Head-to-head · Best Audio Interfaces

Audient iD4 MkII vs Universal Audio Volt Series

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Audient iD4 MkII comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.5 vs 4.4). The gap is mostly about solo recording setups with technical demands — read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Audio Interfaces

Audient iD4 MkII

4.5

$232.36as of Jul 1

The Audient iD4 MkII offers solid build quality and professional performance in a compact desktop interface. Reviews highlight its all-metal construction, excellent noise performance with a -114.8 dB A-weighted noise floor, and good dynamic range of 115.0 dB. However, some reviewers noted the volume knob's lack of robustness and the fact that volume settings don't persist between power cycles. While it provides good technical specifications, it lacks input monitoring hardware that's present on its sibling model, the iD14 MkII. This makes it suitable for solo recording setups but may disappoint users seeking more advanced monitoring features.

Strengths

— All-metal construction with solid heft and professional appearance
— Excellent technical performance with low noise floor (-114.8 dB A-weighted)
— Good dynamic range (115.0 dB A-weighted)

Watch-outs

— Volume knob feels less robust compared to other models
— Volume level does not persist between power cycles
— No input monitoring on hardware (unlike iD14 MkII)

$232.36 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Ranked #4 in Best Audio Interfaces

Universal Audio Volt Series

4.4

$179as of Jul 1

The Universal Audio Volt 476P serves as the flagship model in Universal Audio's Volt series, offering four analog preamp inputs and two headphone outputs compared to the Volt 476's two inputs and one headphone output. Reviewers praised its studio-grade tracking capabilities with selectable UREI 1176-derived compression models and vintage tube preamp emulation. The interface supports bus-powered operation in limited configurations and includes a generous software bundle with Ableton Live Lite and Celemony Melodyne. However, some setups may require a dedicated power supply, and reviewers noted the smooth plastic knobs as potentially ergonomically suboptimal. This interface is ideal for bedroom producers and beginning recordists seeking a full-featured 24-bit/192 kHz AD/DA interface with enhanced I/O for multi-mic tracking sessions.

Strengths

— Four analog preamp inputs with UREI 1176-derived compression model presets
— Vintage toggle emulates characteristics of the Universal Audio tube 610 console preamplifier
— Supports bus-powered operation via USB-C cable in limited configurations

Watch-outs

— Requires dedicated power supply in some setups due to higher power draw
— Smooth plastic knobs may be ergonomically suboptimal for some users

$179 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

Audient iD4 MkII

The Audient iD4 MkII offers excellent technical performance with a low noise floor and good dynamic range, surpassing the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen and Behringer UMC22 in these areas. However, it lacks the analog preamp features of the Universal Audio Volt Series and the specialized podcasting capabilities of the Focusrite Vocaster Two, making it more suitable for solo recording setups rather than multi-mic tracking or podcasting.

Universal Audio Volt Series

The Universal Audio Volt Series stands out with its UREI 1176-derived compression models and vintage tube preamp emulation, features not found in the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen or the Audient iD4 MkII. While it's more expensive than the Behringer UMC22, it offers studio-grade tracking capabilities that the budget option lacks, and unlike the Focusrite Vocaster Two, it's designed for multi-mic tracking rather than podcasting.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Audient iD4 MkII	Universal Audio Volt Series
Inputs	2	4
Outputs	2	2
Connectivity	USB-C, 3.5mm jack, 1/4" jack	—
Sample Rate	96kHz	24-bit/192 kHz
Bit Depth	24-bit	24-bit
Preamps	JFET	—
Power	Phantom power available	Bus-powered via USB-C in limited configurations
Headphone Jack	3.5mm and 1/4-inch	1/4" jack

← See the full ranking of best audio interfaces