Audient EVO 4 vs Mackie Onyx Artist 1x2

Audient EVO 4 vs Mackie Onyx Artist 1x2 compared — specs, features, and which one to buy for your setup. See the full breakdown on CreatorConfig.

Audient EVO 4
Audient
Audient EVO 4
$129
Mackie Onyx Artist 1x2
Mackie
Mackie Onyx Artist 1x2
$199

The Ruling

Audient EVO 4 or Mackie Onyx Artist 1x2? Get the Audient EVO 4, narrowly.

The Audient EVO 4 wins Mic Inputs and Creator Features — but only just, and the rest of the chart is close. It is also the cheaper of the two, by $70.

Check price on Amazon

Unless…

At a Glance

Where each one actually leads

Every axis is scored out of 10 from the catalog specs below. The scores are relative to the products on this page, so a 10 means “best of these”, not “perfect”, and two identical columns mean the catalog genuinely cannot separate them. Axes the catalog holds no figure for on both sides are left off entirely rather than guessed at.

CategoryAudient EVO 4Mackie Onyx Artist 1x2
Audio Resolution7.5/1010/10
Mic Inputs10/105/10
Monitoring10/1010/10
Creator Features10/105/10
Connectivity10/1010/10
Power10/1010/10

The Split

What each one wins

Audient EVO 4

Compact 2-in/2-out USB-C interface with Smartgain and clean preamps for creators and podcasters.

On paper the Audient EVO 4 takes loopback (Yes) and XLR inputs (2, +1). It gives up sample rate to the Mackie Onyx Artist 1x2. It is the cheaper of the two, by $70.00.

Leads on

  • Loopback
    Yes
    No

    Loopback routes computer audio back into the stream without a second interface or cable.

  • XLR Inputs +1
    2
    1

    More XLR inputs let you record multiple microphones simultaneously.

Mackie Onyx Artist 1x2

Desktop audio interface intended for creator workflows, microphone input, monitoring, and clean signal routing.

On paper the Mackie Onyx Artist 1x2 takes sample rate (192kHz, +96kHz). It gives up loopback and XLR inputs to the Audient EVO 4. That costs $70.00 more than the Audient EVO 4.

Leads on

  • Sample Rate +96kHz
    192kHz
    96kHz

    Higher sample rates capture more audio detail — important for professional recording and mixing.

Where they’re identical

These 9 specs are the same on both of them, so none of it is part of the decision.

  • Connection Type usb-c, xlr, trs
  • Bit Depth 24-bit
  • Phantom Power Yes
  • Headphone Outputs 1
  • Direct Monitoring Yes
  • ADAT Expansion No
  • MIDI I/O None
  • Bus Powered Yes
  • TRS Outputs 2

The Record

19 specs, grouped by area

Full specification comparison of Audient EVO 4 and Mackie Onyx Artist 1x2, grouped by area.
Specification
Audient
Audient EVO 4
Mackie
Mackie Onyx Artist 1x2
Audio ResolutionMackie Onyx Artist 1x2
Sample Rate96kHz✓ 192kHz
Max Sample Rateno datano data
Bit Depth24-bit24-bit
PreampsNot enough data
Preamp Gain58dBno data
Dynamic Range113dBno data
Mic InputsAudient EVO 4
XLR Inputs✓ 21
MonitoringEven
Headphone Outputs11
Direct MonitoringYesYes
Creator FeaturesAudient EVO 4
Loopback✓ YesNo
ADAT ExpansionNoNo
MIDI I/ONoneNone
Bundled Softwareno datano data
ConnectivityEven
TRS Outputs22
Connection Typeusb-c, xlr, trsusb-c, xlr, trs
PowerEven
Bus PoweredYesYes
Phantom PowerYesYes
BuildNot enough data
Dimensions140 x 60 x 55 mmno data
Weight0.36 kg0.5 kg
CompatibilityNot enough data
Operating Systemno datawindows, macos

A group is won by whoever takes more of its rows outright. Specs the catalog cannot rank are shown but never decide a group.

Bottom Line

Who each one is for

The Audient EVO 4 is the pick on the specs the catalog holds, but “better on paper” and “right for you” are different questions. Each case below names what the product is actually good at and who that suits.

Our pick
Best ValueMost ConnectivityBest for Multi-micPortability Pick

At $129.00, the Audient EVO 4 is the most affordable option — 35% less than the priciest pick. It leads in XLR inputs (2) and loopback (Yes). Offers the most spec advantages per dollar in this comparison.

  • + More XLR inputs (2 vs 1)
  • + Better loopback (Yes vs No)
  • × Lower sample rate (96kHz vs 192kHz)

Also worth knowing

  • ✓ You need 2 XLR inputs for recording multiple sources
  • ✓ You want the stronger loopback (Yes)
  • ✓ Budget is your top priority — $70.00 less than the priciest option
  • ✓ You need gear you can easily take on the go

Look elsewhere if

  • × You need the highest sample rate available (192kHz)

Best for value-focused buyers, complex setup builders, multi-person podcasts.

The alternative
Easiest Setup

At $199.00, the Mackie Onyx Artist 1x2 is the most expensive option and doesn't clearly outspec the cheaper alternatives. It leads in sample rate (192kHz). Fewer ports and inputs — plug in and go.

  • + Higher sample rate (192kHz vs 96kHz)
  • × Fewer XLR inputs (1 vs 2)
  • × Weaker loopback (No vs Yes)

Also worth knowing

  • ✓ You want 192kHz sample rate for higher-resolution audio

Look elsewhere if

  • × You're on a tight budget — save $70.00 with a cheaper option
  • × You plan to record multiple microphones simultaneously
  • × You need the best loopback available

Best for beginners, high-resolution audio production.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between Audient EVO 4 and Mackie Onyx Artist 1x2?

The clearest difference is loopback, which the Audient EVO 4 has and the Mackie Onyx Artist 1x2 does not. Across the catalog's specification sheet the two differ on 3 specs. They match on 9 specs, including connection type, bit depth and phantom power. Two audio interfaces from Audient and Mackie, each taking a different approach to audio quality and I/O flexibility.

Which is better for streaming, Audient EVO 4 or Mackie Onyx Artist 1x2?

Get the Audient EVO 4, narrowly. The Audient EVO 4 wins Mic Inputs and Creator Features — but only just, and the rest of the chart is close. It is also the cheaper of the two, by $70.

What do the Audient EVO 4 and Mackie Onyx Artist 1x2 have in common?

Both share 9 specifications in the catalog, including connection type (usb-c, xlr, trs), bit depth (24-bit), phantom power (Yes) and headphone outputs (1), among others. None of those is a reason to pick one over the other.

Is the Mackie Onyx Artist 1x2 worth the extra $70 over the Audient EVO 4?

The Mackie Onyx Artist 1x2 costs $199.00 against $129.00, a difference of $70. The premium buys sample rate (192kHz). Whether that is worth it depends on which of those you would actually use.

Related Comparisons

Audient EVO 4 vs Audient EVO 16 Audio Interface Compare → Mackie Onyx Artist 1x2 vs Audio-Technica AT-UMX3 Desktop Mixer Compare → Audient EVO 4 vs NearStream USB Audio Interface Compare → Mackie Onyx Artist 1x2 vs EVO 4x4 USB-C Audio Interface Compare → Audient EVO 4 vs Focusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen) Compare → Mackie Onyx Artist 1x2 vs M-Audio M-Track 2x2M-C Compare →