Lewitt is introducing the Connect 6, a DSP-powered dual USB-C audio interface with flexibility for content creators and musicians. It features analog and digital connectivity, full iOS/Android device integration, and studio-grade preamps. The onboard DSP (Digital signal processor) offers virtual channels, a mixer, loopback, and individual routing managed via the included Control Center software.
The announcement explains, “Today, we use audio interfaces for more. We record music, host podcasts, take zoom calls, and participate in live streams on social media. Naturally, this introduces workarounds or the need for additional software, which doesn’t make life easier. With the new CONNECT 6 audio interface, you don’t need workarounds, as it extends the usability of an audio interface beyond basic recording functionalities to easily manage any audio workflow you need. It features extensive hardware connectivity, full iOS/Android device integration, excellent sounding studio-grade preamps, powerful onboard DSP effects, mixer, virtual channels, and a Control Center software to easily manage any audio workflow you need.”
Connect 6 is designed so that users can set up workflows from basic to complex more easily, and since the audio is processed via the hardware-based DSP, setup is stable and independent from the computer’s performance. Everything is managed on a single device with no more workarounds.
Making music, creating podcasts, taking zoom calls, participating in live streams, and producing content for social media all increase the number of necessary workarounds and additional software needed. Connect 6 expands the classic audio interface towards personalized and smooth audio workflows, with sound quality and ease of use.
Connect 6 works with any microphone. Users can plug it into any of the two studio grade preamps via the XLR/ Jack combo inputs. Both preamps come with a leading low noise performance of -133dBV EIN and 72 dB of gain, enough to use any microphone without needing signal boosters. Users then activate Auto Setup and let Connect 6 find the optimal settings for their voice or instrument automatically. Users can also add DSP-powered effects to their voice, refine sound using an expander, compressor, or 4-band EQ without introducing latency to monitoring or using CPU power from a computer.
Connect 6 is designed for users to fully integrate a mobile device (or a 2nd computer) into their audio setup or connect a mobile device via the second USB-C port for lossless digital audio transfer while charging it at the same time. This feature allows users to send audio to mobile applications or record audio from a mobile device onto a computer or connect a 2nd computer instead of a mobile device to digitally send and receive audio between two computers. Connect 6 is Apple MFI certified for iPhone/iPad and also works with Android devices.
Mixing, routing, and loopback
Control Center software creates custom audio setup and presets. Users can also combine the microphone signal with other audio sources from a computer, mobile device, or other inputs. With three virtual stereo channels, a loopback channel to capture audio from a browser, game, or Zoom call, users can create two completely independent audio mixes, Mix A and B.
“For example, Mix A could be used for personal monitoring while Mix B is being sent wherever you need it, be it your DAW, a streaming software, or a virtual meeting. You can even send your mix to applications on your mobile device. Both mix outputs feature a one-knob Maximizer to ensure that your mixes always have the optimal loudness level,” according to the announcement.
The two independent headphone amps drive high impedance studio headphones. Both can be fed with individual mixes and support zero-latency monitoring even with the DSP-powered effects engaged.
Hardware I/O
- Dual-USB C audio interface / 24 bit / 96 kHz
- 2 Studio-grade preamps with XLR/Jack combo inputs, 72 dB gain, -133 dBV EIN
- 2 Independent headphone outputs (6.35 mm & 3.5 mm)
- 2 Balanced speaker outputs (6.35 mm)
- 1 Stereo speaker out (3.5 mm)
- 1 Aux input for additional audio devices (3.5 mm)
- 2 USB-C ports to send and receive audio between a computer and mobile device (iPhone, iPad, Android)
- Connected mobile devices are charged via USB-C
Software I/O and DSP features
- 3 Integrated zero-latency DSP effects (compressor, expander, EQ)
- 3 Virtual stereo channels for custom audio routing
- 1 Loopback channel to digitally record computer audio
- 2 Independent master mixes with one-knob Maximizer
- ASIO driver included
Connect 6 comes with Lewitt’s Control Center software, Steinberg’s Cubase LE, Cubasis LE, one high-quality USB-C to USB-C, a high-quality USB-C to USB-A cable, and is compatible with Mac, PC, iPhone, iPad, and Android.
Available from October 2022 retailing at $299.
More info on the LEWITT website: www.lewitt-audio.com/connect-6
