IK Multimedia AXE I/O
Professional music gear - detailed information and where to buy
IK Multimedia
AXE I/O
Product Info
Article Number:
455740
Brand:
IK Multimedia
Model:
AXE I/O
Category:
USB Audio Interfaces
Price:
$357.50
* Prices may vary. Check retailer for current pricing and availability.
The AXE I/O is a solid choice for guitarists and bassists focused on direct recording and re-amping. The Z-Tone feature is genuinely useful for adding subtle character, and the discrete preamps provide a clean, professional sound. It's a well-rounded package for home recording and smaller studio setups.
Product Description
- IK Multimedia AXE I/O
- USB 2.0 Audio Interface
- An audio interface especially designed for guitarists
- 2 Inputs for instrument
- line and microphone signals
- With discrete Class A preamplifiers and switchable 48 V phantom power
- Front-panel Hi-Z instrument inputs
- including input 1 with Z-Tone (variable impedance)
- JFET circuit for subtle harmonic additions and active switching for optimal operation with active pickups
- Rear mic / line inputs via XLR / jack combo jacks
- 1 Front panel amp output for re-amping
- 4 Rear balanced line outputs on 1/4" TRS jack
- 1 Stereo headphone jack on 6.3 mm stereo jack with its own control
- Monitor and master volume controls
- Built-in guitar tuner
- Preset knob for controlling plugin parameters
- 2 Inputs for expression pedals or footswitches for real-time control of virtual guitar effects
- AD / DA conversion with 24 bit / 192 kHz
- 117 dB dynamic range
- MIDI in/out
- With extensive software package (download) with AmpliTube 4 Deluxe
- AmpliTube 5 SE
- 10 T-RackS processors and Ableton Live Lite
- System requirements: Windows 7 (64 bit)
- Mac OSX 10.11 (64 bit)
- Weight: 1.3 kg
- Dimensions: 238 x 211 x 53 mm
- 1.5 m USB cable and power supply unit included
PROS
- • Z-Tone circuit adds unique harmonic character and tonal flexibility.
- • Discrete Class A preamps deliver clean gain with excellent headroom.
- • Front-panel amp output simplifies re-amping workflows significantly.
- • Compact design and robust build quality for reliable studio and stage use.
CONS
- • USB 2.0 connection limits bandwidth compared to newer interfaces.
- • Limited expandability; lacks ADAT or other digital I/O options.
- • Phantom power may introduce noise with some sensitive ribbon microphones.
Product Video
Key Features
Inputs
2 instrument/line/mic (XLR/TRS combo) + 1 Hi-Z
Outputs
4 balanced line (TRS) + 1 stereo headphone
Max Sample Rate
96 kHz
Bit Depth
24-bit
Preamps
2 discrete Class A
Weight
2.5 kg
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Frequently Asked Questions
It's more integrated and subtle; the JFET circuit adds harmonic complexity without the coloration of a typical boost, offering a more refined tonal adjustment.
Yes, the output level is sufficient for driving a wide range of amplifiers, including tube amps, although careful gain staging is recommended.
The AXE I/O is designed to work well with active pickups, and the Hi-Z input is optimized for them, but extreme output levels could still benefit from a pad.
