The two-channel USBPre 2 offers professionals a powerful, portable interface to interconnect audio sources to computers over USB. With the addition of ASIO, the USBPre 2 can now connect to popular DAW software platforms in Windows, such as ProTools 9. ‘The benefit of class-compliant drivers means simplicity for customers,’ says Principal Applications Engineer, Paul Isaacs. ‘Out of the box, the USBPre 2 works in Mac OS, Windows and Linux environments. We recognised the need for ASIO drivers for Windows, as it unlocks high sampling rates that are already available in Mac OS and enables users to take advantage of the high performance of the USBPre 2.’

The class-compliant, plug-and-play device accepts mic level, line level, consumer line level and SPDIF digital (coaxial or TOSLink) inputs. Its microphone preamplifiers have selectable analogue limiters, high-pass filters, 48V phantom power and high-resolution LED meters. Because the USBPre 2 draws its power solely from the computer’s USB port, no additional power source is required. Balanced XLR outputs offer rejection to interference and are switch-selectable between mic or line level. Additionally, a consumer RCA-type output is available for connection to unbalanced inputs. Its headphone amplifier easily drives full-sized headphones with extensive, clean gain.

With its stand-alone mode, the USBPre 2 functions as a two-channel microphone preamplifier with analogue, digital and headphone outputs. Stand-alone mode is perfect for applications that require an easy-to-use, quality microphone preamplifier. A built-in high-resolution LED level meter helps further facilitate these types of applications.

ASIO drivers will be available for all registered users of the USBPre 2 beginning in February 2011.