Audient iD44 MKII - USB Audio Interface Review

In this video I test the iD44 MKII from Audient to see how the second generation of this interface performs.
Sweetwater US | Audient iD44 MKII: sweetwater.sjv.io/WqJx1X *
Thomann EU | Audient iD44 MKII: www.thomann.de/de/audient_id4... *
Amazon US | Audient iD44 MKII: amzn.to/3ttOnZv *
Support the channel on Patreon: / juliankrause **
Follow me on Twitter: / thejuliankrause
00:00 Intro
00:37 Hardware Overview
05:30 Internals
06:10 Mic Input Performance
09:13 Mic Preamp Performance
10:39 Line Input Performance
12:26 Main Output Performance
13:26 HP Output Performance
15:11 Software Overview and Monitoring Latency
16:25 Round Trip Latency
17:08 Verdict
** Patreon is a platform where you can choose to support the channel by purchasing a monthly subscription.

[@JulianKrause]

ATTENTION!! SCAM ALERT!!: There are messages with my profile picture claiming that you won an interface. These are spam bots, please do not get in contact with them! I don’t do random giveaways in the comments like this. I’m trying my best to delete the messages but it’s impossible to catch them all. Stay safe! Correction: The dynamic range of the main out of the Babyface PRO FS is actually 125.5 dB(A) as shown in its review. The graph will be adjusted in future videos.

[@JuanchoHeavyMetal12]

Thanks Julian. I was talking with the thief, almost fall in the trap...

[@sunahura]

I was just about to report them

[@JulianKrause]

@@JuanchoHeavyMetal12 Sadly KZbin really has a problem with these spam bots. Glad you could avoid it in the last minute!

[@garretdouglas4056]

it was in the early morning I read that I won. Like a dream that was not reality.

[@SeanBeatsss]

Thanks Julian!💕

[@Producelikeapro]

Always the best interface reviews on the internet! Thanks Julian for doing such Ana amazingly thorough job!

[@timbrown7652]

Agreed THE best reviews

[@FlynnIsAlive]

@@timbrown7652 Agreed! Julian is the best

[@MarsX69]

100%! Not only for consumers that are looking for getting access to the best possible audio interface, but for the manufacturers as well in order to see what can be improved and what to do next in order to stand out from the competition. Thumbs up, Julian! You're a Godsend for the audio-recording community.

[@Producelikeapro]

@@timbrown7652 huge fan of Julian's!

[@Producelikeapro]

@@FlynnIsAlive yes! Amazing!

[@SimonChampagne]

Your channel should really be considered a public service.

[@Producelikeapro]

Agreed 100%!

[@madworker1927]

@@Producelikeapro haha good to see you here 👍

[@Producelikeapro]

@@madworker1927 thanks ever so much

[@OnurHunuma]

F buttons on the device are actually to pay respect when you are recording a talented musician. Numbers next to them are just your respect levels. Jokes aside, I just got the iD14 MK2 by trusting your review and I think it worths every single cent I paid. Thank you for feeding us with some of the best audio gear reviews in the world!

[@jakubprzybyowicz3980]

I've been waiting for this review so much, thanks!

[@uwebaganz5144]

As always great test - only facts and measurements + the right amount of humor

[@Rod-Wheeler]

Exceptional Review! Thank You.!

[@danielvargastoro8974]

Excellent video and analysis! I was especially delighted to see through hard data and graphs how the Audient ID44MKII is taking into account other interfaces that have been launched on the market lately. I sincerely thank you for your work! Keep it up!

[@wokn_nocturama]

Wow you just keep giving. Amazing work it helps a lot. I remember back then when you started everyone had specific requests and you practically did all of them. I would absolutly love a review of the Apollo Twin or Solo to see if they are good beyond the UAD plugins. Keep going and thanks

[@JuanchoHeavyMetal12]

You are awesome guy, all reviews are very detail and useful. Please compare this interface with the new EVO 16.

[@devbrozz]

Always a great analysis. Would love to see the Audiofuse Studio on this channel! Curious to see how it stands up to others in its range.

