Perhaps not for the experienced engineer in this latter scenario, but for simultaneous multichannel work it will be for everyone.

EVO by Audient Home

In fact, I usually think of it as a premium feature found mainly among the upper strata of the audio interface world, so I’m particularly impressed that Audient have implemented it on such an affordable product.

From the user’s perspective, however, they get a box that passes signal into the computer, firing it back out when needed. You have to decide up front if the input will be line or mic level and use the appropriate connector. Backed by over 25 years of engineering experience, our analogue mic preamp has been designed to deliver the most accurate, clean and true to source version of your audio, no matter what you’re recording. Whether you are switching between two sets of speakers using the ALT monitor feature, checking your mix in Mono or quickly communicating with your artist using Talkback – all features can be activated straight from EVO 16’s front panel.

Audient EVO 16 - Sound On Sound Audient EVO 16 - Sound On Sound

Add to that intelligent mic preamps that set their own levels with Smartgain, easy to navigate controls, and a powerful range of professional must-have features – EVO 4 isn’t just another audio interface, it’s an entirely new way of doing things. Our powerful EVO Mic Preamp technology combines all the sonic advantages of a studio-grade analogue mic preamp with digitally controlled tactile precision, so you can set your gain with pin-point accuracy – right down to the decibel. With 25 years of experience behind them, Audient's mic preamps have been designed to deliver the most accurate, clean and true to source version of your audio no matter what you're recording.Reflecting a wider shift in what the role of musician or engineer actually means, Audient’s EVO range presents the next level of useability for anyone who simply wants to record. Pressing and holding one of these buttons toggles muting, while a fourth button labelled F can perform one of four assignable functions: Mono, Alt Speaker switching, Dim and Talkback enable. As well as the EVO 8 itself, you'll also get access to a library of industry-standard software, providing you the essential tools needed to get recording from the outset. iD4 has similar monitoring controls, but has a dedicated knob for monitor mix, ideal for quickly dealing with latency. The main reason to pause is that sometimes you’ll often find the Audient ID4 selling for only slightly more online.

EVO 4 Audio Interface - Make great recordings effortless

Centred around a clear IPS display borrowing from mobile technology, the Control Wheel lets the user navigate and execute tasks by turning and pressing.

It will also report any channels that ‘fail’ the Smartgain process, for example if there’s no signal present, so that you can check your connections.

evo - Audient

Alternatively use the extra line outputs to send audio to external outboard gear, such as compressors or FX units, or to headphone amps for distribution to your artists. A more angled top would have suited us more, but then the ID range never had this so it’s curious as to why EVO brings this to our attention! Quite a few interfaces now offer similar options, which are very useful for streaming, podcasting, vlogging and other such activities. Product evaluation also benefits from this experience ensuring that when products are tested, they meet the needs of those working in studios every day.Metering is the only context in which the display’s relatively small size could become an issue, though it’s not a problem when the EVO is close at hand. At more regular volumes the Evo 4 sounds clean, and I was particularly impressed by the quality of the instrument input — it makes the raw feed from an electric guitar sound a lot like that of a clean channel on a guitar amp. The former has Focusrite’s Air option and its own talkback mic, while the Studio offers MIDI I/O, and both offer a wider gain range on their preamps.