input is receiving the Adat from the audient asp 880 unit, giving me 16 total inputs before I even touch the included 4 analog inputs, which again I never need. Amazing sounding unit that hits well over its price point and I’m using the first version of the id44.

[@MarlonKingShow]

I have the id44mk2, massive improvement in preamps from my older steinberg one, less noise, better DI for guitars, overall great. My only disappointment is that in the past you used to get 6 or 8 in/out, now adays only 2 or 4. They could have easily added an extra 4 in/out that were line in, no preamp for an extra £50-100 and i would have paid that so i can keep my outboard gear plugged in. I dont want to spend 600 for 8 extra preamps when my interfaces of yester year had them.

[@teashea1]

That is one of the audio interfaces in my studio - I find it to be quite excellent - high quality preamps, converters and functionality.

[@adambell4513]

I have the id44 mk1 and I love love love Audient. No plan on updating until I am forced to do so, but when I do, there’s a good chance it will be the newest version of the id44.

[@AndredeBruinSoundengineer]

I am using the little brother, the Audient ID 14 mk2 for 2 years now. It only has one adat in but it has the same preamps. When it comes to the accompanying software..... You are so spot on Barry ! It looks dated has an not so vibrant feel to it. Took me a while to sort out the settings aswell. Was thinking of buying the ID44 mk2 as an upgrade but decided to save up some money and go the RME UFX route. Excellent video, as always.

[@Saintknick]

Great review as always, I would love to see you review the new Motu 828 and hear what you think

[@BarryJohns]

Send an email to the support team, and ask them to send me one.

[@craudioespectaculos5378]

@@BarryJohns oh yes please

[@marceloc2170]

Love your videos Barry ! Very knowledgeable and honest. I have been doing some research on this unit, some users on Mac. Are stating a lot of latency. (Over 0.6 ms). Your opinion would be greatly appreciated. Thanx. Keep up the awesome videos

[@PharaohLawLess1]

I purchased the Audient ID24 and I’m blown away by how good it sounds at that price point. I bought the Focusrite i816 (which is good too), the MOTU Express, the SSL 2+ to find out which interface can replace my Digidesign 003 (😢) and this ID24 is almost as good as my old trusty 003

[@Dreams-N-Nightmares]

To be honest anything is better in 2024 than the Digi 003. even a $100 interface.

[@derekcasanares4785]

I was a beta tester on MS-DOS 1.0 :)

[@BarryJohns]

😜

[@derekcasanares4785]

@@BarryJohns yes - I started with CP/M on the S-100 bus

[@derekcasanares4785]

@BarryJohns i truly appreciate all of your reviews

[@gabo3k3k]

I own a Id44mk1 and had the id14 both 2nd hand, never had an issue. I connect a 2nd pair of monitors by Adat,and the function buttons have precisely what I needed. I had an Apollo before and I think the driver routings and cue mixes are more straightforward on the Audient.

[@watchaddicts1213]

I’ll bet that were you here and we were talking, you would tell me that the Audient Pres are the better of the two and I know you’re Big on NO PROB DRIVERS. Thanks again! I am old,..sick and old. This is will be the last interface I buy, unless I become a KZbin Star, get my band, COUP5 back together and Dunhill calls about my record contract. I started funneling money-boatloads-in 2010. Ask Mike Conyers about Mark in Little Rock-he’ll tell ya! Mark Meador

[@hereonmars]

I have always been intrigued with these units. I went with RME Babyface but it misses some features like the inserts that would be really useful.

[@Mitsch76]

The expandability is a very great feature. And it is 2 ADAT in and 2 ADAT out. So in fact 16 ins and 16 outs possible, if you don't track at 192kHz I guess. So pretty huge setups can be realized. I personally bought 3 different USB interfaces in the last 4 years, while growing bigger with the studio. So really don't underestimate that expandability. ;-)

[@IntheDAW]

Dude I love your reviews!

[@AndiPicker]

I've been trying to figure when we might expect the Mk3 - the original was around for (I think) 4 years, this one came out in '22 so we're perhaps half way through the cycle (or not). I currently run an RME FF400 which is wonderful but isn't getting any younger, so do I hang on and see or buy some 15 year more modern tech?!?

