ESI Audiotechnik - Amber i1

The ESI Amber i1 is for anyone looking for a simple, stable and effective audio interface for recording vocals, guitar or keyboards with true studio quality. Its microphone preamp with +48V phantom power allows a condenser mic to be plugged in directly, while the Hi-Z input supports guitars or basses without a DI box. And with a dedicated RCA line input, plugging in a synth or stereo source is a snap.

Thanks to its 24-bit / 192 kHz converters and 114 dB dynamic range, this interface reproduces sound with precision and naturalness. Low frequencies are crisp, highs are well defined, and the whole thing retains a beautiful musicality. Whether for voice-overs, acoustic demos or music livestreams, the Amber i1 avoids unnecessary colouration and retains the essence of the original signal.

Real-time monitoring, accessible from the front panel, lets you fine-tune your headphone monitoring without latency. The balance between direct input and DAW return is easily adjusted using the integrated monitoring mixer. What's more, the headphone output is powerful enough to power a wide range of professional headphones.

Compatible with Windows, macOS, iOS and even iPad, it works without drivers thanks to its class-compliant mode. On Windows, the EWDM driver ensures smooth operation with the main DAWs. A loopback function even lets you recover internal signals for streaming or podcasting, directly from the interface.

The metal casing inspires confidence. The interface fits perfectly on a desk without slipping, and slips easily into a case for when you're on the move. And with the software supplied - Bitwig Studio 8-Track, WaveLab LE, Cubasis LE and a JackTrip subscription - you can compose, mix or collaborate remotely from the moment you open the box.