ESI Amber i1

From the U22 XT to Amber i1: An Interface Redesigned for Modern Use

The ESI Amber i1 is the natural successor to the legendary U22 XT, maintaining the same philosophy: delivering serious audio quality, great flexibility, and immediate usability. This new generation goes further with a more modern and elegant design, a more readable LED display panel, and connectivity choices better suited to current home studio workflows.

Beyond aesthetics, improvements are especially noticeable in daily use: separate line inputs, more advanced routing options, and integrated loopback, which has become essential for content creation, streaming, and recording conferences or online classes.

Who It's For and Intended Uses: Home Studio, Vocals, Guitar, and Content Creation

Versatile, the Amber i1 is aimed at musicians, podcasters, streamers, and producers who want a compact, reliable USB audio interface that's easy to configure. Its combo XLR mic preamp with 48V phantom power supports both dynamic and condenser microphones, while the Hi-Z instrument input is ideal for plugging in a guitar or bass directly without a direct box.

Thanks to zero-latency monitoring and its input/output crossfade mixer, it's perfectly suited for vocal and instrument tracking where listening comfort is crucial. In production scenarios, conversion up to 192 kHz and the advertised 114 dB(a) dynamic range on input and output support a clean, precise, and usable sound for both recording and mixing.

Key Features: USB-C, Loopback, and Zero-Latency Monitoring

Connectivity and Compatibility: Simple Setup, Clear Cabling

The Amber i1 connects via USB 3.1 through a USB-C port while remaining USB 2.0 compatible, facilitating integration with a wide range of computers. Bus-powered via USB, it avoids the clutter of an external power supply and becomes a practical solution for both desktop and mobile setups.

Loopback: Internal Capture for Streaming, Podcasts, and Tutorials

The loopback function allows direct recording of system or application audio (playback, video calls, browser) alongside your microphone or instrument. This is a major advantage for producing content with a voice laid over an internal source, making audio demonstrations, or managing a streaming feed without complex routing.

Zero-Latency Monitoring: Immediate Comfort During Recording

With zero-latency monitoring and the input/output crossfade mixer, you adjust the balance between what you play/sing live and what comes back from the software. The main output volume control completes the setup for quickly managing the level sent to your monitor speakers, while the 1/4" TRS headphone output ensures stable and comfortable listening.

Included Software: Production and Editing from the First Session

To get started immediately, the interface comes with Bitwig Studio 8-Track DAW and Steinberg WaveLab LE, providing everything needed to record, edit, and export your projects efficiently, whether for music, vocals, or video content.

Technical specifications

Compatibility	PC, Mac	Max resolution	24-bits
Sampling frequency	192 kHz	Headphone outputs	Yes

Included	Bitwig Studio 8-Track DAW and Steinberg WaveLab LE	Weight	454g
Dimensions	175 mm x 120 mm x 45 mm