ESI Amber i1
Professional music gear - detailed information and where to buy
ESI
Amber i1
Product Info
* Prices may vary. Check retailer for current pricing and availability.
The Amber i1 is a surprisingly capable little interface for the budget-conscious home recordist or streamer. The clean preamps and reliable USB-C connection make it a solid choice for basic tracking and podcasting, though don't expect miracles in complex studio environments. It's a great entry point for those needing a no-fuss solution.
Product Description
- ESI Amber i1
- USB 3.1 Audio Interface with USB-C Connection
- 2 Input and output channels with 24 bit / 192 kHz
- Dynamic range: 114 dB
- Microphone preamp with +48 V phantom power
- Real-time monitoring with balance control
- Master and headphone volume control
- 2 Gain controls
- Stereo loopback support for internal recordings
- Input selector switch
- Mic/line combo input: XLR / jack
- Instrument input Hi-Z: 6.3 mm jack
- Stereo line input (unbalanced): RCA
- Stereo line output (balanced): 6.3 mm jack
- Headphone output: 6.3 mm jack
- Power supply via USB-C
- Class Compliant
- EWDM driver for Windows 10 / 11 with ASIO 2.0
- WDM and DirectSound support and virtual channels
- Supports OS X / macOS (10.9 and later) via the native CoreAudio USB driver from Apple
- Dimensions (W x D x H): 171 x 116 x 43 mm
- Includes software package (download): Cubasis LE for iPhone/iPad
- Wavelab LE
- Bitwig Studio 8-Track and subscription (3 months) for JackTrip Virtual Studio
PROS
- • Solid build quality for the price point; feels surprisingly robust.
- • Clean preamps offer respectable headroom for dynamic vocal recordings.
- • USB-C connectivity ensures modern compatibility and reliable power.
- • Loopback functionality makes streaming and podcasting straightforward.
CONS
- • Limited I/O compared to more expensive interfaces; restricts complex setups.
- • Plastic enclosure, while durable, lacks the premium feel of metal alternatives.
- • Driver stability, particularly on macOS, can be occasionally inconsistent.
Product Video
Key Features
Inputs
2 (1 x XLR/Jack Combo, 1 x Hi-Z Jack, 1 x RCA Stereo)
Outputs
2 x Balanced 6.3mm Jack, 1 x 6.3mm Headphone Jack
Max Sample Rate
192 kHz
Bit Depth
24 bit
Preamps
2 (Mic/Line)
Weight
1.1 kg
Similar Products
Manuel Rodriguez Superior Flamenco Sabicas C3-F
Flamenco Guitars
$957
Flamenco Guitar, Top: Solid European Carpathian spruce, Back and...
Teenage Engineering TX-6 Black
Digital Mixing Desks
$1,319
Portable Professional Mixer, Six stereo inputs, Three stereo outputs (Main / Cue /...
SE Electronics Reflexion Filter Pro Black
Other Acoustic Treatment
$230
Portable Absorber / Diffusor, For mounting behind the microphone (not...
Ibanez GRG320FA-TVT
ST Style Guitars
$439
Electric Guitar, Body: Poplar, Top: Basswood with Art Grain in flamed maple look, Bolt-on neck:...
Frequently Asked Questions
It's respectable for the price, but you'll hear a bit more hiss than high-end interfaces—manageable with proper gain staging.
It's adequate for active basses, but expect a slight roll-off in the low end; a dedicated bass DI box will always provide a cleaner signal.
It's functional, but you may need to experiment with buffer sizes to achieve truly low-latency monitoring; driver optimization is key.
