ZOOM AMS-22 and AMS-24 - USB Audio Interface Review (portable recording)

In this video I test the ZOOM AMS-22 and AMS-24 and tell you how they perform.
Amazon US | Zoom AMS-22: amzn.to/3xb8eeX *
Amazon US | Zoom AMS-24: amzn.to/3QBjBE6 *
Thomann EU | Zoom AMS-22: www.thomann.de... *
Thomann EU | Zoom AMS-24: www.thomann.de... *
Support the channel on Patreon: / juliankrause **
Follow me on Twitter: / thejuliankrause
00:00 Intro
00:33 Hardware Overview
04:46 Power Situation
03:54 Direct Monitoring Latency
06:13 Mic Input Performance 1/2
07:11 Mic Preamp Performance
08:58 Mic Input Performance 2/2
09:41 Line Input Performance
10:08 Main Output Performance
11:16 HP Output Performance
12:06 Driver and RTL
12:39 Verdict
* Affiliate links from which I receive a commission for sales. This doesn't generate any additional cost for you. As an Amazon and Thomann Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
** Patreon is a platform where you can choose to support the channel by purchasing a monthly subscription.

[@thepatzer]

Always a good day when Julian drops a new review. The perfect combination of quality technical analysis, honest verdicts, and deadpan humor. 💯

[@ObscureTech]

Been waiting for this one! That's crazy that the powerbank is only needed to kickstart the ams22! Great job finding that fact!

[@hunterfrederick2731]

Julian. When I saw these I was thinking “oh man! I hope Julian Krause covers these!” Thank you bro 🤜 🤛

[@44Bigs]

I’ve been using the AMS-24 for a while now and am very happy with the recording performance. But what’s really surprising to me is the quality of the headphone output. It sounds really great with a lot of detail and power, without distortion. I think in its price range the AMS-24 is really among the best.

[@ALKADEEM317]

@44Bigs For the AMS-24 before i buy it. Does the loopback feature work when the interface is in Music mode? && can you have the loopback record only 1 input {like a KZbin vid or some music/video online} and have that recorded into the daw {or whatever software you use} instead of including your Mic/Instrument audio? Everywhere i seen it mentioned {i read the manual also} it makes it seem like its another kind of stream mode where it combines Mic/Instrument and internet audio together and plays it back in your software, I want to use the loopback mostly to sample internet audio into my DAW and don't want it to capture my Mic/Inst audio also

[@44Bigs]

@@ALKADEEM317 the loopback mode works the same in music mode as it does in streaming: audio from your computer is fed into both channels. For your purpose a virtual loopback audio driver is probably more useful.

[@Ahmedbriek]

Best soft soft tutorial for beginners on KZbin! I'm an absolute beginner and all the other tutorials I've found on KZbin have been so

[@hotcoffeeamericano]

I'm pulling my hair. LOL. I did a little research before buying the AMS 22 but I did not see this review. I found this after I tested recording myself with a basic Shure studio headphone. I used my first mic, Rode Podmic 1 XLR. Gain dial of my AMS 22 was at 9 to 9.5 just to get decent input level on the OBS software. There was constant hiss, noise, and output levels were low. I compared only to other youtube videos using OBS software. Anyway, I want to return my AMS 22. I wish i had seen this video earlier. I have a low pitched voice so I boost my higher frequencies higher than typical people, and it boosts the noise. It's not working for me. Thanks so much for the detailed scientific reviews! Thanks for the commenters as well. I learn from you all.

[@ArrakisOCE]

Thankyou for the very clear explanation. I've been searching interface videos for a while now and it's great to find a channel with clear, articulate and no-nonsense explanations and no obnoxious loudmouthing or irrelevant noise. Subscribed.

[@walidamin1804]

Julian! Ich liebe deine Videos. Ich wünschte ich hätte ne Ausbildung zum Tontechniker gemacht aber deine Videos tun's auch haha.

[@MauricioJaguan]

This channel has the best interface reviews!

