Interfaces/Hardware

Additional I/O, USB 2.0 connectivity, and support for 96 kHz recording and playback make the new MOTU MicroBook II audio interface substantially better than the original MicroBook model, which the MicroBook II replaces. You can use the new audio interface for recording, personal studio tracking, laptop-based DJing, and other recording and playback applications.  

Want a compact, half-rack size audio interface? Check out the RME Audio Fireface UCX, a compact interface for studio and live recordings based on the features of RME's Fireface UFX, Firefaces UC/400, and Babyface.  

DiGiCo announced UB MADI, a new connectivity solution that makes it easier than ever to connect a computer to MADI, via USB 2.0 rather than PCI or an ExpressCard.  

MPC power is coming to iPad 2, now that Akai Professional has the MPC Fly. Designed to help you make beats on the fly with your iPad and the MPC Fly App, the new unit boasts real MPC pads, plus essentials like MPC Note Repeat and MPC Swing.  

The Tascam iU2 audio / MIDI interface is a little different from other Tascam units in that it works with iOS devices and Mac and PC. The iU2 boasts two XLR inputs with phantom power, an onboard microphone preamp and A/D converter, and more for straight-forward recording.  

UA's all-new Apollo audio interface features high-res sound quality, low-latency recording through UAD Powered Plug-Ins, and optional Thunderbolt I/O. As Universal Audio says, the Apollo brings together the best of both worlds, analog and digital.  

More iPad gear is coming your way -- Alesis announced the DM Dock, a dedicated iPad drum module offering unlimited sounds, professional trigger inputs and audio outputs, and more. It works with any iPad music app that permits external MIDI control.  

Dock your iPad to the Alesis AmpDock and get ultimate control over your guitar / bass tones. The dedicated iPad dock holds your iPad firmly in place and provides all the ins and outs needed to process your guitar or bass through your apps.  

Say hello to two of Steinberg's new USB audio interfaces: the UR28M and UR824. The desktop UR28M interface sports 6 inputs and 8 outputs, while the rackmountable UR824 interface features 24 inputs and outputs. Both make good use of dspMixFx technology for DSP-powered, latency-free monitoring.  

MOTU announced the HDX-SDI, a professional video interface that turns a Thunderbolt technology-enabled computer into a full-fledged HD / SD video production workstation. With the HDX-SDI on hand, you'll have all the video and audio ins and outs needed for professional capture and monitoring.  

Check out the Alesis iO4, a very compact four-channel USB audio interface for Mac, PC, and iOS devices, which provides all the hook-ups to record and monitor eight channels (at 16-bit) or four channels (at 24-bit) of audio.  

Want to convert your favorite songs from tape and vinyl to WAV or MP3? Want to clean up the audio as well? Then have a look at the new ESI Phonorama USB audio interface. Bundled with BIAS SoundSaver audio restoration software, the Phonorama provides all the basic features needed to go from analog to digital.  

Connect all with the MOTU 4pre, a compact, half-rack 6 × 8 hybrid audio interface and mixer featuring FireWire and USB2 connectivity, front-panel mixing, lots of I/O, and much more.  

If you do a lot of online music collaboration, Podcasting, sound-on-sound recording with online video and audio, and the like, you might like the Tascam. US-125M. This new audio USB interface offers mixer functionality and all the ins and outs and easy to use features that make it a good pick for broadcasting over the Internet.  

Fohhn Audio announced the A-1 Live, a portable stereo USB audio interface that provides a direct connection between a computer and a sound reinforcement system without a mixer, DI box, or anything else.  

Guitarists and bassists can set up their virtual sets in virtually no time, if they have one of IK Multimedia's new StealthPedal CS and StealthPlug CS packages. Each pack comes with either the StealthPedal wah-style audio interface or the StealthPlug audio interface cable in addition to AmpliTube Custom Shop software and gear credits to use in the AmpliTube Custom Shop online store.  

Say hello to the RME Ladyface, the special-edition USB audio interface that has all the same features as the Babyface that it's based on, but with a pink and white exterior. Now shipping, the pink Ladyface is the same as the blue Babyface; it's just pink.  

Put your songs on the fast track to success with M-Audio's Fast Track C400 and Fast Track C600. These new USB recording interfaces offer hands-on controls, monitor management, bundled Pro Tools software, and more.  

Say hello to the MOTU 896MK3, the new Hybrid FireWire / USB2 audio interface sporting many of the same features as the original 896 unit, with some added features and improvements. Now shipping, the 896mk3 Hybrid features FireWire and USB 2.0 connectivity, 8 XLR / TRS “combo” style analog inputs with preamps, 10 XLR analog outputs, a total of 28 inputs and 32 outputs, and much more.  

Say hello to MOTU's MIDI Express XT -- the company's 128-channel USB MIDI interface that is now back and shipping once again. The interface features USB connectivity, accurate MIDI timing, 8 separate MIDI inputs, 9 MIDI outputs, time code sync, a foot switch input, and MIDI processing features such as routing, merging, and muting.  

Portable recording just got even more mobile -- Tascam introduced the iXZ, a very small mic / instrument input that lets you turn an iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch into a portable recording rig. With the iXZ, you can connect a microphone, guitar, or bass and make the most of the many apps and tools available on your iPad or other iOS doodad.  

Record in the studio, onstage, or anywhere really, with the cute and portable Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 -- the company's new two-input / two-output USB 2.0 audio interface. Its main features include Focusrite mic / instrument preamps, 24-bit, 96 kHz digital conversion, flexible monitor control, and a new unibody industrial design  

If you play guitar and you have an iPhone and / or an iPad, you might want to check out the soon to be released Line 6 offering -- the Mobile In, a digital input adapter and mobile POD guitar tone app package for iPhone and iPad that lets guitarists plug in into their iOS gadgets and access multi-effects.  

Say hello to two of Steinberg's latest audio interfaces: the rackmountable UR824 and the desktop UR28M. Both USB audio interfaces feature USB 2.0 connectivity, D-Pre microphone preamps, DSP-powered reverb and channel strip effects for monitoring at zero latency, and much more.  

Fostex is now shipping its very portable and handy HP-P1 headphone amp and DAC for iPhone and iPod.  

Fostex announced the availability of the AR-4i audio interface for iPhone 4, which features built-in stereo microphones, a free app for adjusting recording levels, and more. With this new unit, you can get the highest-quality audio for videos shot from your iPhone 4.  

NuForce is now shipping its gold-plated, Swarovski crystal-adorned UDAC-2 Signature Gold Edition USB digital audio converter. As a DAC and headphone amp in one, the new unit offers all the features and sparkle you could want while listening to digital music.  

The newest Macbooks ditched firewire 400 ports. No worries, they've still got plenty of USB 2.0 connections; better still, the MOTU 828 MK3 Hybrid offers both firewire 400 and USB 2.0 connectivity for true cross-platform support. How does the rest of the interface stack up? Former EM-editor Mike Levine finds out.  

Do all your recording from the palm of your hand with your iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad and the Line 6 MIDI Mobilizer II. Now available, the MIDI Mobilizer II 3rd-party MIDI interface works in tandem with the MIDI Memo Recorder app and offers CoreMIDI compatibility.  

This week, Akai announced its EIE I/O-like audio interface, the EIE Pro. This desktop audio and MIDI interface sports a handful of USB inputs, analog-style VU meters, and plenty of other ins and outs.