[@Harveyprods]

With the programmable buttons be like this? 1. monitor set A 2. Monitor set B 3. both together Also, can you program the talkback button?

[@jamesquackenbush2733]

One major drawback on the Audient units is the fact that none of them have midi….They lose a large audience by not having at least 1 midi in and out .

[@BarryJohns]

I see these comments often and honestly I just don’t get it. A simple usb midi io is less than $25. I have never used midi on my interfaces and used one like I mention regardless. Never have I had any issue. There is only so much room to work with on the back of an interface. To each their own I guess.

[@jamesquackenbush2733]

@@BarryJohns “I see these comments often”……Perhaps you don’t use a midi keyboard when doing most of your recordings…..My keyboard is an essential piece of gear as I do orchestral work….I don’t need additional midi adapters in my studio…1 midi cable does the trick…It’s the only thing that has kept me from buying well spec’d gear from Audient !….As you said “to each their own”……Thanks for a very informative site !

[@williamshaneblyth]

​​1less USB port required is a deal breaker for a lot of people @@BarryJohns

@@jamesquackenbush2733 ?

[@TheRobJarvis]

@@jamesquackenbush2733 just buy the adapter, Audient is good stuff. I love mine.

[@samueloluyinkaojomu6548]

For someone mixing and mastering 💯 in the box and loving the Audient ID44MKII preamp and insert points. Do you think the converters on this are excellent enough. Or would i benefit from an external DAC to connect to the Barefoot footprint 03

[@ChrisAdkins1985]

Love mine

[@TipRingSleeve]

So I’m not an audient owner yet, but I’m interested. Where it is, it’s got buzz in my community of blind computer users because of the software. I.e., we can use it with our screen reading programs. A lot of graphical user interfaces for audio and DJ software, due to their graphic and visual appeal, are useless to people like me. Especially with interfaces that have more than two ins and outs. Most manufacturers software control panels are inaccessible to me. Now is there a way to include accessibility and visual appeal? Of course. So I would encourage that.

[@lachopakapura]

Great review😊 is it class compliant to be used to feed 20 inputs to a multitrack app on your smartphone?

[@Dreams-N-Nightmares]

That Audient ID44 looks like it just came out of the box, I mean not even a paper scratch on it. how did u manage to do that 🤔

[@gbf84]

Hello I have a big issue with my ID44 mk1. The problem is about adat connections and more specifically about clock sync between ID software and Logic while I’m expanding my inputs with an ADA8200 by behringer. This is what happens: after setting everything properly it seems to work correctly and I can see my inputs signals on ID software. But, just a few seconds later (or as soon as I open a Logic session to arm my tracks and start recording) it stops working and no signal gets detected anymore. Plus if I try to switch from a sample rate to another (from 44 to 48 khz) in the MacOS audio and midi operations tool, that simply doesnt work, it always revert to 44. This never happens if I use a different audio interface like for example Behringer UMC1820. And also sometimes out of the blue while I’m using Logic and ID44 it comes out a message saying things like “Error while trying to synchronize Audio and MIDI. Samole Rate 42.175 recognized Check conflict between Logic Pro X and the external device”. This only happens while using ID44 and not any other Audio Interface that I own. Hope my statements were clear, sorry for my english. Alla the best, Gabriele

[@samuraikaichon]

Sir Please Review how to connect focusrite isa one to audient d44 mkii

[@BarryJohns]

Mic into isa, out of isa with a balanced 1/4” to the line input of then Audient. Get your level set first on the isa, then adjust the input of the Audient.

[@samuraikaichon]

@BarryJohns Thanks sir

[@REALEXIT]

is it Stupid to sell my Apollo Solo interface for Audient ID44 or ID24 just to buy hardware as Warm Audio wa2a and wa76 and wa73, Cause i never had Hardware Before

[@RyRyTheBassGuy]

I own the MK1 and as a dude who uses the interface to just record some guitars, the software mixer is something I opened once and never touched again. Neither good or bad, just kinda there.

[@nunoandradebluesdrive]

hi, how about Tascam Series 208i? are they on the same league?