[@ClearBlueFire]

This is the best review on the internet! Thank you

[@poweruomo]

The best. Keep the great work on! Thanks

[@disco_cop]

I watch all your reviews even though I don't plan to replace my interface. Says how informative and fun the videos are.

[@aidancunningham2052]

Amazing review my friend! Very well considered and valuable information.

[@furiobisotti8150]

Usual professional level of the test. Highly appreciated. I play live and the most needed feature for me is to set volume of two stereo outputs independently in hardware (with pots) . Only two boards are able to do that: Arturia Audiofuse and Audient Evo8. Evo 8 with one only pot but with switches to select output. I asked several times to Audient to allow that, but until now no success. I guess it's only me asking...

[@aliozankarci]

Thank you very much. We re waiting apollo x series interfaces so much

[@JTCavey]

excellent work as always

[@samueloluyinkaojomu6548]

Amazing review as usual. Julian Krause is the best thing to happen to home studio users world wide. Waiting for the EVO16 review. I have been writing on all audient post to give you both the Audient ID44 mkii and EVO16 for review. I'm glad they listened

[@Clasam09]

While you're at it, tell em to add MIDI, and basic latency-free channel strip functions. It is their flagship after all.

[@GingerLeftyGuitar]

The last week I discovered your channel because I was researching a particular interface. I’ve watched about 10 of your reviews so far. So detailed and great to know real world specs of these interfaces. I’m interested to know, if you have a particular interface that has impressed you more than the rest?

[@Sumbibebe]

Awesome video, it helped me so much👍🏾

[@matiasportillo3870]

Thanks, exellent review!!

[@Elephatal]

Thank you as always for your transparent reviews and thoroughness. Dying waiting for your Neve 88M review. Those converters really gonna be worth $1245? I am doubtful. Edit: Also love your humor. Makes making it through the specs and tests a more interesting watch overall. Keep it up!

[@mohammadshadfar9288]

Thank you, this video realy helped me

[@maximeheberttalbot4505]

Julian, you’re truly the best reviewer on youtube! I hope you’d review the arturia audiofuse studio or rev two, and the apollo twin x! Can’t chose between them and this new id44!!!

[@punknugget561]

LOL! Love the mic rotate control! Pretty noisy though. Gotta work on that one. Again, great and thorough review!

[@punknugget561]

I was able to figure it out and just contacted you. Again thank you so much and I look forward to your reply!

[@RAWQWLTY]

Would LOVE to see you cover the new Apogee Symphony Desktop and Apogee Duet 3! Love the channel. Keep up the awesome work!

[@Sumbibebe]

Great video and info👍🏾

[@BandoLyrix]

Love the humor, Great video ❣

[@prgf]

Thank you Julian, very detailed and accurate as always. Please your review of the audio output of the new Mac Studio 🙏

[@xchump]

Great idea about changing the High Pass Filter within the software! Really hope Audient picks up on that. I have the previous version and have been considering an upgrade.

[@rickbiessman6084]

Man, I love your super informative videos with a healthy dose of bone dry humor mixed in. Could it be that you’re an engineer? 😂

[@deeseen3495]

Great review

[@dare2liv_nlove]

Another Julian K review... Another comment from me for the algorithm! 😊 (Edit: Seems the audio companies are taking notice as well, if they started sending you review-products! 😄)

[@SylvainDuford]

Thanks for the great review. I would love to see a review of the Fluid Audio SRI-2.

[@doctorscoot]

re: monitoring latency when relying on a DAW for FX in the monitor -- so in the mix to the headphones from the _DAW_ I just output of the aux/send reverb (ie no dry) and the DRY only in the audio interface's mixer. As long as it's just reverb (or delay or similar) for the headphone mix and your DAW's latency is in the range of < 50ms ... make sure to subtract the latency time from the reverb pre-delay or set that value to 0. I've done this with a Scarlett 8i6 and Focusrite Control with Ableton Live, it works well enough if all you need to do is send the vocalist a feed with some reverb.