[@MauricioJaguan]

@Julian_Karuse.. 🥰🥰🥰 what is it? 😁

[@itsbusyish]

I would love to find someone do such detailed reviews on wireless lav setups. Great channel

[@artem.boldariev]

After watching your video I got myself AMS-44 and it is great. Works well on Linux too: these hardware controls (MusicStreaming, direct monitoring, combining two inputs into a stereo) are very handy too. Preamps could have been better but the format of the device is nice and it is very practical in overall.

[@intothefluid7001]

Hey, thanks for these sorts of reviews with data. Wish I had found your content last year before replacing my old interface!

[@Mionwang]

you should review portable recorders (like the mixpre systems or zoom) too! Not many trustable objective reviews of those around.

[@johnbeckozz214]

I would like to see a review of the Tascam model 12

[@DirtyPlumbus]

Zoom makes great products for the prices they're offered at. I have the Zoom H1n recorder and use it all the time.

[@honestnerd]

Hopefully you can review the Zoom F3 someday. It's a recorder, but can also work as an interface, is super small, and has great preamps :D

[@marcdebroey2276]

Thanks to you and this dynamic range analysis, I bought myself the Audient ID14 MkII , it's absolutely fantastic 🙂

[@truecuckoo]

The form factor looks great! I wish they made these compact interfaces with their F series preamps.

[@JulianKrause]

Agreed, that would have been great!

[@logrinn]

The problem with the power supply situation when connected to a Samsung is probably due to the non-standard power connections that Samsung insist on using and not a problem with the Zoom. So perhaps if Samsung did a firmware update then this could be perhaps be fixed.

[@Googzu]

Didn't he say it's a problem on the AMS-22, but fine on the 24?

[@TheSilent006]

For 20 dollars more you could get a minifuse 1 over the ams-22 and you get much better all around performance. The 24 is *slightly* more interesting, but for 10 dollars more you could get an audient evo 4 which retains the compact form factor and easily wins out in performance. After looking at the ams-44 its no surprise that the umc404hd is again 10 dollars more expensive and performs better. The evo 8 is 30 dollars more if small form factor/a better HP out is a must.

[@blakecasimir]

However the AMS-22 and 24 are SMALL. And for some folks that's a selling point.

[@Klarseolt]

Minifuse 1 is also very tiny and slim

[@blakecasimir]

@@Klarseolt Not nearly as small as these AMS interfaces. For laptop producers, this is definitely a selling point for the 22 and 24.

[@Klarseolt]

You are right, AMS-22 is two times smaller than Minifuse 1, I looked their sizes up, yes the difference is significant. Hopefully Zoom will make a second version of these with better preamps

[@NigraXXL]

These are a godsend for a lot of people. Use-case fit and convenience > performance delta if the product is good enough. I, for one, am looking to get one of these to strap them on my guitar strap and hook it to my phone for practice using amp modeling amps, as well as use as a conventional interface for my computer. This is an absolutely amazing product series for people who were looking for small, potentially battery powered interfaces, and were previously stuck with either the U-24/44 (massive compared to other options), iRig Pro Duo I/O (proprietary cables) or the Saramonic Smartrig+ (non dettachable cable), which all had setbacks. The AMS-24 is about perfect for us.

[@ersbay5970]

Monsieur Julian, nicht nur ich sondern auch viele andere dort draußen, so glaube ich, wären mega erfreut, wenn Du mal das Behringer Flow 8 auf Herz und Nieren prüfen würdest. An dieser Stelle ein herzliches Dankeschön für Deine tolle Arbeit!

[@TheHalfmanofOz]

An interesting product. Thanks for the review.

[@Trizjoe]

Do you have a ranking list for your audio interfaces on a page or something I'm missing I'd like to see a list or tier list if you have one. Your reviews are excellent!

[@lw8882]

now i want to know if the mic pres on the u22 and u44 are just as noisy

[@Aveiro17]

Agreed!

[@frankstone919]

A very thorough review. Thank you.

[@moguizpatton7582]

Julian, I love your videos, you´re such a nice Storyteller, and I can Tell you explain so well also. And also I think you look serious and sometimes unexpresive as well, but anyway I still like your style, so plesae keep doing this, yo are really good!

