IK Multimedia AXE I/O Solo 2 In 3 Out Compact Audio Interface Overview:

Key Features

• 2-in / 3-out USB audio interface
• ACTIVE/PASSIVE pick-up selector
• PURE and JFET input stages
• Z-Tone impedance-adapting circuit
• Amp Out with ground loop interrupter
• High-resolution Class A mic preamp
• 24-bit 192 kHz sound quality
• Wide frequency response ideal for instruments
• Best-in-class analog/digital conversion
• Ultra-low noise floor for high-gain recording

Compact audio interface with advanced guitar tone shaping

Best-in-class guitar recording starts here

AXE I/O IK’s award-winning audio interface set a new standard for guitar-oriented recording interfaces. Now AXE I/O Solo brings the same great tone shaping convenient features and premium sound to everyone everywhere in a compact and affordable 2-in / 3-out format.

Your guitar’s golden channel

AXE I/O Solo offers a triple-topology instrument input designed to preserve your guitar’s unique character combined with powerful tone-shaping features to adapt to any guitar or bass and helps you coax a wider range of sounds from any instrument.

AXE I/O Solo also offers IK’s patent pending Z-TONE circuit letting you dial in impedance from 1 MOhm (“sharp”) down to 2.2 kOhms (“bold”) that interacts with your pick-ups.

At the maximum impedance you’ll find your sound tighter sharper and more precise. Increase the load and the sound becomes thicker and bolder. 

You’ll quickly find yourself using these controls to give your guitars even more sonic character – with just a few minutes’ experimentation you can dial in a sound that fits the mix beautifully.

PURE mic preamp for transparent recording

AXE I/O Solo offers a high-definition Class A mic preamp designed for transparent and clean recording. An extended flat frequency response captures the full tonal range of your voice or instrument without coloring the sound and best-in-class dynamic range ensures ultra-quiet recordings.

Re-amplification made easier than ever

AXE I/O Solo offers a dedicated Amp Out a with ground-isolated design and zero-latency routing letting you ditch expensive and confusing reamping setups.

It’s simple: connect the Amp Out to your amp then mic it up using AXE I/O Solo’s microphone preamp. Now you can capture a clean copy of your signal while recording and feed it back to your amp afterwards to experiment with different amp stompbox and microphone settings without re-recording countless takes.

Specifications

Common

• AD and DA Resolution: 24-bit
• Sampling Rate: 44.1 kHz 48 kHz 88.2 kHz 96 kHz 176.4 kHz and 192 kHz
• Host Connection: USB Type-B receptacle. USB 2.0 (High Speed).

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 +13.5 dBu
• Frequency response: From 1 Hz to 46 kHz within 0.5 dB (96 kHz sample rate)
• Dynamic Range: 113 dB(A)
• THD @ -1 dBFS: 0.001%
• THD+N: -103 dB(A) at -1 dBFS
• Channels 1-2 crosstalk: 112 dB(A)

Output 3 (Amp output)

• Configuration: Unbalanced floating with selectable ground lift
• Output impedance: 75 Ohms
• Output Level: 0 dBFS corresponds to -3 dBu
• Frequency response: From 20 Hz to 42 kHz within 0.5 dB (96 kHz sample rate)
• Dynamic Range: 106 dB(A)
• THD+N: -93 dB(A)

Headphones Out

• Output impedance: Virtually ideal source (zero Ohms) until clipping
• Maximum Output level: +9 dBu into 50 Ohms load (approx 95 mW)
• Frequency response: From 1 Hz to 42 kHz within 0.5 dB (96 kHz sample rate)
• Dynamic Range: 111 dB(A)
• THD+N: -102 dB(A)

Instrument Input

• 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 +12.5dBu signal at the TS input
• Input level max gain: 0 dBFS is obtained with a -19 dBu signal at the TS input
• Frequency response: From 6 Hz to 42 kHz within 0.5 dB (96 kHz sample rate)
• Dynamic Range: 117 dB(A)
• THD PURE mode: 0.002 % (-1dBFS input)
• THD JFET mode: 0.5 %

Mic Input

• 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 +9 dBu signal at the XLR input
• Input level max gain: 0 dBFS is obtained with a -44 dBu signal at the XLR input
• Frequency response: From 7 Hz to 32 kHz within 0.5 dB (96 kHz sample rate)
• Dynamic Range: 116 dB(A)
• THD+N: -104 dB(A) at -10 dBFS

Line Input

• 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 -27 dBu signal at the TRS input
• Frequency response: From 7 Hz to 32 kHz within 0.5 dB (96 kHz sample rate)
• Dynamic Range: 117 dB(A)
• THD+N: -104 dB(A) at -10 dBFS

Connections and Controls

Front Panel

• One 1/4″ instrument input jacks
• Two analog potentiometers for Input GAIN
• Two 5 segments input level meter (peak)
• Analog potentiometers for Z-Tone control
• Pick-Up selector (PASSIVE/ACTIVE)
• Preamp topology selector (JFET/PURE)
• +48V phantom power switch
• USB LEDS
• MIDI IN/OUT LEDs
• Monitor knob
• 1/4″ headphones output jack
• Master potentiometer for main output control
• 1/4″ Amp output jack

Rear Panel

• 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
• 1 Combo socket for MIC input and Line input (auto selecting)

Dimensions

• Size: 19.5cm x 19.5cm x 5.3cm
• Weight: 1.0kg

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.