In Summary
Audient’s all-new iD24 retains its predecessor’s 10 in, 12 out connectivity and balanced insert points on inputs 1 and 2. Improvements such as USB-C bus powering, word clock output, dual headphone outputs, improved audio performance, loopback, and smaller size round up a raft of welcome improvements.
Going Deeper
With the ongoing trend towards artist home setups, or hybrid working between commercial studios and home, Audient’s console-making DNA has left them well placed to get in on the desktop audio interface revolution. While many of these boxes have taken the all-conquering ‘cigar box with knobs on the front” form factor, Audient decided early on to ask primarily what the needs of the console-less studio really are.
Audio inputs and outputs to and from the DAW aside, it could be argued that studios of any size need dedicated control of their monitoring. As a result, the company’s interfaces have long taken on the familiar control-with-I/O for the DAW that sees the controls on the top panel. This makes tracking in one room a breeze where monitor cut is a single button press away, for example.
One of Audient’s most successful products has been its iD22 interface/monitor controller, more recently holding its own among newer stablemates offering sleek lines and grey paint. Its longevity came to an end in February 2023 when Audient announced its iD24 successor offering similar facilities and more. These sit it nicely in-between its iD14 mkII and iD44 mkII siblings, although at the time of writing the iD22 is still a current product for those who need the older relative for less money.
Audient iD24
Key Features:
2 x Class-A Audient Console Mic Preamps
Class Leading AD/DA Converters
1 x Discrete JFET Instrument Input
Main and Alt Speaker Outputs
1 x ADAT Input & Output
2 x Fully Balanced Inserts
Ultra-low Latency DSP Mixer
3 x User Defined Function Keys
Dedicated Dim and Cut Controls
+48V, Pad, and HPF Switches
24bit/96kHz
All-Metal Design
Price: £299 inc VAT, €349 inc Local VAT and $399 MAP
Key Improvements On iD22:
Improved audio performance
Dual headphone output on the front This is fed from one mix; both sockets can be used simultaneously.
Bus power No external PSU is required.
Scroll control This allows software parameters such as audio plugin controls or iD mixer levels to be controlled with the main monitor knob using mouse wheel emulation.
Audio loop-back Loopback takes its signal from any of the iD mixer’s mixes and can be easily monitored over speakers or headphones.
Word clock out
USB-C connector with USB 3.0 compliancy
Desktop Interfaces - Boring Or Miraculous?
Engineers are used to an incredible choice when buying their gear. This breadth means that we are in the enviable position of not only being able to choose exactly what we need (pretty much), but also to have further options as well. When it comes to the desktop audio interface, its ubiquity can lead to the odd shoulder shrug from those who have plenty to choose from.
The simple fact remains, however, that these devices are incredible in what they offer. Excellent audio quality that personifies (to modify an existing phrase) “gold in, gold out” and affordability make these unassuming desktop dwellers nothing less than miraculous. To chance another cliche, we are living through a golden age of audio technology. Certainly the only barrier to making great recordings is a little closer to home than we sometimes allow ourselves to admit - Ourselves! Units such as the iD24 will rarely be the problem.
Final Thoughts
The iD24 is a small unit, and while no-one is pretending that this could be a main interface in a large studio it does punch above its weight when needed. Hooked up to Audient’s own ASP800/880 series or EVO SP8 boxes (or any external pre) affords ten mic/line inputs and its optical outs allow multiple headphone distribution. Up to 3 mixes are available when the main mix is counted, so taking the studio to the band is entirely possible. iD Software Mixer standalone states can be saved to the hardware, so monitoring or practising without the computer can be done. For when the studio expands, there’s nothing to stop it sitting on monitor control duties alone.
Putting it another way, I’ve been using the iD24 as my daily driver for a couple of weeks now. I’m loving its small footprint, big functionality, and of course sound quality that is measurably pristine. I’m a big fan of bus powered boxes, and the iD24 delivers this along with a very loud, clean headphone output that would be up to tracking duties despite its 5 volt diet. I like the iD44 mkII, and the ‘24 basically gives me that without any redundant I/O. All is well.
Certainly for me at least it provides a loud, clear answer to the question: “Do I need to change my gear?”.
A Word About This Article
As the Experts team considered how we could better help the community we thought that some of you are time poor and don’t have the time to read a long article or a watch a long video. In 2023 we are going to be trying out articles that have the fast takeaway right at the start and then an opportunity to go deeper if you wish. Let us know if you like this idea in the comments.