iAudioInterface2 Control Panel 4+

A good start.

The iAudioInterface and this app are great ideas. The problem is minor but confusing bugs in this app (as well as the AudioTools app) can cause unpredictable and confusing operation. Too often I’ve found the device+app not behaving as expected. Make settings in the app, and then be confused for a bit why the signals into or out of the iAudioInterface are not what I’m expecting to see. Eventually I figured out ways to work around the inconsistancy-inducing bugginess, but in summary: The behavior of a test system should be consistant, predictable, reliable behavior. A test instrument should not introduce more variables or bits of uncertainty into the testing process!

The iAudioInterface2 is a great bit of kit, but the cleverness of the reconfigurablity of the inputs/outputs for different functions adds to the potential of confusing operation. Yes I appreciate the cleverness of its design, but it does introduce subtle operational issues as a result. In a perfect world, I’d like more dedicated connectors for various functions, but obviously that would increase the device’s size & expense. If nothing else, status LED’s showing what the device is configured for, such as “balanced mono out”, “2 ch. unbalanced out”, “phantom power ON”, “gain", etc. would just be nice bits of confirmation that the hardware is set up as one expects. In the AudioTools environment one can move about between many different tests that may require differnt tweaks to the audio I/O, and visual reminders of the interface setup would just be another bit of polish to the system to provide speedy, less confusing, and confidence-inspiring operations.

While Andrew Smith was initially responsive to my bug reporting, eventually he stopped responding to my concerns. The overall AudioTools experience has been great so it’s mystifying why this particular subset of the AudioTools family is so problematic. It just feels like this has not been a priority for StudioSix & AudioControls to resolve. (Note the last release of this app!)

Andrew's groundbreaking work with AudioTools has been fantastic. AudioControls (the maker of the interface itself) makes great hardware. I look forward to a more finished & polished system here, but until then these little bugs are just needlessly annoying and I ended up returning the interface. It’s the subtle stuff that makes the difference between good products and great ones, and in this situation it is frustrating to not be able to think of so much good work as full-blown amazing. But it’s their fault for setting my expectations so high! Just don’t stop here.