IK Multimedia AXE I/O Audio Interface

AXE I/O is a premium audio interface designed specifically for recording guitarists. Developed by IK Multimedia, a company with extensive experience in guitar amp and effects modeling, AXE I/O offers best-in-class sound quality and advanced features to enhance your recordings.

One of the standout features of AXE I/O is its exclusive triple-topology input circuit, which is fully discrete and offers both PURE and JFET input stages. With the flip of a switch, you can go from transparent sound to a tube-like tone, providing a wide range of sonic possibilities.

AXE I/O also introduces the patent-pending Z-Tone impedance-adapting circuit, which interacts with your guitar's pickups to offer unprecedented tonal flexibility. This feature allows you to shape your sound in ways you've never experienced before.

In addition to its versatile input options, AXE I/O includes a dedicated Amp Out. This allows you to create Tone Models of your amps and pedals using TONEX for Mac/PC. You can also process your recorded tracks using real guitar amps and stompboxes without the need for external accessories. The low-noise output eliminates ground loops during amplification and Tone Modeling, ensuring quiet operation with high-gain amps.

AXE I/O comes bundled with AmpliTube TONEX SE, which allows you to model the sound of any amp, cabinet, combo, or pedal. You can turn your models into plug-ins for use on Mac, PC, iPhone, and iPad, providing a convenient and mobile experience. Additionally, with ToneNET, you can access thousands of sought-after amps right from your mobile device.

The audio quality of AXE I/O is truly high-end, with a dynamic range of 117 dB and a frequency response of 3 Hz to 32 kHz. These specifications ensure accurate and detailed capture of your performance, allowing you to coax the best sound from your instrument while maintaining purity and transparency.

AXE I/O offers a range of input options, including two Hi-Z front ¼" inputs for guitars and basses, two rear combo inputs with phantom power for mics and line instruments, and clear precision front peak meters for monitoring signal levels. It also provides multiple output options, such as floating balanced outputs, unbalanced outputs, a floating unbalanced Amp out, and a high-current headphone out. The independent volume controls for monitors, mains, and headphones, along with the Monitor knob, make it easy to achieve zero-latency monitoring while blending direct monitoring and computer audio.

With 24-bit, 192 kHz conversion and an ultra-stable, low-jitter internal clock, AXE I/O ensures high-fidelity recordings whether you're capturing vocals, acoustic instruments, amplified guitar, or direct signals for use with AmpliTube.

These features and capabilities of AXE I/O only scratch the surface of what this premium audio interface has to offer. It provides a comprehensive and advanced solution tailored to the needs of recording guitarists.



    Conversion: 24-bit A/D, 24-bit D/A

    Sampling Rate: 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz and 192 kHz

    Power: DC IN

    Device Connection: USB B-Type 2.0

    Enclosure: metal sheet



Line Outputs 1-2 (Monitor)



    Configuration: Electronically balanced and floating, automatically compensates level when connection is balanced or unbalanced, tip hot.

    Output impedance: 150 Ohms balanced, 75 Ohms unbalanced

    Output Level: 0 dBFS corresponds to +21 dBu

    Frequency response: From 3 Hz to 32 kHz within 0.5 dB (96 kHz sample rate)

    Dynamic Range: 116 dB(A)

    THD+N: -106 dB(A) at -1 dBFS

    Channels 1-2 crosstalk: 115 dB(A)



Line Outputs 3-4



    Configuration: Unbalanced

    Output impedance: 75 Ohms

    Output Level: 0 dBFS corresponds to +16 dBu

    Frequency response: From 3 Hz to 32 kHz within 0.5 dB (96 kHz sample rate)

    Dynamic Range: 115 dB(A)

    THD+N: -102 dB(A)

    Channels 3-4 crosstalk: 112 dB(A)



Output 5 (Amp output)



    Configuration: Unbalanced, floating, with selectable ground lift

    Output impedance: 100 Ohms

    Output Level: 0 dBFS corresponds to -6 dBu

    Frequency response: From 10 Hz to 32 kHz within 0.5 dB (96 kHz sample rate)

