iD4 FAQ's

What operating system does iD4 support?

• Windows 10, 11. macOS 12+ or later. iPad and iPhone *Class Compliant only, no iD Control app for iOS.

What is the iD4?

• iD4 (formerly the iD44) - for the engineer running high-channel-count sessions. A 20-in / 24-out interface with four Audient Console Mic Preamps, two JFET Instrument Inputs, two balanced hardware inserts and 16 channels of ADAT in and out. Two independent headphone amplifiers with up to four cue mixes. RM1TM Reference Microphone included.

What USB connection do I need?

• USB C 3.0 or USB A 3.0 for ALT power and computer connection

What is Smartgain?

• Originally introduced with the EVO range of interfaces, Smartgain allows you to automatically set the gain on your mic preamps. Simply activate smart gain, perform throughout the smartgain listening process, and iD2 will automatically set your input gain.

Are the inserts fully analogue?

• Yes, the inserts are fully balanced analogue connections.

What can the FN Button be assigned to?

• Any of the monitor controls; Cut, Dim, Mono Mode, M/S Mode, Talkback, Reference Level & Monitor Correction

What is RoomTune?

• RoomTune is Audient’s new monitor correction system. Using the included RM-1 Microphone, you’ve got all you need to carry out 2.0 speaker measurements of your studio. Store multiple corrections for later recall. RoomTune measures your listening space and creates a correction profile for your monitor outputs, which is saved to the iD4 itself. A guided setup in iD Control takes you from measuring to an active profile, and you can store up to 32 profiles. Your Main and Alt speakers can each have their own profile, which switches automatically when you press ALT. The RM1 measurement mic is included in the box.

What are Orbit, HMXTM, LIFTTM and GLOWTM?

• Orbit is a discrete analogue circuit - a variable impedance control that physically changes how your microphone responds to the preamp, reshaping tonal character from airy and modern to weighted and vintage (Vintage, Smooth, and Punch).
• HMX is a discrete analogue circuit that adds harmonic saturation through a custom MOSFET - weight for thin kicks, body for clean guitars and the low-end thickness of a classic valve console.
• LIFT lifts the high frequencies with the kind of expensive sheen vocal engineers chase in the mix.
• GLOW combines HMX and LIFT in a single move providing saturation for the low-mids, sheen for the highs - for a mix-ready sound the moment you hit record.

Does iD4 use the Audient Console Mic Preamp?

• The iD4 uses the same discrete Class-A preamp design from the flagship ASP8024-HE console now featuring digital control, smart gain, and fully accurate recall.

What can I use the inserts for?

• The inserts allow you to take either mic preamp signal, route it out to hardware equipment, and then come back in via the return. Allowing you to process your audio via your outboard, as well as giving you the option to bypass the preamps entirely, and just use the return.

Can I monitor myself via iD4?

• Yes, using iD Control, take full control of your monitor mix.

Can I use both headphone outputs at once?

• Yes, both headphones will output at the same time. They share one mix, and one headphone amplifier, so watch out for level imbalances if using headphones with different impedances.

What FX are available in iD4?

• In addition to the fully analogue tone suite, DSP EQ and Compression available on all input channels, as well as comfort reverb for tracking.

Can I record the onboard DSP FX into my DAW?

• Yes, you can commit the EQ & Compression by pressing the “record FX” button on any of your input channels to send processed audio into your DAW.

Can I store my speaker and headphone volume?

• Yes, this can be done by setting the Reference Level and assigning it to the function button to recall on the go. You can also enable volume recall in iD Control’s settings page. This will recall the output level used in iD Control last before powering down the device. Please note this is not available in Standalone Mode. 

Can I use the iD4 Standalone?

• Yes, store user presets via iD control for use without a computer/mac. Use the ALT power input with any USB 3.0 Plug Socket *refer to specs here

Does iD4 come with the RM1 Measurement Microphone?

• Yes, the iD4 includes the RM1 Measurement Microphone in the box

How do I enable the instrument input?

