Latency: it's worth remembering that speed of sound is 3ms per metre (or 3 feet). So 5ms latency is equivalent to having your ears about 5 feet away from your amp speaker cone. Most guitarists tend to be further away than that from a cranked amp. Naturally adjusting for the delay from speaker to ear is part of what creates an individual guitar style.
I've realized this when I got back into rehearsal after 1 year of lockdown. Something was really strange but couldn't quite put my finger on it. I didn't know the latency=ear:distance ratio, so thanks for that.
I have the AXE I/O (so not the SOLO version). I love it, as I do love the IK Multimedia software (have a lot of it already). They are the basis of my recordings!
Do you use Studio Monitors with it? I'm thinking of getting this mainly to listen to music with a 2.1 setup (2 Montors&sub) and will probably fiddle with the rest later. Also if I wanna use the mic to talk to other people like via Discord, does it show as the mic or the interface in the recording tab?
@@ffash995 I can answer- for daytime and evening practice I use JBL 5”; for nighttime practice I use a basic set of Yamaha studio monitor headphones. Both work great.
Has anyone used the Axe I/O with an amp and load box?…..I want to come out of the amp out to the front of my amp,which is loaded with a reactive load box…..then send the line out of the load box into my stereo FX,The back into the AXE I/O Left and Right Stereo,and have the outputs connected to my studio monitors…..Is this possible?….It’s important that L and R in are in stereo,output 1 to the Left and Output 2 to the Right……Thinking of buying one if this will work..
I use the KRK Rokit 5 Gen 4 monitors. For reamping I use my EVH 5150 III 100W and Boss Waza Tube Amp Expander (Swiss army knife attenuator with IR loader)
Not bad at all for someone that "does not play rock guitar(s)" ... Well done Mike and thanks for the review. My frustration with IK Multimedia is around buying an used interface... You loose access to all the software including the drivers and control panel which support will provide you as a "special favor" ... Other than that I like the hardware and the software
@@CreativeSauce Tell me please . where is the software code and how to check it? I bought an interface on eBay, but I have a suspicion that it will be sent to me without software.
Exacto tiene razón con relación a la latencia, tuve un problema parecido solo con la grabación del voz, pensé eran mis instrumentos, pero luego lo descarte, era mi laptop que estaba para una formateada, ya que solo la usaba para grabar voces en brutos, y de verdad recomiendo este interfaz, te vota la máxima calidad de voz en bruto que puede existir en el planeta, el resto es chamba del master, afinamientos y mesclas, saludos desde Perú.
Someone on a forum said although they had a beefy cpu that was barely at 10% when running his plugins, he wasnt able to lower the buffer without pop and clicks until he upgraded his ram from whatever he had to 3600mhz, so i suspect thats an important factor. I had an IK interface way back almost a decade now, it was built into an expression pedal and worked really well even for the time so they've been at it quite a while id definately check them out.
This a great interface for sure that I would certainly buy if I didn't have one already. But I already have a Scarlett 2i4. The bundle software with it is not bad with it. The IK stuff is better, but you do get quite a few good plugins and a piano with the Focusrite. And you are enrolled in the Focusrite plugin collective which gives you a free plugin every two months.
I'm upgrading my 2i2 gen 2. It lacks all the features I find extremely exciting. Also I'm noticing it's starting to have minor issues. But yeah, it's quite old right now. I've got it from when it just got out, must've been 2016. So I can justify to say served it's purpose, Ive used it daily because I got my first child in that year as well and had to tone noise levels doen. It was great but it seems this interface is at least in my wishlist while I will dig more options in my upgrade path. Really my 2i2 is showing its age, I miss midi IO and the pedal controls seem really exiting to me since my amp is gathering dust most of the time in rehearsal studio, seems exiting to check what I can do with my pedals with this interface. I already have a couple of great NeuralDSP plugins, which I love, I kind of want amplitube for more versatility. NeuralDSP is great but amplitube had more.
