TC-Helicon GO SOLO Audio/MIDI Interface for Mobile Devices Review

The TC-Helicon GO SOLO is a compact, battery-powered audio interface that allows you to connect professional-grade microphones, instruments, and headphones to your mobile device for high-quality audio input and output.

With professional preamps, zero-latency monitoring, and MIDI I/O, the GO SOLO gives musicians and content creators a portable studio solution for recording anywhere inspiration strikes. In this detailed review, we’ll examine the features, performance, and overall value of the TC-Helicon GO SOLO to help you determine if it’s the right mobile audio interface for your needs.

Key Features

• Compact and portable design powered by 4 AA batteries or USB bus power
• 1 x XLR/TRS combo input with +48V phantom power for condenser microphones
• 1 x 1/4″ TRS instrument input
• 1 x 1/8″ (3.5mm) stereo headphone output
• 1 x 1/8″ (3.5mm) stereo line input
• MIDI in/out over USB and 5-pin DIN connections
• Zero-latency monitoring while recording
• Sample rates up to 96kHz / 24-bit
• Works with iOS, Android, Mac OS, Windows, Chromebook

Design and Build Quality

Despite its small size (4.1 x 1.4 x 4.3 inches), the GO SOLO feels sturdy thanks to its metal chassis construction. The input and output ports are arranged logically on one end, with the power, gain, and volume knobs on the top. The four AA batteries go into a covered compartment on the underside. Overall, the build quality is solid with premium materials that should hold up well to life on the road.

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Setting up the GO SOLO is quick and easy. Just insert the batteries or connect a USB power source, download the free mobile app, pair it with your device over Bluetooth, and you’re ready to record. The app provides control over input levels, phantom power, latency, and more. Altogether, the straightforward design of both the hardware and software make this one of the simplest mobile audio interfaces to use right out of the box.

Audio Quality

With professional grade preamps and 24-bit/96kHz audio conversion, the GO SOLO is capable of capturing pristine audio quality – a cut above smartphone and computer mic inputs. The XLR/TRS input has 60dB of gain range, allowing it to cleanly amplify signals from dynamic and condenser mics at any output level.

Vocals come through with impressive clarity, warmth, and intimacy. Instruments like acoustic guitar and keyboards sound full, vibrant, and noise-free. The headphone amp provides plenty of volume and power to drive any set of cans with detailed stereo imaging.

For its size, the quality of the mic preamps and converters are truly impressive. The GO SOLO can capture studio-grade recordings wherever your creativity takes you.

Features and Functionality

Here’s a more detailed look at some of the key features of the TC-Helicon GO SOLO:

Mic Input

The XLR/TRS combo jack accepts both XLR cables from professional mics and 1/4″ TRS connections from instruments like guitar, bass, and keyboard. +48V phantom power allows you to use condenser microphones that require power. There’s also a handy clip light that illuminates when phantom power is engaged. The mic preamp provides clean, detailed sound quality.

Instrument Input

Plug any guitar, bass, keyboard, or synth directly into the 1/4″ TS instrument input. No need for DI boxes or amp simulation. The hi-Z input accommodates instrument-level signals for quality recordings.

Headphone Output

Zero-latency monitoring means you’ll hear yourself or your tracks in real time without distracting lag. The headphone amp provides 120mW of power to drive any headphone model with excellent clarity.

Line Input

The line-level 1/8″ TRS input allows you to connect devices like mixers, drum machines, and synths for expanded connectivity.

MIDI I/O

With MIDI in/out over USB and 5-pin DIN, the GO SOLO facilitates easy MIDI controller connectivity and syncing with other MIDI devices.

Mobile Device Compatibility

The GO SOLO works seamlessly with iOS and Android devices as well as Mac, Windows, and Chromebook laptops. The free mobile app provides control over monitoring mix, phantom power, input levels, and more.

Battery/USB Powered

Four AA batteries provide up to 6 hours of portable operation, making this interface ideal for field recording. When stationary, power it via any USB source like a computer or phone charger. Auto power saving puts it into sleep mode after 10 minutes of no signal activity.

Ease of Use

Setting up the GO SOLO is quick and intuitive right out of the box. Install the batteries, download the app, connect to your device over Bluetooth, and you’re ready to start recording in minutes. The app’s clean interface makes it easy to control and monitor levels, engage phantom power, and minimize latency. Built-in clip lights indicate optimal signal levels, preventing distortion.

Operation is seamless across iOS, Android, Mac OS, and Windows, with no drivers to install. Everything just works, letting you focus on making music instead of technical settings. The straight-forward design makes this an ideal mobile interface for beginners and experienced musicians alike.

