Audient ID24 USB Audio Interface Review (In Depth, 2023)

Audient ID24 Review (Definitive, 2023)

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The Audient iD24 is one of Audient’s most recent additions to its illustrious “ID” line of USB audio interfaces, boasting well above average sound quality, functionality, and reliability. This attractive, stylish studio-grade accessory provides a very well appointed surface layout and a convenient, easy-to-use software mixer control panel. Although this exciting piece of kit doesn’t have the “MkII” moniker appended to its name – such as the flagship iD44 MkII has - it may certainly be considered a second generation unit by cause of it benefitting from all the same technological advancements that its MkII iD brethren do. In essence, the iD24 replaces its highly regarded predecessor, the iD22.

​Right out of the gate, I’d like to make it clear that one may consider the iD24 to be of the higher tiered, prosumer calibre, far out classing any average consumer-grade USB audio interface. Examples of the latter would be devices such as Focusrite’s Scarletts, Presonus’ Audiobox line, Steinberg’s entry and mid range UR series, and similar. Mind you, thousands upon thousands of home producers get along just fine with Scarletts and Audioboxes; and too, let’s not forget that their cost of entry is considerably less than that of the iD24. Notwithstanding, the build quality, functionality, feature set, and over-the-top, pristine audio quality inherent in Audient’s 2nd gen iD series of USB audio interfaces far exceeds that of typical consumer-grade gear.

​So, just how much of an expenditure is required to obtain this piece of metal-encased audio luxury? Well, dear Reader, you needn’t hold your bated breath in trepidation. As of the time of this publication, the iD24 retails at Sweetwater, in the USA, for $399 USD. Here in Canada, Long & McQuade sell the iD24 for $549 CAD. Back home in the UK, our British neighbours can purchase one for £295 GBP at Andertons. As a point of reference, a Forcusrite Scarlett 4i4 may be had from Sweetwater (USA) for $259 USD.

Tech Spec Highlights:

• The iD24 operates at 24-bit and supports sample rates up to 96kHz, but its internal 32-bit architecture ensures optimal audio quality way above its 24-bit pay grade.
• Amazing ADC and DAC converters are on tap! It is very possible that Audient have crafted the quietest, most efficient converters to be found in any audio interface with a price tag south of $1500. Advanced circuitry of this kind guarantees that the iD24 delivers remarkable signal-to-noise ratio, high headroom, and a very wide dynamic range (DAC = 126 dB, ADC = 122 dB).
• Deluxe, console grade Class-A preamps -- the exact same preamp type found in Audient’s high end mixing consoles, such as the ASP8024-HE.
• Industrial grade Amphenol combi XLR - ¼” connectors. These provide both balanced XLR (Mic) connections and also line-level signals (such as produced by keyboard line outs).
• An honest-to-goodness discrete JFET high Z instrument input that closely mimics a typical tube amp’s (clean) input.
• Two sets of balanced ¼” TRS send/return inserts for patching in outboard hardware (such as compressors, EQs, deEssers, and etc.).
• USB-C Bus powered, based on the USB 3 framework (*The actual transfer rate is still within USB 2.0 specifications though).
• Physical console-like function buttons such as Cut, Dim, Mono, Talkbalk, and Phase Invert (*some of these functions require assignment via the iD mixer control software). There are also sturdy mini toggle switches (per channel) to enable 48v phantom power, a -10dB pad, and 80hz high pass filtering.
• ADAT (S/PDIF compatible) TOSlink ports to facilitate channel expansion for up to eight additional mic preamp inputs.
• There is 58dB of (extremely low noise) input gain available, and a supremely low THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) level of only 0.0015 percent.
• Incredible low latency, real-time analogue signal monitoring - typically, live analogue signal monitoring (cue mix) is experienced at latency timings LOWER than 0.4 milliseconds!

​** For the full list of iD24’s specifications and product details, feel free to visit the product’s home page. A link will be listed at the bottom of this page.

Cross Platform

Like most audio interfaces on the market, this one is perfectly at home on both Windows (versions 10 and 11) and OSX, beginning with macOS 10.13.6 (High Sierra) up to 13.x (Ventura). Both Intel and Apple Silicon CPUs are supported.

