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IK Multimedia AXE I/O Audio Interface w/Guitar Tone Shaping
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Product Videos :
YouTube Video
YouTube Video
YouTube Video
Sale Price: $399.99 CDN
Original Price: $499.99 CDN
or from $42 CDN/mo
Premium audio interface with advanced guitar tone shaping
AXE I/O is a professional 2 in/5 out audio interface and controller - designed specifically with the needs of the recording guitarist in mind, providing best-in-class sound quality and powerful features aimed squarely at making your recordings faster, easier and better than ever.
AXE I/O offers an exclusive triple-topology, fully discrete input circuit, with both PURE and JFET input stages, to go from transparent to tube-like with just a single switch.
Its patent-pending Z-Tone impedance-adapting circuit interacts with your guitar's pick-ups to give you a massive range of tonal flexibility, you've never heard before.
Plus AXE I/O includes a dedicated Amp Out, so you can process your recording with real guitar amps and stomps without the need for external accessories (and without having to unplug your existing connections!). This low-noise out also eliminates ground loops, to keep even the highest-gain re-amplification as quiet as possible.
And AXE I/O seamlessly integrates with the included AmpliTube 4 Deluxe to select presets and control values via the front input knob, and lets you connect pedals and switches to get the most from your virtual rig without ever taking your hands off your axe.
- 2 in/5 out high-end USB audio interface
- Discrete Class A microphone preamps
- 24 bit/192Khz maximum sample rate
- 3 Hz - 35 kHz frequency response
- > 117 dB dynamic range
- Very low latency
- Ultra low jitter clock for transparent, world class sound
- Top of the line converters
- High-current balanced outputs
- High-current professional headphone amplifier
Features
Comprehensive inputs, outputs and controls
• Front-panel 1/4" Hi-Z in and Amp out
• 2 x combo inputs for instruments and mics (with +48v phantom power)
• 4 x TRS balanced line outputs 2-in, 5-out simultaneous I/O
• Reference-quality headphone output
• MIDI Input & Output
• 2 configurable inputs for pedal/switches
• Input gain controls and LED signal indicators
• Monitor, master and headphone volume controls
Triple-topology instrument preamp with Z-Tone
• The PURE circuit delivers completely transparent and ultra-accurate sound, with > 117 dB (A) dynamic range
• JFET adds subtle harmonic enhancement for a rounder, warmer sound without sacrificing dynamic range
• ACTIVE bypasses unneeded stages for completely transparent sound when used with active pickups
• Patent-pending Z-Tone variable impedance Hi-Z input re-shapes the sound of instruments to dramatically reshape the tone of your guitar, or precisely match the impedance of a virtual gear model
Packed with powerful guitar features
• Front-panel Amp output for easy re-amping, with no need for a direct box and no ground loops or noise
• Front-panel 1/4" return lets you add external pedal FX without the need to re-wire rear inputs
• Built-in tuner to keep your instrument in tune throughout recording sessions
• PRESET control to change settings in AmpliTube 4 and other plug-ins, with freely assignable CCs
• 2 inputs for expression pedals or single/switches for real-time control over virtual rigs
You Get:
• 33 Stompbox models including: Acoustic Sim, Chorus, Flanger, Opto Tremolo, Delay, Wah Pedal, Diode Overdrive, Compressor, Graphic EQ and more
• 25 Amplifiers including: American Tube Clean 1, British Tube Lead 1, Solid State Bass Preamp, Jazz Amp 120 plus 5 all new classic British amps and more
• 29 Cabinets including: 4x12 Brit 8000, 4x12 Brit 9000, 4x12 Red Pig, 4x12 Brit Silver, 4x10 Open Vintage, 2x12 Closed Vintage, 4x12 Closed Vintage 1 and more
• 29 Vintage and modern individual speaker models
• 12 Microphones including: Double Dynamic 57, Dynamic 57, Condenser 414, Condenser 87 and more
• 15 Rack effects units including: Digital Delay, Parametric EQ, Rotary Speaker and more
• 2 Tuners: UltraTuner plus a fully chromatic rack tuner
Package includes:
- AXE I/O
- USB A-Type to USB B-Type connection cable (1.5m/4.32ft)
- DC power supply
Dimensions
Size: 23.8cm/9.37" x 21.1cm/8.31" x 5.3cm/2.09"
Weight: 1.3kg/2.9lb
USB A-Type to USB B-Type connection cable (1.5m/4.32ft)
Control Software Compatibility
-Computers
64-bit application. Requires a 64 bit CPU and Operating System.
