Audient is a brand known for its high-end studio gear, and in the EVO 4, it has distilled some of its considerable know-how into a compact, desktop audio interface intended for home studio use. The EVO 4 is a 2in/2out device featuring two transparent and detailed EVO preamps, a JFET instrument input and two speaker outputs. With its smart gain feature, the ability to control all the main I/O levels directly from the hardware, and its innovative software, the EVO 4 presents itself as a budget-friendly, user-friendly and feature-packed solution for recording artists, producers, and podcasters.
Though compact in size, this audio interface manages to balance both form and function excellently, offering designers an intuitive and simplified recording process while also promoting high-quality audio capture. EVO 4’s sleek and modern design not only makes it visually appealing, but also highly durable for both in-studio and on-the-go uses. If you’re in the market for a small, relatively inexpensive, but high-quality audio interface, the Audient EVO 4 is definitely worth considering.
In this review, we will dive deep into the features, performance, pros, and cons of the Audient EVO 4 audio interface to help you make a fully informed decision.
Contents
Unboxing and First Impressions
Upon first receiving the Audient EVO 4, one may be delighted by the compact and well-designed packaging. The external graphics are a clear and enticing representation of what lies within, spurting anticipation for the unboxing experience.
Opening the box, the first item you encounter is the EVO 4 interface itself. At first glance, it catches the eye with its luminous green and matte black colour scheme, providing an almost futuristic aesthetic that looks great on any sound engineer’s desk. Although compact in size, the Audient EVO 4 doesn’t feel cheap or flimsy, its build quality appears to be robust, promising a reliable and long-lasting performance.
Underneath the EVO 4, there are additional accessories neatly packed. Included in the box are a USB Type-C to Type-A cable and a handy quick start guide. It is quite laudable that Audient opted for the more modern USB Type-C connection, keeping pace with current technology.
The absence of a power supply might be surprising but in line with its minimalist nature, the EVO 4 draws power from your computer through its USB connection. It is also important to note that this device doesn’t come with an XLR cable, which is not unusual, but newcomers should take note to purchase one separately if they intend to use a microphone with the interface.
The minimalist design approach doesn’t end with accessories, it extends to the device’s interface as well. Despite the simplicity, the design of the EVO 4 is surprisingly intuitive. Up top is a sizable knob for controlling volume and input levels, and a clear button layout, it seems like a breeze to get started with EVO 4.
First impressions of the Audient EVO 4 suggest that it is not only visually appealing, but also that it would be a delight to use. It’s clear that Audient took user convenience into consideration, from unboxing straight to desk setup. Easy to connect and pleasingly simple to operate, it appears to be an excellent tool for both beginner and professional audio enthusiasts alike.
| Product Name | Amazon Link |
|---|---|
| Audient EVO USB Audio Interface | Find more info on Amazon here! |
| Audient Interface Bundle Gearlux Polishing | Find more info on Amazon here! |
Key Features and Functionality
The Audient EVO 4 is indeed a small package, but it has a lot to offer. Designed and engineered in Britain, it enhances your audio interface experience with a plethora of useful and innovative features.
1. Superior Preamp: At the heart of EVO 4 are the 2 EVO Preamps, providing 58dB of gain range, that allow you to plug in your microphones, guitars, keyboards and more, offering a clean, and precise sound.
2. Smartgain Mode: One of the key elements of the EVO 4 is the Smartgain mode. This feature automatically sets the level of your microphones by detecting the volume of your input and setting the gain for you. It’s an excellent tool for beginners or for anyone who wants to save some time.
3. Ultra-Low Latency: The EVO 4 offers ultra-low latency performance, giving you a great sound faster. This makes it an excellent interface for real-time recording situations or dynamic live performances.
4. Loopback Functionality: The EVO 4 has a built-in loopback feature which allows you to record your computer audio simultaneously with microphones. This functionality is particularly useful for podcasters, gamers or musicians who want to capture their computer audio for playback.
5. High-Performance Converters: The EVO 4 uses high-performance AD/DA converters making sure you hear the audio exactly the way it is.
6. Robust Build and Portability: Despite its small, compact size, the EVO 4 boasts a robust, solid build. This makes it highly portable and ideal for on-the-go creatives who need a reliable audio interface that can withstand the rigors of travel.
