And for good reason. They know as well as anybody else, how valuable his information is. He is much more in depth, than anyone else would bother to go.
The best reviews are from Julian! No „unboxing“ bullshit but a comprehensive and professional analysis of all relevant features including the software! Thank you very much!
I've been considering this for a while. I saw Bandrew's review, and it helped with my thought process. But everyone knows we need Julian's hard numbers, spec sheets, and sexy accent to make the decision official.
“On the front you got a big knob…and so does the wave xlr”…that hit big! Another fabulous interface review my friend! Thanks for letting me know, its not worth my money! Always #KrauseGang !
As soon as the Wave XLR came out, my first thought was "on the front, you're got a big knob" sure... but what does Julian think of it? I love the detailed analysis so much more than all the silly "unboxing" reviews. Thank you.
Hey Julian, my girlfriend and I literally fall asleep to your videos - I mean that in a good way. Your voice is lovely, and the gear is cool. Cheers mate
I need clarification. In your review the preamp noise is measured at max gain. Also in your recent video, the Wave XLR has ~73db of gain and the Audient ID14 MKII has ~48db of gain. Does that mean the Wave XLR input noise is measured at ~73db of gain, while the Audient ID14 MKII preamp noise is measured at ~48db of gain? If so, are these values comparable? How does the Wave XLR perform at the same ~48db of gain of the Audient? Wouldn't it have less preamp noise than the Audient at the same gain levels? If this is true, then the preamp noise chart is misleading and pointless.
The noise with the sm7b was clearly audible to my ears. Motu m2 seems to still be the reigning champ. Okay maybe the rme adi 2 pro but thats a whole different class
@@no_categories The new arturia interfaces julian just reviewed are pretty gosh darn close for half the price. Might be worth a consideration. It can perform even better than the motu if you combine it with the right equipment
Thanks for your review. I already got the Wave XLR and I can clearly hear the noise with my in ears (7 Ohm at 1 kHz). Do you have any suggestions on how to minimize the noise? I tried to add a bunch of extension cables to the headphones output and it helps a lot, but it is a bit of a messy solution
The Wave Link software does have the ability to add VSTs onto the audio channels now. I use it from the Stream Deck + so can't comment on its impact to the Wave XLR's round trip delay. Wave Link is superb audio software for game streaming, totally replaced my need for VM Banana, by adding in the virtual sources to use as audio channels and the SD+ means I have the ability to change my listening volume on the fly without needing a full size mixer sitting on my desk. Doesn't do any digital interface functions though.
Hey, just wondering. Do you have any plans to look at the PreSonus Revelator io24? Seems similar to the Wave in quite a few ways, but more capable beside streaming.
Seconded - I've been having some minor quirks with my MOTU M2, and would be interested in a possible alternative if the test data shows it being decent.
Hello do you have any plans to review the Fifine SC3 audio mixer? Pretty interested in it and was wondering how it stacks up to mich more expensive audio interfaces
i have really bad reverb/echoy effect from the wave's HP output, it's almost unplayable ingame and everything sounds like it has reverb.. i have 32Ω in ear IEMs i hear no static just silence when everything is off. but any audio from my system has this reverb effect.
What usb interfaces would you recommend as far as preamp quality for recording vocals with a budget of 1,500 or less? I see so many different opinions its starting to feel like a lot of these units are all in the same.
