ESI Amber i4 USB-audio-interface

In a compact home studio or a mobile recording rig, the ESI Amber i4 gives singer-songwriters, podcasters, and producers a straightforward way to capture clean, detailed audio. Its two combo inputs accept microphones, line-level sources, or instruments, and the USB-C connection keeps setup simple on Windows, macOS, or even an iPad.

Key specifications

• 2x XLR/TRS combo inputs with dedicated microphone preamps
• +48V phantom power for condenser microphones
• 24-bit / 192 kHz AD/DA conversion with 114 dB dynamic range
• Two 1/4" TRS line outputs and one 1/4" TRS headphone output
• Hardware direct monitoring for zero-latency tracking
• Switchable Hi-Z instrument input on channel 1
• Loopback function for streaming and podcast routing
• USB bus powered – no external power supply needed
• Includes Bitwig Studio 8-Track, Cubasis LE, Wavelab LE, and inTone 2 ESI Edition

Why choose it

The Amber i4 balances professional audio quality with a rugged metal chassis and a feature set that covers most recording needs. The high headroom preamps and low-noise converters ensure your recordings stay clear, while the direct monitoring and loopback options make it equally useful for music production, live streaming, and content creation.

Ideal use cases

• Recording vocals and acoustic instruments at home
• Podcasting and voice-over work with loopback for call-in guests
• Mobile recording with an iPad or laptop
• Live streaming with simultaneous playback and microphone capture
• Guitar and bass direct recording via the Hi-Z input

Good to know

The Amber i4 is class-compliant on macOS and iOS, so no driver installation is needed for those platforms. Windows users can install the included ASIO driver for low-latency performance. The unit is powered entirely over USB, making it easy to take anywhere, and the included software bundle provides a solid starting point for recording and mixing.