I'm looking for something with >2 XLR inputs.

People say ID4 MK2 has good preamps, I don't want to waste money.

Eventually I could try switchable XLR hub...

 

Behringer Xenyx 802S - 74 €

- Intuitive operation and settings
- USB port for recording or playback
- Good value for money
- Flexible for a wide range of applications

www.behringer.com/product.html?modelCode=0601-AHU

 

to me the Audient pre-amp is good, i liked it over my SSL 2.. or any other interface on the same price range. Have been using Audient ID series since 2013.

Or maybe you can go for ID 14 instead. 2 xlr input and with some routing capabilities. Also comes with optical for expand.

 

Not related to XLR directly, but the iD4 front Di guitar input is a distortion input. Extra sensitive, and according to the manual its circuit is meant to add disortion. Probably a good idea to evaluate this aspect as well before you buy it. I have the iD4, never used it just had as a spare, but for this exact reason I am going to sell it. I don't want a built in distortion on my interface.

 

ive had a umc204hd for use on my laptop for years now(outlasted 3 laptops so far) its a solid workhorse no frills never failed me presumably similar to 404 i planned to upgrade to motu but the 204 just keeps working

 

Last edited: Mar 23, 2026 at 5:45 PM

You don't have to use that input. You can also use the USB audio interface as a normal audio interface.

Audient - iD4 - Instrument Input (Front)

iD4 uses a discrete Class-A JFET instrument (D.I) input on channel 2, which is easily accessible at the front of the unit.
The D.I input is perfect for plugging in electric or electro-acoustic guitars, as well as basses and even synthesisers.
The JFET circuitry adds a tiny bit of colour and distortion to the signal, giving your instruments a bit of added warmth.

Source: https://d9w4fhj63j193.cloudfront.net/2021/iD4MKII/English/iD4 MKII Manual V1.3.pdf

 

But which input do you use then? It doesn't have more instrument input. Only the one for the mics on the back.

 

i own a Behringer 404HD UMC and its a fking beast, bought it for like 80-90 USD in the 2019. dud i'm seeing it right now and its been 6 years or 7 that i have this and the only thing i kinda worried its the first jack input have some loose but its a little one as a complaint after 6 years of use, only on my bedroom. i use it outside like 5 times in all those years, but it was in the bedroom of another friend who make music like me... so i cant recommend it enough, its like a tank for sure. drivers are updated and never get a problem even if its on another pc or change the windows version. for real and undoubtly the best low price audio card. dont think about it buy one and try it for 2 years then u tell me xd. i have to say this is not a mixer, but u have 4 MIDAS preamp to record anything u like. im not working for behringer XD but u have to try it definitly.

EDIT: i have to upload a picture im so proud of this one :')
https://imgur.com/a/lQ3IEK2

 

Going from the Audient to the Behringer is a factual downgrade (the data is out there), but the actual issue is that you're having a problem and you want to get an interface that will give you the same problem if you need more inputs again. Just get something with ADAT and future-proof your setup.

 

I use my Audient ID14 MKII as an audio interface; the drivers for the DAW are high quality, and my two studio monitors are connected to the outputs. It's designed for guitar and vocals!

Audient iD14 MKII looks like:

 

Indeed, I did not check this back in the days when I purchased it, but the manual mentions as well that the back connector can be used for line in, too. But even so it means, that in case the front input is not useful for you, you will be limited to 1 connector only, to use that both for the mics and the instrument inputs. That's an annoying factor for me. And the front is too sensitive for my guitars, the input always go clipping. The same issue as here linked below. Being that sensitive, I don't even understand how it would have any use.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Guitar/comments/zeamc3/question_audient_id14_di_is_clipping_anyway_to_fix/

That is a fact though, that the drivers are good. I can't argue with that.

Of course you have the option that you buy the iD14 and you'll have more slots, but that is a more expensive category.