Thank you a lot for this in depth test! I looked forward to it and it had pretty much all the information, I was craving for. Or let’s say almost. Too bad this video didn’t include the 80 Ohm load. I’m curious, where exactly the output power becomes out of whack, especially, since a lot of headphones I am currently interested in, can be found here. That being said, since I am a s**ker for low preamp noise already, the Elgato Wave XLR, being uncomfortably close to the infamously bad Steinberg interfaces, had lost my interest already. So take this with a grain of salt. But for those interested in this interface: I chose this unflattering name for myself, because I know, this barely makes a difference. In fact, the difference is low enough, that I didn’t use my FetHead with my old Steinberg UR22 Mk II and my dynamic broadcast microphone, a RØDE Procaster. I mention the microphone, because it has a louder microphone, compared to the Shure SM7B. (Procaster: -56dBV @ 1kHz /// SM7B: -59dBV/PA) That being said: I thought about getting a SM7B, but preferred the Shure Beta 58A (dynamic singing microphone) which again is a lot louder at -51dBV/PA. So before you end up ditching this interface or buying a FetHead on top, compare voices on the SM7B to other microphones. You might end up not having any noise related issue at all. Also: Be sure it’s actually self-noise, you can hear. With your gaming capable PC in the room, it’s pretty much assured, that you will not notice the self noise on the SM7B, as it’s rejection of background noise, while impressive, compared to condenser microphones, isn’t the best.
One more thing: you called out people in advance who would be prepared to argue against testing the Wave XLR on it’s own. I’d have another good counter argument to give. Two in fact. 1) This is supposed to be a test of the device itself tho. 2) Given the price difference between the Elgato Wave XLR and - say - the Focusrite Scarlett Solo is justified only with the software AND you have to spend 40-66% of this devices price to make up for the so-so noise performance, wouldn’t it be justified to consider this devices hardware performance inferior?
Some persons have complained the Elgato randomly cuts out, forcing a reboot of their computer as they are recording. I suspect this is a software glitch. Have you experienced this?
Thinking of getting the Shure MV7X and this to pair with it. I don't need a cloud lifter or whatever it's called right or should I go with a Focusrite USB audio interface instead?
Julian, I've heard SM7B signal in your video and... is there any expander/noise gate applied? Not by you, of course, but by Elgato's driver "in the background"? I hear some noise in your voice parts, which is immediately cut in "silent" parts - just like noise gate does. Am I right?
Well spotted :) The audio is slightly post-processed including a gentle noise gate. There is no hidden background processing in the WAVE XLR, the audio directly from the interface is completly raw if you don't have any VST effects setup.
Is it possible to play music with this over zoom and be able to monitor the output volume? I take meditation classes and don’t is hard to monitor the volume levels to match my voice Best wishes
I've been waiting a while for an interface like this, but the lack of line level input is disappointing. Plugging the 286s via the XLR input seems wrong somehow.
I don't think it's wrong and totally possible. With the gain on the interface down all the way and reduced output on the 286s it should work just fine.
Hello! I recently had to return it because for some unknown reason it introduced noise to Stream Mix. It was BARELY AUDIBLE but i drove me mad. Does anyone here had the same issue? Noise while recording Stream Mix in OBS or any other recording software.
@@uwebaganz5144 There are already a few products. Yamaha AG03 and AG06 are the cheapest ones with at least decent Equalizer and Compressor. Also there are the Universal Audio Interfaces, which have a lot of possible Plugins. However they are very overpriced, and the bundled plugins are not that fitting, which makes it even more expensive. I wish, there were cheaper alternatives with the same formfactor as the UAD Apollo Solo.
@@uhu4677 i know the uad stuff but it's not cheap, even my old roland quad capture has comp on inputs, and a few years back there where some cheap cards with emu chipset, they where absolutely amazing wit a third party driver, i was able to do things even uad can not, but i will definitely look for the yamaha ones you mentioned
@@JulianKrause Aaaah! Thx for the hint! That must be a completely new interface. Looks pretty good, but WHY do most companies always put the Mic-Inputs on the WRONG side?! They belong to the back, not the front! This is a desktop-interface. I want a clean look on my desk. It's mind boggling, that they still don't get it. Anyways ... if you do a review, can you please also show the included plugins? Was just checking some videos, but they didn't show the actual GUI of the EQ, etc.
This product did not work for me on 12th gen intel. The wave software was junk and caused popping, clicking and stuttering in the headphones. Loading VSTs eventually caused the voice to stutter and become robotic while feeding into OBS and ultimately crash the computer. I would not go near the damn thing.