[@doenomee1282]

I have the Audient ID24 I sold my Apollo Solo. I bought it to add some more IO via ADAT, but the stock Pres and Converters do sound good for the price range. However it wasn’t until I got an external mic pre that my sound quality improved. There’s a reason why you don’t walk into a major studio and only see a booth and an interface. You need some kind of hardware on the front end or at the very least to run your mix through. So Audient in my opinion is the best bang for your buck with the ID24 might have some competition with the iD44 price range but in the ID24 price range with the sound and the IO who’s competing?

[@pipelineaudio]

In what way did the "sound quality improve" with the external mic pre? Was the internal mic pre noisy? Distorted? Have a narrow bandwidth? Other than flat frequency response?

[@andrebrown4677]

​@@pipelineaudiogood question

[@pipelineaudio]

@@andrebrown4677 one they never want to answer. And every time someone actually does an apples to apples comparison by actually measuring these objective parameters, you get crickets

[@allanbilka6184]

Have you moved on from RME? I just picked up an RME Fireface 802 fs based on some of your previous RME vids. How do you think these 2 compare?

[@BarryJohns]

RME all day long. Keep in mind these are not interfaces, only IO expansion.

[@syncMixer]

@@BarryJohns Wrong video. :)

[@BarryJohns]

Confused, what do you mean?

[@syncMixer]

@@BarryJohns You said "these are not interfaces, only IO expansion". It sounded like you thought you were replying to a comment on the Arturia video. This is the Audient video.

[@domonickwilliams33]

I own the audient id44 mk1 for quite some time now it’s woked out but it’s time for me to upgrade to a rack mount interface with better conversion I’ve been thinking about trying the Arturia audio fuse 16 rig the rme fireface the presounus quantum hd 8 or the Focusrite clarett plus 8 pre keep in mind I do have outboard gear any thoughts about these interfaces would be greatly appreciated thanks 🙏🏾

[@lorenhoward8178]

What makes you think those interfaces have better conversion than the ID44? Unless you've done some side by side comparisons I wouldn't assume that at all.

[@andrewhammondt]

I mean, the id44 has pretty well spec'd burr brown converters. Maybe the RME will have better (or at least cleaner) conversion, but I have a hard time thinking the Clarett, Arturia or Presonus would be an upgrade in the conversion (or Preamp) department. I guess my first question would be are you upgrading for strictly better conversion, more i/o for your outboard gear, more preamps or a combination of all those factors? If you are looking for a "One-size-fits-all-needs" single rack space interface, RME wouldn't be a bad route to go based on it's scalability, but I think it's important to prioritize your overall needs and make sure you are only spending towards the quality of what you need and not for something that does a "little bit of everything" at the expense of a discernible jump in quality.

[@domonickwilliams33]

@@andrewhammondt thanks for your opinion I appreciate it I basically want the upgrade in conversion and clarity like I said my id44 is gen one 2015 so I do think it’s time for an upgrade also I would like a interface that I can put in my desk rack mount one of the things I don’t like about the id44 is that it takes up space on my desk also and i don’t like all the messy cables connections to my outboard gear so I would like to clean that up as well as upgrade in terms of conversion I really like the rme but I’ve heard there control app is difficult to navigate and i want something simple and straightforward maybe I should just go ahead and spend the money and get the lynx .

[@andrewhammondt]

@@domonickwilliams33 Gotcha. Well, I do think the Lynx will sound better converter wise (as it should), but considering the Lynx with the necessary i/o modules could set you back between $3000 and $4000, and the Arturia has 2 preamps/16 physical inputs and 8 outputs for outboard gear, and adat expandability for $1200......the question I would ask myself is "Is it worth it to spend an extra $2000 or more on conversion despite STILL having inferior I/O?" Again, not trying to dissuade you from getting a Lynx (which is seen in studios all over the world for a reason), I'm just posing food for thought just because I've seen quite a few engineers on various forum threads say things like "Conversion quality is really nil these days and if I had to do it again I would probably just grab whatever modern interface had the i/o and workflow I needed for an agreeable price and be done with it"

[@andrebrown4677]

​@@andrewhammondt thanks for your message.. Can I ask what about mastering at home doesn't the converters play a part in sending your audio out as precise as possible keeping the weight + image of the audio.. Taking into account the hardwares dynamic range capability also of course...

[@AdviceandAdventures]

Any audio samples?

[@BarryJohns]

No, in my opinion you can’t judge an interface via KZbin.