Please make a review of the new Apogee boom

[@craigjoe8691]

When can we expect the Apogee Boom review?

[@ronmaison8690]

Hi Julian, Can you please reveiw the RME Fireface UCX II, thanks.

[@nelke3891]

Aweee, and here I was hoping i'd finally live out my dream of a legit recording setup that could fit in the palm of my hand, drat! Julian do you have any plans to review the RME Fireface UCX II?

[@clydebermingham121]

I like when all Basic functions can be described in about 10 Seconds or so Basic info - … Then further details for those who need to hear …

[@ADGreen-es6hm]

Julian , thanks for the information 👍🎸🎼

[@KyleBevis-u7j]

Julian, thank you for these thorough and exhaustive reviews! If money was no object, which interface would you recommend? I'm looking for the best, cleanest performance with capacity for 16 inputs or above. Thanks again!

[@pablomorado5578]

Audient 44 MKII is a good contender. Check his review!

[@carpediemearth]

What about for instrument playing and recording? Please consider reviewing the audio performance of interfaces with a connected instrument like guitar.

[@miketanarur]

Dear Julian, it would be really interesting to see some older audio interfaces added to your lists and tests. By old I mean interfaces like Mbox3, Focusrite saffire, old rme babyface, apogee one etc. I don't think such test videos existed at the time those interfaces were new. Would be interesting to see how they compare to today's products.

[@JoeyJukes]

Thank you for all the reviews, Julian! Any chance you could review the Yamaha AG03/AG06 MK.2? Always been a fan of the mixer layout and physical loopback since the first versions. Thanks if you see this comment!

[@ananta286]

Thanks, very thorough review.

[@cravecave505]

Thanks man. Will they work flawlessly with an IPad? IOS? (When yes…is there an app for changing samplerate)

[@techmed-rainer]

Danke!

[@JulianKrause]

Ich habe zu danken :)

[@TheSlim1]

I want to upgrade should i upgrade the interface or the mic i have M-Audio 192|4 and the mic behringer B1 if i upgrade from m audio interface To Apollo Solo is it gonna be difference ??

[@followyourpassion8378]

Absolutely great reviews on this channel! Which are currently the USB interfaces with the lowest RTL in 48k?

[@michaelsherron5750]

can the pre am p noise be removed by a DAW?

[@arturom628]

My guess is that yes.. Proper EQ should help a lot to resolve this.

[@poetparrot]

Hey Julian ! Would request you to make a video about the best audio amplifiers for the Shure SM7B specifically, upto $ 300 . I guess a lot of viewers would be interested in such a video.

[@trinidadian_jedi]

Julian I really appreciate your videos they are full of very useful information I especially love your charts. Can you do a review on the Duke audio P1 tube DAC/headphone amp?

[@altekpuck8379]

Good test thank you! i bought yamaha AG03 MK2 nice product too ;)

[@crabbydad8931]

wonder if ipad software can route separately to main output and headphone output

[@kazielbonn]

To put it simply; my chain is Mic -> Apogee Quartet -> Mac Mini M1 (Logic Pro X) -> PreSonus HP4 -> Monitors. Would it be possible to connect one of the HP4 Headphone channels to the input of the Zoom AMS-22 to get audio into my wife's iPhone 11 for TikTok livestreams, please?

[@electrba]

Superb review

[@carpediemearth]

Have they released a firmware update that fixes the phone-powered issue on the AMS-22

[@theodoro89]

At first, I thought these were a cheaper verion of the F series and I was a bit disappointed. It's not as practical as their F or H series and it's not better than most other usb interfaces out there. Thanks for the awesome review.

[@blakecasimir]

But the very small form factor may make all the difference for some folks. Producers that travel a lot with their laptops might find the AMS 24 to be a sweet spot.

[@theodoro89]

@@blakecasimir Yes but the f3 is also very small and MUCH more versatile.

[@NigraXXL]

but MUCH pricier, too

[@theodoro89]

@@NigraXXL Yes but I think F3 it's a better value even if it's more expensive.