@@JulianKrause Awesome! I don’t know if I have to change it for my Audient iD4. I think the Audient has more PreAmp quality but the Presonus have the compressor build in, and helps the computer for content creation. Thanks!
@@GilbertoMzD I have an io24 and, while I also patiently await the good word of Julian, I will offer this subjective opinion: It is of the quality you'd expect of a cheaper device, metal, but not really well thought out UI, some weird quirks with the software, preamps not stellar, etc... That said, the in-built DSP effects do the job pretty well and I'm using it with a pair of SDC mics. For the money I think it's a good value. I have not tested the headphone output as I have it daisy-chained to my motu M4 where my headphones are. I am currently thinking of returning or selling it and shelling out for Universal Audio, but that decision awaits the outcome of a support ticket for the afore-mentioned software quirk.
"And on the front you've got a big knob... and so does the Wave XLR."
...I'm fucking rolling, that came out of nowhere.
I was wondering if anyone else had noticed that lol
@@yona9798 Bruh, as soon as I heard it I was like "Wow... He really did that." xD
@@saikousocial yeah, I really wasn’t expecting that either xD
I dieded :D
Yeah, add my voice to the chorus of those who laughed much harder than that joke probably deserved, simply because of who made it and where.
You coughed when you were saying SM7b. It sounded bad, I think you should get tested for the coof.
Harharhar! You cracked me up there! 🤣
At this point Krause has to be on any list of the Four Horsemen Of The Audio Reviewers Club.
And for good reason. They know as well as anybody else, how valuable his information is. He is much more in depth, than anyone else would bother to go.
The best reviews are from Julian! No „unboxing“ bullshit but a comprehensive and professional analysis of all relevant features including the software! Thank you very much!
I've been considering this for a while. I saw Bandrew's review, and it helped with my thought process.
But everyone knows we need Julian's hard numbers, spec sheets, and sexy accent to make the decision official.
100%
“On the front you’ve got a big knob, and so does the wave xlr”
Delivered smoothly 😂🌹
“On the front you got a big knob…and so does the wave xlr”…that hit big! Another fabulous interface review my friend! Thanks for letting me know, its not worth my money! Always #KrauseGang !
As soon as the Wave XLR came out, my first thought was "on the front, you're got a big knob" sure... but what does Julian think of it? I love the detailed analysis so much more than all the silly "unboxing" reviews. Thank you.
Your more detailed-inquisitive approach remains to be of great value. Much appreciated.
I did NOT expect the knob joke! Bravo
Hey Julian, my girlfriend and I literally fall asleep to your videos - I mean that in a good way. Your voice is lovely, and the gear is cool. Cheers mate
One of the most detailed reviews I have seen with good knowledge 👌
Another alpha review from King Krause
Julian Krause : I shall never shout in a video.
Clipguard : Hold my proper 48V
Really like your videos, good job! Have you thought about reviewing any budget/mid-tier studio monitor controllers? That would be really interesting.
Was waiting for this review, thank you so much!
Please make a review on the Yamaha AG03/06.
I wonder if the guys who designed the Audient EVO interfaces have any thoughts on that form factor?
Julian, when are you going to review the big boys such as the Steinberg AXR4 or Avid Carbon?
Sweet video Julian! Could u review the Presonus Revelator IO24 next?!? For a beginner streamer it’s come down to these 2 for me. IO24 vs Wave XLR 🙌🏼
Nice work on the big knob bit!
I need clarification. In your review the preamp noise is measured at max gain. Also in your recent video, the Wave XLR has ~73db of gain and the Audient ID14 MKII has ~48db of gain. Does that mean the Wave XLR input noise is measured at ~73db of gain, while the Audient ID14 MKII preamp noise is measured at ~48db of gain? If so, are these values comparable? How does the Wave XLR perform at the same ~48db of gain of the Audient? Wouldn't it have less preamp noise than the Audient at the same gain levels? If this is true, then the preamp noise chart is misleading and pointless.