And add to this that on Mac my Alesis iO4 is almost as fast as the Audient (latencywise), and has 4 Mic slots, 4 jack input and 4 insert. For a much lower price. It lacks dedicated windows drivers though. But you don't have any sensitivity issues with it.

 

Last edited: Mar 23, 2026 at 5:18 PM

I used to have several synthesizers and two drum machines. For that, I had a Mackie Onyx 1220i – a 12-channel analog amp with FireWire. USB mixers usually have too high a latency. FireWire was the cheapest solution. I think newer motherboards have long since removed the port.

I recommend a small digital mixer!
Tascam Model 12 - Digital Recording - 649 € --> www.thomann.de/de/tascam_model_12.htm
Zoom LiveTrak L6max - 12-Kanal Digital-Mixer & Recorder - 410 € --> www.thomann.de/de/zoom_livetrak_l6max.htm

ANALOG: Mackie Onyx12 - 12-channel mixer - €495 or Mackie ProFX10v3+ - 10-channel mixer - €349

 

Last edited: Mar 23, 2026 at 6:04 PM

Ture, that is also a way to go, I was just mentionning possibilities in case you want to remain at the budget level of the iD4 and similar items. And also a lot depends on whether the system is Mac or Windows.

P.S.: I am just checking it costs 150% more than in 2017

 

Don't get me wrong for 'budget' gear its not bad but I think the only way you could ever consider a Behringer an 'upgrade' is if you have nothing to start with. Audient and Behringer aren't even remotely in the same class.

@sono - you're comparing it to its price almost 10 years ago and expect it to be the same? I can remember when Star Wars figures were $1.50. Ever hear of inflation?

 

Personally I experienced instruments and corresponding gear is an exception in the inflation happening in world economies. For example the price of the Demeter Compulator which had always been an expensive stuff is record cheap now. Actually they sell used ones for more than the new one right from the manufacturer. Guitar, in my area their price haven't really changed, the vintage gear is the only exception. So the inflation considering the whole of the gear business is not very obvious all the time.

 

You must live in a vacuum, or haven't been around long enough to notice it. Guitars? Funny how 10 years ago, Fender Standard guitars used to be $400 flat brand new. The Fender 'Player' guitar, aka what used to be the 'Standard', is double that price now.

 

Well as far as devices are concerned some of them got even cheaper. I mentioned the Demeter Compulator, which I purchased recently, and has always been more expensive. OR I repurchased a Behringer pedal that I owned 16 years ago, back then the price here where I live was 60-80$, I was astonished to see that now it is 20-30$. I cannot show you the old price, but here is the price on Thomann, if you enter the link into archives.org, you can check even at Thomann this was more expensive back in 2022:
https://www.thomann.de/hu/behringer_cs400.htm

https://web.archive.org/web/20220803125407/https://www.thomann.de/hu/behringer_cs400.htm

The other stuff that I occasionally check is Keeley Compressor Plus, it also became cheaper:

https://www.thomann.de/hu/keeley_compressor_plus.htm

https://web.archive.org/web/20231026132221/https://www.thomann.de/hu/keeley_compressor_plus.htm

I don't deny that the price of certain stuff is going up, but the ones I am checking frequently usually stays the same or even got lower.

Guitars: I experienced that the price of certain vintage stuff went up, like the Aria Pro II, I haven't really checked new guitars recently. But even among the vintage ones I frequently see stuff where the price is unchanged.

So yes, among the things of my interest I have not experienced that big of a price change. That surprises me all the time because everything else seems to cost more: food, gas, elecetirity, shoes, clothes, etc...

What may also cause the difference between us is that when I am looking for new guitars, I am also looking at stuff from China, which has identical quality to some brands sold in shops in Europe. And those might cost more in Europe now, but the same quality substitutes may cost even less. Certain things on Aliexpress had a "facelift" in recent years and it is now easier to find identical quality substitues than before.

 

Last edited: Mar 24, 2026 at 12:51 PM