NAMM 2019: Komplete Audio 1 and 2 affordable USB audio interfaces
5,0 / 5,0 | 
Native Instruments Komplete Audio 2 · Source: Native Instruments
Native Instruments Audio 2 · Source: Native Instruments
Native Instruments Audio 1 · Source: Native Instruments
The Komplete Audio 6 is one of the best performing USB audio interfaces and has been a decent purchase ever since it was released in 2011. 8 years later Native Instruments finally get around to building a couple more interfaces along similar lines. The Komplete Audio 1 and Komplete Audio 2 are designed to be simple, entry-level interfaces and they look quite tidy.
Komplete Audio 1
First up is the imaginatively named Komplete Audio 1. It has 1 XLR microphone input and 1 regular jack input for instrument or line level. Outputs are on RCA phono for connecting to your hi-fi speakers and a headphone output with its own level control. It’s got some sweet VU LED meters on the top and a lovely big volume knob like the Audio 6 before it. It has direct monitoring and an input/host mix knob so you can hear playback while recording. Simple, elegant, USB powered, good quality recording and playback for your computer or laptop.
Native Instruments Audio 1 · Source: Native Instruments
Komplete Audio 2
Slightly more exciting is the bonus featured Komplete Audio 2. This has twin XLR combi inputs so you could record two mics, or stereo line sources, or two instruments or a mix of those possibilities. The outputs have been upgraded to proper jacks but everything else is the same. It’s even the same size and weight.
Native Instruments Audio 2 · Source: Native Instruments
Software
With either interface you get a good bundle of software including full Maschine software and Ableton Live 10 Lite.
- Replika
- Solid Bus Comp
- Phasis
- Monark
- Maschine Essentials (full Maschine software with a limited Factory Library)
- Ableton Live 10 Lite
Has to be number 2
The price difference is $30 being $99 for the Audio 1 and $129 for the Audio 2. The Audio 2 is worth the extra in my opinion giving you a bit more standard flexibility for different situations and looks like it could be a very useful little box to have in your laptop bag. I always like a good volume knob on the top rather than fiddling around with little knobs on the front of interfaces. So, nice and neat I think and if the drivers can match the performance of the Audio 6 then I’ll be very happy.
More information
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