There is a new Interface from Zoom, the U-44:

https://www.zoom.co.jp/products/prod...udio-interface




It's like made for iPad: small, can use batteries or a dc, has Midi, works as a standalone converter, has digital ins and outs and it has two additional inputs (3+4) that use either the spdif ins or the same mics and modules that are available for the Zoom handy recorders.
I was looking for a small interface to use with my ipad or sometimes with an iphone, but everything I found was too big or heavy or doesn't have midi etc.
Bought it immediately yesterday. Anyone else, who is using it?

Me!
It's incredible that this interface has so few reviews around the web and magazines.
I think it's a very underrated piece of gear.
Same pristine preamps of the H6 and compatible with everything, also with the ipad.
I guess that is one of the few digital I/O devices for iOS available today.
Always in my backpack with the laptop.

ahoy,

i also find the new U-44 a nice combo of features, portability and price, though i am wondering since it is USB class compliant (no drivers needed on macOS) if it will work with Android devices as well, though it is not advertised as such yet. my searches thus far have not turned up anything, nor my message to Zoom (they are going to look into it). i would guess that simply connecting to an Android 5+ device via a On-The-Go OTG connector would allow it to function as a USB audio interface. so do you have any experience or info on this?

thanks, w

Does the digital input really work on iPad? A review on sweetwater is saying it does not.

It has S/PDIF optical and coaxial ins and outs that can be used as channels 3 and 4.
This has nothing to do with connections to the iPad.

On iPad as well? That's what I was asking the other poster as I can see a review on Sweetwater stating that s/pdif in does not work on iPad

Only guessing: in order to use a 4 inputs audio-interface on the iPad you need a software that can use them / allows to route the inputs to tracks.
I use Auria.

Some software only uses track1 and track2 (stereo) and doesn't offer the option to route the inputs. For example if you have an interface with 4 inputs and you want to use the inputs 3+4 to record to your iPad, but use for example the camera-app, it will only allow you to record input 1 and 2.
I think in Garageband you can only record 2 tracks at a time, but you can route, so you could tell Garageband to use input 3 and 4 of the audio-interface (but I'm not sure, 'cause I only had a quick look at Garageband on the iPad).
The functionality of the digital-ins and outs of the Zoom have nothing to do with the iPad. It even works standalone as a D/A A/D Converter.

just an update for any future searches seeking the same info as me: i am happy to say that the Zoom U-44 works as an audio interface including MIDI with Android 5.x and more via a USB OTG connector, though i did not test the S/PDIF. enjoy!

First of all hi everybody, new member here.
I'm probably gonna buy the U44 soon but, if possible, I'd like to have a couple info I haven't been able to find online about this interface, from someone using it.

Does it allow to DIRECT monitor the spdif input?
And is the direct monitoring signal passed to both main out and phones out?

Thanks in advance

I've been looking to upgrade from a Focusrite 2i4. Main features I want are multiple outs & moderate price. My current picks:
IconnectAudio+4: 4 outs, routing, I have the ICM4, it's great.
MOTU Ultralight mk4: 8 outs, digital mixer $595
Steinberg UR22mk2: 4 outs, many argue they sounds great
Soundcraft Signature 12: 12 channel usb mixer, stay with hardware, just get a new mixer.
Soundcraft ui16, not sure how these digital PA mixers sound, or if the ipad mixer will quickly go obsolete, but channels.
Zoom r16, usb mixing and recording in one box, but then I feel a better interface and upgrading my computer would be better.

I ended up getting the soundcraft mtk12, but am looking at the zoom u-44 as an iPad interface.

Seriously thinking of grabbing one for my iPad as well, herd nothing but positive things about it

Does anyone happen to know if you can set the U-44 up as a send and return device in Standalone Mode through SPIDIF?

I have the Zoom connected to my main interface on Standalone Mode through SPDIF In and Out and want to use it as a guitar pedal send and return.

Unfortunately I'm having a difficult time getting the audio path to go into the Zoom through SPIDIF, out Line 1 to the pedal, back in Input 1 into the Zoom, then back to my main interface through SPIDIF Out.

So far in standalone mode, I can only loop the signal back to me through SPIDIF but I can't seem to route the signal through the line ins/outs before the signal gets back to me.

Anyone tried this before or have any tips?

Thanks for your help!

page 27 of the manual shows the signal flow in standalone AD / DA mode!
The S/PDIF out carries alway the same signal as the main outs and line-out1.
The S/PDIF inputs are assigned to INPUT 3/4.

The U-44 is hardwired, doesn't include a software mixer or routing capability. Maybe there is a workaround but I don't see how you should
1. get the signal from your main-interface via S/PDIF to the Zoom, then
2. route it to an analog out of the Zoom (to the guitar pedal)
3. get the analog signal from the pedal back into an analog-in of the Zoom and
4. then back in digital form into your main-interface via one of the digital outs of the zoom.

thaaaank yooouuuu !! Off to buy one now

you are welcome, enjoy