Anyone who produces music needs a stable audio interface that lasts in everyday life and on short trips. The British manufacturer Audient not only offers large mixing consoles, but also audio interfaces for home studios, such as the Audient iD4 MK2.
Some time ago Audient released another audio interface called EVO 4, which is supposed to shine with smart functions for musicians, podcasters and streamers - In this article you will find out how the two models perform and whether the new EVO 4 is really worth recommending !
Audient iD4 MK2 vs EVO 4
Availability & delivery time
Both models, the Audient iD4 MK2 and the EVO 4, are now available! In many online shops, the products are delivered quickly or are often in stock and immediately available in local specialist shops.
Functions & special features of the Audient iD4 MK2
The metal housing of the Audient iD4 is very stable and has all the important controls on the top. It also has a large main out knob with detents for volume control.
- LED display
- Mic Gain
- DI Gain
- Monitor Mix
- Speaker Mute Button
- iD Control Button
- 2 LEDs for +48V & USB
On the back are the following elements:
- Microphone or instrument input (combo socket, amphenol plug)
- Main output
- USB-C port
The following elements are located on the front:
- Another JFET instrument input
- 2 headphone outputs
- The Audient iD4 is packed compactly and includes a short USB-C to USB-C cable (other manufacturers often only provide a USB-C to USB-B cable)!
In addition, as the owner of an Audient iD4 or other Audient product, you can download software and synthesizers free of charge from the ARC (Audient Creative Hub) on the homepage! Currently you get the software synthesizer Retrologue 2 from Steinberg, the Waldorf Edition 2 LE and Cubase & Cubasis LE 3 for free!
Specifications (Audient iD4):
- 24bit / 44.1 – 96kHz
- 1 mic/line input (XLR/jack combination socket from Amphenol, Class A Audient console microphone preamp and 48 volt phantom power)
- 1 JFET instrument input
- 1 main speaker output: 6.3 mm jack
- 2 headphone outputs: 1x 6.3 mm jack, 1x 3.5 mm jack
- Powered by USB
- Mac/PC and iOS compatible
- incl. USB-C cable (1m) and Audient ARC download software package
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 133 x 120 x 40.7 mm
Advantages of the Audient iD4
The Audient iD4 MK2 not only looks good, but is also extremely comfortable to use thanks to the arrangement of the controls. Everything about this device just feels very premium. The built-in converters are really very good.
In addition, Audient recently gave the iD4 a small update in February 2021 - and above all a USB-C port!
Thanks to practical features such as the large monitoring potentiometer, the mute speaker function and the LED display, the Audient iD4 can be easily integrated into the workflow. With the so-called "ScrollControl" function you can even control the DAW with the large potentiometer.
Together with the software package and the two headphone outputs, the Audient iD4 is one of the best and most popular audio interfaces up to €150 currently on the 2021 market.
Disadvantages
Beginners and owners of a home studio will certainly be happy with the Audient iD4, but there are other devices in direct comparison that are slightly cheaper and have a second microphone input.At currently €139, the iD4 is at the upper end of the entry-level interfaces, but you get powerful converters, a functional design and a fast USB-C connection
In addition, compared to the Audient iD4, the audio interface EVO 4 from Audient has another, i.e. two microphone/instrument inputs (XLR/TRS combination socket), but only one headphone output and the plastic housing.
Functions & special features of the EVO 4
The case of Audient's EVO 4 is made of high quality and hard hard plastic and has all the important controls on the top. Although the case is not metal, it feels premium and a bit soft.
In comparison to the Audient iD4, there are two mic/line sockets for microphones and instruments on the back. Here is a picture of the back:
The EVO 4 also includes a short USB-C cable, but this time one that has a USB-B connector on the other side..
Even as the owner of the EVO 4, you benefit from the advantages that Audient offers in the ARC (Audient Creative Hub)! You get access to the same synths and software offerings for free.
Specifications (EVO 4):
- 24bit / 96kHz
- 2 mic/line inputs (XLR/jack combination socket from Amphenol, microphone preamplifier with 58dB gain and 48 volt phantom power)
- 1 JFET instrument input
- 1 main speaker output: 6.3 mm jack
- 1 headphone output: 1x 6.3 mm jack
- Smartgain function
- Loopback function
- Powered by USB
- Mac/PC and iOS compatible
- incl. USB-C to USB-A cable (1.5m) and Audient ARC download software package
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 140 x 55 x 60 mm
All technical specifications on the manufacturer's website: EVO 4 manufacturer information
Advantages of the EVO 4
The EVO 4 looks modern and can be a very useful helper on the go. The controls are easy to reach and despite the hard plastic body, the EVO 4 feels premium. Nonetheless, there is a risk of it being damaged more severely than a metal device if it falls.
The EVO 4 connects via a USB-C port.
Smart features such as the Smartgain function, which automatically adjusts the microphone level, make the EVO the first choice for podcasters and content creators. With the loopback function you can also record the system sound.
Audient iD4 vs. EVO4 - My conclusion..
Good audio interface for the home studio or mobile recording studio on the go, since the USB-A connection is compatible with many devices, and the two headphone outputs also offer opportunities for cooperation.
| Benefits | Disadvantages | |
| Audience iD4 |
|
|
| EVO4 |
|
|
Here are all my test winners: USB audio interfaces up to 150€ in test and comparison 2021 - top 8 purchase recommendations for home studios, podcasters and music producers
.