Here’s a special announcement to my fellow Linux enthusiasts. Although Audient really doesn’t advertise the fact, iD24 is more or less a USB class-compliant device; meaning it works swimmingly on contemporary builds of Linux. For example, this interface has been working a treat for me on my Kubuntu 22.04 LTS system (with both the 5.15 kernel and also the recently released 6.2 kernel). How unfortunate it is for we Linux users that Audient doesn’t officially support the open source community, nor do they develop a native Linux driver (and accompanying Mixer Control Software). As such, the iD24’s advanced routing options and extended features are frustratingly inaccessible in Linux. Nevertheless, all core functionality works flawlessly (for me), and while being handled by the Jack Audio protocol, latency timings are lower (IE. faster) than they are in Windows using iD’s official driver – perhaps as much as 20 or 25 percent lower!

At A Glance

The iD24 comes across as a sexy, modestly-sized block of premium metal fabrication. It exudes an understated air of class and sophistication, arrayed in an elegant smoke gray finish that can’t help but dress up any potential suitor’s studio desk or console. Perfectly spaced dials, switches and luminescent buttons are tastefully laid out over its highly accessible top surface. Smooth, frontal curves beckon an onlooker’s appreciative gaze, leading one’s eyes to continue admiring the equally attractive straight lines along the chassis sides. Subtly curved corners are seen all around, giving the unit a graceful, chic carriage. A set of sleek (*almost centered) 8-segment LED ladder meters and a discretely-placed USB connectivity indicator alluringly complete the iD24’s top panel.

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​The chassis shape is most nearly flat and rectangular, having a barely perceptible incline from front to rear. Although the top-mounted controls and overall appearance do bear a negligible similarity to Universal Audio’s, “Apollo Twin”, the iD24 is much flatter -- unlike a UA Apollo, it is not wedge shaped.

​Precisely flush-mounted I/O ports are conveniently located on the front face, providing ready access to a JFET High Z mono preamp input on the left, and a pair of stereo headphone outputs on the right – one of which is a 1/8” mini port. Whilst the pair of headphone ports share the same output circuit and a single volume control, they do provide a means of handily allowing two people to monitor output signals simultaneously.

Audient has outfitted the back panel of the iD24 with a full complement of I/O connectivity options. Here, the discriminating professional will be delighted to find a few outstanding appointments that aren’t typically seen on most consumer grade USB audio interfaces. These being:
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• A pair of ADAT ports to extend input capacity up to 10 channels (via an appropriate hardware addon, like an EVO SP8).
• Two sets of preamp inserts to facilitate outboard signal processing hardware (such as compressors, deEssers, and equalizers).
• A BNC wordclock output.
• Four balanced outputs, providing two stereo pairs, plus the ability to alternate between them on the fly, AND with alternate speaker volume compensation when necessary.

​On the rear panel, from left to right we have a USB-C port, a set of TOSlink ADAT (S/PDIF compatible) ports (In and Out), a BNC Wordclock connector, a quad of ¼” balanced TRS outputs, and a pair of high quality Amphenol combi inputs, flanked by their respective ¼” balanced TRS send/return inserts. Oh oh! Audient has omitted traditional MIDI DIN connectors here, which will surely be a perfunctory disappointment to those who regularly rely on traditional MIDI workflows and connectivity.

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​What’s In The Box?

​The iD24 comes snugly seated in a sleek, sturdy cardboard box. There’s nary a twinge of wiggle room; a couple of accessories are fitted in neatly and securely as well. Thankfully, a six foot USB-C cable is included along with a simple, but adequate, quick start booklet. It’s a simple affair void of superfluous marketing fluff or case candy, but customers are provided with a tidy little starter kit of additional software via online registration. The iD24’s moderately high price tag does NOT entail an impressive, all encompassing software bundle, but there are a few appreciable bits parceled in. These being:

• 2 GB of free samples from Loopcloud.
  
• Arcade Loop Player by Output.
  
• Torpedo Wall of Sound speaker-cab simulation plugin by Two Notes (limited version with 8 free cabs on board).
  
• Cubase ™ LE DAW and Retrologue 2 (vintage analogue-style soft synth) from Steinberg.
  
• PPG Wave 2™, drum module Attack™ and filter D-pole™ from Waldorf.
  
• M-Tron Select by GForce®.
  
• 3 free online course by, “Produce Like a Pro”.
  
• ‘Originals: Cinematic Pads’ by Spitfire Audio.

