• Motu

Electronic music producers and DJs know Native Instruments as the minds behind such indispensable tools as the Maschine controller and Traktor Kontrol interfaces. With NI's obvious grasp on musicians' need for solid hands-on tools and powerful software integration, it stands to reason that they would build a compact, yet heavy-duty USB audio interface like the Komplete Audio 6. From its instant-visual-feedback indicator lights and big, tactile analog volume knob to the high-end Cirrus Logic analog-to-digital converters under the hood, it's obvious that the Komplete Audio 6 interface is meant to meet the demands of any task you throw at it: studio production, mobile recording, live DJ gigs, or just laying down demos at home. And with all the software that Native Instruments has included -- Cubase LE 6 for recording and mixing, Traktor LE 2 for live DJ performances, and the must-have virtual instruments, effects, and sample library in Komplete Elements -- you'll have all the tools you need to start making tracks right out of the box.

Komplete Audio 6. Device Updater. Native Instruments creates professional hardware and software for music. Produce beats and tracks with ultimate control. The Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6 is a USB audio interface which has a total of 6 inputs and 6 outputs. The front panel has 2 XLR/instrument inputs each with a gain control, a headphone jack, a monitoring control which has the option to switch between stereo and mono and mute button for toggling the monitor or off.

One Big Volume Knob with Intuitive Indicator LEDs

The first thing you'll notice about the Komplete Audio 6 USB interface is its intuitive top panel, with one big, fat analog volume knob smack in the middle. Whether you're using your audio interface for casual listening at home, or for cranking up the PA at a packed gig, it's a lot easier to grab this main volume knob instead of mousing a volume slider on a screen. The volume control is surrounded by 15 easy-to-read, professional-looking indicator LEDs: signal presence and clipping for all four analog inputs and both pairs of analog outputs, S/PDIF digital sync, MIDI I/O signal presence, USB and +48V phantom power indicators, and lights to indicate which pair of outputs you're hearing over headphones or the monitor outputs. Considering that all this intuitive visual feedback fits into a compact 6.3' x 4.8' footprint, it's easy to see how this built-like-a-tank bus-powered interface can integrate with any studio desk setup, DJ booth, or mobile recording rig.

Four Analog Ins and Outs with High-End A/D Conversion

If you're going to do serious audio production, you need serious preamps and A/D converters -- and that's where the Native Instruments Komplete 6 interface really shines. On the simple, elegant front panel, you'll find two combination XLR-1/4' jacks for plugging in any analog inputs: microphones, instrument-level sources like a guitar or bass, or line-level signals. Both of the Komplete 6's transparent-sounding preamps has their own gain knob for dialing in a healthy level. Together with two more 1/4' line inputs on the back panel, four channels of analog audio sail through Cirrus Logic converters over USB into your PC at up to 96 KHz/24-bit resolution. With an extremely low noise floor and low round-trip latency between the sound card and your PC -- plus zero-latency monitoring when you monitor the inputs directly -- the Komplete Audio 6 is excellent for recording vocals and live instruments.

More I/O for Stage or Studio

On the NI Komplete Audio 6's back panel, you'll also find four analog outputs. Use these four line-level balanced 1/4' outs to feed your main speakers plus a second pair of monitors, an outboard processor, or a headphone amp. There's a front-panel knob for controlling the volume to outputs 3/4 independently, and a pushbutton to convert a stereo signal to a mono signal -- great for checking to see if your stereo recording is in phase, or just for feeding a pair of mono subwoofers from outs 3 and 4. There's also a 1/4' headphone jack with its own volume control, and a button for toggling the headphone output between stereo out pairs 1/2 and 3/4 (no messing around in a software control panel just to select what you're monitoring). Of course, you'll also find stereo S/PDIF I/O for connecting digital outboard gear, and MIDI I/O for connecting keyboards or other controllers.

Included Software: A Complete Studio In a Box

The Komplete Audio 6 USB interface would already be a great value without bundled software, but Native Instruments has sweetened the deal by including several applications to help you get started right out of the box. Komplete Elements includes over 3 GB of NI's virtual instruments, effects, and samples, while Cubase LE gives you a serious DAW that's ideal for sequencing and audio recording. Plus, Traktor LE is included -- an entry-level version of NI's rock-solid DJ and live-performance software that allows you to make seamless loops and tweak your tracks with effects and filters. There's also a $30 electronic voucher that you can redeem for more software instruments and effects from Native Instruments' online store. All this bundled software truly makes this interface a do-it-all solution for your studio or mobile recording rig.

