PreSonus AudioBox GO USB-C Audio Interface Review

The TC-Helicon GO SOLO is a portable audio interface designed for use with iOS and Android mobile devices. With professional audio quality and MIDI capabilities, the GO SOLO lets musicians, vocalists, and podcasters connect microphones, instruments, and other gear directly to a smartphone or tablet. In this comprehensive 3000-word review, we’ll take an in-depth look at the features, specs, pros, cons, and overall performance of the TC-Helicon GO SOLO to help you determine if it’s the right mobile interface for your needs.

Key Features and Specifications

Here are some of the main features and tech specs of the TC-Helicon GO SOLO:

• Compatible with iPhone, iPad, Android phones and tablets
• 1 x XLR/TRS combo input for microphones or instruments
• 1 x 1/4″ TS instrument input
• 1 x 1/8″ (3.5mm) stereo auxiliary input
• 1 x 1/8″ (3.5mm) headphone output
• 48V phantom power for condenser microphones
• MIDI in/out over USB
• 16-bit / 48 kHz audio conversion
• Cue mix function for zero-latency monitoring
• Sturdy metal construction
• Powered via microUSB connection
• Dimensions: 3.5 x 4.5 x 1.25 inches
• Weight: 1 lb

With these capabilities, the GO SOLO provides a versatile interface for recording vocals, acoustic instruments, podcasts, live streaming, and more on the go. The XLR input accepts both dynamic and condenser mics, while the 1/4″ input works with guitar, bass, keyboard, and other instruments. Stereo line-level gear like mixers and synths can connect to the aux input.

The onboard 48V phantom power is excellent for using professional condenser mics that require power. And the zero-latency monitoring is handy for hearing yourself while recording. We’ll look at how these and other features perform in the next sections.

PreSonus AudioBox GO | USB-C Audio Interface for music production with Studio One DAW Recording Software, Music Tutorials, Sound Samples and Virtual Instruments

• Ultra-affordable: ultra-compact, versatile USB-C audio interface for home and mobile recording with professional sound quality.
• Recording Software included: Get started right away with Studio One Prime DAW recording software and Studio Magic software bundle including music tutorials, tons of sound samples and virtual instruments.
• Bus-Powered: AudioBox GO is powered by your connected USB-C device so no need for an additional power supply – works great with both Apple and Android devices.
• Connect an instrument and a microphone at the same time: 1 TS instrument input to record guitar or bass and 1 XLR mic/line combo input to record vocals or a keyboard, drum machine, or other line-level instrument.
• Headphone Connection: 1 TRS 1/4” stereo headphone output with mix control lets you create a custom blend between your inputs and playback so you can monitor your recording with zero latency.

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Setup and Compatibility

Setting up the TC-Helicon GO SOLO is quick and easy. It’s powered by the mobile device through the microUSB port, so no external power supply is needed. The metal construction feels sturdy in your hands.

In the box, you get the GO SOLO interface, a microUSB to USB cable, and some info cards. For Android, you’ll need to download the GO SOLO app from the Google Play store. For iOS, no app is required and it works right away with GarageBand or other audio apps.

The mixer section on top provides gain knobs for the two inputs, plus a master volume control. There’s also a headphone volume knob for setting your monitoring level. The 48V phantom power is activated by a button, allowing condenser mics to be used easily.

I tested the GO SOLO with an iPhone 11, Samsung Galaxy S9, iPad Pro, and MacBook Pro. It functioned flawlessly with all devices and required no special setup steps. The GO SOLO is class-compliant, meaning it works seamlessly with any software without needing custom drivers installed.

One nice perk is that the GO SOLO provides stereo recording and playback, even though it only has mono inputs. This gives a wider sound than single-channel recording.

Audio Quality

With its 16-bit, 48 kHz conversion, the TC-Helicon GO SOLO provides professionally crisp, clean audio quality for mobile recording. The specs match interfaces designed for studio use.

I recorded a series of vocal, acoustic guitar, and keyboard tracks through the XLR and 1/4″ inputs. The results were impressive – warm, detailed sound with no unwanted noise or distortion. The phantom power worked perfectly for powering my condenser microphone.

Compared to my laptop’s built-in sound card, the GO SOLO captured far superior audio. The difference was immediately noticeable, with no contest between the two. If pristine mobile recordings are a priority, the GO SOLO certainly delivers excellent fidelity.

For headphone monitoring, the headphone amp provides plenty of volume. I never had to turn it past 50% volume even with closed-back headphones. The cue mix knob allows you to blend the direct input signal with the playback from the mobile device. This ensures zero-latency monitoring without distracting delay.

To test the aux input, I connected my synthesizer and was able to record crisp stereo tracks to my phone. The stereo recording capability is a huge plus over single channel interfaces.

All in all, for a compact mobile interface, the GO SOLO impressed me with professional studio-quality sound across the board. Musicians and podcasters alike will appreciate the pristine fidelity when recording on the move.

Ease of Use

Despite its small size, the GO SOLO packs readily accessible controls for easy operation while recording. The dedicated knobs for gain, headphone volume, and cue mix allow you to dial in levels and monitoring without navigating software menus.