It is my honest opinion that the included software bundle is somewhat underwhelming. In all fairness though, Audient aren’t selling a software bundle here; in actuality, they’re selling a superb USB audio interface with which they have thoughtfully bundled a few bits of handy music software. Although the software collection is modest, there certainly is enough caboodled in to enable new music creators to get underway without having to open up their pocketbooks even wider. I doubt that experienced producers and/or enthusiasts will be elated by any of the bundled ‘lite’ software bits, since those folks most likely already own one or more full version Pro DAW licenses. The same can be said of the included virtual instruments and plugins – the bundled free ‘Lite’ plugins will potentially wet a newcomer’s appetite for the respective uncrippled, paid variants.

​​I’m grateful that Audient ships a good USB-C cable with the iD24, but I honestly feel it would be all the better if they were to also include a decent USB-C to A cable to facilitate USB 3.x slots. After all, not everyone has USB-C ports on their computers; some computers only have one C port. To give an example, the z490 motherboard in my production PC has but a solitary USB-C port onboard. It’s understandable that Audient chose to make a C port the connection du jour because of the iD24’s relatively high power requirement (higher than USB 2.0 can reliably deliver). Just the same, a USB 3.1 BUS can also provide enough juice to power the iD’s energy needs.

​Build Quality:

​Build quality here is second to none! The iD24 is housed in a super solid, all metal chassis that is definitely road worthy while also serving as a very effective heat sink -- keeping the internal components safely cooled. Absolutely everything about this unit feels strong, sturdy and tight – you won’t hear any rattly bits shifting around if you give it a good shake. Excluding the luminescent push buttons, all of the knobs and switches are made of metal and yield a robust, firm tactility. Each of the three smaller dials (two input gain knobs and a headphone volume control) feel smooth and tight, offering a pleasant, oily resistance and fluid range of rotation. The eye-catching, large rotary volume control graduates smoothly, but does so with subtle, yet definite detents. Alas, this dual-purpose dial** is of the endless encoder variety, meaning it doesn’t have physical start and stop points like a typical potentiometer has.

** Dual purpose in that the volume knob can be assigned to scrolling functions within compatible software – for example, I’ve used it to scroll up and down in Reaper’s track arranger.

The function buttons (ID, DIM, CUT, F1, F2, F3) are composed of some sort of plastic material, but they certainly don’t feel cheap or flimsy. With the exception of the Wordclock BNC connector, all of iD24’s I/O ports are also made of a durable plastic-resin; again, these are very well fitted and don’t feel the least bit weak or fragile. Inserting a plug into any of the I/O jacks results in a solid, reassuring click; the inserted plug is held fast with a snug, secure fit. Finally, the interface will grip your desk securely thanks to its foursome of rubber-silicone, anti-slip feet -- not to mention, it weighs the better part of 2 lbs (almost 1 kilogram).

​Driver Installation and Performance:

​The driver installation process was easy-peasy for me. I simply downloaded the most recent device drivers from Audient’s web site and installed them (easily located by clicking on the ‘Downloads’ link on the product’s home page). The drivers and incorporated mixer software utility are quite small, topping in at only 22 MB, so the download and subsequent installation was quick and snappy. After the initial driver installation, iD’s driver app notified me of an available firmware update which also executed quickly and easily. I then rebooted my PC just for good measure . . . 
After my system rebooted, I was off to the races with nary a glitch or hiccup of any kind.

As a matter of fact, these drivers might just be the most stable USB audio drivers that I have ever worked with. When using other brands of USB audio interfaces (you know . . the red ones, the blue ones, and others of their ilk) I’ve often experienced freezes, glitches, stutters, and general driver buggery. I’m absolutely thrilled to report that this is not the case with Audient’s iD24 drivers – these are obviously well coded and carefully scrutinized by the company’s Quality Assurance personnel.

​The fastest, lowest latency USB audio drivers that I’ve had on my system were those by ESI-audio - accompanying their U86 XT and U168 XT units. Unfortunately, ESI’s drivers could be finicky and quirky from my own viewpoint. Although I don’t personally own an RME device, It’s safe to say that RME’s drivers are touted to be the fastest and most stable USB audio drivers on the planet. Be that as it may, you’ll need to pony up $1400 USD, or more, in order to realize said speed and stability. The Audient drivers aren’t quite as speedy as ESI-audio’s, but they are on par (speed wise) with Focusrite’s Gen 3 Scarlett drivers – which is certainly a respectable degree of latency for any USB interface.

