Roland recently updated their line of USB 2 audio interfaces aimed at those looking for pro-quality sound at home or on the go without equipment slowing them down.
Roland’s designs, while great, have never been very sleek. However, the new Quad-Capture (smaller sibling to the larger Octa-Capture) manages to retain some aspects of its predecessors, like the UA-25EX, while cramming loads of features into a sexy compact package. It seems Roland has finally joined the party and are making affordable yet innovative, high-quality audio interfaces.
To sweeten the deal, the 4 in/4 out Quad-Capture comes bundled with Cakewalk’s Sonar X1 LE DAW software.
Anatomy
This flexible and portable USB bus-powered interface is housed in a very compact and rugged black aluminium casing. It operates at sample rates of up to 192 kHz with very low latency.
This 4×4 I/O device consists of two analogue in/outs and two digital coaxial in/outs. Also included are midi in/out and a headphone jack. The analogue inputs feature Roland’s pro-quality VS preamps and convenient XLR/ ¼-inch (balance or unbalanced) jack-combo input sockets on the front panel, with a selectable Hi-Z instrument input on channel one and 48v phantom power for both channels. While allowing convenient mobile recording, the USB bus power operates at optimised voltage for cleaner sound.
Each input sensitivity knob has a circular orange LED level indicator that doubles as a signal level display. Nifty! The unique Auto-Sens function automatically sets optimum input gain for any source at the touch of a button. This feature is incredibly handy for the non-technically-minded as well as anyone needing to work quickly. The Direct Monitor Mix knob allows one to blend between direct input and playback signals while overdubbing.
The easy-to-use software control panel features a selectable low-cut filter, phase inverter, a noise gate and digital compression for each channel, and also controls input gain, Auto-Sens, sample rate as well as output levels.
In Use
The device’s drivers install via CD, so I was up and running in seconds.
While tracking and mixing in both the complimentary version of Sonar X1 LE and the DAW I use in my studio; Logic, the interface delivered a clean, quiet signal with admirably low latency. The VS Streaming driver is said to be particularly stable and all popular DAWs are supported. The sound quality of the ADA converters and pre-amps isn’t that far behind similar interfaces by Focusrite or PreSonus and is considerably quieter than the ubiquitous UA-25EX. I think they finally sorted out the earthing problem that was rife with earlier Roland interfaces.
Setting vocal levels via the Auto Sens knob was a breeze, and I got a strong, clean signal with no fear of clipping. The compressors are decent enough to track with, but do tend to get a bit grainy at extreme settings.
Integrating digital equipment was also quick and painless. I connected a drum machine via the digital input and synched up some beats in the DAW using the interface’s clocking and adjusting levels within the control panel.
After a few hours of toying, I completely forgot about the Quad-Capture. Its ease of use allowed me to focus on performing at my best.
Conclusion
Although most purchasers of the Quad-Capture will probably have a DAW already, the Sonar X1 LE is certainly worth looking at and of course for those that don’t have one, it’s a great place to start getting those recordings down. Importantly one can start recording from the get-go once you purchase the interface.
Roland have really stepped things up in their audio interface department and what makes the Quad-Capture special is just how much they’ve crammed into their tried and true metal housing while still managing to make it simpler to use.
Its portability, quick and easy operation, flexible IO options for laptops, turntables, sequencers, drum machines and live recording, as well as its low latency and direct monitoring make it an excellent choice for live performance situations and mixing on the fly.
Also available in the range: UA-33 Tri-Capture and UA-11 Duo-Capture.
SA Distributor: Musical Instruments | 021 799-4950
Suggested retail price: UA-33 – R 1,795.00 | UA-11 – R 1,195.00
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