If you're in the market for a high-end Thunderbolt audio interface, we would like to direct your attention to the Steinberg AXR4T. The AXR4T is a professional, studio-grade, 28 x 24 audio interface featuring 32-bit/384kHz converters, Thunderbolt 2 connectivity, and four hybrid mic preamps with RND Silk emulation. Equipped with generous connectivity that includes two ADAT ports, AES/EBU, MIDI, and word clock, the AXR4T provides state-of-the-art SSPLL ultra-low jitter reduction and latency-free monitoring with Yamaha DSP-powered effects. The Steinberg AXR4T also features a 28 x 24 full matrix mixer, and comes bundled with downloadable Cubase AI and Advanced FX Suite software.
Raising the bar for professional digital audio
The Steinberg AXR4 has the high-speed data throughput crucial for pro-level recording; its generous I/O providing all the connectivity that high-end audio setups require. Four XLR/TRS combo inputs are equipped with cutting-edge digitally controlled hybrid mic preamps, each with switchable Rupert Neve Designs Silk circuits for the most musical sound possible. As well as the four combo inputs, the generous allotment of 28-in, 24-out options include eight TRS line inputs and eight TRS line outputs, 2 x 8-channel ADAT/S/PDIF (or 1 x 8 ADAT and 1 x 8 AES/EBU) plus a future-proofed digital I/O card slot. Word clock, MIDI I/O ports, and dual headphone jacks with separate volume controls are also provided. With 32-bit integer recording up to 384kHz, latency-free DSP monitoring, advanced SSPLL jitter suppression, and a flexible 28 x 24 matrix mixer, the AXR4 is a truly excellent audio interface choice for studios large and small.
Flagship hybrid mic preamps
The fundamental sonic character of any audio interface is established right at the input stage with its microphone preamplifiers. The AXR4 is equipped with four wonderfully natural-sounding hybrid mic preamps developed by Yamaha. Developed under the guidelines of Yamaha’s Natural Sound initiative; the choice of components, physical construction, circuit layout, power supply, and grounding were all meticulously evaluated and refined in the development of the AXR4. Final tweaks were made after extensive subjective listening tests by eminent golden-eared engineers. The resulting preamp design is truly worthy of "flagship" status.
Rupert Neve Designs Silk
For decades, recording engineers have used microphone preamps designed by the legendary Rupert Neve to give their sound an alluring touch of natural compression and saturation. Rupert Neve Designs Silk, an emulation in modern transformer design that mimics the vintage sonic characteristics of Mr. Neve's 80 Series console modules of the 1970s, takes that impeccable sound quality to a new level, enhancing lackluster tracks with new vibrancy and adding depth and dimension to your overall mix. The Silk processing provided in the AXR4’s hybrid microphone preamps offers two choices, Red for shimmering energy, and Blue for power and punch, while a continuously variable Texture control musically shapes the harmonic content to best complement the source.
SSPLL: advanced virtual jitter reduction
As you add more devices with clocks to your audio system, additive audio band jitter results from the clocks beating against each other. An expensive solution to this problem is to add a high-end master clock with a voltage-controlled crystal oscillator and sample rate conversion. An advanced technology for virtually removing audio band jitter, Steinberg's SSPLL (Super Suppression Phase Locked Loop) is a cost-effective solution with performance on par with expensive professional master clocks. Robust and extremely tolerant of wide clock frequency variations, SSPLL makes all your connected gear work reliably and virtually jitter-free.
High-quality 32-bit integer/384kHz conversion
For modern audio production, high-quality AD/DA conversion is a critical first step. In the development of the AXR4, Steinberg engineers meticulously researched which combination of components would be needed to create an audio interface that would be an assault on the state of the art. By including 32-bit integer converters, Steinberg sets a new standard that precisely and transparently captures the subtlest nuances of every signal. Steinberg raises the bar even further with a sample rate of up to 384kHz, permitting the reproduction of transients, the stereo image, and the recording environment to be captured with greater detail, and also allowing the anti-aliasing filter to be set at an inaudible level.
Yamaha DSP-powered effects
Powered by Yamaha’s custom-designed next-generation DSPX chip, the Steinberg AXR4 gives you the benefits of dspMixFX AXR technology for latency-free monitoring, as well as the renowned Sweet Spot Morphing Channel Strip, REV-X reverb, and the Vintage Classics VCM Compressor 276 and VCM EQ601 — a classic 1970s equalizer with six fully parametric bands and a Drive mode that enhances your signal with rich vintage-style analog harmonic distortion. If you're using Cubase, all these advanced monitoring capabilities are fully integrated into the application’s graphical user interface by True Integrated Monitoring technology.
You're connected
Steinberg equipped the AXR4 with generous connectivity, making it a perfect interface for any professional computer-based studio or live sound application. With +48V phantom power across all four XLR/TRS combo inputs, you can plug in both your condenser and dynamic mics as well as line-level signals. Additionally, inputs 1 and 2 accept hi-Z signals for your electric guitars and basses, keyboards, and other studio equipment or playback devices. With its selection of digital and analog output options and up to three units able to be daisy-chained via Thunderbolt 2, the Steinberg AXR4 has the connectivity you need for professional audio production.
Features:
- 28 x 24 Thunderbolt 2 audio interface for Mac and PC
- 32-bit integer / 384kHz recording and playback
- AXR hybrid mic preamps with Rupert Neve Designs Silk
- 28 x 24 full matrix mixer
- Latency-free DSP-powered monitoring with Sweet Spot Morphing Channel Strip, REV-X reverb, VCM Compressor 276, and EQ601, including VST 3 plug-in versions
- I/O: 2 x ADAT, AES/EBU, MIDI, word clock
- SSPLL ultra-low jitter reduction
- Stack support for up to 3 units
- New custom pane for perfect integration into Cubase
- Bundled Cubase AI fully supports 32-bit integer format
- Includes AC Adapter, Setup Guide, Cubase AI download access code, Advanced FX Suite