I generally keep my sample rate set to good ole fashioned 44.1 kHz, with a buffer setting of 64 samples. These settings consistently deliver an input latency of 2.9 ms, output latency of 3.4 ms, and an audio return trip time of 7.89 ms. The virtual instrument processing time is even quicker, measuring only 6.93 ms. Bumping the sample rate up to 48 kHz drops the audio return trip time down to 7.67 ms, and blasting it up to 96 kHz lowers RT to a blazing 6.3 ms. These are very respectable and satisfactory latency values for a USB audio interface. Where the Audient USB audio drivers distinguish themselves and pull way ahead of their competitors, however, is with regard to their exemplary stability and reliability. You know the old adage, “You get what you pay for” . . . Well, part of paying for a more premium audio interface, such as the iD24, happily results in premium driver performance and stability too. Jus’ sayin’.

​Appointments & Functions:

​I’ve already notated the iD24’s main physical features, but it’s important to shine a proverbial spotlight on a few of the unit’s accoutrements. Firstly, the rotary control knobs are fabricated of hand-milled aluminum – there’s nothing cheap or common about them. Although the mini toggle switches used for activating 48v phantom power, -10dB pads, and 80 Hz high pass filtering are diminutive in stature, they are decidedly solid and hardy, made of honest-to-goodness metal. When you flip one of these little babies, your fingertips are rewarded with a satisfying, tight-feeling snap. When you press a function button, such as the dedicated Dim or Cut buttons, these too feel sturdy and substantial under hand. Moreover, when their assigned functions become activated, the buttons glow with a bright, luminescent blue light. Functional and purrrdy – what more could one ask for?

Speaking of the function buttons, let’s quickly take a closer peek at their purpose(s). There are three dedicated buttons: ID, Dim and Cut. The ID button reassigns the large volume dial for use as a scroll wheel within compatible software**. Dim will lower audio output by a pre-determined amount. By default, it seems to be around a 6dB – 7.5dB volume reduction, but neither the web site nor the downloadable user’s manual disclose the actual value. In any case, by bringing up the iD control software and viewing the “System Panel”, you can tweak this setting to best suit your own needs. (View  > > Show System Panel). The third button is labeled, “Cut” - this one completely mutes audio output.

** For the record, there are four mainline DAWs that support Audient’s ‘ScrollControl’: Ableton Live, Cubase/Nuendo, Pro Tools and Logic Pro.

​Moving along to the right side is where you'll locate the three F-Keys (Function Buttons). Buttons F1, F2, and F3 are user-programmable doodads that allow you to activate a number of monitoring functions from within the iD Software Mixer. For example, I’ve configured F1 to trigger the ‘MONO’ function, and I’ve set F2 to swap phase polarity.

I’m very impressed with the console-like, hands on accessibility that the iD24 provides. For good measure, all of the physically exposed functions are also available within the iD Mixer Control software, plus a few that aren’t actionable on the hardware itself. My, but isn’t this a wonderful juncture to cleverly segue into the software side of things . . .

​The iD Mixer Control Software:

By default, an iD control icon will be added to your Computer Operating System’s task tray during driver installation. Double clicking on the icon calls up the iD Software Mixer, whose colour scheme visually matches the hardware unit perfectly. Although this isn’t a resizable GUI, its proportions are large enough to pleasingly accommodate my 24” monitor @1920 x 1080p resolution. Within the iD software, you’ll find four menu categories: File, View, Setup and Help.

• File menu grants access to saving and loading user-saved mixer setups.
• View lets you toggle the various input types, and the System Panel (for assigning F-Key button functions, manipulating DIM values, and other editable bits). The System Panel is also where a user can wrangle up CUE mix routing, Alternate speaker level compensations, DIM amounts, and general signal routes.
• Under the Setup menu you can adjust sample rate, buffer values, clock source and loopback source.
• The Help menu is where the iD knowledge base can be accessed from, where you can check for firmware updates, and where driver version identification is listed.

iD Software Mixer Control - Click to Zoom

​The iD Software Mixer features three types of input channels: Microphone, Digital and DAW Returns. Each of the input types can be revealed or hidden by clicking on its respective small toggle located in the upper right corner of the iD Mixer GUI.

​As one would expect, Mic inputs display incoming signal activity from iD24’s two analogue inputs. The Digital inputs receive optical signals; where the number of digital inputs shown is dependent on the digital input type (S/PDIF or ADAT) and the sample rate being used.