[@Purrrelll]

Love the shirt, funky✌️

[@TAP7a]

I never expected to hear you say “chunky boi” in a video, but now I know I needed it all along :P

[@Irshaad88]

Awesome video. Will you be reviewing UA Apollo X series interfaces? I'm sure many of your subscribers would love to see that.

[@EnsBass]

Awesome review as always 😀 Would be nice to see how it compares to the iD44 (Mk I)

[@absolutelyfunk59]

Moins bien voir test audiofanzine

[@LBJedi]

Wonderfully thorough review! Have you reviewed any of the UA Apollo series? If so, I’m having trouble finding them. They are y h popular interface, and I’m wondering if it’s worth investing in one.

[@georgeraindog]

Congratulations for your work and your channel! Any chance to see a review for Mackie Big Knob Studio which offers some more functionality (Monitor Controller)?

[@srkbd89]

Absolutely love your reviews..pls review arturia audiofuse studio if you can!! 😀

[@vinz440]

Thanks Julian ... great to see these comparisons. Would you consider testing a digital mixer like the allenheath sq5 ? It s a mixing desk but I see lots of people ( including myself :) ) using it as audio interface and dac converter. Would be curious how this would compare vs the audients & motu s

[@HenrikHarrell]

Great review as usual Julian! Will you be able to make a review of the Ferrofish Pulse 16 in the future?

[@meteomartin]

While you're now reviewing audio interfaces of that price range, i'd love to see you review the AudioFuse Rev2 by Arturia! :) Great work - as always!

[@Bobyslav]

+1 for JK to review the Arturia interfaces

[@fluphybunny930]

If they send one he will review it.

[@maximeheberttalbot4505]

Arturia interfaces would be great!!

[@Seifmaher]

Hi Julian, Thank you so much for your great reviews. I hope you may test and measure the performance of interfaces such as UA Apollo, RME and Avid HD i/o… I would like to know how they compare on paper to the less than $500 interfaces…

[@NoName_4]

Sehr interessant!

[@phpn99]

Julian, you may also want to test intermodulation distortion in the gear you review. The test suite used by Amir at AudioScience Review is pretty good.

[@ballinastack93]

Please review Evo 16, would love to know the real world difference between the two interfaces when it comes to preamp quality and converter quality. Thanks!

[@RealLockheedMartin]

Yeah they have to be cutting serious corners somewhere. The EVO 16 doesn't make any sense otherwise. $500 for all of that? No way, I REALLY want to see the measurements.

[@ballinastack93]

@@RealLockheedMartin pre-ordered it anyway lol

[@fluphybunny930]

@@RealLockheedMartin just look at the unit. You can see where the money is saved. Evo units have excellent pre amps. The 16 won’t be any different.

[@robertfontaine3650]

I'm just trying to figure out if I can get rack ears on the Evo 16. It looks to be better than the ID44 for less money. Not sure how that works exactly but I have a space in my rack for it.

[@hammerpocket]

@@robertfontaine3650 The web page for the Evo 16 shows it with "optional rack ears." Edit: The rack ears are apparently free, but I think you have to order them so Audient doesn't waste resources putting them in every box (if I read it correctly).

[@clar0scuro]

Great reviews! Please do UAD Apollo, Apogee and Avid Mbox!

[@dotsonpaper]

Great review. Any plans to review the Audient Evo 16?

[@havenprice]

Great review! I’d like to know if there’s any difference with type C and USB A headphone output wise, considering there was an issue with the id4 and id14.

[@Venom-Mystique]

Julian Krause. You present the technical parameters of the devices in a really interesting way, but I miss the already old IA with a double HP output in the comparison. For example: M-Audio Air 192 | 14 and Arturia AudioFuse rev. 2.0. According to all the tests you have carried out, would you recommend any IA with 2xHP for Beyerdynamic 1990 Pro headphones?