Mac (64-bits)
Minimal: macOS 10.11 or later.
Windows (64-bits)
Minimal: Windows 8 or later.
Media
Youtube video product demo
Youtube video product demo
Description: Derrick Floyd from IK Multimedia shows the new Axe I/O guitar audio interface and controller at NAMM 2019.
Youtube video product demo
Q & A
There are currently no questions for this product.
Reviews
3.147.28.111
Mozilla/5.0 AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko; compatible; ClaudeBot/1.0; [email protected])
The best interface for recording guitar at home. 9 of 9 customers found this review helpful
Features
Quality
Value
Overall
Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Edmonton North, Alberta
I upgraded from a 1st gen Focusrite Scarlett expecting only a slight improvement in AD/DA conversion, but I was blown away when I listened to some familiar music on this unit. The detail and depth is comparable to interfaces that cost more than double it's price. The best feature of this interface is obviously the DI inputs, however. The Z tone knob allows you to warm up your signal in a way that isn't possible with EQ, and the JFET switch gives you a subtle mid boost and harmonics. Even without tone shaping, the pure DI sounds better than the Radial J48 I was using before. I haven't used it for long enough to comment on driver stability, but the latency is very low even at conservative buffer sizes, and I was able to use Amplitube 4 standalone at 8 samples with no glitches.
In addition to the sound, the build quality is also excellent. The knobs don't wiggle like they do on most cheap interfaces, and the pots have a satisfying resistance with no play. The chassis is metal and all of the connectors are gold plated.
The software alone makes this worth the money. I didn't plan on using Amplitube 4, but I was surprised by how good it sounds, even compared with my Neural DSP plugins. The TRackS plugins are also great, and you get enough of them to do a full mix/master if you don't own any other plugins.
Overall, I think this is the best interface for a home recording guitarist, and it is priced similarly to interfaces of lesser quality. My only complaints (reasons for my 0.5 star deduction) are the lack of routing options in the control software, and the absence of a monitor mute button on the front panel.
Posted by Tyler Socholotuik on Nov 2, 2019
Top Notch Interface 6 of 6 customers found this review helpful
Features
Quality
Value
Overall
Product Experience I own it
Closest Store North York (Steeles), Ontario
I was playing through a cheesy Tascam 122 interface until recently. My higher output active pup guitars were really cooking the input on that unit. I decided an upgrade was necessary. I really fumbled around with researching different interfaces and was heading toward a Zoom usb 3.0 interface when IK released this unit. After much deliberation i decided to pull the trigger. Glad I did.
This interface is scary good. The headphone amp is rediculously loud (more than one should ever need) but not distorted- very clear. The Z tone impedence is a subtle effect- i imagine one would notice it more with lower output instruments. The passive and active switch is great. And the latency is great- currently 5.3 ms @256 running into an AMD Hexcore.
But the best part is the expression pedal jacks. i currently have my single latching switch from my amp plugged in and it works as advertised- can switch effects on and off etc in Bias FX, no issues. Ive experienced no bus, no noise, no issues with drivers. Install was clean and the unit runs like a top. Its also built like a tank- solid metal enclosure, doesnt get very warm, it also has a lot of weight to it and solid feet so it stays put on the desk. The knobs and switches all have that heavy solid feel them. Not disappointed in this at all. IK knocked it out of the park on this. I dropped 0.5 on the overall, because Amplitube 4 "deluxe" is included but the software is so DLC heavy its pretty much unuseable unless you buy some really overpriced DLC. Not a dealbreaker- I use Positive Grid plugins anyway.