The noise with the sm7b was clearly audible to my ears. Motu m2 seems to still be the reigning champ. Okay maybe the rme adi 2 pro but thats a whole different class
if only the M2 were in stock right now, anywhere at all. oh well. I'll get one when I can.
@@no_categories The new arturia interfaces julian just reviewed are pretty gosh darn close for half the price. Might be worth a consideration. It can perform even better than the motu if you combine it with the right equipment
Rme >
Thanks again, and as usual, very thorough.
any chance of broadening the channel with reviews on speakers and mics and other areas..would be awesome and the go to channel
I have been thinking about that and I will try to test more different audio equipment int he future :)
@@JulianKrause by the way, new audio interface out by applied research and technology pro audio, a.r.t. usb II, 32 bit sample rate
Dear Julian,
can you make a video to the FLETCHER MUNSON CURVE.
In order of EQing.
Best regards
Martin
Great stuff as usual. Could you review the RME Babyface Pro FS and the ADI 2 DAC FS?
Anyone who says that Germans can't be funny has just been proven wrong. Ya knobs.
A review of the SM7B would be great :)
Nice video as usual man, very interesting results, I really seem to have a hand picked gem, sneaky elgato
I'm still waiting for a firmware update, they might change this behavior to be more in line with your device. I'll keep an eye on that.
Next, please review Focusrite Clarett+ :)
Thanks for your review. I already got the Wave XLR and I can clearly hear the noise with my in ears (7 Ohm at 1 kHz). Do you have any suggestions on how to minimize the noise? I tried to add a bunch of extension cables to the headphones output and it helps a lot, but it is a bit of a messy solution
The Wave Link software does have the ability to add VSTs onto the audio channels now. I use it from the Stream Deck + so can't comment on its impact to the Wave XLR's round trip delay. Wave Link is superb audio software for game streaming, totally replaced my need for VM Banana, by adding in the virtual sources to use as audio channels and the SD+ means I have the ability to change my listening volume on the fly without needing a full size mixer sitting on my desk. Doesn't do any digital interface functions though.
Hey, just wondering. Do you have any plans to look at the PreSonus Revelator io24? Seems similar to the Wave in quite a few ways, but more capable beside streaming.
Seconded - I've been having some minor quirks with my MOTU M2, and would be interested in a possible alternative if the test data shows it being decent.
Also seconding this, I am so interested on that hardware and I would love to see Julian's measurements
Yes, I plan to review it, as soon as I can get my hands on one :)
Hello do you have any plans to review the Fifine SC3 audio mixer? Pretty interested in it and was wondering how it stacks up to mich more expensive audio interfaces
patiently waiting for Julian to test the new universal audio volt series. 🤞🤞
Me too, can't wait until they become available.
Maybe someday test the Tascam DR-60DmkII and/or Tascam SD-20M?
i have really bad reverb/echoy effect from the wave's HP output, it's almost unplayable ingame and everything sounds like it has reverb.. i have 32Ω in ear IEMs i hear no static just silence when everything is off. but any audio from my system has this reverb effect.
What usb interfaces would you recommend as far as preamp quality for recording vocals with a budget of 1,500 or less? I see so many different opinions its starting to feel like a lot of these units are all in the same.
Are you planning to do a new apogee duet 3 review? :-)
Yes, I'll review it as soon as I can get my hands on one ;)
Thank you a lot for this in depth test! I looked forward to it and it had pretty much all the information, I was craving for. Or let’s say almost. Too bad this video didn’t include the 80 Ohm load. I’m curious, where exactly the output power becomes out of whack, especially, since a lot of headphones I am currently interested in, can be found here. That being said, since I am a s**ker for low preamp noise already, the Elgato Wave XLR, being uncomfortably close to the infamously bad Steinberg interfaces, had lost my interest already. So take this with a grain of salt.