NOTE: The iD24 can host up to eight additional preamp inputs, but only at sample rates of 44.1kHz and 48kHz – the allowable number of additional inputs gets halved at a sample rate of 88.2kHz or higher.

DAW Returns are the signals being played back from your DAW. The iD24 has six DAW Return channels, allowing you set up multiple cue mixes or sends to outboard gear.
​
Each iD Software Mixer channel hosts a handy assortment of super convenient, console-like controls. These being: a nice long throw fader, a +10dB boost switch, Pan, Phase flip, Solo, Mute, **Stereo Group and a snazzy, tall multicolour signal meter.

​** Stereo Group allows you to group two adjacent channels into a single stereo channel with a single fader controlling the level of both channels. When a channel is stereo grouped, the pans will automatically be set to hard left and hard right.

In the Mix section, you can select either of your independent CUE mixes and adjust their levels or solo them.
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In the lower right corner of the Mixer UI is where you’ll see a neat grouping of six monitoring controls: TB (Talkback), Phase flip, Mono, ALT (for selecting an alternate set of speakers), DIM (reduces the output level by a preset amount) and CUT (mutes the output). As I’d mentioned before, TB, Phase flip, MONO and ALT can all be assigned to any of the three available F-Key function buttons (F1, F2, and F3).

A flexible talkback system is neatly tucked into the fray as well - you’ll find it on the System Panel, accessed from the ‘View’ menu. Obviously, either of the two analogue microphone inputs can be relegated to talkback duties, or any attached ADAT mic input. But where Audient have taken things even farther into convenience-ville, is that you can opt to use any ole USB or built-in gadget that you might have on hand. For instance, your laptop’s built in mic, a USB mic, or even a USB webcam mic can be drafted into talkback service. This is a very unique implementation, and demonstrates both ingenuity and consideration on Audient’s part. If you aren’t in a position to enlist additional mic pres through an ADAT addon, you can still make use of the talkback system without hobbling one of the two analogue mic channels - just go ahead and use whatever else you have at your disposal.

​Audient has also ingeniously devised a modern content-creation component into the iD24 called, “Audio Loop-back”. Audio Loop-back gives you the ability to capture playback from multiple applications on your computer simultaneously in real-time with your live microphone signals! Such a non-typical feature as this lets you create a custom audio feed that can be sent to streaming software, like OBS. This cool, less-than-common integrant of the iD24 is aptly suited to contemporary content creators, podcasters and streamers. Audio Loop-back is also sure to be a prime benefit to educators and presenters, or anyone else who frequently prepares instructional videos.

​Sound Quality:

​Everything I’ve shared with you thus far about this audio interface hopefully gives you the impression that it is truly a finely crafted and feature-laden small studio ‘must have’. Nevertheless, as magnificent as iD24’s build quality is, as remarkable as its tactile appointments are, regardless of how stable the drivers and Mixer Control Software are, none of these attributes would be enough to take the iD24 across the finish line if its audio properties weren't up to snuff -- the quality of sound must of the same echelon. Agreed?
​
Hooray!
The fact of the matter is; audio quality IS the iD24’s most impressive attribute!

​I’ve been duly impressed with my Presonus, “Quantum 2” thunderbolt audio interface since I picked it up at Long & McQuade in early 2022. It too boasts really impressive technical specs and very, very good sonic performance. Notwithstanding, as soon as I started playback of my most familiar pro reference tracks through the iD24, it was as if my monitor speakers were gloriously born again! I was immediately enthralled with the clarity, definition and dimensional sonority that was being emitted through my studio monitors.

​My go-to studio monitors is a set of ESI-audio UniK 8+ speakers (Feel free to check out my Unik 8+ review here). To my ears, the iD24 paired with a good set of studio monitors (such as the UniK 8+), delivers an aural experience that possibly reaches beyond its designers’ intent. Else, Audient knew exactly just how good this circuit design was, but decided to bless the production community with it anyway – this device far out classes its modest monetary ticket.

