If you’re deciding between the Audient Evo 4 and the Audient iD4 for your home studio, beats, vocals, streaming, or music production, it helps to understand both what’s different and what’s similar.
Both interfaces come from Audient — a respected brand known for clean preamps and solid build quality — but they aim at slightly different users and workflows.
📊 Quick Feature Comparison
| Feature | Audient Evo 4 | Audient iD4 |
|---|---|---|
| Mic preamps | Audient-designed | Higher-quality Audient preamps |
| Smartgain | ✔ Yes | ❌ No |
| Loopback | ✔ Yes | ❌ No |
| AD/DA converters | Good | Better |
| Max sample rate | 24-bit / 96kHz | 24-bit / 96kHz |
| Headphone output | ✔ | ✔ |
| Direct monitoring | ✔ | ✔ |
| Ideal for | Creators, beginners, podcasting, music | Musicians, producers, cleaner tracking |
| Inputs | 2 | 2 |
| Outputs | 2 | 2 |
| Power | USB | USB |
🎤 Side-by-Side Breakdown
🔹 1.
Preamps & Sound Quality
- Evo 4: Very clean and transparent for the price — captures vocals and instruments clearly.
- iD4: Generally considered a dose up in quality — preamps and converters are slightly better, resulting in a bit more detail and refinement in recordings.
Win for raw sound quality: iD4
⚙️ 2.
Features & Workflow
- Evo 4 includes:
- Smartgain — automatically sets recording levels for you.
- Loopback — lets you record system audio (great for livestreams and podcasts).
- iD4 does not have Smartgain or loopback but offers:
- More traditional interface feel
- Slightly more pro-oriented layout
Win for usability & content creation: Evo 4
🎧 3.
Recording & Monitoring
Both units offer zero-latency direct monitoring and clear headphone outputs. The iD4’s monitoring knob and overall feel tend to be slightly more refined, but both handle basic tracking well.
🔌 4.
Inputs & Expandability
Both have 2 inputs + 2 outputs, so neither gains an edge here — you won’t get more simultaneous recording channels with one over the other.
For bigger setups (more inputs), you’d need something like an iD14 / iD24 / Scarlett 4+/18iX series.
🧠 What This Means in Real Use
🟡
Choose Evo 4 If:
✔ You want auto leveling (Smartgain) for quick sessions
✔ You record podcasting, livestream audio, interviews
✔ You want loopback for streaming or capturing system sound
✔ You want a simple, beginner-friendly workflow
✔ You value speed and ease over traditional control
🔵
Choose iD4 If:
✔ You want a slightly higher sound quality
✔ You care about cleaner recordings and better converters
✔ You don’t need loopback or auto gain
✔ You prefer a more traditional audio interface feel
✔ You’re more focused on music production than content creation
📊 Side-By-Side Summary
| Category | Better Choice |
|---|---|
| Automatic gain & quick setup | Evo 4 |
| Loopback for streaming / podcasting | Evo 4 |
| Recording “pro” detail | iD4 |
| Traditional interface workflow | iD4 |
| Best overall beginner experience | Evo 4 |
| Best overall music tracking experience | iD4 |
🧠 Final Verdict
Both the Audient Evo 4 and Audient iD4 are excellent compact interfaces, but they serve slightly different needs:
- The Evo 4 is geared toward easy setup, creators, and content workflows while still sounding great for music.
- The iD4 focuses more on clean, detailed music recording without the beginner-friendly extras.
If your priority is quick, painless recording and streaming features, Evo 4 often feels more modern and user-friendly. If your priority is refined sound and traditional studio workflow, the iD4 edges ahead.