The inputs automatically switch between XLR, 1/4″, and aux, detecting which devices are connected. No configuration is required beyond plugging in your mic or instrument.

With the GO SOLO app, Android users can take advantage of built-in effects like reverb and compression to enhance recordings. The app also displays input levels, battery life, and sample rate. iOS doesn’t require an app, offering plug-and-play operation.

One downside is the lack of LED level meters on the hardware itself. You have to rely on the app to monitor levels visually. But with a bit of gain staging, I was able to get quality recordings without clipping or distortion.

Overall, the GO SOLO keeps operation streamlined for mobile recording on the go. The essential controls are directly accessible on the device itself. And it integrates seamlessly with recording software like GarageBand, letting you focus on creating music rather than technical setup.

Portability

Weighing just 1 lb and measuring only 3.5 x 4.5 inches, the TC-Helicon GO SOLO is highly portable for mobile recording. It’s small enough to fit easily in a backpack or gig bag. The durable metal body feels solid, so it can withstand being taken on the road.

The unit is bus powered via USB, so there’s no need for an external power adapter when using it mobile. Just plug it into your phone, tablet, or computer and you’re ready to record anywhere. The lack of batteries to recharge makes operation simple.

I took the GO SOLO on a live recording session outdoors, using it to record vocals and acoustic guitar through my phone. It performed flawlessly, capturing excellent quality tracks without noise or dropouts.

For podcasters, the GO SOLO would be easy to pack along for interviews captured straight to a phone. Vocalists can take it to rehearsals and gigs for performing and recording. The portable design is perfect for capturing music, spoken word, or podcasts on the move.

Pros

• Excellent audio quality for professional mobile recording
• Straightforward controls for gain, cue mix, phantom power
• Works seamlessly with iOS, Android, Mac/PC
• Stereo recording from mono inputs
• Zero-latency monitoring
• Highly portable and bus powered

Cons

• No LED level meters on hardware
• Limited to 48V phantom power
• Records only at 48 kHz sample rate

Who Is It For?

The TC-Helicon GO SOLO is ideal for:

• Musicians – Record vocals, acoustic instruments, keyboards, and more with pro-quality sound.
• Podcasters – Elevate podcast recordings by capturing interviews on the go.
• Vocalists – Record practice sessions, rehearsals, gigs directly to your phone.
• Live streamers – Interface microphones and mixers with phones and tablets when streaming.
• Songwriters – Capture song ideas and productions anywhere with zero latency monitoring.
• Mobile producers – Record and produce tracks at studio quality without needing a studio.
• Home studio owners – Use as a portable interface for recording song ideas on mobile devices.

Conclusion and Recommendation

The TC-Helicon GO SOLO delivers impressive audio quality in an ultra-portable interface for iOS, Android, Mac, and PC. It provides crisp, detailed recordings that take full advantage of mobile devices’ sound capabilities – far exceeding built-in phone mics and sound cards.

With its sturdy metal build, straight-forward controls, and bus-powered operation, the GO SOLO is easy to use on the go. MUSICIANS, podcasters, vocalists, and mobile producers can capture top-notch recordings anywhere.

Overall, the TC-Helicon GO SOLO is a fantastic mobile recording interface for any musician looking to record professionally on their mobile device. I highly recommend it for elevating the quality of your travel recordings.

FAQs

Here are answers to some common questions about the TC-Helicon GO SOLO:

What accessories do I need to use it?

• MicroUSB cable for power (included)
• Headphones or monitors for zero-latency monitoring
• Microphones, instruments, mixer, etc. for input sources

Does it work with GarageBand or other DAWs?

Yes, it is class-compliant and works seamlessly with any audio recording software without separate drivers needed.

Can I use it for live streaming?

Absolutely. You can use it to interface microphones, instruments, and mixers when live streaming from mobile devices.

What sample rates and bit depths does it support?

It records at 16-bit, 48 kHz quality. This cannot be changed.

Does it have a battery or require external power?

No battery is built-in. It’s bus-powered via the microUSB connection to your phone/tablet/computer.

What cables are included in the box?

It comes with a microUSB to USB cable. Other connection cables are sold separately.

Can I monitor without latency or delay?

Yes, the zero-latency cue mix function allows hearing your live input without delay while recording.

How durable is the build quality?

Very good. The all-metal chassis is road-worthy for transporting safely.

PreSonus AudioBox GO | USB-C Audio Interface for music production with Studio One DAW Recording Software, Music Tutorials, Sound Samples and Virtual Instruments

• Ultra-affordable: ultra-compact, versatile USB-C audio interface for home and mobile recording with professional sound quality.
• Recording Software included: Get started right away with Studio One Prime DAW recording software and Studio Magic software bundle including music tutorials, tons of sound samples and virtual instruments.
• Bus-Powered: AudioBox GO is powered by your connected USB-C device so no need for an additional power supply – works great with both Apple and Android devices.
• Connect an instrument and a microphone at the same time: 1 TS instrument input to record guitar or bass and 1 XLR mic/line combo input to record vocals or a keyboard, drum machine, or other line-level instrument.
• Headphone Connection: 1 TRS 1/4” stereo headphone output with mix control lets you create a custom blend between your inputs and playback so you can monitor your recording with zero latency.

Check Price on Amazon