The U24 XL follows ESI's tradition of compact, portable, and quality-oriented interfaces. Designed with the heritage of the famous Waveterminal U24 in mind, it was launched to mark the 10th anniversary of ESI product sales. The idea remains the same: to offer an external USB device that is easy to transport, yet serious enough to become a central piece in a small studio, a mobile production station, or a DJ setup.
The ESI U24 XL is ideal if you are looking for a portable USB audio interface to record analog sources, manage headphone monitoring, and connect your digital gear via S/PDIF without being weighed down. It is especially suitable for musicians and producers who alternate between a fixed workstation (home studio, office) and a mobile setup (rehearsals, travel, impromptu sessions).
With its 2 analog inputs / 2 analog outputs and headphone output, it covers essential uses: capturing a stereo pair, monitoring playback, pre-listening, or integration into a compact audio chain. For hybrid environments, the presence of coaxial and optical S/PDIF facilitates digital signal exchange with other compatible devices.
The U24 XL offers 2 analog inputs and 2 analog outputs in 6.35 mm TRS jack format. This choice of connectivity, rarer on ultra-compact interfaces, allows clean integration with many studio devices (mixers, processors, active monitors via adapters if necessary, etc.) while maintaining a "plug and play" approach.
To connect an external converter, recorder, or compatible digital device, the interface adds an S/PDIF section in coaxial (RCA) and optical (TosLink), both input and output. This versatility is a real plus in such a compact format, especially when you want to maintain a digital signal path from end to end.
Powered via the USB bus, the U24 XL sets up quickly: one USB cable and you are ready to work. Regarding compatibility, it is announced to work under Windows (XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10) as well as under Mac OS X and later versions, making it a simple solution for a multi-machine studio.
To get started immediately, ESI includes Deckadance LE for PC and Mac, convenient for playback and performance-oriented uses.