Wow. First view on one of Mike’s videos. How did that happen! Great job as always. I’m a big fan of the Creative Sauce channel, especially the Cakewalk videos. Keep up the great work.👍
Wow, I made a whole reply but I missed a critical detail - for some reason I thought that this was a product made by Fractal and I was confused as to why this did not include Cab-Lab and other Fractal VST amps. In any case I did compliment the sound that this device has but feel that iy is not a stand out piece of hardware in the crowded interface space. But definitely without a doubt one that I would be happy with if it was what I had to use. I know that a lot of YTubers are well, let's just say they all somehow seem to be saying the exact same things channel to channel - almost like they have been given a script when the company paid them to do the review... I used to really love some of them but when I noticed this scripting I felt betrayed. I mean the exact same phrasing was used over and over, no chance that it was merely coincidence. Please note that it is only my opinion and it is also my opinion that this channel seems to be completely genuine when it comes to reviews and I do not believe that he has been swayed to say anything at all, I believe that it is all in his own words and actual opinions. I truly believe that I am getting his actual opinion and that is greatly appreciated. Now knowing that this is from IK and not Fractal I actually feel a bit better about this and to anyone that is considering buying an interface I would say this one is not a bad choice at all, actually it is a good choice. Anyway all I can say is make sure that you do your research, there is a lot of competition here, many below have already mentioned the Scarlet which is $50-100 less depending on the model and I think you could not tell the difference in a mix. But this one looks like it is very well built, it has some nice features and comes with a more than decent suite of VST's - If you like Amplitube VST's than this has to be an awesome deal for you. I think this one comes with one of the better software suites. The interface I bought came with utter junk for VST's - it was all stuff that you can get for free on your own so that sucked, but I did know that before I bought it and I picked it because it is kind of built like a tank. Or they have done a good enough job of making it feel and look premium, I have been in design and manufacturing engineering for over 2 decades so I know that there are ways to cut costs while still looking great... Keep in mind that we (most people) are suckers for marketing and hype, it really works so that's why I said do your own research; for me that means slowing down and waiting just a little bit before I pull the trigger on a purchase. That has definitely helped me make better choices. Cheers
Thinking of buying this Axe IO to replace my litlle Presonus USB96. Question about that Latency you were talking about... the lower sample rates of 128-512, make for an acceptable, impercetable amount of latency, as you demonstrated... but what happens when you hit the record button, and ALL you tracks play back as you record... you will hear all kinds of popping and crackling at this low sampe rate setting? (as opposed to the 1024 rate, best for "play back".? Excellent demo of this, btw! Thanks for your time!
You are confusing sample rate and buffer size. As for the popping and cracking, there are so many factors that will influence the performance at low buffer sizes it's just impossible to know...
I'm trying to use the Axe I/O solo as a streaming audio interface for both guitar and vocal mic to avoid an additional interface... 1. Does anyone know if you can use it in this way. 2. If possible how would one go about setting that up on a PC?
I do have a question for you about the mic in (Channel 2) would you be able to record guitar and vocals at the same time on different tracks in Amplitube or is it a one at a time or the mic only to be used for mic’ing an amp? Appreciate the guidance.
Hello! Can you tell me how the interface will work without software (AmpliTube 4 Deluxe 10)? What can be used for free to work with the interface without software?
I only record guitar, so i should be the target for this. $250 is too high. i have my own plugins and wasn't planning on buying those. also, i don't reamp. $169 for a Scarlet makes sense here. $80 for "Z-Tone"? nah.
How you got latency free playing on guitar sametime listening/monitoring DAW example in Cubase? And I have MG-30 and Marshall MG-250 DFX so what is the best solution for these? I think I need mixer and 2 different monitoring....
HI Mike, Newbie to this world, Im using cakewalk and a roland v studio 20 and am looking a new audio interface, can you record two guitars at the same time on different tracks with this? And can you use the Rode nt1 Condenser mic with it, thanks a mill and great vid.
