At Musikmesse 2016: Interface-maker iConnectivity has announced that the iConnectAUDIO2+, the latest in their series of audio and MIDI interfaces for Mac, PC, and iOS, is now shipping.
iConnectAUDIO2+ accommodates mics, synths, MIDI, instruments, speakers, headphones, and up to two computer devices simultaneously (Mac/PC/iOS). It features two “premium” combo inputs and six outputs, including an independent headphone mix and assignable direct monitoring. iConnectivity’s Audio and MIDI passThru technologies allow flexible routing between everything connected.
The most-used functions on the interface can be controlled from its touch panel, and iConnectivity’s iConfig software for iOS, MAC, and PC is included for setting up flexible audio and MIDI routing. Snapshots are then stored in flash memory on the device.
Here’s the video for the iConnectAUDIO2+, from its introduction at the 2016 Winter NAMM Show:
iConnect AUDIO2+ Features:
- 2 XLR 1/4” TRS combo analog inputs, each with individual +48V phantom power toggle and impedance switching
- 4 1/4” TRS balanced analog outputs
- 1/4” Headphone output with independent mix
- Multi-host Device ports – use with up to two computer devices (Mac/PC/iOS) at the same time
- Audio passThru routes audio digitally between computer devices
- 1 X 1 MIDI DIN in/out
- iConfig software (Mac/PC/iOS) makes it simple to set up of filtering/routing/mixing/merging scenes – which are also stored in flash memory on the device
- High-resolution audio – up to 24-bit/96kHz AD/DA conversion
- USB Audio 2.0 and USB MIDI 1.0 Class-Compliant
- Capacitive touch display and control surface
- USB Bus powered
- Charges an iOS device when used with optional power supply (not included)
iConnectAUDIO2+ will be on display this week at the 2016 Musikmesse in Frankfurt, Germany.
Pricing and Availability. iConnectAUDIO2+ is available now and retails at an estimated street price of $199.99 US at iConnectivity resellers worldwide. For more information, check out the iConnectivity website.
I’ve been considering getting an iConnect interface, this form factor seems like the best one for me. However, I am not sure about the drivers, are they rock solid with a computer and iPad setup? I’m pretty much after an interface that always works without any driver hassles with PC, Mac and iOS, MOTU is the only manufacturer so far that has offered me that on computers (I have not tried RME, who seem to have very good reputation or the iOS interface from MOTU).
im using one with a PCIe-424 & MTP-AV setup, i would say the only problem is that its almost *too* customizable, its easy to get lost. ive never seen another MIDI interface with as many customization options as this has, and I’m running an MTP AV, which is about as robust as they (used) to get. You can apply extremely specific filtering to various data.
ive had issues getting things to sync nicely in DP9, in the case where im trying to run everything off an ipad sequencer. DP doesnt like playing middleman in that transaction of passing sync through from the ICM to the MTP. However, Live works like an absolute dream thanks to its superior midi routing abilities.
Side note – i have a M-Audio trigger finger pro, which has severe external sync timing issues – M-Audio claims this is the result of it not liking SPP data, but hardly anyone gives you the option of disabling it, let alone on an interface-by-interface basis. Ive been tempted to get the 4+ edition, thanks to its extra USB port which works with class-compliant devices, it *should* be possible to filter out SPP to only the TFP, which would then allow me to use it as something other than a master clock device (i use it as a sequencer/controller for midi)
The price is very reasonable bang for buck features.
But why do digital audio interfaces often have more audio outputs than inputs?
A typical amateur home studio hobbyist / producer would have multiple audio generating sources – eg. a combination of synths, effect pedals, littlebits, patchblocks, microphones, guitars… etc. etc.
In my opinion there should be more audio inputs than outputs, to integrate all your output gear into your DAW / VST environment.
Any thoughts?
Owned one of the original ones when they came out. Found the software to be not very user friendly, plus it wasn’t very plug n play out of the box. Sold it within a month, hope all this has been improved.
Forgot to mention, also attempted to reach out to support. For a basic user, they were pretty snarky.
I have an iConnectMIDI4+ but am thinking of selling it and using the built in solution for direct digital audio input/output for iPad that came in with ios 9. I’ll lose some advanced midi functionality but the ICM4+ has been a bit too complex for my needs and like Armando, I’ve had some software niggles with the device.
Can anyone give an idea of the current quality and robustness of doing this with ios9.3?
I”ve had an iConnectivityAUDIO 2+ for about a year. I use it with Logic Pro X and an iPad..
When it works it is ok but I have found it to be very “flaky”.. sometimes it just does not work for no apparent reason despite unplugging and disconnecting etc. Very frustrating and I cannot recommend it. I only bought it because the Arturia Audio Fuse took about two years to materialise….. I will probably dump it and get the Audio Fuse anyway.