But for those interested in this interface: I chose this unflattering name for myself, because I know, this barely makes a difference. In fact, the difference is low enough, that I didn’t use my FetHead with my old Steinberg UR22 Mk II and my dynamic broadcast microphone, a RØDE Procaster. I mention the microphone, because it has a louder microphone, compared to the Shure SM7B. (Procaster: -56dBV @ 1kHz /// SM7B: -59dBV/PA) That being said: I thought about getting a SM7B, but preferred the Shure Beta 58A (dynamic singing microphone) which again is a lot louder at -51dBV/PA. So before you end up ditching this interface or buying a FetHead on top, compare voices on the SM7B to other microphones. You might end up not having any noise related issue at all. Also: Be sure it’s actually self-noise, you can hear. With your gaming capable PC in the room, it’s pretty much assured, that you will not notice the self noise on the SM7B, as it’s rejection of background noise, while impressive, compared to condenser microphones, isn’t the best.
One more thing: you called out people in advance who would be prepared to argue against testing the Wave XLR on it’s own. I’d have another good counter argument to give. Two in fact. 1) This is supposed to be a test of the device itself tho. 2) Given the price difference between the Elgato Wave XLR and - say - the Focusrite Scarlett Solo is justified only with the software AND you have to spend 40-66% of this devices price to make up for the so-so noise performance, wouldn’t it be justified to consider this devices hardware performance inferior?
Some persons have complained the Elgato randomly cuts out, forcing a reboot of their computer as they are recording. I suspect this is a software glitch. Have you experienced this?
apogee symphony desktop review ... and eternal life is yours !
Focusrite Clarett+ are coming. Please review one, lol.
Thinking of getting the Shure MV7X and this to pair with it. I don't need a cloud lifter or whatever it's called right or should I go with a Focusrite USB audio interface instead?
Julian, if you can please demistify all that old preamps hype. you are great!
If you put all the interface specs into a database. Then sort for best overall. What interface would come one on top?
We will like to see a review of Presonus Revelator io24. Thanks
Julian, what camera do you use for your videos? It looks great. take care
Thanks, I use a Fuji X-T3 with the 16-80mm. I really like the 4K image that this setup produces.
Julian, I've heard SM7B signal in your video and... is there any expander/noise gate applied? Not by you, of course, but by Elgato's driver "in the background"? I hear some noise in your voice parts, which is immediately cut in "silent" parts - just like noise gate does. Am I right?
Well spotted :) The audio is slightly post-processed including a gentle noise gate. There is no hidden background processing in the WAVE XLR, the audio directly from the interface is completly raw if you don't have any VST effects setup.
Hi , gan we get a look at XTUGA E22 , very budget .
Can you do the Sterling Audio Harmony H224 next?
How steep (db per octave) are the high pass filters?
Is there an issue using an XLR cable (instead of TRS) for a dynamic mic? Won't it get exposed to 48V power?
Would love more insight on this.
Has he ever reviewed a UAD interface? I’d love to see that.
Nopes, nor a Avid Carbon or Steinberg AXR4
Is it possible to play music with this over zoom and be able to monitor the output volume?
I take meditation classes and don’t is hard to monitor the volume levels to match my voice
Best wishes
I've been waiting a while for an interface like this, but the lack of line level input is disappointing. Plugging the 286s via the XLR input seems wrong somehow.
I don't think it's wrong and totally possible. With the gain on the interface down all the way and reduced output on the 286s it should work just fine.
@@JulianKrause I went ahead and got one! With a Line-to-XLR converter, the 286s set all the way down and ~20% gain on the Wave XLR, it works great!
Julian Krause test XTUGA E22 pls it's 20$ on ali. it looks like steinberg ur-22 knockoff but why not?)
Please do Headphone more Amps review
Please review Apogee stuff. Thanks.
Hello!
I recently had to return it because for some unknown reason it introduced noise to Stream Mix. It was BARELY AUDIBLE but i drove me mad. Does anyone here had the same issue? Noise while recording Stream Mix in OBS or any other recording software.