Great video! I'm looking to buy a DAC to connect to studio monitors for video production and I came across this one. I also want to learn to play the guitar, so I said why not get the AXE I/O and kill two birds with one stone? But I want a totally neutal sound for the studio monitors and the headphone output. Is this thing ok for that and how does it compare to something like the Motu M2? Thanks.
Would like you to setup a portable rig with amplitude 5. Does the ipad software have the same power as the laptop amplitude 5 software package? What about using the airstep to control the guitar sounds?
I have been using an Apogee Duet 2 with my iMac and Logic Pro X as my DAW. After buying the AXE I/O Solo, would I no longer use the Duet 2, or use them together? Thank you!
I need to connect the line out to a L and R RCA audio mini amp for speakers. Does the 1 L send stero signal so I can usa a jack to 2 RCA cable, or I need to connect 2 mono cables from jack to rca? I can find only jack to 2 rca cables
Amp out is a dry signal that you can plug into an amp input so you can hear your amp while recording something into the software, or so you can mic up your amp and effectively compare from the same performance
I have found the Mic pre-amps soft. You have to crank up the gain, and the input signal all the way to get decent sound. This is the only interface I've ever owned, so don't know if this is normal and the same on other interfaces as well.
Well by God's grace if ever I get a chance to win .then I would choose this wind instrument($109)because I belong to eastern world and I love to produce songs with such instrument ..
whats not to like? well The A/d converters are cheap poor sound quality and the Z tone is a gimic not really altering the guitar tone in a positive way. The reamp has clarity issues and control issues and fairs in comparison to a quality reamp box. Oh and tech support is non existent and a company who has zero audio interface manufacturing experience. Just for starters. To the debaters Whos using this as a AI exclusively to release radio air worthy to standards demanded today? send us a link. Ill wait for the AXE IO platinum release which may get it right.
hello, off topic but i need your help. im trying to get Jamulus to hear cakewalk and the amp sims i use with cakewalk. watching other vids their explanations show things in reaper that i cannot find inside cakewalk. not sure if its even possible, the bit of information im missing is they use ReaRoute and then jamulus can find rearoute in its devices list in its audio settings. thanks in advance video of reaper tutorial for context: th-cam.com/video/hRWIJqgRUXc/w-d-xo.html&ab_channel=TekPandaUK
Latency: it's worth remembering that speed of sound is 3ms per metre (or 3 feet). So 5ms latency is equivalent to having your ears about 5 feet away from your amp speaker cone. Most guitarists tend to be further away than that from a cranked amp. Naturally adjusting for the delay from speaker to ear is part of what creates an individual guitar style.
Wow that pretty cool. I didn't know that.
This is one of the most helpful comments I have ever read.
Thank you very much
I didn't understand the part of "Naturally adjusting... and so on"
I've realized this when I got back into rehearsal after 1 year of lockdown. Something was really strange but couldn't quite put my finger on it. I didn't know the latency=ear:distance ratio, so thanks for that.
You’ve answered all of my questions and I believe you’ve done a way better job explaining this product than the website.
I have the AXE I/O (so not the SOLO version). I love it, as I do love the IK Multimedia software (have a lot of it already). They are the basis of my recordings!
Do you use Studio Monitors with it? I'm thinking of getting this mainly to listen to music with a 2.1 setup (2 Montors&sub) and will probably fiddle with the rest later. Also if I wanna use the mic to talk to other people like via Discord, does it show as the mic or the interface in the recording tab?
@@ffash995 I can answer- for daytime and evening practice I use JBL 5”; for nighttime practice I use a basic set of Yamaha studio monitor headphones. Both work great.
Has anyone used the Axe I/O with an amp and load box?…..I want to come out of the amp out to the front of my amp,which is loaded with a reactive load box…..then send the line out of the load box into my stereo FX,The back into the AXE I/O Left and Right Stereo,and have the outputs connected to my studio monitors…..Is this possible?….It’s important that L and R in are in stereo,output 1 to the Left and Output 2 to the Right……Thinking of buying one if this will work..
