Audient Id4 roundup

Audient Id4: A Complete Buyer's Guide

One microphone preamp or two? The Audient iD4 answers that question by offering one very good preamp rather than two average ones. This guide helps you decide whether that trade-off suits your recording setup.

By Katie Anderson 17 March 2025 5 min read

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What You Are Buying

The Audient iD4 is a 2-in/2-out USB audio interface with one console-grade microphone preamp, a separate JFET instrument input and a USB-C connection that supplies both data and power. The current production version is the iD4 MKII. It records at up to 24-bit/96 kHz and requires no external power supply. Audient is a British company with a background in professional mixing consoles; the iD4 applies that preamp design to a desktop device aimed at home recording and personal production.

The input count is deliberate rather than a cost-cutting measure. It provides one microphone preamp and one JFET instrument input because the engineering aim was to do those two things well rather than to offer four mediocre preamps. This matters when you are comparing it with other interfaces in the same price bracket: you are evaluating the quality of one preamp channel, not the quantity of inputs.

Who Should Buy the Audient iD4

The practical buyer profile: a vocalist, podcaster, voice-over artist, guitarist or singer-songwriter who records one source at a time and wants a high-quality signal path from the first link in the chain. The two simultaneous inputs — microphone and instrument — cover the most common solo recording configuration without requiring any additional hardware. If this describes your workflow, the Audient iD4 is a strong match at its price point.

The profile it does not suit: anyone who needs to record two microphone sources simultaneously. The interface has one XLR microphone preamp. A drummer, a two-person podcast, a choir or a producer tracking instruments alongside vocals through separate microphones will hit the one-preamp limit immediately. For those needs, a two-preamp interface such as the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 or Audient's own iD14 is more appropriate.

Input and Output Specification

Rear panel: one XLR/TRS combination input for microphone or line sources, two balanced TRS line outputs for studio monitors. Front panel: one ¼-inch JFET instrument input, a ¼-inch headphone output and a 3.5 mm headphone output. The dual headphone outputs let two listeners monitor from the same unit without a headphone amplifier or splitter. The microphone input provides 48 V phantom power for condenser microphones; the switch sits on the front panel with the gain control.

Gain range for the microphone preamp is published at 58 dB. Audient lists a dynamic range of up to 125.5 dB A-weighted on certain measurement paths. Independent measurement discussions have placed the noise floor and dynamic range performance competitively within the compact interface category. These figures support the company's claim of console-derived design rather than being purely marketing language.

ScrollControl and Monitor Mix

Two features distinguish the Audient iD4 from simpler interfaces at a similar price. ScrollControl repurposes the large output knob as a DAW parameter controller when the Audient software is installed: the knob can adjust plug-in settings, scroll through a DAW window or control track parameters without touching the mouse. For a solo performer recording and operating the DAW at the same time, this reduces the physical interruption of adjusting software settings between takes.

The Monitor Mix knob blends direct input monitoring — where the signal is heard before the DAW buffer — with computer playback. This is practically important for performers who need zero-latency monitoring of their voice or instrument. Direct monitoring does not pass through DAW plug-ins, so any effects in the signal chain are not heard in that mode. The knob provides a simple analogue blend without requiring a software mixer configuration.

The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Comparison

The Scarlett 2i2 is the most common alternative considered alongside the Audient iD4. The Scarlett provides two microphone preamps at a comparable price; the Audient provides one preamp with a longer design heritage. MusicRadar's comparison noted the iD4's console preamp character and ScrollControl as differentiating factors. The practical decision: if you will ever need two simultaneous microphone inputs, the Scarlett 2i2 is more capable. If you will not, the preamp quality argument favours the Audient.

Value and What to Expect

The Audient iD4 is bus-powered, compact and ships with software bundle access that typically includes a DAW and plug-ins. The interface itself does not include a microphone, headphones or cables, which are separate purchases. At its current pricing it sits in the upper end of the entry compact-interface bracket, which is justified by the preamp specification for buyers who are recording one microphone at a time and care about the quality of that signal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Audient iD4 good for podcasting?

Yes, for solo or two-person podcasts. It handles one microphone through the XLR preamp and a second audio source through the instrument input. For two microphones — two guests each with their own microphone — you need a two-preamp interface. If one presenter is running the session and one guest is joining remotely through software, the single microphone preamp is sufficient.

What software bundle comes with it?

Audient includes access to third-party DAW software and plug-in trials as part of the bundle at point of purchase. The specific bundle contents change periodically; check what is current when buying. The Audient iD MKII driver and software for ScrollControl are always included and available directly from Audient's website at no charge.

Can the preamp handle a Shure SM7B or similar low-output dynamic microphone?

The preamp delivers 58 dB of gain. Low-output dynamic microphones such as the SM7B typically require 60 dB or more for a comfortable recording level at normal speaking or singing volume. You may find the gain control near its upper range without reaching optimal levels, particularly for quieter sources. An inline preamp booster such as the Cloudlifter CL-1 is a practical solution when the microphone requires more gain than the interface can supply cleanly.

Does it work on iPad or mobile devices?

The iD4 MKII uses USB-C. Connection to an iPad or iPhone with a compatible USB-C port is possible in principle, but Audient's documentation and support resources focus on Mac and Windows use cases. Mobile compatibility depends on the device, operating system version and whether the device can supply sufficient bus power. Test compatibility with your specific device before committing to a mobile recording workflow.