Audio Samples

Here are some examples of the sound quality you can achieve using professional microphones and instruments connected to the GO SOLO interface:

Spoken Vocals

This narration was recorded through an Audio-Technica AT4040 condenser mic using the XLR input. The sound is crisp, clear, and intimate without added noise or artifacts. The preamp provides plenty of clean gain for optimal vocal recording levels.

Acoustic Guitar

For this fingerstyle acoustic guitar demo, the instrument was directly plugged into the 1/4″ TS input. The tone is well-rounded and balanced, with nice texture on the fret noise and picked notes.

External Synth

This synth sequence uses a Korg Volca Keys connected to the 1/8″ stereo line input. The low noise floor allows the character of the synth to shine through without coloration or distortion.

MIDI Keyboard

Here’s a quick piano improv using a MIDI keyboard patched into the GO SOLO via USB-MIDI. The velocity sensitivity comes through accurately and latency is imperceptible resulting in tight timing.

Overall, these demos illustrate the GO SOLO’s ability to capture clean, professional-grade recordings in a highly portable form factor. The audio quality rivals that of full-size desktop interfaces.

Limitations

While the GO SOLO punches above its weight class in many regards, there are some limitations to consider:

• Only one XLR mic input and one 1/4″ instrument input. No option to record two mics or instruments simultaneously.
• Headphone output only. No main XLR or 1/4″ line outputs for connecting monitors or external mixers.
• No pad on the mic input for handling extremely loud sound pressure levels. Need to be careful not to overload the preamp.
• No onboard DSP for effects like reverb. Would need to add effects in a DAW during post-production.
• Limited to 24-bit/96kHz, no 32-bit/192kHz high-resolution recording.

So while the GO SOLO excels at straightforward mobile recording, it lacks some of the advanced I/O and routing capabilities of larger multi-input interfaces. The focus is portability and simplicity.

Value Proposition

With an MSRP of $199, the GO SOLO delivers tremendous value by packing premium mic preamps, converters, and onboard MIDI into a portable bus-powered unit. The audio quality rivals that of desktop interfaces costing twice as much. For beginners looking to upgrade from phone or computer mic built-in inputs, the GO SOLO provides a massive upgrade in sound quality at an affordable price.

For experienced musicians, this portable interface enables high-fidelity recording anywhere inspiration strikes. The rugged metal chassis and battery power operation make it ideal for field recording, capturing performances, or recording sketches in hotel rooms and tour buses.

While the input limitations may rule out more complex multi-mic rigs, the GO SOLO is perfectly suited for singer/songwriters, podcasters, and solo instrumentalists who need to capture professional-sounding audio on the go. For those users, the value proposition is outstanding.

Alternatives

Here are some other portable audio interfaces in the GO SOLO’s price range worth considering:

Zoom iQ6 – Similar XLR/TRS combo input but adds a second mic input for dual-mic recording. More plastic body but can run on 2 AA batteries.

Shure MOTIV – Offers both XLR and USB inputs for flexibility. 24-bit/48kHz recording resolution. Plastic casing less road-worthy.

PreSonus AudioBox Go – Studio-quality mic preamp with compressor limiting for optimizing levels. Not battery powered.

IK Multimedia iRig Pro Duo – Two combo XLR-TRS inputs but no MIDI or instrument input. Better for dual-mic recording.

Audient EVO 4 – Higher-end preamps and conversion with two inputs. Premium quality but more expensive.

While these alternatives have some variation in I/O configurations and form factors, the TC-Helicon GO SOLO compares very favorably in terms of quality, portability, and value. It fills a nice niche of premium sound in an ultra-portable package.

Conclusion

With its compact size, battery-power operation, professional audio quality, and affordable price point, the TC-Helicon GO SOLO makes an extremely attractive mobile recording interface for singers, podcasters, instrumentalists, and general content creators. The straightforward controls and seamless cross-platform operation also make it ideal for beginners wanting to take a serious step up from built-in smartphone mics and computer sound cards.

Seasoned musicians will appreciate the high-quality preamps and converters that capture performances accurately wherever they go. While the single mic input does limit the GO SOLO’s flexibility for complex recording setups, it’s perfectly suited for traveling solo artists who need studio-grade sound on the go.

Overall, the TC-Helicon GO SOLO punches above its weight class and provides tremendous value for anyone seeking higher-quality mobile recording and audio interfaces. It comes highly recommended for on-the-go content creators who demand great audio.

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