    Dynamic Range: 110 dB(A)

    THD+N: -104 dB(A)



Headphones Out



    Output impedance: Virtually ideal source (zero Ohms) until clipping

    Maximum Output level: +12 dBu into 50 Ohms load (approx 180 mW)

    Frequency response: From 3 Hz to 32 kHz within 0.5 dB (96 kHz sample rate)

    Dynamic Range: 112 dB(A)

    THD+N: -100 dB(A)



Mic Inputs 1-2



    Configuration: Class-A discrete differential microphone preamp, pin 2 hot

    Input impedance: 4 kOhms differential

    Input level, min gain: 0 dBFS is obtained with a +12 dBu signal at the XLR input

    Input level, max gain: 0 dBFS is obtained with a -37 dBu signal at the XLR input

    Frequency response: From 5 Hz to 32 kHz within 0.5 dB (96 kHz sample rate)

    Dynamic Range: 116 dB(A)

    THD+N: -106 dB(A) at -10 dBFS



Line Inputs 1-2



    Configuration: Class-A discrete differential line receiver, tip hot

    Input impedance: 20 kOhms differential

    Input level, min gain: 0 dBFS is obtained with a +26 dBu signal at the TRS input

    Input level, max gain: 0 dBFS is obtained with a -24 dBu signal at the TRS input

    Frequency response: From 5 Hz to 32 kHz within 0.5 dB (96 kHz sample rate)

    Dynamic Range: 116 dB(A)

    THD+N: -106 dB(A) at -10 dBFS



Instrument Inputs 1



    Configuration: Multiple topology instrument preamp

    Input impedance, PASSIVE mode: Variable from 1 MOhms down to 2.2 kOhms

    Input impedance, ACTIVE mode: 10 kOhms

    Input level, min gain: 0 dBFS is obtained with a +14 dBu signal at the TS input

    Input level, max gain: 0 dBFS is obtained with a -17 dBu signal at the TS input

    Frequency response: From 3 Hz to 32 kHz within 0.5 dB (96 kHz sample rate)

    Dynamic Range: 117 dB(A)

    THD, PURE mode: 0.0015 %

    THD, JFET mode: 0.5 %



Instrument Inputs 2



    Configuration: Hi-Z instrument preamp

    Input impedance: 1 MOhms

    Input level, min gain: 0 dBFS is obtained with a +14 dBu signal at the TS input

    Input level, max gain: 0 dBFS is obtained with a -17 dBu signal at the TS input

    Frequency response: From 3 Hz to 32 kHz within 0.5 dB (96 kHz sample rate)

    Dynamic Range: 117 dB(A)

    THD: 0.006%



Connections and Controls

Front Panel



    Two 1/4" instrument input jacks

    Two analog potentiometers for Input GAIN

    Two 5 segments input level meter (peak)

    Two INST, LINE, MIC LEDs

    Analog potentiometers for Z-Tone control

    Pick-Up selector (PASSIVE/ACTIVE)

    Preamp topology selector (JFET/PURE)

    +48V phantom power switch

    Tuner switch

    Tuner display and LEDs

    USB LEDS

    MIDI IN/OUT LEDs

    push-encoder for Presets

    Monitor knob

    1/4" headphones output jack

    Master potentiometer for main output control

    1/4" Amp output jack



Rear Panel



    On/Off power switch

    External DC power input

    MIDI I/O 5-pin DIN connectors

    B-Type USB socket for connecting a computer (Mac/PC)

    2 x 1/4" TRS External controllers sockets

    2 x 1/4" TRS Balanced floating line outputs

    2 x 1/4" TRS Unbalanced line outputs

    2 Combo sockets for MIC input and Instrument input (auto selecting)



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



Compatibility

Computers



64-bit application. Requires a 64 bit CPU and Operating System.

Mac® (64-bits)



Minimal: macOS 10.11 or later. One free USB port.

Windows® (64-bits)



Minimal: Windows 7 or later. One free USB port.