Posted by Dave on Mar 29, 2019
Protect your investment with the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty
A warranty can be a very important factor when making a buying decision. Because repairs can be very expensive in terms of parts and labour costs, manufacturers usually only provide one year limited warranties that generally only cover items that malfunction due to a manufacturer’s defect. With an important purchase such as a musical
instrument or piece of studio gear, however, many people want to have the peace of mind in knowing that their investment will be protected should the product no longer be performing at 100%.
Because of this, Long & McQuade provides our customers with a FREE one-year Performance Warranty on most of our products. The Long & McQuade Performance Warranty supplements the manufacturer’s warranty to ensure that our customers receive complete “no hassle” warranty coverage within their first year.
How does the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty differ from most manufacturers' warranties?
- Performance Guarantee: Normal wear and tear is covered, so your product will be performing as well as the day you purchased it for the entire duration of the coverage. Band and Orchestral Performance Warranty does not include replacing pads or cleaning for woodwind instruments, unless deemed necessary by our repair staff. Ultrasonic cleaning for brass instruments will be provided if deemed necessary by our repair staff, but is not routinely offered under the Performance Warranty.
- Product Replacement: If your product cannot be fixed or costs too much to fix, we will replace it with the equivalent model for no additional charge. If this is not possible, a full refund will be provided.
- No Lemon Policy: Your product will be replaced should the same problem occur multiple times.
- Convenient: Easy drop off and pick up of the product at any Long & McQuade location.
- Guitar Setup: Guitars purchased at Long & McQuade come with 1 free setup, to be redeemed within 1 year for new guitars and 90 days for used guitars.
- Loaners Available: A loaner product may be given while the product is being repaired.
- Power Surge Protection: Your product is covered even if damaged from a power surge.
- Accessory Coverage: Any peripheral devices or accessories that come with your product (i.e. foot pedal, case) are also covered.
- Commercial Use Coverage: Music and recording professionals who purchase gear for “heavy-use” commercial purposes will still be covered.
Long & McQuade reserves the right to restrict the purchase of additional years of Performance Warranty. Used products come with a 3-month Long & McQuade Performance Warranty. Some products (i.e. computers, software, cymbals and other items) are covered only by the manufacturer‘s warranty. Consumables (i.e. strings, reeds, drum sticks, batteries, tubes, cross faders) are excluded as they are designed to be replaced. Cosmetic Damage, Accidental Damage, or problems caused by Humidity or Temperature Issues are not covered. Speakers damaged by overpowering are generally not covered. Our coverage does not provide compensation for loss of use. As of June 2018 the Performance Warranty is no longer transferable. The warranty is only valid in Canada.
Purchasing additional years of coverage
Some manufacturers provide warranties for longer than 1 year; however, these are usually limited warranties that do not provide the same coverage as the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty. Customers interested in more complete and convenient (but not necessarily longer) coverage are still able to purchase additional years of the Performance Warranty.
If you are interested in receiving this coverage for longer than one year, you have the option of purchasing additional years of the Performance Warranty. The pricing is as follows:
- NEW products: Starting at 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. Starting at 4% for each additional year.
- USED products: Starting at 4% of the current new selling price to increase the warranty from 3 months to 1 year. Starting at 4% for each additional year.
- GUITARS: 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. 4% for each additional year. $45 maximum. An additional free setup is not included with additional purchased years of Performance Warranty.
- BAND and ORCHESTRAL instruments: 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. 4% for each additional year.
Great Additions
Reserve in Store
| Product | SKU | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| AXE I/O Audio Interface w/Guitar Tone Shaping | 703609 |
