PRODUCT REVIEW RECORDING GEAR
Compass Box Studio's Raag Sethi Elevates His Recordings with
Audient iD14 and ASP800
Ahmedabad-based Raag Sethi is a man of many talents. He is a music producer, a music composer, an
engineer, bassist, and guitarist with his own studio, named Compass Box Studio. Having
collaborated on one-take, live sessions with renowned artists, musicians, and labels, Raag Sethi
understands the gravitas behind working with the best-in-class sound equipment. In this article,
courtesy Audient, we deep-dive into Raag Sethi's in-depth review of Audient iD14 and ASP800, two
top-notch work horses that help elevate his recordings to new heights. A more detailed interview
with Raag Sethi can be sourced at www.audient.com.
Raag Sethi reviews the Audient iD MKII Series
When Raag Sethi, founder of Compass Box Studios, first got his hands on iD14 and ASP800 from
Audient, he wanted to record a Live Session at his studio by pairing the two Audient equipment. He
was mesmerized by just how much colour and depth the equipment added to the already highly clean
Audient pres.
He shared, "After my deep-dive review of the ASP800, I really wanted to record a Live Session (a
series of one-take live recordings of some of the biggest indie artists in India, that Compass Box
Studio undertakes) using the ASP800 paired with the iD14, for a total of 10 inputs. As you've heard,
it sounds amazing! We ended up using the iron circuit for the mono overhead and the HMX for the
vocals — and, no surprise, it adds so much depth and colour to the already super clean Audient
pres."
Raag Sethi talked about his first impressions of Audient iD14 and ASP800, and how it has catapulted
his recording sessions to newer, better heights.
"The units were so easy to test, compare and work with. I remember opening the boxes for the first
time and seeing the new clean Audient aesthetic, knowing right then and there that these would be
some good interfaces to use and track with." Sethi commented.
But, for Raag Sethi, why is Audient iD14 and ASP800 a cut above the rest in the world of audio and
music production?
Talking about the iD14, Sethi answered, "Aside from the new pres and AD/DA conversion, the look,
feel and build quality really stood out to me. Having ADAT is so important to be able to grow a
space or studio — the fact that you can add up to 8 more channels to extend your multi-track
recording capability is an extremely vital feature for a professional producer/musician/engineer.
Moreover, what really sets this interface apart from its competition, is having an additional stereo
out for an alternate monitor, the JFET inputs, and of course, the iD button."
The music producer raved about Audient ASP800, and said, "A majority of the ADAT expanders that I
have used throughout my professional career, seemed, for lack of a better word, entry-level.
However, the ASP800 is in another league as a means to expand your existing I/O easily with ADAT or
through DB25."
He further added, "The first 2 channels rocking the HMX and IRON circuits give engineers a great
opportunity to test what it would be like to work with outboard gear; to be able to commit to
saturation and colour is an important part of working with outboard gear, and those channels gives
you a taste of what that process and sound is like…. when paired with the iD14, you can comfortably
record a full band live without having to bust the bank."
For the multi-faceted, ardent music lover, Audient iD14 and ASP800 is the mainstay of his home
studio. Sharing that the units are his go-to for exceptional recordings, Sethi concludes, "The iD is
my main interface at my home studio, and I have routinely used the ASP800 to track drums, as it
gives me a consistent recording image of the full kit by having the same pres. A fun thing to try is
to use the first 2 channels either on overheads or rooms, or using them for the kick and snare, we
have got some real punchy results using the IRON, and a really nice harmonic saturation with the
HMX."
Raag Sethi's usage of Audient iD14 and ASP800 in his Live Session titled 'Mali - Horoscope' caught
the attention of VH1 and the channel decided to air it too, which, in Sethi's own words, "is a
testament to just how good those pres sound."
Raag Sethi has been chosen as the voting member of the Recording Academy. In addition to this, the
Ahmedabad-based music producer has been a part of the Jury for IRAA 2021 and has a few jazz tracks,
neo soul projects, and progressive rock songs in his pipeline.