I use the KRK Rokit 5 Gen 4 monitors. For reamping I use my EVH 5150 III 100W and Boss Waza Tube Amp Expander (Swiss army knife attenuator with IR loader)
Did this work out how you had hoped? I want to use AXE I/O with (2) PS100s
@@scottpeters4401
Mike, I am so happy you made a video on this. I’ll save my questions for the end. Thank you!
Not bad at all for someone that "does not play rock guitar(s)" ... Well done Mike and thanks for the review. My frustration with IK Multimedia is around buying an used interface... You loose access to all the software including the drivers and control panel which support will provide you as a "special favor" ... Other than that I like the hardware and the software
Oh wow! I didn't know that:(
Thanks for watching man, always good to see you here :)
@@CreativeSauce Tell me please . where is the software code and how to check it? I bought an interface on eBay, but I have a suspicion that it will be sent to me without software.
Exacto tiene razón con relación a la latencia, tuve un problema parecido solo con la grabación del voz, pensé eran mis instrumentos, pero luego lo descarte, era mi laptop que estaba para una formateada, ya que solo la usaba para grabar voces en brutos, y de verdad recomiendo este interfaz, te vota la máxima calidad de voz en bruto que puede existir en el planeta, el resto es chamba del master, afinamientos y mesclas, saludos desde Perú.
Your guitarplaying is a Highlight of every video from you for me!
Someone on a forum said although they had a beefy cpu that was barely at 10% when running his plugins, he wasnt able to lower the buffer without pop and clicks until he upgraded his ram from whatever he had to 3600mhz, so i suspect thats an important factor. I had an IK interface way back almost a decade now, it was built into an expression pedal and worked really well even for the time so they've been at it quite a while id definately check them out.
This a great interface for sure that I would certainly buy if I didn't have one already. But I already have a Scarlett 2i4. The bundle software with it is not bad with it. The IK stuff is better, but you do get quite a few good plugins and a piano with the Focusrite. And you are enrolled in the Focusrite plugin collective which gives you a free plugin every two months.
I'm upgrading my 2i2 gen 2. It lacks all the features I find extremely exciting. Also I'm noticing it's starting to have minor issues. But yeah, it's quite old right now. I've got it from when it just got out, must've been 2016. So I can justify to say served it's purpose, Ive used it daily because I got my first child in that year as well and had to tone noise levels doen. It was great but it seems this interface is at least in my wishlist while I will dig more options in my upgrade path. Really my 2i2 is showing its age, I miss midi IO and the pedal controls seem really exiting to me since my amp is gathering dust most of the time in rehearsal studio, seems exiting to check what I can do with my pedals with this interface.
I already have a couple of great NeuralDSP plugins, which I love, I kind of want amplitube for more versatility. NeuralDSP is great but amplitube had more.
Yes I had these questions too!! I am going to re-amp some keyboard action.
Great review Mike. I'd be very happy if I could play guitar as well as you do!
Purchased this unit 1-2021will be having a go at it. I think it sounds great !
That demo was really good imho
Great video! Liked and subbed! 🍻
Thanks, very helpful.
Wow. First view on one of Mike’s videos. How did that happen! Great job as always.
I’m a big fan of the Creative Sauce channel, especially the Cakewalk videos.
Keep up the great work.👍
Thanks so much! Normally I'm the first view - but I was a bit late today!
Wow, I made a whole reply but I missed a critical detail - for some reason I thought that this was a product made by Fractal and I was confused as to why this did not include Cab-Lab and other Fractal VST amps. In any case I did compliment the sound that this device has but feel that iy is not a stand out piece of hardware in the crowded interface space. But definitely without a doubt one that I would be happy with if it was what I had to use.
I know that a lot of YTubers are well, let's just say they all somehow seem to be saying the exact same things channel to channel - almost like they have been given a script when the company paid them to do the review... I used to really love some of them but when I noticed this scripting I felt betrayed. I mean the exact same phrasing was used over and over, no chance that it was merely coincidence.
