AXE I/O

Premium audio interface with advanced guitar tone shaping

The audio interface guitar players were waiting for!

Since we pioneered guitar amp & effects modeling in 2002, IK Multimedia has spent more time studying guitar and amp recording than possibly anyone else on the planet. Modeling over 400 pieces of gear has required tens of thousands of hours painstakingly measuring the interactions between instruments, pickups and amplifier circuits, not to mention the cooperation of the world’s most iconic guitar players, amplifier manufacturers, and engineers to learn how to create and capture great guitar tones.

AXE I/O brings all that experience to you.

AXE I/O Specifications

Common

• Conversion: 24-bit A/D, 24-bit D/A
• Sampling Rate: 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz and 192 kHz
• Power: DC IN
• Device Connection: USB B-Type 2.0
• Enclosure: metal sheet

Line Outputs 1-2 (Monitor)

• Configuration: Electronically balanced and floating, automatically compensates level when connection is balanced or unbalanced, tip hot.
• Output impedance: 150 Ohms balanced, 75 Ohms unbalanced
• Output Level: 0 dBFS corresponds to +21 dBu
• Frequency response: From 3 Hz to 32 kHz within 0.5 dB (96 kHz sample rate)
• Dynamic Range: 116 dB(A)
• THD+N: -106 dB(A) at -1 dBFS
• Channels 1-2 crosstalk: 115 dB(A)

Line Outputs 3-4

• Configuration: Unbalanced
• Output impedance: 75 Ohms
• Output Level: 0 dBFS corresponds to +16 dBu
• Frequency response: From 3 Hz to 32 kHz within 0.5 dB (96 kHz sample rate)
• Dynamic Range: 115 dB(A)
• THD+N: -102 dB(A)
• Channels 3-4 crosstalk: 112 dB(A)

Output 5 (Amp output)

• Configuration: Unbalanced, floating, with selectable ground lift
• Output impedance: 100 Ohms
• Output Level: 0 dBFS corresponds to -6 dBu
• Frequency response: From 10 Hz to 32 kHz within 0.5 dB (96 kHz sample rate)
• Dynamic Range: 110 dB(A)
• THD+N: -104 dB(A)

Headphones Out

• Output impedance: Virtually ideal source (zero Ohms) until clipping
• Maximum Output level: +12 dBu into 50 Ohms load (approx 180 mW)
• Frequency response: From 3 Hz to 32 kHz within 0.5 dB (96 kHz sample rate)
• Dynamic Range: 112 dB(A)
• THD+N: -100 dB(A)

Mic Inputs 1-2

• Configuration: Class-A discrete differential microphone preamp, pin 2 hot
• Input impedance: 4 kOhms differential
• Input level, min gain: 0 dBFS is obtained with a +12 dBu signal at the XLR input
• Input level, max gain: 0 dBFS is obtained with a -37 dBu signal at the XLR input
• Frequency response: From 5 Hz to 32 kHz within 0.5 dB (96 kHz sample rate)
• Dynamic Range: 116 dB(A)
• THD+N: -106 dB(A) at -10 dBFS

Line Inputs 1-2

• Configuration: Class-A discrete differential line receiver, tip hot
• Input impedance: 20 kOhms differential
• Input level, min gain: 0 dBFS is obtained with a +26 dBu signal at the TRS input
• Input level, max gain: 0 dBFS is obtained with a -24 dBu signal at the TRS input
• Frequency response: From 5 Hz to 32 kHz within 0.5 dB (96 kHz sample rate)
• Dynamic Range: 116 dB(A)
• THD+N: -106 dB(A) at -10 dBFS

Instrument Inputs 1

• Configuration: Multiple topology instrument preamp
• Input impedance, PASSIVE mode: Variable from 1 MOhms down to 2.2 kOhms
• Input impedance, ACTIVE mode: 10 kOhms
• Input level, min gain: 0 dBFS is obtained with a +14 dBu signal at the TS input
• Input level, max gain: 0 dBFS is obtained with a -17 dBu signal at the TS input
• Frequency response: From 3 Hz to 32 kHz within 0.5 dB (96 kHz sample rate)
• Dynamic Range: 117 dB(A)
• THD, PURE mode: 0.0015 %
• THD, JFET mode: 0.5 %

Instrument Inputs 2

• Configuration: Hi-Z instrument preamp
• Input impedance: 1 MOhms
• Input level, min gain: 0 dBFS is obtained with a +14 dBu signal at the TS input
• Input level, max gain: 0 dBFS is obtained with a -17 dBu signal at the TS input
• Frequency response: From 3 Hz to 32 kHz within 0.5 dB (96 kHz sample rate)
• Dynamic Range: 117 dB(A)
• THD: 0.006 %

Connections and Controls

Front Panel

• Two 1/4" instrument input jacks
• Two analog potentiometers for Input GAIN
• Two 5 segments input level meter (peak)
• Two INST, LINE, MIC LEDs
• Analog potentiometers for Z-Tone control
• Pick-Up selector (PASSIVE/ACTIVE)
• Preamp topology selector (JFET/PURE)
• +48V phantom power switch
• Tuner switch
• Tuner display and LEDs
• USB LEDs
• MIDI IN/OUT LEDs
• Push-encoder for Presets
• Monitor knob
• 1/4" headphones output jack
• Master potentiometer for main output control
• 1/4" Amp output jack

Rear Panel

• On/Off power switch
• External DC power input
• MIDI I/O 5-pin DIN connectors
• B-Type USB socket for connecting a computer (Mac/PC)
• 2 x 1/4" TRS External controllers sockets
• 2 x 1/4" TRS Balanced floating line outputs
• 2 x 1/4" TRS Unbalanced line outputs
• 2 Combo sockets for MIC input and Instrument input (auto selecting)

Package includes

• AXE I/O
• USB A-Type to USB B-Type connection cable (1.5m/4.32ft)
• DC power supply

Dimensions

• Size: 23.8cm/9.37" x 21.1cm/8.31" x 5.3cm/2.09"
• Weight: 1.3kg/2.9lb

Compatibility

• Computers: 64-bit application. Requires a 64-bit CPU and Operating System.
  • Mac® (64-bits): Minimal: macOS 10.11 or later. One free USB port.
  • Windows® (64-bits): Minimal: Windows 10 or later. One free USB port.