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Dumbo

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other line input instrument. Musicians can record multiple instruments at once, or capture their performance from multiple microphones and angles. Each input has its own gain control on the front and its own status light. Meanwhile, each of the 2 unit blocks has buttons for providing phantom power to any connected mics, as well as its own onboard compression controls (more on that later). Each of the two input blocks has its own monitor control, with a switch to switch between stereo and mono modes. Finally, on the front of the unit is an overall output control, a headphone jack, and an individual volume control knob for the headphone monitoring. It’s a lot to take in, but it speaks to the versatility of the Rubix44. Around the back of the unit are the four independent outputs, one for each source, as well as a lot of extra goodies. Most notably, the Rubix44 has a midi input and output on the rear, allowing you to process audio and midi in the single interface, which is not super common. The back also features a system-wide ground-lift switch to eliminate any electric hum that may be present due to any problematic electrical supply (another rare feature). Finally, the back also houses controls for switching between the three onboard compression modes. Roland’s inclusion of onboard compression puts the Rubix44 above most other interfaces in this price range. It allows musicians to even out the levels on the input, rather than trying to balance them later, often saving a ton of time in production. Even if compression isn’t something you’ll use, the mode can be set as a simple limiter to eliminate those nasty audio spikes that can ruin a recording. From the direct monitoring controls to wrap-around status lights to the built-in compression, Roland has captured a lot of musicians’ demands in this tiny little interface. Compatible with Mac, Windows, Linux, and even the iPad, the Rubix44 is a versatile workhorse that will quickly prove its worth to anyone serious about musical recording and production. For more information, visit: roland.com/products/rubix44

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