Features:

- Bus-powered USB 2.0 interface with 4-in/4-out analog I/O plus 2-in/2-out digital I/O
- Up to 96 kHz/24-bit audio resolution
- Two clean, clear microphone preamps with +48V phantom power with front-panel XLR-1/4' combination jacks
- Two back-panel 1/4' analog line inputs
- Four analog balanced 1/4' TRS line ouputs
- Zero-latency monitoring
- Cirrus Logic A/D converters
- Bundled software: Cubase LE 6, Traktor LE2, and Komplete Elements
You'd be hard-pressed to find a more complete audio solution in such a compact footprint. Don't let its low price fool you -- the NI Komplete Audio 6 is a heavy-duty interface with incredibly well-spec'd A/D converters that will help make the most of your instruments and microphones. The 6x6 I/O gives you just enough routing options to build your studio around, and the bundled software is easy to install and use. Whether this is your first interface or your fifteenth, the Komplete Audio 6 is a killer solution for getting sound in and out of your computer.

Today we’re reviewing the Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6, a 6 channel USB audio interface from the German-founded Native Instruments. Originally known for their software instruments the company began introducing audio hardware into their product range as of 2004. Though still primarily focused on software, Native Instruments currently sell a number of keyboards in addition to the interface that we’ve been testing here over the past week. Read on to see what we made of it.

Build Quality

Construction of the Audio 6 is reassuringly solid. Weighing in at around 1.9 lb (850 grams), the internals feel suitably protected in a rugged but attractive black and silver metal chassis. Once unboxed and we’d finished admiring the overall aesthetic our attention was quickly drawn to the rather huge analog volume control that’s centered on the glossy top panel. In practice, the utility of this oversized dial can’t be overstated and we loved just how convenient it became to make volume adjustments with barely a second thought. The remaining regular sized knobs are made of rubber and turn smoothly, and the various buttons give a satisfying click when pushed. Rubber feet on the bottom of the unit provide stability while protecting the chassis and your desk. Overall we were impressed with the build quality of this interface.

Features

On the brushed aluminum front panel you’ll find two analog XLR/TRS combo inputs for microphones and instruments, each with a complementary gain control and a standard line/instrument switch. XLR retaining locks add a small professional touch. Moving along we find separate controls for monitor and headphone volume, headphone input, a headphone source switch, a mono switch, and a direct monitoring switch for zero latency monitoring.

Located on the rear are a further two 1/4″ TRS inputs and four balanced 1/4″ outputs, MIDI in/out sockets (for those with legacy synths and drum machines) and digital stereo input and output (SPDIF / RCA). Finally for the rear, we find a USB socket, and a 48V phantom power switch enabling you to connect condenser microphones.

In addition to the aforementioned volume control the top panel features prominent indicator LEDs which display the status of connections and settings. Helpfully, the LEDs change in intensity and color to advise of levels and overloaded inputs.

Motu

Setup & Software

Preliminary browsing through user reviews of the Komplete Audio 6 seemed to suggest some occasional problems with the drivers provided for the interface. We forged ahead with installs on a Windows 10 desktop and a 2015 Apple Macbook Pro, having downloaded the most recent drivers from Native Instruments’ website. Installation on Windows 10 of driver version 4.2.0 was quick and painless, resulting in a straightforward settings panel being installed. On our Macbook we’re running OS X 10.11 (El Capitan) which does not appear to be officially supported by the most recent Mac OS X driver, a Native Instruments representative confirmed however that internal testing has revealed no significant problems and indeed installation on our Macbook was as expected with no issues to speak of so far. Stability of the drivers was not in question with us suffering no dropouts, popping or hissing on either operating system.

Native Instruments have bundled in some entry-level software with their interface in the form of Cubase LE 6, DJ software Traktor LE 2, and Komplete Elements. Both Cubase LE 6 and Traktor LE 2 are lighter versions of their larger siblings while Komplete Elements serves as an introduction to Native Instruments’ ever-growing range of instruments and effects. Containing over 3GB of material with over 1000 sounds we think most users will be able to get some mileage out of the Komplete Elements software.

Sound

Audio quality from the Audio 6 is clear and punchy and on par with competition in its price range. We found the gain controls to provide more than enough volume for quiet microphones but noted that the headphone output is not quite as blaringly loud as some other interfaces. Volume should be sufficient for general use but the maximum level did fall just a little short of our expectations. In contrast, we were thoroughly impressed with the low latency experienced while recording at the interfaces limit of 24-bit/96 kHz.
In use we appreciated the flexibility of the Audio 6’s routing options and would similarly expect DJs to derive value from the headphone source selection switch and ability to have main outs with a separate controllable monitor mix.

Verdict

The inclusion of four ins and outs plus MIDI in and out combined with the impressive design, rugged construction and solid performance make this a top contender in this price range. Highly recommended.

Pros

• Plenty of I/O and control
• Smartly designed volume knob
• Comprehensive software bundle