Audient iD MKII Series Compared: iD4 MKII, iD14 MKII by Official Specs

Audient’s “iD4 MKII” and “iD14 MKII” are USB audio interfaces of the same iD series; the iD14 MKII is the upper version with more microphone inputs and outputs. In this article we compare the 2 models using only the specifications the manufacturer publishes, and rank them on the same criteria as the other 18 audio interfaces on this site.

Disclosure: This site takes part in affiliate programs. Specifications are as of the date we checked them and can change.

In short: which one to choose

• iD4 MKII (rank A): a USB audio interface with 2 inputs and 2 outputs. Strong on microphone input quality and ease of streaming.
• iD14 MKII (rank A): a USB audio interface with 2 inputs and 4 outputs. Strong on microphone input quality, ease of streaming, number of inputs and outputs and features for production.

The highest score among the 2 models is iD14 MKII (rank A, average 4.0). But the model you need depends on how many things you record at once and which features you use. You do not need to choose a higher model for inputs, outputs or features you will not use.

Main features of the Audient iD MKII series

Microphone preamps with the same design as Audient’s consoles

Both use analog microphone preamps with the same design as Audient’s large consoles (one on the iD4, two on the iD14). The noise (EIN) is -129 dB and the gain range is 58 dB.

A JFET guitar input that imitates the front end of a tube amp

The guitar and bass input (one) is a JFET circuit that imitates the front end of a tube amp, and is said to make a warm foundation when you use an amp simulator.

Two headphone outputs, and the iD14’s expandability

Both can connect two pairs of headphones, with a standard jack and a mini jack. The iD14 has four line outputs, so it can switch between two pairs of speakers, and ADAT / S/PDIF inputs that can add up to 8 inputs.

Loopback and a DSP mixer

They have loopback, which lets you record or stream the computer’s sound and your voice together. The specification page lists the latency of the built-in DSP mixer (0.31 ms at 96 kHz), which allows low-latency monitoring.

Where it is useful

• Recording singing or narration with little noise
• Recording guitar or bass through an amp simulator
• Combining the computer sound and your voice for streaming or game commentary

Differences in specifications (comparison table)

Model	Rank	Microphone input quality	Ease of streaming	Ease of recording guitar and other instruments	Number of inputs and outputs	Features for production
iD4 MKII	A (3.6)	EIN -129dBu / Gain 58dB (4 points)	loopback: yes (5 points)	1 Hi-Z input (3 points)	4 analog inputs and outputs (3 points)	1 of 3 (3 points)
iD14 MKII	A (4.0)	EIN -129dBu / Gain 58dB (4 points)	loopback: yes (5 points)	1 Hi-Z input (3 points)	6 analog inputs and outputs (4 points)	2 of 3 (4 points)

How we score (Audio interfaces)

Criterion	Basis	5 pt	4 pt	3 pt	2 pt	1 pt
Microphone input quality	Quietness (EIN), gain range and dynamic range	Average 4.5 or more	3.5 or more	2.5 or more	1.5 or more	Under 1.5
Ease of streaming	Loopback (send the computer's sound together with the microphone for streaming or recording)	Yes	—	—	—	No
Ease of recording guitar and other instruments	Number of inputs that take a guitar or bass directly (Hi-Z)	3 or more	2	1	—	None
Number of inputs and outputs	Analog inputs plus outputs (headphones excluded)	≥8	≥6	≥4	≥3	<3
Features for production	Built-in DSP, MIDI ports and digital I/O	All 3	2	1	—	None

Scored only on the body specifications published by the manufacturer and the functions listed on the product page. Price and bundled software are not part of the score. "Microphone input quality" is the average of three scores: quietness (EIN: 5 points at -130 dBu or lower, 4 at -129, 3 at -128, 2 at -127), gain range (5 at 72 dB or more, 4 at 65, 3 at 57, 2 at 54) and dynamic range (5 at 118 dB or more, 4 at 116, 3 at 112, 2 at 108). It is scored when two or more numbers are published. "Ease of streaming" depends on whether the interface has loopback, which sends the BGM or game sound playing on the computer to the streaming software together with your voice.

Rating of each model

iD4 MKII

• It has loopback. When streaming, you can send the computer’s sound and your microphone voice together.
• It has 2 inputs in total for microphones and instruments. Check that the number you want to record at the same time does not exceed the number of inputs.
• It has 1 Hi-Z input that take a guitar or bass directly. When you record without effects pedals or an amplifier, you plug into a Hi-Z input.

iD14 MKII

• It has loopback. When streaming, you can send the computer’s sound and your microphone voice together.
• It has 2 inputs in total for microphones and instruments. Check that the number you want to record at the same time does not exceed the number of inputs.
• It has 1 Hi-Z input that take a guitar or bass directly. When you record without effects pedals or an amplifier, you plug into a Hi-Z input.

Compared with other audio interfaces

Click a heading to sort. On a phone, the table scrolls sideways.

Audient iD MKII series: connection and getting started

Connection	USB-C to a computer (the iD4 also works with iOS)
Power	Runs on USB power (needs a USB 3.0 or higher port, 0.9 to 1.5 A)
Other	Included software: ARC (Audient’s free collection of software and plug-ins). The iD14 supports 24-bit/96 kHz, Mac and Windows

Checked on the manufacturer’s official pages on September 27, 2026.

Related reading

• Audio interfaces compared
• USB microphone or XLR with an audio interface: which should you choose?
• How to choose an audio interface
• How we rate specifications