Budget Audio Interfaces | SSL2 vs Audient ID14 | Which One Wins??

Summary

In this video, two popular audio interfaces, the SSL 2 and Audient ID14, are compared in terms of build, features, and sound quality. The SSL 2 offers the unique 4K button, adding analog warmth and high-frequency EQ boost, ideal for vocals and acoustic guitars. The Audient ID14, built with expandability in mind, stands out with its high-quality converters and versatile encoder. Both units deliver exceptional sound, but the SSL 2 shines with its analog character, while the Audient impresses with its added functionalities like talkback and DAW control. Ultimately, the choice depends on whether you prioritize analog enhancement or extra features.

Takeaways

• 😀 The SSL 2 and Audient ID14 are two popular and similarly priced USB audio interfaces with two input and two output channels, designed for both Mac and PC users.
• 😀 The SSL 2 features a solid-state design with plastic body construction and includes a 4K button, which enhances sound with analog EQ boost and harmonic distortion, emulating SSL’s classic 4000 series consoles.
• 😀 The Audient ID14, with an all-metal construction, is slightly more compact than the SSL 2 and includes an optical input for expansion via ADAT or S/PDIF.
• 😀 The 4K button on the SSL 2 adds analog mojo, particularly enhancing vocals and acoustic guitar recordings by adding high-frequency EQ and harmonic distortion.
• 😀 The Audient ID14 is notable for its expandability, allowing for additional inputs via ADAT and a highly flexible encoder knob, which controls various functions like monitor volume and headphone level.
• 😀 Both audio interfaces have clean and high-quality mic preamps, but the SSL 2 features a more pronounced 'mojo' sound, particularly when the 4K button is engaged.
• 😀 The Audient ID14 offers more advanced functionality, including the ability to use the encoder as a scroll wheel in a DAW and offers a customizable 'ID' button for tasks like mono checking or phase reversal.
• 😀 Sound quality testing revealed that the SSL 2 slightly outperforms the Audient ID14 in terms of converter quality after multiple round trips of audio.
• 😀 Both interfaces perform exceptionally well in terms of sound quality, offering converters that rival units costing ten times as much, making them excellent choices for their price.
• 😀 The SSL 2's 4K feature is aimed at users looking for a more colored, analog-style sound, while the Audient ID14 caters to users who prefer cleaner, more versatile features and expandability.

Q & A

What are the main differences between the SSL 2 and Audient iD14 audio interfaces?

The SSL 2 has a larger plastic body with a metal front panel, whereas the Audient iD14 is all-metal and feels weightier. The SSL 2 features the unique 4K button, which adds analog enhancement, while the Audient iD14 offers more expandability options through ADAT and has a more flexible encoder with several functions.

What is the function of the 4K button on the SSL 2?

The 4K button on the SSL 2 models the analog sound of classic SSL 4000 series consoles, adding high-frequency EQ boost and harmonic distortion to enhance the sound, particularly beneficial for vocals and acoustic guitars.

How do the mic preamps on both interfaces compare?

Both interfaces feature clean, high-quality mic preamps. However, there is a slight subjective preference expressed in the video—one host prefers the SSL 2’s mic preamps, while the other prefers the Audient iD14’s, though they both agree the difference is minor.

What additional features does the Audient iD14 offer that the SSL 2 lacks?

The Audient iD14 provides extra features like the flexible encoder that controls volume, allows scrolling through DAW parameters, and offers customizable functions via the ID button. Additionally, the Audient iD14 includes ADAT expansion options for more input channels.

What is the main advantage of the Audient iD14’s encoder?

The encoder on the Audient iD14 has multiple functions, such as controlling the output volume, headphone volume, and can even be used as a scroll wheel for the DAW. It also has a mute function and customizable features like phase reverse or mono, making it very versatile.

What does the USB-C functionality of the SSL 2 allow for?

The SSL 2 uses USB-C for connection to the computer and includes both USB-C to C and USB-C to A cables, making it compatible with various setups and offering fast and reliable data transfer.

How do the conversion quality and performance compare between the two interfaces?

Both interfaces perform excellently in terms of conversion quality. After 50 round trips of analog signal, there’s little to no noticeable difference between the two. However, after 500 trips, the Audient iD14 loses some low-end, while the SSL 2 retains its integrity better, showcasing superior converter performance in long-term use.

What is the significance of the ‘ID button’ on the Audient iD14?

The ID button on the Audient iD14 allows the user to activate a variety of functions, including scrolling through the DAW, enabling mono, phase reverse, dimming the volume, and controlling talkback features. This adds a lot of flexibility for users looking to customize their setup.

What is the difference in the power supply requirements between the SSL 2 and Audient iD14?

The SSL 2 is powered entirely through USB-C, making it simpler and more portable, while the Audient iD14 requires an external power supply, particularly when using phantom power for microphones. However, it can also run on bus power when phantom power is not needed.

Why does the host prefer the SSL 2’s sound quality over the Audient iD14?

The host prefers the SSL 2 due to the 'mojo' effect of the 4K button, which adds an analog warmth and character to the sound. While both interfaces offer excellent conversion quality, the SSL 2’s extra analog enhancement is more appealing to the host’s recording style.