7. Compatibility: The EVO 4 is compatible with all major audio software and is completely USB-C bus powered, empowering you to make recordings and podcasts anywhere.
8. Intuitive User Interface: With easy access to levels, phantom power, and more, through the clear and concise control layout, the EVO 4 seamlessly integrates with your workflow, regardless of your level of expertise.
The above features are indicators that the Audient EVO 4 is a versatile audio interface, efficient for professionals and easy enough for beginners. It promises a clean sound at lightning speed with advanced technology packed into a compact and sturdy shell.
Sound Quality and Performance
The sound quality of the Audient EVO 4 is impressive for its price bracket. Equipped with two EVO preamps, this audio interface delivers highly detailed sound, augmented by a significantly high gain range of 58dB. This makes it particularly suitable for a broad array of high impedance microphones.
Perhaps one of the key elements that set the EVO 4 apart in terms of sound quality is its Smartgain feature. This is a dynamic function that serves to automatically adjust the gain leveling based on the sound input. This results in minimal distortion and maximal sound clarity, which is quintessential for sound recording, be it instruments or vocals.
As for its performance, the EVO 4 makes a striking statement with its high-fidelity conversion capability. Thanks to its 24-bit/96kHz converters, the audio recorded through the EVO 4 has an astonishing clarity and detail. This kind of conversion ensures that every nuance of the sound is accurately captured, giving you a pure and realistic recording.
Another notable performance feature of the EVO 4 is its ultra-low latency. This directly translates to more efficient recording and monitoring, leading to a seamless audio production experience. Moreover, the JFET instrument input on the front panel offers a harmonically rich and accurate audio rendition.
In its totality, Audient EVO 4’s sound quality and performance is groundbreaking in its class. It manages to combine high-quality sound production with advanced features, meeting the demands of both beginner and seasoned audio recorders and producers.
Connectivity and Integration
The Audient EVO 4 provides a wealth of connectivity options for such a compact unit. Designed with both beginners and seasoned pros in mind, it effortlessly integrates into any recording setup. At its heart is a USB-C port allowing high-speed data transfer. The USB-C port brings with it the plug-and-play convenience and, with the supplied USB-C to USB-A cable, it ensures that EVO 4 is compatible with both modern and older computers.
It features 2-in / 2-out audio interface. This means you can record up to two channels simultaneously, and monitor two channels simultaneously. Each of the two inputs can accommodate either a microphone or a line-level source via beautiful sounding clean preamps, which excel at capturing every detail of the performance.
Additionally, the unit provides a JFET Instrument Input for connecting guitars, basses or any other line-level instrument directly. This input circuit gives the option to add a discrete saturation, designed to provide a touch of analog warmth on inputs when needed.
For monitoring, the EVO 4 provides a pair of 1/4” speaker outputs and a front-facing headphone output, which means you can easily swap between monitoring on speakers or headphones. The headphone output mirrors the main speaker output with direct monitoring.
When it comes to integration with software, the EVO 4 shines too. It’s supplied with Audient’s Creative Suite, which includes an impressive range of software and plug-ins to get you started. It’s compatible with any DAW that supports ASIO or Core Audio, and it also supports iOS devices using one of Apple’s camera connection kits.
The Audient EVO 4’s connectivity and integration capabilities make it a powerful tool for anyone involved in home recording, podcasting, or streaming. Despite its compact size, it manages to fit in all the required facilities for comprehensive integration into a studio setup.
Pros and Cons
Before moving forward, it is important to consider the pros and cons of Audient EVO 4.
Pros
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High Audio Quality: Audient EVO 4 delivers a stunning audio quality with 24-bit depth and a sample rate of 96kHz.
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Smart Gain feature: This function allows you to set gain levels automatically, which can save you precious time during the recording process.
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Extremely Portable: Weighing only 0.88lbs, it easily fits in any bag making it perfect for recording on the go.
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User-friendly interface: With just a few buttons and a large volume knob, the interface is simple and intuitive. Even users who are not familiar with audio interfaces can quickly understand and use it effectively.
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Affordable: Despite its top-tier features, the EVO 4 comes in at a surprisingly affordable price point.
