Our friends at IK Multimedia have just announced a new electric guitar focused audio interface with controller capabilities called AXE I/O. IK Multimedia says the AXE I/O “delivers premium sound and innovative features designed for guitarists seeking the perfect way to record with world-class tone and professional techniques”. Sounds very interesting indeed, wait until you find out how affordable it is…

What Does The AXE I/O Do Differently Compared To Other Small Audio Interfaces?

The AXE I/O is a 2 In/5 Out interface boasts a variety of “guitar-centric” features including:

• Adjustable impedance

• Streamlined re-amplification functions

• A variety of instrument input circuits for total tracking tone shaping

• High-end mic preamps

• Top-of-the-line converters

• Input stages offer a superior 117 dB dynamic range

• 24-bit, 192 kHz

• MIDI IN/OUT

What makes the AXE I/O special is that it also doubles as a controller that enables guitarist and bassist to track with real-time effects such as wah and volume.

AXE I/O comes bundled with a suite of IK’s software providing over 150 guitar and outboard effects from IK's guitar & effects plug-in AmpliTube as well as T-RackS.

AXE I/O provides some unique guitar recording features that you don’t typically find in other audio interfaces of this type that IK claims will help guitarist sculpt their sounds like never heard before. The main input offers both a fully discrete Class A “PURE” circuit for tracking uncoloured sounds as well as a clever “JFET” circuit for tracking harmonically rich sounding recordings, great for getting those big tube-like tones. The guitar geekery goes deeper in this device by way of a pickup selector offering an “ACTIVE” mode for bypassing unnecessary gain stages for use with active pickups, keeping the signal path as direct and clean as possible.

A new patent-pending technology is also present in AXE I/O called Z-Tone. This is an impedance-adapting circuit that enables users to adjust the input impedance of AXE I/O to interact with their electric or acoustic guitar's pickups in a unique new way. This lets users change tone, transients, dynamics and more, for a massive range of tonal flexibility.

These AXE I/O input stages offer a superior 117 dB dynamic range to ensure the cleanest possible signal, while the extended 3 Hz - 32 kHz frequency response preserves the full sonic impact of any instrument and all its harmonic content, going beyond the 20Hz-20kHz response of traditional audio interfaces.

I/O - Zero Latency Monitoriing

• Two Hi-Z front panel ¼" inputs

• Two rear combo inputs with phantom power

• Two floating balanced outputs

• Two unbalanced and one floating unbalanced for Amp Out plus a high-current headphones output allow users to connect up to two pairs of monitors

• Mains and headphones with independent volume for both

• A Monitor knob making it easy to blend direct monitoring and audio from a computer for zero latency monitoring

Total Software Integration With AmpliTube

Plug-in controller abilities are rarely found on audio interfaces. AXE I/O features two dedicated back panel controller inputs which enables AXE I/O to double as a software controller providing connection for two expression pedals or single/double switches. An assignable push encoder data knob on the front allows for preset toggling and for controlling AmpliTube in real time. directly from the device.

Added Value

IK Multimedia are including a generous bundle of over $1,000 of software and plug-ins that includes everything needed to track, mix and master right out of the box. The Bundle features IK's AmpliTube 4 Deluxe and a selection of 10 popular processors from T-RackS 5 for recording, mixing and mastering, plus Ableton Live 10 Lite.

How Much Does AXE I/O Cost?

AXE I/O is available immediately from the IK Multimedia online store for a competitive $349.99 plus taxes.

See AXE I/O In Action

If you are attending NAMM 2019 then you can see AXE I/O in the flesh at IK' Multimedia’s booth - Room #17202, ACC North Hall, Level 2.