[@kittycloudz813]

Can you route the audio separately to a headphone cue to Dj? Basically are they actually 2 stereo outputs or just 1 split 4 ways ? Thx

[@DragonboltBlastter]

When Steinberg AXR4, Avid Carbon or UAD Apollo?

[@evralntsa7617]

at 6min17 what's the name of the software using to observe the frequency ?

[@ShaiUI]

it's all relative though. I got the behringer uca222 and the ams-22 seems like a nice upgrade.

[@soybesako]

Hi Julian! Have been watching your videos for a long time, and I need to ask you something. Which audio interfaces would you choose between the Zoom AMS 24 and the Audient ID4 MkII? I’m looking overall for portability, an interface to carry in my bag and use in any situation needed

[@rolfj953]

Can these things work as a mixer without connecting a computer? I would guess so.

[@alloyfactory]

What In your professional opinion is the best portable audio interface? Do you have a video about it?

[@MilesTFBaxxter]

Thanks for the review! 👍 Just wondering, do these units work as independent line mixers as well? Or must they be connected to a PC, phone, or tablet and be used as an audio interface in order to get sound?

[@Le_Sourpuss]

I wonder why these interfaces never come with a mic mute button...

[@ThrashingTheDeath]

Hey Julian, i admire your work. Could you test the ZOOM L8 series?

[@thorstenweimar1190]

Great video Julian! Can you do the Audigo Mic? It seems like a very tiny, magnetic condenser mic wonder. With the smart phone app you can do multitrack recordings and do post production with a 5 band eq...

[@wandotube]

Are these interfaces noisy even with a guitar plugged in or just with dynamic mics?

[@lorenzosorgatz4385]

Julian, danke dir für dieses informative Video, es hat mir sehr weiter geholfen. Eine Frage wäre aber für mich noch offen, die ˋˋhotswapˋˋ möglichkeiten. Könnte man wenn die Batterien zur Neige gehen eine PowerBook anschließen während man Batterien wechselt und hätte das Auswirkungen auf die Aufnhme ? 🤔

[@SianaGearz]

I wonder what ESI Maya22 USB is like. It's smol, it's inexpensive. The gain and switching controls are implemented electronically with no hands-on controls, they require an application on your PC that uses a simple HID tunnel - the controls themselves don't require proprietary drivers and are thus unlikely to break in the future. It's a compromise, i know.

[@TheSilent006]

apparently the headphone out has a pretty bad noise floor. not sure about the adc end of things.

[@SianaGearz]

@@TheSilent006 Ah, good to know, interesting.

[@derekth71]

Another fantastic review. :-) I wonder how these compare to the older u-series models? Would love to see round-up of serious contenders in the battery-powered segment - apart from Zoom, does anyone else make versatile/feature-rich battery powered interfaces? Not interested in the ones that connect via the trrs jack, just proper usb interfaces. :-)

[@DarkDao]

Oh no, I lost my new audio interface somewhere in my pants! It's funny how tiny those are.

[@clarenceewe]

Julian, thanks for the great review, wondering on streaming mode, it able to record into cellphone voice memos or similar app?

[@Dunkelzeitgeist]

Thank you! So with the AMS-24, could I have two guitarists with their line out from modelling pedals to the inputs and both have headphones in? So both can hear eachother

[@thierrystephany6451]

Thanks julian !! 👍🙏😉

[@WilliamJones-zy8su]

Love these reviews!! I need help picking a new audio interface for my Shure SM7B and Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro x headphones. I would love to have top mic quality for making KZbin videos, but also need super high quality sound for competitive gaming at a high level. Lastly it needs to have an instrument input so I can play guitar through my PC too. Open to any kind of options including mic/instrument only interfsce with a separate headphone amp etc under $600, thank you!!!

[@TechLifeNow]

Waiting Zoom UAC-232 and UAC-432 Review

[@LostStylus]

Hope they are not as noisy as u22

[@diovdL]

Okay so this sounds good! I do have a question though. I'm looking for a device I can use to record my in-ear mix with talkback (jack or mini-jack output), but I'd like to do that while simultanioulsy recording video. And I want to do this using my Android Phone and I' not sure if this is doable using only 1 app. Are there any apps I could download to make this work with the Zoom AMS-22?