Cons
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Lack of MIDI Connectivity: Musicians who use MIDI instruments might be disappointed, as there are no MIDI input/output jacks.
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Absence of Additional Software Packages: Many audio interfaces come with additional software applications and plugins. Unfortunately, Audient EVO 4 does not offer this bonus.
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Limited Physical Inputs: It has only two physical inputs, which may not be enough for more complex recording setups.
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No Direct Monitoring Balance Control: Without distinct control for monitoring levels, it might be inconvenient for recording artists to balance between mic input and PC output.
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Not USB-C: While not a massive issue, the use of a USB-A to USB-C cable can be inconvenient for users with newer computers.
Comparisons with Other Products
When compared to other products in the same category, the Audient EVO 4 stands out in several areas.
First off, when contrasted with competitors such as the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen and PreSonus AudioBox, the EVO 4 design stands apart. Its compact and sleek design is a breath of fresh air within the highly utilitarian audio interface market.
In terms of functionality, while products like the PreSonus AudioBox deliver 96kHz audio recording, the EVO 4 surpasses this with 24-bit/96kHz audio resolution, ensuring superior sound quality which is a crucial factor for audio professionals.
Unlike most other audio interfaces in its price range, the EVO 4 also offers a Smartgain function. This feature makes it easier to set the gain levels for your microphones or instruments automatically, saving time and ensuring optimal sound quality which is not offered by products like Behringer U-Phoria UM2.
Additionally, EVO 4’s software control application offers a high level of flexibility that is plain not found with its competitors. It allows for the customisation of a multitude of settings, such as output routing and loopback functionality, directly from your computer.
While the M-Audio AIR 192|4 provides a similar level of control and identical resolution to the EVO 4, it does so at a higher price point, making the Audient EVO 4 a more cost-effective option without compromising on features or quality.
In conclusion, while each audio interface has its own virtues and might better fit particular use cases, the Audient EVO 4 offers a unique combination of sleek design, professional sound quality and unique features like Smartgain and a robust software control application at a competitive price.
Price Point and Value for Money
The Audient EVO 4 offers a remarkable value for money, setting a new benchmark in the budget audio interface market. Priced at around $129, this audio interface brings together the benefits of high-quality sound and sophisticated features in an affordable package.
Despite it being relatively inexpensive, the EVO 4 refuses to compromise on professional functionality. Equipped with 2-in/2-out audios, smart gain, loopback functionality, and a powerful headphone output, the EVO 4 exhibits a level of quality and utility only found in pricier models.
It’s also important to note the unit’s user-friendly nature. Audient has elegantly combined usability and performance to create a product that welcomes beginners while still meeting the needs of advanced users. The device’s ‘smart gain’ feature, in particular, helps users to set appropriate mic levels accurately, making the interface quite straightforward to use.
The Audient EVO 4’s compactness and robust build further enhance its appeal, particularly for those needing a portable solution for recording and mixing. Its sleek design is a perfect fit for minimalist or home studios where space might be a concern.
In terms of price point, the Audient EVO 4 clearly stands out in a crowd of competitors by offering a great balance between affordability and professional quality. Its extensive features and user-friendly interface, along with its robust, compact build, showcase its exceptional value for money. It’s an attractive option for those starting in audio recording or even more experienced users looking for a cost-effective, reliable audio interface.
Final Thoughts and Recommendations
The Audient EVO 4 is a brilliant device that packs a punch in a compact size. This audio interface is perfect for beginners venturing into the world of recording and music production, as well as experienced artists seeking a powerful yet portable device. With a well-built structure and thoughtful design, the EVO 4 offers a smooth user experience.
The device’s innovative Smartgain feature automates the level-setting process, taking away the fear of clipping and distorting your audio. This, coupled with high-quality converters and preamps, ensures excellent sound capture quality.
However, do note that some users have mentioned the absence of an additional MIDI In/Out could be an obstacle for certain music production tasks. Nevertheless, its USB-C support, solid build quality, and clear audio reproduction make it a real winner, especially considering it’s very affordable.
As such, we recommend the Audient EVO 4 for anyone on the lookout for a powerful, high-quality, and cost-effective audio interface. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned music producer, the EVO 4 is more than capable to cater to your audio recording needs, offering both ease of use and the highest quality sound.