Audio Interface IK Multimedia AXE I/O Solo AXEIOSAT5 + AmpliTube 5

AXEIOSAT5 Audio Interface AXE I/O Solo + AmpliTube 5, IK Multimedia

Compact audio interface with additional timbre correction

The first step to better guitar recordings
The AXE I/O soundcard has already brought IK several awards, and now is about to become the new standard in audio cards for guitarists. AXE I/O Solo offers the same timbral spectrum, functional convenience and good sound for everyone, anywhere, in a compact and inexpensive 2-input/3-output format.

Key Features
USB sound card with 2 inputs / 3 outputs.
Active and passive pickups.
PURE and JFET input stages.
Z-Tone® impedance-adaptive circuitry
Amp Out for re-amplification or tone modeling with TONEX for Mac/PC.
Comes with AmpliTube 5 SE and TONEX SE for Mac/PC.
High-resolution Class A preamplifier.
24-bit / 192 kHz recording quality.
Broadest frequency response, ideal for instruments.
Best-in-class ADC/DAC.
Super low noise threshold for amplified recordings.
Designed and manufactured in Italy.

AXE I/O Solo combines two decades of IK's experience and all our innovations in analog modeling and music equipment design.

A gold card for your guitar

AXE I/O Solo features a triple cascade on the instrument input. This allows you to both capture the uniqueness of your guitar's sound and customize its timbre to squeeze maximum variety out of your instrument.

AXE I/O Solo has a switch for different types of pickups:

PASSIVE: for passive pickups with any signal output level, from quiet vintage pickups to the latest silent humbuckers with extended frequency response.
ACTIVE: for active pickups where additional gain stages are not needed and the cleanest possible tone is required.

IK Multimedia's audio interface also features a preamp switch:

PURE: a transparent and ultra-precise preamp that doesn't give any coloration to the sound.
JFET: a class-A input amplifier that adds harmonics, focuses the mids and warms up the sound.

The AXE I/O Solo also has a patented Z-TONE® circuit that allows you to change the impedance. You'll be able to load the pickups with any impedance between 1 megohm ("SHARP") and 2.2k ohms ("BOLD").

At the maximum impedance setting, the sound becomes harsh, sharp and distinct. Turn the knob and you'll hear it get fuller and fatter.

You'll quickly figure out how to use these settings to change the character of your guitar. With just a couple minutes of experimentation, you'll know what sound you want for your mix.

PURE microphone preamp for transparent recording.

We've fitted AXE I/O Solo with a Class A microphone preamplifier designed for transparent and clean recording.

The extended AFC flatness allows you to fully capture the timbre of your voice or instrument without unwanted coloration and with huge dynamic range.

Reamping has never been easier

AXE I/O Solo has a dedicated Amp Out output. It's isolated from ground, has zero delay and serves as a complete replacement for complex reamping sets.

It's simple: you plug your amp into Amp Out, and then sound your microphone through the AXE I/O Solo preamplifier. Now you can record a clean signal and then feed it into the amp to freely experiment with settings, pedals and mics - and not one more take!

AmpliTube 5 software included

Legendary hardware on your Mac/PC.
Legendary hardware on your Mac/PC Faithfully reproduces the sound of over 400 of the most sought-after bass and guitar hardware models.
Developed in collaboration with top brands and musicians.
Licensed equipment from Fender, Mesa/Boogie, Orange, Slash, Brian May, Joe Satriani and many more.
All signal chain.
Amplifiers, effects pedals, guitar cabinets, speakers, microphones, room effects, and rackmounts all in one interface with the routing you need.
Everything you need for recording and gigs.
8-track recorder, DAW, looper, tuner - all the tools you need to get the job done in one interface.
Easy recording in DAW.
Works as AAX / VST / AU plug-in - compose killer cool guitar parts anywhere.
Incredibly realistic tones.
IK's DIM and VIR technologies allow AmpliTube to capture the tone and feel of your gear at an unprecedented level.

What's new in AmpliTube 5

Completely new signal chain and routing freedom.
The all-new signal chain can include up to 54 models simultaneously, parallel or serial routing, split DI signal. Adding equipment to it is even easier - just drag and drop the desired model into the chain.

Updated section of guitar cabinets with VIR technology.
IK's new VIR volumetric impulse response technology is based on a database of 600 impulse responses per speaker. We used it to modify all 100+ cabs in AmpliTube 5, increasing the total number of IRs to 143,000.

Load custom impulse responses
Load or customize your own impulse responses instead of any cabinet.

Updated mixer with built-in effects
With the new mixer, it's easy to use multiple cabinets, mics and DIs and apply 23 new effects to your track. Some of them have been added here from T-RackS 5 - to "polish" any track.

New equipment
Over 130 brand new models, including 2 effects pedals, 5 amps, 2 rooms, 23 rack effects and over 100 re-recorded guitar cabinets.