[@livetips2491]

How is the sound quality compared to roland go mixer pro x? Thank you

[@bluehorizons1219]

Can smartphone be charged in the same time when connecting to AMS-22/24 (with USB-C power connected) ?

[@TyQuinn]

Would love to see a comparison with the TC Helicon Go Twin, since that one has been on the market for quite a while

[@SunnyBeeRandomTuber]

I'm looking for a music streaming only based audio interface and would be using only for home concerts to stream on Instagram, KZbin and Facebook. How would this fare against the Lewitt connect 6????

[@chexi]

hello man! i'm highly interested in a full RTL chart. can you please show your full map of RTL for every audiointerface you have tested?

[@markett7159]

could someone explain what in practical terms the difference larger "mic input dynamic range" as opposed to "output dynamic range" make to sound? May be refer to a video that gives examples showing the audible difference? At the end of the day, if I am recording my own speech or signing, is that the input dynamic range or the output dynamic range will be the bottleneck?

[@jmvybot5850]

Is it possible to use ams 24 as a recorder from Mixer while playing with the band?

[@carlodeluca]

How does it compare with the UAC line?

[@everybodyhasoul5438]

This seems to be aimed at audio for live video? Preamp noise like that is hard to deal with for music applications.

[@ADGreen-es6hm]

Julian , I wish you would do a review on Apogee Boom , it’s not a expensive interface 👍🎸🎼

[@joonlee5695]

3:40 does the music mode make it so that the inputs show up as separate devices on windows so that I can use just one input each for 2 programs simultaneously? If not, do you know of any other interfaces that can do that? Thanks!

[@rahulgkhs]

Hi, I am new here. Can somebody please tell me whether I can use an audio interface as a sound card? I want to play music from my laptop to a mixer.

[@LeonardoNR]

Hello, I'm looking for a feature to play guitar with songs on my computer, no record just jam, are audio interfaces such at this one the equipment I should look for? Ps: I'm after low input lag such onboard pc audio

[@MarianVennen]

Can it used standalone (without any computer/ smartphone etc) as mixer?

[@joachimlindback]

Did you test line in to an ipad 9?

[@PeterPiklMusic]

Hey Julian. Thanks for reviewing... Could you review the "Lewitt Connect 6"? Would be wonderful! Thx :)

[@JulianKrause]

Absolutely, stay tuned! ;)

[@PeterPiklMusic]

@@JulianKrause Yeah, I will! :D

[@sitthaasawang]

Hi Julian i just wonder how you measure a sound spectrum and compare one with other. if it possible can you make a vdo to show how u do. it will help me a lot with my school project. thanks

[@brayito14]

Hey what monitors are those, they look really nice

[@alamaguitars5693]

Would you recommend this audio interface against irig stream or irig stream pro?

[@beyondsounds2640]

Hi Julian, can you please review the Lewitt Connect 6 audio interface.

[@donjave7146]

Hey Julian please compare the motu m2 version 1 vs v2

[@dare2liv_nlove]

Yeah, perhaps just loan one from a channel fan for a quick comparison! 😊

[@HarshSingh-to5nl]

This was great but could u please review vault ai22 and vault ai22hd cuz there r really no review or teardown of them online .... And i mean anywhere online and theyre not bad but maybe you could really figure out how good they really are thank you

[@debasht]

cheap and good value for the money. but i would rather spend a few bucks more and buy the zoom F3. maybe you could test the zoom F3 in interface mode?

[@mickenilsson]

As I'm here, and you seem really into the technically bit regarding AIs. I'm looking for as a small AI as possible that despite its size holds up quality for live use as a guitarist. I'm going to use my laptop with a sound card, sporting software amps and cabs, going direct to mixer and PA system. I would also really like as low latency as possible. What's your take on this. I subbed off course ❤️🌹

[@decaenofficial]

This or presonus audiobox go?

[@BrancoArgenta]

does the 22 send audio via USB c?

[@ianlodes13]

Please test the Audient Evo 16! Thanks!

[@hareesrajan9706]

GR8 IDEA TYTY