For immediate release -
NAMM 2019
IK Multimedia unveils AXE I/O premium
audio interface
with unique advanced guitar tone shaping
High-end audio interface guitar players have
been waiting for has arrived
January
17, 2019 - IK Multimedia proudly announces AXE
I/O™. This high-end audio interface and
controller is now available, and delivers premium sound
and innovative features designed for guitarists seeking
the perfect way to record with world-class tone and
professional techniques.
The new 2 In/5 Out AXE I/O offers guitar-centric
features such as adjustable impedance, streamlined
re-amplification functions and a variety of instrument
input circuits, plus a wealth of recording options
including high-end mic preamps, top-of-the-line
converters, 192 kHz operation, a wide dynamic range, an
extended frequency response and more.
AXE I/O also doubles as a controller that allows guitar
and bass players to record and perform with real-time
effects like wah and volume, offering hands-free control
over their preferred guitar-friendly software.
The inclusion of an unrivalled plug-in selection of more
than 150 guitar and outboard effects from IK's leading
AmpliTube and T-RackS packages makes AXE I/O an ideal
solution for producing top-quality tracks out of the
box.
The high-end audio interface guitar players have
been waiting for
Unlike most desktop audio interfaces that offer mostly
identical feature sets, AXE I/O offers unique guitar
features not found anywhere else - allowing users to
sculpt guitar and bass sounds never heard before - along
with top-of-the-line sound comparable to devices costing
much more.
AXE I/O represents the apogee of IK Multimedia's
experience and leadership for more than a decade in
guitar gear modelling software and dedicated guitar
performance interfaces. IK's experience creating and
capturing the best possible guitar tone has driven the
innovations that make AXE I/O possible.
Tone and feel like never before
AXE I/O offers a highly flexible input path for guitar
and bass, with features that aren't available anywhere
else. The main input channel offers both a fully
discrete Class A PURE circuit for pristine, uncoloured
sound, as well as a JFET circuit for harmonically rich
recordings, to go from transparent to tube-like within a
single device. A unique pick-up selector also offers an
ACTIVE mode that bypasses unnecessary gain stages for
use with active pick-ups, keeping the signal path as
direct and clean as possible.
In addition - for the first time in an audio interface -
a new patent-pending Z-Tone™
impedance-adapting circuit allows 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 enables changes to tone, transients, dynamics
and more, for a massive range of tonal flexibility never
heard before.
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.
Re-amplification made easier
For added sonic flexibility for guitar and bass players,
AXE I/O offers a streamlined re-amplification setup in a
single box, allowing users to easily integrate
real-world gear into a recording setup without the
inherent noise or hum typical of these connections. A
dedicated Amp Out enables using real amplifiers and
stompboxes without the need for an external signal
conversion box or other accessories (or having to unplug
existing connections). Conveniently placed on the front
panel, it eliminates ground loops to keep even high-gain
re-amplification as quiet as possible.
PURE mic preamps for transparent recording
For recording with microphones, AXE I/O offers two
hi-quality PURE discrete Class A preamps designed for
transparent and clean sound. These mic preamps offer a
wide, flat frequency response of 5 Hz to 32 kHz, to
avoid unwanted colouration and perfectly preserve the
sonic character of vocals, pianos, acoustic guitars or
any other instrument, and maintain the character of any
microphone plugged in. Their 116 dB of dynamic range
provides ultra-quiet sound that's perfect for recording
everything from the most delicate instruments to the
loudest amp stack.
Convenient connections, zero latency and
high-end conversion
AXE I/O provides two Hi-Z front panel ¼" inputs for
guitars and basses, two rear combo inputs with phantom
power to connect mics and line instruments, and bright
multi-segment LED VU meters to accurately monitor input
signal visually. 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 makes it
easy to blend direct monitoring and audio from a
computer for zero latency monitoring. AXE I/O's 24-bit,
192 kHz conversion and ultra-stable, low jitter internal
clock ensures the highest fidelity, whether recording
vocals, acoustic instruments, amplified guitar or just a
direct signal.
Seamless software integration - for AmpliTube
and more
Rarely found on audio interfaces, two dedicated back
panel controller inputs enable AXE I/O to double as a
software controller and provide connection for two
expression pedals, single or double switches. An
assignable data knob with push encoder on the front
panel also allows switching presets and controlling
AmpliTube or any other software in real time, directly
from the device. Full-size MIDI IN/OUT connectors are
also available to plug-in floor controllers or to
control rackmount gear, keyboards or any other MIDI
compatible device. A convenient front panel chromatic
tuner offers lighting-fast tuning at the press of a
button.
Advanced digital control & routing
AXE I/O features a powerful and convenient software
control panel application to manage inputs and outputs,
and assign routing and controller inputs. It encourages
a faster, freer workflow by letting users stay focused
on their music instead of adjusting settings on the unit
itself. The software allows active audio I/O to be
selected digitally from the front to rear panels,
enabling users to leave all devices connected and switch
between them from any computer. Users can also control
gain, meter behaviour, and more for both inputs and
outputs, without ever needing to touch the physical
unit. In addition, the software offers control over the
preset knob and 2 controller inputs. Set behaviour, MIDI
channel, MIDI CC #, minimum and maximum values, and
more, to dial in the best settings for each application.
A full-blown in-the-box studio - out of the box
Included is a massive 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.
Pricing and availability
AXE I/O is available immediately from the IK
Multimedia online store and from IK
authorized dealers worldwide for only $/€349.99*.
* All prices excluding taxes
For more information about AXE I/O, please visit: www.ikmultimedia.com/axeio
To watch AXE I/O in action, visit: www.ikmultimedia.com/axeio/video
See it at NAMM Room#17202, ACC North Hall, Level 2
Best regards,
Tiia
Hassinen
International PR Manager
IK Multimedia. Musicians
First.
T: +39 059 285496 | www.ikmultimedia.com
About
IK Multimedia: IK Multimedia is a leading
music technology company that harnesses advanced
software and hardware design to make professional
quality tools accessible to everyone-from its
ground-breaking AmpliTube and T-RackS software and
award-winning iLoud reference monitors, to its first
analogue hardware synth, UNO Synth. With millions of
installations and registered users worldwide, IK
also leads the way for mobile musicians with its
acclaimed iRig series of music creation tools for
use with iPhone, iPad, Android and Mac/PC.
iPhone and iPad are trademarks of Apple, Inc.,
registered in the U.S. and other countries. AXE I/O,
iRig, AmpliTube, T-RackS, iLoud are trademarks or
registered trademarks property of IK Multimedia. All
other trademarks are property of their respective
owners.
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