Please note that it is only my opinion and it is also my opinion that this channel seems to be completely genuine when it comes to reviews and I do not believe that he has been swayed to say anything at all, I believe that it is all in his own words and actual opinions. I truly believe that I am getting his actual opinion and that is greatly appreciated.
Now knowing that this is from IK and not Fractal I actually feel a bit better about this and to anyone that is considering buying an interface I would say this one is not a bad choice at all, actually it is a good choice.
Anyway all I can say is make sure that you do your research, there is a lot of competition here, many below have already mentioned the Scarlet which is $50-100 less depending on the model and I think you could not tell the difference in a mix. But this one looks like it is very well built, it has some nice features and comes with a more than decent suite of VST's - If you like Amplitube VST's than this has to be an awesome deal for you. I think this one comes with one of the better software suites.
The interface I bought came with utter junk for VST's - it was all stuff that you can get for free on your own so that sucked, but I did know that before I bought it and I picked it because it is kind of built like a tank. Or they have done a good enough job of making it feel and look premium, I have been in design and manufacturing engineering for over 2 decades so I know that there are ways to cut costs while still looking great...
Keep in mind that we (most people) are suckers for marketing and hype, it really works so that's why I said do your own research; for me that means slowing down and waiting just a little bit before I pull the trigger on a purchase. That has definitely helped me make better choices. Cheers
I'm interested in replacing my Focusrite 2i2 with the Premium Axe I/O, how do XLR inputs compare for dynamic mics?
Hey how about covering the microphone preamp quality in a future video? How was it with big condenser microphone's?
Ah shit! I bought too early. I should have waited for this video
Will you please show us how to set up the wah pedal in the IK Axe I/O for cakewalk.. please Thank you for your valued time..
Thinking of buying this Axe IO to replace my litlle Presonus USB96.
Question about that Latency you were talking about... the lower sample rates of 128-512, make for an acceptable, impercetable amount of latency, as you demonstrated... but what happens when you hit the record button, and ALL you tracks play back as you record... you will hear all kinds of popping and crackling at this low sampe rate setting? (as opposed to the 1024 rate, best for "play back".?
Excellent demo of this, btw! Thanks for your time!
You are confusing sample rate and buffer size. As for the popping and cracking, there are so many factors that will influence the performance at low buffer sizes it's just impossible to know...
@@djole02 True. I have a PC, and once I changed Power Options to High Performance for the CPU, all the popping and drops stopped! So all good. Thanks
I'm trying to use the Axe I/O solo as a streaming audio interface for both guitar and vocal mic to avoid an additional interface... 1. Does anyone know if you can use it in this way. 2. If possible how would one go about setting that up on a PC?
Hello you!
Hey MC!
thx!
i would recommend the AUDIENT for 300 over anything else in this price range. but thanx for the vid on this!
Which one audient?
@@maxkhrisanfov mb AUDIENT ID4 MKII for 135$ ?
@@eremey1760 there is no reamping feature...
I do have a question for you about the mic in (Channel 2) would you be able to record guitar and vocals at the same time on different tracks in Amplitube or is it a one at a time or the mic only to be used for mic’ing an amp? Appreciate the guidance.
Hello! Can you tell me how the interface will work without software (AmpliTube 4 Deluxe 10)? What can be used for free to work with the interface without software?
Can you demonstrate to record two separate plug ins using the Z Tone DI Box?
Is there any work-around method to connect two pairs of headphones? The is no requirement to hear seperate/different mixes.
IK Multimedia AX I / O Solo or MOTU M2 for sound listening ?
I only record guitar, so i should be the target for this. $250 is too high. i have my own plugins and wasn't planning on buying those. also, i don't reamp. $169 for a Scarlet makes sense here. $80 for "Z-Tone"? nah.