[@Luchodela]

Hi Julian! as usual, congrats and thanks for your videos. This video was uploaded 1 year ago. Has anything change regarding the features or capabilities from then? did they make any software update since then? Regarding the dual converter tecnology, what are your toughts? is this exclusive to the ID44 MK2? I'm just trying to figure out the difference between the ID24 and the ID44. If it literally just comes in terms of how many I/O come, then the ID24 is just for me. But I'm not sure in terms of audio quality. Thanks!

[@luciovieiramusic]

Hello Julian! Thank you for the video, it is amazing. I have one question; the Audient ID44 MKII would have the same quality of an Apollo x4? Of course taking out of using plug-ins. I’m just curious about your opinion only thru the converters and preamps . Thank you

[@GMan269]

Julian: good work as usual. I hope you might take a look at the new Neve 88M. Not heavy on features for $1245. Curious if that money is buying something more than the name. Thanks!

[@grimslater]

Great solid review. Can you do the Behringer X32 please?

[@Freez_Izzy]

Yes! Finally. Thanks JK!

[@benoittissier58]

Great review again ! But why so many buttons and no proper input meters ? And does the software work under Linux ?

[@thorstenweimar1190]

Thanks for your honest and accurate reviews! I really enjoy watching your content! But there is one question that doesn't go out of head: Will you do Apogee interfaces? If I rely on my ears, they provide fantastic conversion and high quality preamps. It would be great if you can do some of their stuff like the Duet3 or the Symphony Desktop 🙏. In my humble opinion I would expect them in the top 3 of your charts from a subjective listening experience. Very curious about their technical performance. Apogee was the first company that was able to get the harshness out of digital conversion by inventing and implementing a special filter in the early days of digital recordings. Greetings

[@tuneunleashed]

Thorsten do you recommend the Apogee Quartet in 2022? I saw a brand new one in stores fresh out the box. Would you recommend it for MacBook Pro M1?!

[@tuneunleashed]

@@thorstenweimar1190 Since you’re an apogee fanatic I was wondering if the latency is good enough to play VSTi, does it have loopback? Does it have a compressor, EQ with the Control 2 software since Miestro software is discontinued? I just want to make sure before I make the purchase

[@JStationC]

Hey Julian I'd love to see some content on the UA apollo (any thunderbolt model), do you think you'll ever do a review on them?

[@hernan_93]

Thank you Julian, very useful video. What would be your recommended audio interface around $250 USD for a guitarist? I mainly use one input at once, but sometimes I might use two simultaneous inputs. I'm looking for a sound quality improvement. Thank you in advance.

[@jcisme]

Remote microphone movement.. Love it.. Who said Germans have no sense of humour 🙂 For those of us who also have a good outboard preamp that line level performance looks awesome. Thanks Julian..

[@electricwhiterabbit]

Great review. Such a shame about the hipass filters. Basically they are completely useless on this when I can just use an EQ in my DAW after the fact and have a choice of what I want to use. Hopefully you can review the EVO16.

[@AntoniosLoizides]

Great review Thnx. Just a Q...for online radio would u recommend this or the Rode procaster?

[@arielperez6400]

Julian, thanks for these very informative reviews. Wanted to ask your recommendation between the id44 and an Audient Evo? Want to replace my Scarlett 6i6 to gain ADAT expandability. Thank you.

[@franciscofuchs490]

Hi. Great video. Thank you! Is there any way to hace 4 different cue mixes (A,B,C, D) and still have the stereo output (1 and 2) going to the speakers? I cant figure it out

[@Astro-by8gf]

MOTU UltraLite-mk5 vs audient id44 mk ii which is better ad/da audio wise

[@thierrystephany6451]

Thanks !!! 🙏👍💪😉

[@DragonboltBlastter]

Great review, unfortunately the low-cut is digital and that the pre-amps aren't that flat... (hence the ''console grade'' marketing). By the way when UAD Apollo or Steinberg AXR4 review?

[@RyanMcQuen]

Love Audient!

[@Whyarmani]

Great video once again but question what interface do you use for personal use, out of the ones you have currently tested on the channel?

