Steinberg AXR4T Thunderbolt 2 Audio Interface

Product Overview With the AXR series, Steinberg sets a new standard in audio interfaces for studios, producers and professional musicians. With features and connectivity aimed at professional-level recording, the AXR series raises the bar with 32-bit integer/up to 384 kHz AD/DA conversion. AXR hybrid mic preamps with Rupert Neve Designs SILK emulation add exceptional tonal control, while SSPLL guarantees ultra-low jitter. The AXR series ensures universal excellence for all recording applications.

Raising the bar for professional-quality sound
The AXR4 audio interface raises the bar for professional-quality sound to a new level. At the core of the interface is the high-speed data throughput necessary for professional-level recording, with a vast array of inputs and outputs providing all the connectivity that high-end audio set ups demand. Four combo inputs are equipped with digitally-controlled state-of-the-art hybrid mic preamps, each with switchable Rupert Neve Designs SILK technology for the most musical sound possible. As well as the four combo inputs, the comprehensive range of 28 in, 24 out options include 8 TRS line inputs and 8 TRS line outputs, 2 x 8 channel ADAT/S/PDIF (or 1 x 8 ADAT and 1 x 8 AES/EBU) and a future-proof digital I/O card slot. Word Clock, MIDI I/O ports and twin headphone sockets with independent volume controls are also provided. With 32-bit integer recording at up to 384 kHz, DSP-powered, latency-free monitoring, advanced SSPLL jitter suppression and a flexible 28x24 matrix mixer, the AXR4 is a truly exceptional audio interface for studios, producers and professional musicians.

A professional centerpiece for your studio
With its high-end feature set, the AXR4T is the ideal centerpiece for any professional recording situation. Offering easy, stable connection and highspeed data transfer via Thunderbolt 2, as well as a wide range of analog and digital connectivity options, it integrates quickly and seamlessly into all Mac-based recording systems. The AXR hybrid mic preamps — which are specially-tuned versions of those widely used throughout the professional sound industry in Yamaha’s leading digital mixing systems — deliver the most natural, musical sound, while 32-bit integer AD/DA conversion at up to 384 kHz sets new standards in audio quality. With zero latency DSP monitoring effects and a 28x24 matrix mixer providing exceptionally flexible signal routing, whether it is for mastering studios, mixing facilities or professional working musicians, the AXR4T is the perfect choice for outstanding sonic results.

32-bit integer/384 kHz AD/AD conversion
High-quality conversion is a crucial first step to a great audio production. With the AXR4T, Steinberg’s designers invested a huge amount of time, effort and meticulous research in choosing the very best combination of components, to create the ultimate analog to digital conversion currently available in an audio interface. We have set a new standard by including 32-bit integer converters, which not only allows for a significantly higher dynamic range, but also captures every nuance and detail of the recorded signals in the most precise, transparent manner. 32-bit resolution allows you to record signals with greater headroom, to prevent clipping or digital distortion while recording. Thanks to the higher dynamic range, quiet, subtle and highly detailed signals can be boosted during mixing, without any annoying noise or digital artefacts.

We have raised the bar further with a sample rate of up to 384 kHz, allowing the reproduction of transients, the stereo image and the recording environment to be much more detailed, while the anti-aliasing filter can be set at a level where it won’t be heard.

Flagship hybrid microphone preamps with Rupert Neve Designs sound
The microphone preamplifiers at the input stage of every audio interface provide the fundamental character of the overall sound. The AXR4T features extraordinarily natural-sounding hybrid microphone preamps, developed by Yamaha, which are available for use on all front input channels. Developed as part of Yamaha’s “Natural Sound” philosophy, the choice of components, mechanical construction, circuit layout, power supply and grounding were all painstakingly evaluated and refined in the AXR4T. Final adjustments were made after extensive aural tests by both Yamaha experts and eminent outside engineers, resulting in a totally new design that is genuinely worthy of “flagship” status.

Another vital component in the superb sound of the hybrid microphone preamps is the digital stage. The legendary transformer circuitry and SILK processing of high-end analog devices by Rupert Neve Designs have been precisely modeled and incorporated into the AXR4T, using original Yamaha VCM (Virtual Circuitry Modeling) technology.

SSPLL: The latest virtual jitter reduction technology
As more devices with clocks are added to an audio system, a problem arises as the clock of each beats against the others, creating additive audio band jitter. The traditional solution to this problem is to add expensive master clocks with VCXO’s and sample rate conversion. However, thanks to audio equipment becoming more affordable, some manufacturers use cheap clock solutions which, in some cases can lead to equipment stopping working properly. The newly developed SSPLL™ (Super Suppression Phase Locked Loop) performs on the same level as traditional, expensive clocking solutions used in professional clocking products. SSPLL is currently the most advanced technology for virtually removing audio band jitter, it is highly robust and extremely tolerant of wide variations in clock frequencies. Using SSPLL makes all of the connected equipment work reliably and virtually jitter-free.

Full DAW integration with dspMixFx AXR
Seamlessly integrating with Cubase and most other DAWs, the AXR4T delivers latency-free monitoring with DSP-powered FX, via the onboard SSP3 DSPX chip and latest dspMixFx AXR technology. This provides a fully integrated, DSP-based monitoring setup in any situation, irrespective of the DAW you use. The dspMixFx AXR mixing application for the AXR4T makes the setup of the unit with your chosen DAW very straightforward, with full access to all necessary routings and controls. A metering window also provides an excellent overview of all input and output levels.

Full control with a 28x24 matrix mixer
The dspMixFx AXR application allows for setup and control of the AXR4T’s DSP mixer and DSP effects. A full 28x24 matrix mixer has been incorporated to satisfy professional-level monitoring and system-related requirements, for example routing inputs and DAW or system audio to a mix bus. Five different windows give comprehensive control over all settings: the mixer, the matrix mixer, the meter, show/hide channels and settings. This guarantees an excellent overview of all levels and routing at all times. These settings can be saved to the AXR4T to recall different scenes, depending on the chosen workflow.

DSP-powered effects
Powered by Yamaha’s custom-designed next generation SSP3 DSPX chip, the AXR4T features the benefits of dspMixFx AXR technology for latency-free monitoring, as well as the acclaimed Sweet Spot Morphing Channel Strip, REV-X reverb and the Vintage Classics Compressor VCM 276 and VCM EQ601. When using Cubase all the advanced monitoring capabilities are fully integrated into the application’s GUI by True Integrated Monitoring technology. Features • 28x24 Thunderbolt 2 audio interface
• 32-bit integer / 384 kHz recording and playback
• AXR hybrid mic preamps with Rupert Neve Designs SILK
• 28x24 full matrix mixer
• Latency-free DSP-powered monitoring with REV-X reverb, Channel Strip, VCM compressor 276 and EQ 601, including VST 3 plug-in versions
• Plenty of I/O ports like 2 ADAT, S/PDIF, AES/EBU, MIDI and Word clock
• SSPLL ultra-low jitter reduction
• Stack support for up to 3 units
• New custom panel for perfect integration into Cubase
• Bundled Cubase AI fully supports 32-bit integer format