Mike how would you set this up with amplitube using a nektar Expression pedal in Studio one? I just cant figure it out in
Where could I get a desk like yours you have in the background?? I need to put my piano like this
How you got latency free playing on guitar sametime listening/monitoring DAW example in Cubase? And I have MG-30 and Marshall MG-250 DFX so what is the best solution for these? I think I need mixer and 2 different monitoring....
How do you connect a mic into the "mic/line in"? What cable/adapter is needed?
HI Mike, Newbie to this world, Im using cakewalk and a roland v studio 20 and am looking a new audio interface, can you record two guitars at the same time on different tracks with this? And can you use the Rode nt1 Condenser mic with it, thanks a mill and great vid.
Great video!
I'm looking to buy a DAC to connect to studio monitors for video production and I came across this one. I also want to learn to play the guitar, so I said why not get the AXE I/O and kill two birds with one stone? But I want a totally neutal sound for the studio monitors and the headphone output. Is this thing ok for that and how does it compare to something like the Motu M2? Thanks.
Would like you to setup a portable rig with amplitude 5. Does the ipad software have the same power as the laptop amplitude 5 software package? What about using the airstep to control the guitar sounds?
I have been using an Apogee Duet 2 with my iMac and Logic Pro X as my DAW. After buying the AXE I/O Solo, would I no longer use the Duet 2, or use them together? Thank you!
I need to connect the line out to a L and R RCA audio mini amp for speakers. Does the 1 L send stero signal so I can usa a jack to 2 RCA cable, or I need to connect 2 mono cables from jack to rca? I can find only jack to 2 rca cables
You need to use both L and R outputs with mono cables.
Does this have ASIO driver for Windows? Because I'm wondering what's the latency like in a DAW like Bitwig.
Hi is work ARM architecture? (Apple Sillicon/m1/m2...)
Do you know if the AXE I/O works well with Macbook Pro M1 chip?
Can this be used as an attenuator? My thanks to you in advance.
Does it work with macOS Monterey with m1 processor?
Hello master, i have a question: the output "amp out" works for a gabinet guitar? For example gabinet mesa boogie 2x12?
Hello, any answer? Please
@@alejandromilano4288
On my Axe Solo, it just doesn’t work:(((
Amp out is a dry signal that you can plug into an amp input so you can hear your amp while recording something into the software, or so you can mic up your amp and effectively compare from the same performance
Would this audio interface be great for video voiceovers and vocals?
I have found the Mic pre-amps soft. You have to crank up the gain, and the input signal all the way to get decent sound. This is the only interface I've ever owned, so don't know if this is normal and the same on other interfaces as well.
Well by God's grace if ever I get a chance to win .then I would choose this wind instrument($109)because I belong to eastern world and I love to produce songs with such instrument ..
Does the equipment work with Mac m1? I will buy but I'm not sure if it works.
I'm wondering this as well. Did you end up getting it?
@@aerialdude
It works great in my M1 mac.
Just the amp out... is the problem.
As many reported
CONS of IK Multimedia AXE I/O
No ADAT/SPDIF ports
Only one headphone output,
Dynamic and gain ranges could have been better
Driver issues.
whats not to like? well The A/d converters are cheap poor sound quality and the Z tone is a gimic not really altering the guitar tone in a positive way. The reamp has clarity issues and control issues and fairs in comparison to a quality reamp box. Oh and tech support is non existent and a company who has zero audio interface manufacturing experience. Just for starters. To the debaters Whos using this as a AI exclusively to release radio air worthy to standards demanded today? send us a link. Ill wait for the AXE IO platinum release which may get it right.
hello, off topic but i need your help. im trying to get Jamulus to hear cakewalk and the amp sims i use with cakewalk. watching other vids their explanations show things in reaper that i cannot find inside cakewalk. not sure if its even possible, the bit of information im missing is they use ReaRoute and then jamulus can find rearoute in its devices list in its audio settings. thanks in advance
video of reaper tutorial for context: th-cam.com/video/hRWIJqgRUXc/w-d-xo.html&ab_channel=TekPandaUK