​The bass and low end are deep, but very well defined and never unpleasantly boomy. Midrange frequencies come through clean and articulately without suffering from a nasally honk or muddiness. The highs are exquisitely reproduced with crystalline openness, but never sound fizzy or unnaturally hyped. The iD24 presents the listener with a very detailed and well-defined sound stage. Stereo separation and auditory panorama are presented accurately and articulately. Suffice it to say, the iD24 bestows upon its users a truly flat, uncoloured frequency response. This, coupled with its outstanding signal-to-noise ratio and higher than average dynamic range, makes the Audient iD24 an audio engineer’s delight. At the higher sample rates of 88.2 kHz and 96 kHz, this titillating little audio wonder will doubtlessly satiate even the most demanding audiophile’s sonic appetite.

Headphone output is good here - not “headphone amp” great - but, certainly better than being merely adequate. Truth be told, cranking the headphone gain knob past the 2 o’clock position makes ‘phones monitoring uncomfortably loud for me. I listen through a faithful pair of 32 ohm Sennheiser HD-280 Pro headphones.

​I have a nifty little passive monitor control gizmo from ESI-Audio called, “MoCo”. One of MoCo’s handy features, is its ability to route two different input sources to a single set of speakers. As such, I was able to quickly switch between my Quantum 2 and the iD24 during some very focused listening tests. Admittedly, there wasn’t a huge, night-and-day difference between them, but in my honest opinion, the Audient unit definitely came out on top by a 5 to 10 percent margin. Keeping things in perspective, the Presonus Quantum 2 used to retail here in Canada for just a sneeze under $1000. The iD24 retails for $549.

I’ll never part with my Quantum though – it does sound really, really good, and the speed of its drivers are absolutely amazing! The latency values with my Quantum 2 (thunderbolt) are LESS THAN HALF of what the iD24’s drivers can achieve – or any other USB audio interface for that matter (except maybe an RME Babyface?).

My solution? Quantum 2 for tracking and preliminary mixing – iD24 for more detailed mixing and mastering tasks. Oh, and for ALL vocal takes – the iD’s preamps are to live for!

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​On the topic of input signal character, Audient’s award winning, Class-A preamps are unequivocally the best you’ll find in any audio interface under $1500 (maybe even $2000)! You need never be concerned about whether or not these incredible preamps have a broad-enough, workable frequency range. These preamps can capture signals that extend far beyond the human hearing spectrum - they subsonically reach as low as 10 Hz, and can soar all the way out to a stratospheric 40 kHz!

​As an aside, one can choose to bypass the unit’s built-in preamps by simply connecting an external mic preamp into one of the analogue channels’ insert return ports. This allows you to use an outboard, tube-driven, “colourful” preamp without relinquishing the benefits of Audient’s stellar 32-bit converters – it’s a win-win! Notwithstanding, I can’t foresee anyone wanting to bypass these magnificent preamps under normal circumstances.

​The front-mounted (discrete) JFET High Z instrument input is hardwired to operate on analogue channel 1. While in use, this input takes priority over channel one’s rear combi connection. I’ve tested it with various guitars, ranging from single coil Strats n’ Teles to my humbucking Gibsons and Epiphones. I’ve found Audient’s claims to be spot on – it really does closely mimic the sort of response and characteristics that one would expect to find on a good tube amp’s (clean) input. There’s an indefectible je ne sais quoi about this tantalizing appointment that eludes simple description. When I initially perused the iD24 spec sheet, and read that this dedicated instrument input was a JFET component - one that inferred a tube amp-like responsivity - I was concerned that it would be difficult to record pristine, clean guitar and/or bass signals through it. Thankfully, these were not my findings at all. On the contrary, this input is very clear and defined; possessing a liveliness and richness that seems to capture guitar and bass better than the bog standard high Z inputs found on most consumer-grade audio interfaces. Audient, I’m sold!

​CPU & Memory Consumption:

Even though this is a hardware item we’ve been taking a look at, let’s not forget that there is indeed a certain amount of CPU reliance that must be figured into the equation. Generally speaking, I find the Audient software drivers to be quick (low latency), reliable, and joyfully light on CPU and memory. Just how joyfully light, you might ask? On my Windows 10 x64 system (i7-10700 w/ 32GB of hyper speed RAM), the Audient iD app consumes 0% CPU at idle, and a minuscule 2 MB of memory. In direct comparison to my old Scarlett 2i4 or Presonus AudioBox 44VSL, the iD24’s driver efficiency is notably better. 

Concluding Remarks:

I’ve enjoyed spending a lot of "quality time" with this desirable little audio vixen. Overall, I continue to be tremendously impressed with its features and performance. That said, there are a couple of neutralizing remarks that must be made to keep things fair and balanced.