[@divaythfyr4251]

Yes.

[@mu.si.ka_6929]

Up

[@KallusGarnet]

Behringer

[@henryzometa]

I was waiting for this. Please can you tell me if there is a noticeable difference (audible) in the quality of digital to analog conversion between ID44 MKII and EVO 16. I would like to have 8 mic preamps with the EVO but I value more good quality in the DAC conversion. What do you recommend? Thank you

[@stickittoyafoodtruck9120]

I am a bit bummed that I have heard the original ID44 does not have has good of D/A conversion is as good as the new MK2. I just bought my ID44 a month ago. I should have waited 5 more weeks.

[@sikwitit773]

@@stickittoyafoodtruck9120 no your fine the id44 blows the id14 mkii out the water far as preamps and converters go the id14mii sounds harsher with louder less natural headphones jacks compared to id44 but the id44 overall has a smoother and better Soundstage that and you bypass the preamps and add your own like running a asp880 with a id44. With a headphone amp (which i have because my old ur22c can't power my DT 770 80 ohms headphones.

[@robertfontaine3650]

@@stickittoyafoodtruck9120 All of these are so good that it unless you are working with sound outside of normal hearing range it just doesn't matter. It's all about whether the features meet your needs.

[@fernandinaamy]

Will you review the new Solid State Logic SSL12 and compare it to the Audient id44 mkii? Trying to decide between them! Love your reviews!

[@AcesBeatz]

Let's go Big J

[@donatellodiclemente7527]

it is worth mentioning that the distortion seen at 8:06 at high gain is probably what most people call "colour" or "warmth". It could be desirable or not of course. It only tell us that they are not completely transparent. And this is the reason why people buy a Neve preamp: for its character (which is distortion). It depends on how good is that.

[@electriczap9615]

Hey Julian, is it possible if you could review or at least show some measurements of the Behringer HA400 headphone amp in a future video? I’ve considered getting either a MOTU M2 / Audient id4 mkii and I might just need a bit more power, but I’m not sure if it’s any good as there aren’t any measurements of it online.

[@robertfontaine3650]

I love the I/O on this little beast. Nothing missing. Does this have a 4-volt-out option for headphone amps?

[@RICHIE11420]

Hi amazing video wanted to know which is best for SM7B & Rhode Procaster microphones - audient id 14 vs m audio ?

[@TheMcinku]

Great job as always and this is an excellent interface. … but I still believe Arturia Audiofuse Studio is superior interface in performance and in features. I hope you will test one of those interfaces in the future.

[@fluphybunny930]

Get them to send one and he will !

[@mikeazmos]

Thanks for great rewiev, as usuall ! Still can't understand, why the doing only one loopback stereochannel, podcasters, streamers and DJ's must suffer with ASIO link pro, if they want to sidechain main out with their microphone signal. HP filter failed. Many microphones like Lewitt 440 pure doesn't have it. But converters are great. 126db on output is outstanding.

[@rjb7569]

Wish Audient would upgrade the id22... that's the interface that has exactly what I need at a price $200 lower than the id44. Audient refuses to comment on the id22. Unfortunate. The original is quite old now (7-8 years?). I won't buy old tech. But I digress... Master Julian... top shelf review, as usual. This is my first stop for interface reviews. Always. None better. None more thorough. Plus, a touch of much appreciated humor mixed in! You da man! If I ran one of these interface companies, then I hire Julian to help design my gear. He knows what is best... AND what we want. Hope to see him review the new evo 16. Curious as to what his findings would be.

[@samueloluyinkaojomu6548]

They don't want to update the ID22.

[@tuneunleashed]

I swear fam! I’m waiting on the Audient ID22 MK2 as well. If that happens I’m opting out of the Motu Ultralite Mark 5 right away.

[@rjb7569]

@@tuneunleashed I am considering the Ultralite right now. What don't you like about it?