[@AdviceandAdventures]

@@BarryJohns all righty then!

[@9savage164]

Quick question 😅 Im kinda between audient and the Avid mbox Studio (im a pro Tools User). But i be just recording vocals and be Mixing and Mastering. What do you think i should get? I‘ll get a Pro Tools Perp. License with the Mbox but could save sum bucks with the audient. Hope to get an answer

[@BarryJohns]

If ProTools go with MBox.

[@guembabossmusic857]

asp 800 is also great for recording VOCAL ?wath do yo thing about spl mic pream,?

[@RobertNaik]

I have a id22 from when it came out. I think 2015 or something. It only clapped out a year ago so I got this. I agree with everything in the review. I had an awful time using the app and it seems they have only really changed a few things from when it came out. But apart from that it’s great. If you can’t make a good track with it it not its fault. It’s probably your fault 😂

[@MykEviiL]

So the unit just died... therefore, you had to upgrade because it just died on you? If these things are just gonna putter out and die no matter how good they are... I won't buy one.

[@MrDingDong2]

Thanks for the video. I have an RME Digiface, and was wondering if it is possible to use the Audient ID44 as a slave Interface? Specifically: 1) Can the clock be set to come from ADAT? 2) Is it possible to route the Audient inputs to its ADAT-out? 3) Is it possible to route a signal from ADAT-in to Audient's headphones output?

[@lorenhoward8178]

The ID44 MKI and MKII can both do exactly what you ask. You can set up standalone routing in the software and they will keep the settings after being power cycled and the USB being disconnected. The ID22 does this as well but doesn't keep the settings after power cycling. The ID24 does not have this feature since it's USB bus powered.

[@MrDingDong2]

@@lorenhoward8178 thank you very much!

[@mohamedsaad4738]

I'm choosing between the Audient iD14 Mk2 and the Focusrite Clarett+ Pre. As far as sound quality for vocals goes, which one do you think delivers better sound quality?

[@BarryJohns]

Audient all day

[@mohamedsaad4738]

Thank you so much i really appreciate your response, I'm a big fan of your channel ❤❤

[@teashea1]

How do you like your SSL Big Six?

[@BarryJohns]

That will be conning next month.

[@PietroFGReal]

that's a mk 1 though isn't it?

[@Polentaccio]

Love Audient but yes, the desktop software isnt amazing. The OLD desktop software with their initial units was much better from a look and feel perspective.

[@Santiago-pj5ze]

You can change to the old aperience in the "view" menu

[@electricwhiterabbit]

One thing not noted here is that the HP filter switches on the front are digital and not analog before the mic pre, so basically they are useless as you can just use a plugin in your DAW to do the hi pass on the recorded file. Kinda of a stupid feature imo.

[@BarryJohns]

I knew I forgot something🤦‍♂️

[@AdviceandAdventures]

Since when have the HPFs been digital? I don't recall that being the case for the iD22 and original iD44. I can't find that in the product specs...is that info in the user manual?

[@Audientworld]

Hello, I just wanted to clarify this as it isn't correct. The Hi-pass filters on iD44 are Analog filters that are located between the Pre-amp and the Insert sends/ADCs so would give a different effect to simply applying a hi-pass filter in your DAW.

[@DamnDealDone]

S ..... P .... Dif. This is how you say it. Not, spidif.

[@BarryJohns]

Wrong

[@DamnDealDone]

@BarryJohns if you want to sound like a dumb american, sure.

[@kmckeever]

Audient makes garbage. I've never seen anything of theirs not fail within 12 months. Build quality and components are bottom of the barrel, pretty much anything else is better.

[@BarryJohns]

Well, I could not disagree with with you more. I don’t quite a few audience products over the years, and I’ve never had a single issue with one of them. Not taking away from your experience, just know your experience is not common. All you have to do is read through the other comments in this thread celebrating the unit.

[@lorenhoward8178]

I know there had been some issues with the ID22 but I haven't heard about issues affecting any of their other products.

[@PharaohLawLess1]

I purchased the Audient ID24 and I’m blown away by how good it sounds at that price point. I bought the Focusrite i816 (which is good too), the MOTU Express, the SSL 2+ to find out which interface can replace my Digidesign 003 (😢) and this ID24 is almost as good as my old trusty 003