M-Audio AIR|Hub USB Audio Interface with Built-in Hub Reviews

The AIR|HUB worked perfectly with my iPad Air (USB-C) as the host. I have my Keystation61 (MIDI controller) connected to the AIR|HUB for USB/power. This also worked with an iPhone 5s with a lightning connector and another iPad with a lightning connector, but only through Apple's camera adapter that provides an actual USB port (plus a lightning port for charging). A lighting to USB-C data cable did not work at all (the same cable allowed the iPhone to show up when connected to my computer, so I don't think it was a cable issue). The iOS device is not charged through the AIR|HUB, since it's the host. I'm using the Korg Module app, but Garage Band worked too.

My iPad is a couple of years old, and without being connected to power, I played music for a couple of hours, then left it connected to this setup overnight, which nearly drained the battery. I wouldn't have any issue playing a show on battery power. My old iPhone 5s drains quickly, so it has to be charging to be useful in this setup. Overall, I'd say the drain-rate is similar to watching a movie on your iOS device. I tried charging my iPhone from one of the ports of the AIR|HUB, and it worked, though it was charging slowly and really just slowed the draining. This didn't seem to create a USB loop - I'm guessing because the lighting port on the Apple Camera Adapter is for charging only and doesn't pass data.

For live performance, I'd rather trust this device than a cheap adapter from Am*zon. The 1/4" outputs work great for feeding a DI or connecting directly to a mixer (plenty of volume that way!). The headphone output works fine, but for this application, I wish it had extra power. It seems a bit louder (3dB?) than the 3.5mm output on the cheap iOS adapter/hub I tried, but extra power would be helpful here. I'm pretty sure that's because the MIDI samples are uncompressed sound, so compared to commercially produced music tracks or movies, they aren't as loud. As long as I turn the volume up all the way on each patch in the Korg app (default when you switch sounds is about 80%), and have the headphone volume knob up all the way, it's a nice loud level for practicing. If I need more volume, tweaking the velocity curve in the app is a way of boosting it at the expense of expressive playing.

All the functions of my M-Audio Keystation61 seem to work in this setup, including the volume fader. When the iOS device is connected to the AIR|HUB, it's physical volume buttons are disabled (it recognizes the external audio device). Adjusting the fader on the Keystation61 makes the app's internal volume knob change for each patch.

Excellent.

This little simple thing does exactly what I wanted. I have a couple of very nice studio monitors, and I wanted to hook them into my video editing iMac. This did that, worked like a charm. Sound quality is wonderful. Addition of headphone jack and separate volume control, along with USB ports are a bonus. I don't know what the bad reviewer ran into but it produces superb sound on my iMac. Running OSX Catalina 10.15.5. If you are reading this, you know what you are after, and this is the right product. Need more features? Check out the higher end products by these guys. M-audio rocks IMHO.

I got this from Sweetwater a few days back and it took close to two days to figure out how to configure the hub, with my laptop, my SoundID software, and FL Studio, as well as how to get my plugins to show up. But, now that everything is working and I know how to switch things up between headphones, monitors, and FL Studio, I am really happy with my purchase.

Pros:
- Small footprint
- Beautiful design
- tactile feedback is smooth and fluid
- Extra USB ports
- Clear and accurate sound

Cons:
- Complicated setup

I needed an audio interface to drive my powered monitors that was compatible with macOS Catalina. Since this unit is strictly USB Class-Compliant, it works perfectly with Catalina (no driver downloads, no software update nonsense, just plug and play). I've owned a couple different 2 x 2 and 4 x 2 interfaces in the past, but because I record entirely "in the box" with VST instruments, I don't need any inputs, and the money I spent on those units was really a waste. I have a Snowball USB mic if I ever need to record anything in the room.

This little box is perfect! The sound quality is exceptional, clear and smooth, and the build quality reminds me of my old Saabs - indestructible! The big knob has a great feel and the unit looks very nice on my desktop.

The separate headphone level dial is helpful, and the sound out from the headphone jack sounds really clear and bold. Although it comes with a power adapter, that seems to be only for powering the USB ports on the front of the unit. When I tried it out, the unit delivered signal to the headphones and the monitor outputs with only the bus power from the USB connection, so that might be a real plus for some if you want to use it without the adapter.

One thing I could have wished for would be a mute button for the monitor outs, but I guess it's not a huge deal to turn the knob to 0. I've calibrated my speaker volume to the correct setting so that when I dial the knob all the way up, it's the correct volume for my little desktop studio.

All in all, I'm very pleased with this unit. I'm glad I didn't spend $100-400+ on a 2 x 2 interface! This little thing is just what I've needed for years, and at a really great price!

Set up was super easy.. Plug/Play no problems.

I got this device to solve a problem for a HS Marching Band. They run multiple midi controllers via Mainstage to a macbook air. We had one of those silly laptop dongles for the USB stuff...and I hated outputting audio to the mixer from the computers headphone out PLUS we had to split the feed to the powered monitor on the cart. So this device works perfectly.

We have 2 midi controllers via USB. The monitor outs go to the mixer, and the headphone out to the powered monitor.

I wish there was some middle-ware that added the ability to swap the big knob for the headphone knob.. or to control the output source, but for this purpose it does the job and then some.

I bought the M-Audio to connect an Imac computer to KRK speakers, for playback from Logic, Youtube, etc. The problem is the output is not very loud.

Oh, sure, it has separate L/R TRS 1/4 outputs and it has a stereo 1/4 headphone jack on the front, and the box even /says/ "2 outputs", but you wanted to monitor through your headphones before you output through the L/R: Noooooope. This is only (1) ONE output. That's it. You cannot configure them separately. You can't send some audio to one and not the other. It's one device, one output, with 3 plugs attached to one output. I'm really not sure why anyone would want this interface unless you just don't have a jack on your computer. Absolutely returning this waste of time and money.

Avoid the M-Audio AIR|Hub. I just bought it and had it thoroughly measured. I trusted the M-Audio brand until now. Here are the results of the testing. It can't even properly playback 16bit. Thorough review is on audiosciencereview