​First, the meters only display output signals. There isn’t any type of input level indication on the hardware itself – nada, zero, zilch. My Presonus Quantum 2 LED meters display both input signals and output signals simultaneously. Sorry, Audient – I really admire you, and your gear, but this painful lack of input level metering is a serious FAIL.

​Second, there’s no input signal activity or clipping indicator. Sheesh! Even my 12 year old 1st gen Focusrite Scarlett had this feature built in. Again, this is a critical oversight on Audient’s part, in my honest opinion.

​I appreciate having two headphone ports on the iD24, and I do understand that Audient most likely intended this to be a convenience rather than a spotlighted feature. After all, having both ¼” and 1/8” jacks at hand eliminates the muss n’ fuss of fishing around for that oft misplaced headphone jack adapter. However, I can’t help but muse about how nifty it would be if each port had its own volume control, and could maybe even be divvied up for separate cue mixes. ​Then again, perhaps that’s a carrot reserved for luring 'wasscially wabbits' over to Audient’s iD flagship: the iD44 MkII.  *​Wink.

​Are these few unenthusiastic bemoanings enough to ultimately dissuade one from being pleased and impressed by the iD24? No, of course not! That’s why I reserved my nettled comments for the end of this review. All is not lost. As long as you’re using the iD Mixer Control Software, you will enjoy viewing a nice large input metering display. Heck, it might even make for more accurate, finer adjustments – so long as you don’t mind it taking up a substantial amount of screen-estate. Of course, producers who have a dual monitor setup could easily move the iD Mixer to its own monitor . . .

​Nah! We want blinky lights and input metering on the hardware itself; don't we, gang!?

​I’ve not experienced a single, solitary driver freeze or hardware crash using this device – trust me you, I've put it through its paces and then some. I’ve tested it thoroughly using Studio One (versions 5 and 6), Samplitude Pro X Suite (versions 5, 6 and 8), and Reaper 6.81. Each of those DAWs snuggled right up to the iD24 and successfully romanced it to no end - who knows what little songs might show up in 9 months . . . ahem. ASIO (latency) performance here is nearly on par with that of the ESI-audio “XT” line, which means it’s pretty darn zippy for a USB audio interface. Best of all, the drivers have proven to be stable and reliable – even under high CPU loads and large track counts.

Without hesitation, I recommend this audio-interface to anyone who is serious about audio quality (I mean, really serious). The superior preamps alone pretty much justify the iD24’s moderate, prosumer-level sticker price. Guitarists and Bassists will laud the sensational JFET instrument input. Having such a staple of console-like functionaries physically at hand is a workflow enhancer that just can’t be beat. Once you get used to professional features like these, you really, really don’t want to ever return to a more typical audio interface topology.​

>> Click here to visit the iD24 product page <<

4.5 Out of 5 Stars

:: Pros

• ​Outstanding build quality.
• Industry leading 32-bit converters – above average headroom and extremely low noise.
• Attractive, well laid-out top panel and perfectly arranged controls. This one yields a very console-like, hands on workflow.
• Superior sound quality and flat frequency response.
• Industry leading Class-A preamps.
• High output and multi speaker capable.
• Class compliant – works well in Linux (unfortunately, no native Linux drivers and no Linux version of the iD Software).
• Simple and intuitive to configure.
• Very respectable latency timings – super solid and reliable drivers.
• Nice Mixer Control Software – intuitive and easy to use.
• Audio Loop-back will rock a YouTuber’s world.
• Talkback, just like the big boys have in pro studios - even with a simple USB mic.
• It is quite convenient to have two headphone outputs, even if they do share the same circuit and volume knob.
• It pretties up any desk – it’s kinda sexy lookin’.

:: Cons

• No input metering.
• No signal or clipping indicators on the unit itself.
• It would be nice if there were also a USB 3 port on the iD24, or at least a USB-c to USB-a cable included in the box.
• The complimentary software bundle is ok and will certainly enable newcomers to get up and running, but it’s not going to dazzle experienced producers.​
• The omission of traditional MIDI DIN connectors might be a deal breaker for some, especially those who work with vintage synths and other types of MIDI-connected devices.

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​Brother Charles is a freelance writer, Gospel music artist and minister. Charles had been a professional touring musician during the nineties; working primarily as a lead guitarist in the Canadian country music industry. Brother Charles is also involved with music production and quality home recording."

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