• The iD4 will detect when an instrument is connected to the JFET input and take precedence over the combi jack input.. Simply connect your cable and it will automatically activate. iD4 has 2 x JFET inputs available on inputs 1 and 2.

How do I create a separate artist or headphone mix?

• Using iD control, you can create up to 3 mixes using the Main and Cue mixes. Independent Mixes can be routed to the appropriate physical outputs using the Routing Matrix

Do the iD Control Mixer faders affect the level recorded in my DAW?

• No. The Mixer faders control the monitoring path rather than the input level being sent to the DAW. You can change a performer or control-room monitoring balance without changing the level being recorded.

How do I power iD4 on and off?

• Simply unplug the USB connections at the back to power off the unit. If leaving connected to your Mac/PC the unit should power off along with your computer.

Why are fewer ADAT channels available at higher sample rates?

• The available ADAT channel count reduces as the sample rate increases. 8 channels per optical port at 44.1/48Khz, and 4 channels per optical port at 88.2/96Khz.

How many mics can I record at once with the iD4, and how far can I expand it?

• The iD4 records four mics at once on its Audient Console Mic Preamps, each with its own +48V phantom power. For bigger sessions, its two optical inputs each accept an ADAT preamp, adding up to 16 channels at 44.1 or 48kHz, for 20 inputs in total. At 88.2 or 96kHz, each port carries four channels, and at 176.4 or 192kHz it carries two. A Wordclock output keeps your ADAT gear in sync.

Can each performer hear their own headphone mix on the iD4?

• Yes. The iD4 has two headphone outputs, each with its own level, mute and source. You can build up to four independent cue mixes (Mix A to D) in iD Control and send any of them to either output, so you and a performer each hear exactly what you need. Each output delivers up to 456mW into 30Ω and 43mW into 600Ω.

Can I bring music, game audio or a remote guest into my stream or podcast with the iD4?

• Yes. The iD4 has built-in loopback, which sends a stereo mix from iD Control back to your computer as an input. Choose the Main Mix to send your mics and instruments together with computer audio, such as music, game sound or a guest on a call, or send computer audio on its own. In your streaming or recording app, select inputs 21 and 22.

What do I gain with the iD4 over the iD2+?

• The iD4 is built for sessions with more people in the room. You get four Audient Console Mic Preamps instead of two, two JFET instrument inputs instead of one, and two headphone outputs, each with its own level and source, fed from up to four cue mixes. Its two optical inputs and outputs carry up to 16 ADAT channels each way at 44.1 or 48kHz, for 20 inputs in total. The inserts, DIM, ALT and TALK buttons, Wordclock output and RM1 mic are the same as on the iD2+.

Will the iD4 work with my computer, iPad or iPhone, and my recording software?

• Yes. The iD4 works with Mac computers running macOS 12 or later and with Windows 10 and 11 PCs. It's class compliant, so it also works with iPad and iPhone, with no drivers to install. It works with all major DAWs, so you can keep recording in the software you already know. On Mac and Windows, iD Control lets you set up your inputs, monitoring and routing.

Will the iD4 run from my laptop's USB port, or do I need a power adaptor?

• The iD4 is bus powered, so it runs from your computer's USB port with no power adaptor needed. That's full performance on bus power alone: all four preamps at full gain, +48V phantom power, both headphone amps and the complete ADAT I/O. If your computer's port can't supply enough power, a second USB-C port labelled ALT POWER lets you add power.

What's in the box with the iD4, and what else will I need?

• You get the iD4, a 1m USB-C to USB-C cable and the RM1 measurement mic with clip, so RoomTune is ready to use from day one. You'll also need your microphones, plus headphones or studio monitors. The iD4 comes with a 3-year warranty.

Do I get software to start recording with the iD4?

The iD4 comes with ARC, our free creative software bundle, which you unlock when you register your interface. It gives you a DAW, plugins and sounds from partner developers, so you can start making music straight away. ARC's contents change over time, so check the ARC page for what's currently included.