the IZotope Spire Studio is a little weird. It’s a mobile audio interface with a pair of XLR and 1/4 “inputs combined, plus a built-in mic. It has built-in effects and mixing tools. And it sounds like … well, I don’t know Stack of hockey pucks? a giant chicken head button? Well, it’s getting a serious update for its second gen, but as usual, there’s good news and bad news.
Let’s start by eliminating the bad. It still looks the same. It’s small, but oddly shaped, and it doesn’t have a carrying case, which makes it difficult and a bit confusing to stuff it into a carrying bag. Prices are also increasing. We rang the original for its “high price tagwhen we looked at it. Well, the first generation Spire retailed for $ 350. The second generation? A whopping $ 499.
I
The added Bluetooth functionality should also make setup a lot faster.
But some of the biggest changes are in software. Spire Pro, a $ 4.99 subscription service, adds automatic noise reduction, effects, and mastering tools from iZotope’s wide and excellent line of plugins like RX, Ozone, Nectar, and Trash.
And of course, all the AI-powered mixing and mastering features, as well as automatic level adjustment using Soundcheck, are still there.
Overall, it’s a notable upgrade from the original. And iZotope’s software intelligence shouldn’t be underestimated. (Several Engadget staff swear by their plugins.) But an already expensive niche device has only gotten more expensive, which will limit its appeal even further.
the iZotope Spire Studio 2nd generation is available now for $ 499.