Update audio interface comparison test ...!!!! (Presonus Revelator io24 UA Apollo solo ) thx
focusrite has new audiointerface'es the focusrite clarett+ series. could you compare the new "clarett+ 2pre" with the old "clarett 2pre"?
Yes, I'm planning to review it 😀
The only feature I'd want for streaming are some proper (and low latency) effects such as EQ, Compressor, Gate and Limiter on my Microphone Input.
And the first manufacturer bringing that out would sell tons of it, also comp on output would be helpful for team speak and all that stuff
@@uwebaganz5144 There are already a few products.
Yamaha AG03 and AG06 are the cheapest ones with at least decent Equalizer and Compressor.
Also there are the Universal Audio Interfaces, which have a lot of possible Plugins.
However they are very overpriced, and the bundled plugins are not that fitting, which makes it even more expensive.
I wish, there were cheaper alternatives with the same formfactor as the UAD Apollo Solo.
@@uhu4677 i know the uad stuff but it's not cheap, even my old roland quad capture has comp on inputs, and a few years back there where some cheap cards with emu chipset, they where absolutely amazing wit a third party driver, i was able to do things even uad can not, but i will definitely look for the yamaha ones you mentioned
The PreSonus Revelator io24 looks like it has all the features you need. I'm planning to do a review on it. Sadly it's not yet available where I live.
@@JulianKrause Aaaah! Thx for the hint!
That must be a completely new interface.
Looks pretty good, but WHY do most companies always put the Mic-Inputs on the WRONG side?!
They belong to the back, not the front!
This is a desktop-interface.
I want a clean look on my desk.
It's mind boggling, that they still don't get it.
Anyways ... if you do a review, can you please also show the included plugins?
Was just checking some videos, but they didn't show the actual GUI of the EQ, etc.
This product did not work for me on 12th gen intel. The wave software was junk and caused popping, clicking and stuttering in the headphones. Loading VSTs eventually caused the voice to stutter and become robotic while feeding into OBS and ultimately crash the computer. I would not go near the damn thing.
Serious? I just ordered one and I did see some software issues which is now making me nervous. Have you resolved your issue?
Nice
Yeeesss🔥🔥
Arturia mini fuse 2 review? Noise?
Yes, coming soon.
Looks like audient Evo series
Personas io24 a better streaming choice now
"And so does the WAVE XLR" 🤣💀
glad i wasnt the first to catch it :P
The man is a comedic genius.
162€ for that performance and feature set - I don't think so.
could you please check the presonus io24 interface
Absolutely, I'll have a look at it once it is available were I live.
@@JulianKrause thanks
Julian finally getting cash for reviews. 🎱
How about arturia minifuse?
Yes and yes!
Please do the Presonus Revelator io24 :)
I currently have it on the test bench ;)
@@JulianKrause Awesome! I don’t know if I have to change it for my Audient iD4. I think the Audient has more PreAmp quality but the Presonus have the compressor build in, and helps the computer for content creation. Thanks!
@@GilbertoMzD I have an io24 and, while I also patiently await the good word of Julian, I will offer this subjective opinion: It is of the quality you'd expect of a cheaper device, metal, but not really well thought out UI, some weird quirks with the software, preamps not stellar, etc... That said, the in-built DSP effects do the job pretty well and I'm using it with a pair of SDC mics. For the money I think it's a good value. I have not tested the headphone output as I have it daisy-chained to my motu M4 where my headphones are. I am currently thinking of returning or selling it and shelling out for Universal Audio, but that decision awaits the outcome of a support ticket for the afore-mentioned software quirk.
i got a problem with evo8 audio result. can you help me?
No
oh my god you made an off color joke
that was completely unexpected
Please watch this vid to see Julian cough
00:59 Ba dum tss
Again, the youtube recognize your video language as German. The subtitle went wrong.
Thanks. IMHO it's another overpriced Elgato product. Most useful thing is clipguard - others is questionable.
Too pricey for what it is, better options outhere.
I didn't get the Big Knob joke.