[@tuneunleashed]

@@rjb7569 for desktop use the form factor sucks not only because of the form factor it’s the volume knob that makes it worst if the volume knob was like the Clarrett then it would had been way better. Secondly, there are no indicator lights if you’re ever clipping it’s just a monochrome OLED Screen, third you can’t by-pass the preamps. That’s about it. Everything else it’s solid.

[@rjb7569]

@@tuneunleashed Thanks for the reply. As far as bypassing the preamps goes, the Audient id44 is the only sub-$800 interface that I'm aware of that you can bypass the preamps. Are you aware of any others? I think the Focusrite Clarett series. MOTU Uktralite, Presonus interfaces, etc., all send your signal through their pres. At least, that's what I've read.

[@bojanpopovic9071]

Helo Julian! all videos are exceptional! thinck that have porblem, every time when start (pover up) id44mkll sample rate is on 96khz ? i change on 48khz , then pover of and on, again is on 96khz! some bug or have some catch?( WIN 10)

[@Sicolirics]

Which interface has better converters for recording through synthesizer plugins, the Audient ID44 MKII or the Motu M4 I will be moving primarily software from Arturia, Korg, Cherry Audio, U-HE and Spitfire Audio depending on what you tell me I will buy one or the other

[@drezgar]

Julian !!! Can You do a video for the new Neve 88M?????

[@laudaaren6293]

Hello, thanks for this vidéo... 4 chanels but jus one level meter.. if all the chanel are used, how to know wich one is visible on the lever meter? Thnaks

[@kunee51]

Hi Julian, will you try to review the DAW/Mixing Console too? FYI, I was seeing the Mixbus32c sponsored ads on fb and check one of their video and notice some guys was commented about Mixbus32c sounds really good. which I thought its all depend on audio interface.. then I thought why not asking you whom I really trust with audio review to check on the Mixbus32c.😊

[@anthonyrubio1194]

which audio interface do you recommend if I want to connect turntable, drum pad, keyboard and two microphones as well guitar and use for live streaming, recording,voice overs, pod casting,making beats

[@gerardlake]

Hey Julian when are you going to review Neve 88m audio interface ?

[@bloodyoats9666]

How much of an impact will the high output impedance have if I'm using ~60 ohm headphones?

[@laserjakk3629]

Hi Julian, I was watching your reviews trying to decide which audio interface to buy, and for my needs RTL is priority cuz I am a electronic music producer, using several VSTs played via USB keyboard and Drum Pad. In a real world people wont use 192khz sample rate, they will work at 48khz, so I was trying to decide between Motu and Audient, but I saw that id44 mkII presents 8.5ms at 48khz/128buffer size against Motu M2 15.9ms 48khz/128buffer. I use Mac mini M2 Pro, do you think Audient is the way?

[@Carmelious]

Dear Julian, I got some questions: 1. Which of the graphs are most important when I'm looking for a device that can record with minimum noise, and doesn't clip? Dynamic Range? Noise Floor? Somehow calculating both? 2. When you check the preamps, is that via the USB? Could be very interesting seeing how you run your tests! 3. How does one keep one's hair so fabulously thick and shiny? Sincerely

[@TheJoecoool]

waiting for iD44 MKIII 🤑

[@Sound_Stable]

It seems like I'm losing low end at higher volumes on the main outputs. I'm curious where you had the volume at when you tested the main output response. Between the main out and headphone out behavior, I'm wondering if this thing is just underpowered.

[@CollinHeade]

Could you please do a comparison review with the new Neve 88m, with only remarking on aural sound quality. Thanks so much!

[@marcpeiron_studio]

Which one would you and you guys take, iD44 mkii or Clarett+ 4pre? Is the noise with sm7b in the clarett a big concern?

[@Alex_Martz]

Could you please do a review of the Behringer UMC204HD ?? That model also had a recent driver update and seems like a better alternative to the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 as it also has MIDI connectors and inserts

[@arash5550]

Can u make a video on how u measure these devices. Or what equipment u use for measurements

[@garygohmusic]

Hey Julian, what are some microphones you consider good?