A Hi-End sound card for everyone

The original AXE I/O card set a high standard for sound quality. AXE I/O Solo has best-in-class dynamic range, extremely low intrinsic noise and the widest frequency range. All this to capture the smallest details of your performance in a clear and transparent sound.

AXE I/O Solo allows you to separately control the volume of the master output, headphones and monitor speakers without delay.

A 24-bit/192kHz converter and an ultra-precise internal sync pulse generator ensure the highest, truly professional recording quality.

Specifications

General

AD and DA resolution: 24 bits.

Sampling frequency: 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz and 192 kHz.

Host connection: USB Type-B socket. USB 2.0 (high speed).

Line outputs 1-2 (monitor)

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

Output impedance: 150 ohms balanced, 75 ohms unbalanced.

Output Level: 0 dBFS equals +13.5 dBu.

Frequency Response: 1 Hz to 46 kHz within 0.5 dB (96 kHz sampling frequency).

Dynamic range: 113 dB(A).

Nonlinear Distortion (THD) @ -1 dBFS: 0.001%.

DER + Noise (THD+N): -103 dB(A) @ -1 dBFS.

Channel 1-2 crosstalk: 112 dB(A).

Output 3 (amplifier output)

Configuration: Unbalanced, floating, with selectable ground lift.

Output impedance: 75 ohms.

Output Level: 0 dBFS corresponds to -3 dBu.

Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 42 kHz within 0.5 dB (96 kHz sampling rate).

Dynamic range: 106 dB(A).

KNI + noise (THD+N): -93 dB(A).

Headphone output

Output impedance: Virtually perfect source (zero ohms) before clipping.

Maximum output level: +9 dBu into a 50 ohm load (about 95 mW).

Frequency Response: 1 Hz to 42 kHz within 0.5 dB (96 kHz sampling rate).

Dynamic range: 111 dB(A).

KNI + noise (THD+N): -102 dB(A).

Instrumental Input

Configuration: Instrument preamplifier with multiple topologies.

Input impedance, PASSIVE mode: Variable from 1 megohm to 2.2 kOhm.

Input impedance, ACTIVE mode: 10k ohms.

Input level, minimum gain: 0 dBFS is achieved when a +12.5dBu signal is applied to the TS input.

Input level, maximum gain: 0 dBFS is achieved when a signal of -19 dBu is applied to the TS input.

Frequency Response: 6 Hz to 42 kHz within 0.5 dB (96 kHz sampling frequency).

Dynamic range: 117 dB(A).

Nonlinear Distortion (THD), PURE mode: 0.002 % (-1dBFS input signal).

THD, JFET mode: 0.5%.

Microphone input

Configuration: Class A discrete differential microphone preamplifier, pin 2 hot.

Input impedance: 4 kOhm differential.

Input level, minimum gain: 0 dBFS is achieved when +9 dBu is applied to the XLR input.

Input level, maximum gain: 0 dBFS is achieved when a -44 dBu signal is applied to the XLR input.

Frequency Response: 7 Hz to 32 kHz within 0.5 dB (96 kHz sampling frequency).

Dynamic Range: 116 dB(A).

THD+N: -104 dB(A) at -10 dBFS.

Line Input

Configuration: Class A discrete differential line pickup, hot tip.

Input impedance: 20 kOhm differential.

Input level, minimum gain: 0 dBFS is achieved when a +26 dBu signal is applied to the TRS input.

Input level, maximum gain: 0 dBFS is achieved when a -27 dBu signal is applied to the TRS input.

Frequency Response: 7 Hz to 32 kHz within 0.5 dB (96 kHz sampling frequency).

Dynamic range: 117 dB(A).

THD+N: -104 dB(A) at -10 dBFS.

Wiring and controls

Front panel

One 1/4" instrument input jack.

Two analog potentiometers for input GAIN.

Two 5-segment input level meters (peak).

Analog potentiometers for Z-Tone adjustment.

Pick-Up selector (PASSIVE/ACTIVE).

Preamp topology selector (JFET/PURE).

+48V phantom power switch.

USB LEDS.

MIDI IN/OUT LEDs.

Monitor knob.

1/4" headphone output jack.

Master potentiometer for controlling the main output.

1/4" amplifier output jack.

Rear panel

MIDI I/O 5-pin DIN connectors
USB B-Type socket for computer (Mac/PC) connection.

2 x 1/4" TRS jacks for connecting external controllers.

2 x 1/4" TRS Balanced floating line outputs.

1 combo jack for MIC input and line input (auto select).

Dimensions

Size: 19.5 cm x 19.5 cm x 5.3 cm.

Weight: 1.0 kg.

Scope of delivery

AXE I/O SOLO.
Amplitube 5.
USB A-Type to USB B-Type connection cable (1.5 m/4.32 ft).
Compatibility

Computers
64-bit application. Requires 64-bit processor and operating system.

Mac® (64 bit)
Minimum: macOS 10.11 or later. One free USB port.

Windows® (64 bits)
Minimum: Windows 10 or later. One free USB port.