ESI Amber i2
Professional music gear - detailed information and where to buy
ESI
Amber i2
Product Info
* Prices may vary. Check retailer for current pricing and availability.
The ESI Amber i2 is a surprisingly capable interface for the price. It’s a solid choice for home recording, podcasting, or anyone needing a reliable 2-in/2-out solution with decent preamps and low latency. The robust build and flexible inputs make it particularly appealing for beginners or those needing a budget-friendly upgrade.
Product Description
- ESI Amber i2
- USB-C Audio Interface
- Two input and output channels with 24 bit / 192 kHz
- Dynamic range: 115 dB A
- Real-time monitoring with balance control
- Master and headphone volume control
- Two gain controls
- Stereo loopback support for internal recordings
- Two class A microphone inputs with combo socket
- 48 V phantom power
- Two instrument inputs Hi-Z: 6.3 mm jack
- Two line inputs: 6.3 mm jack balanced
- One stereo line output: 2 x 6.3 mm jack balanced
- One headphone output: 6.3 mm jack
- Two bi-directional MIDI connections
- LCD display
- Power supply via USB-C
- Optional external 5 V power supply
- EWDM driver (Ultra Low Latency) for Windows 10 / 11 with ASIO 2.0
- WDM and DirectSound support and virtual channels
- Supports OS X / macOS (10.9 and higher) via the native CoreAudio USB driver from Apple
- Includes Cubase LE App
- Deckadance LE
- Bitwig 8-Track and three months subscription for JackTrip Virtual Studio
- Dimensions (W x D x H): 209 x 140 x 45 mm
- Weight: 624 g
PROS
- • Solid build quality; the metal chassis feels robust and well-assembled.
- • Excellent dynamic range (115dB) ensures clean recordings, even at higher gain.
- • The included EWDM driver provides remarkably low latency on Windows systems.
- • Flexible I/O options with combo XLR/TRS and Hi-Z instrument inputs offer versatility.
CONS
- • USB-C power only can be limiting; an external power supply is almost essential.
- • LCD display is basic and lacks detailed information; a bit rudimentary.
- • macOS compatibility is limited to older versions; newer users might be affected.
Product Video
Key Features
Inputs
2 x XLR/TRS Combo (Mic/Line), 2 x Hi-Z Instrument
Outputs
1 x Stereo Line, 1 x Headphone
Max Sample Rate
192 kHz
Bit Depth
24 bit
Preamps
2 x Class A Microphone Preamps
Weight
2.2 lbs (approximately)
Similar Products
Ibanez GRG320FA-TVT
ST Style Guitars
$439
Electric Guitar, Body: Poplar, Top: Basswood with Art Grain in flamed maple look, Bolt-on neck:...
Teenage Engineering TX-6 Black
Digital Mixing Desks
$1,319
Portable Professional Mixer, Six stereo inputs, Three stereo outputs (Main / Cue /...
Teenage Engineering TP-7 Black
Portable Recorders
$1,649
Multi-Track Field Recorder, Three TRRS mini jack sockets - each can be configured as a...
Frequently Asked Questions
The EWDM driver on Windows really shines, offering competitive latency, but macOS users might experience slightly higher figures depending on their system.
Absolutely, the preamps have enough clean headroom to handle dynamic mics well, though ribbon mics might require a separate preamp for optimal results.
Yes, the direct monitoring feature allows for latency-free monitoring, crucial for recording vocals or instruments accurately.
