Zoom AMS Series: 3 compact USB audio interfaces for desktop and mobile
Just after NAMM 2022 is over, Zoom premiered three USB audio interfaces. The AMS-22, AMS-24 and AMS-44 are compact, straightforward, and compatible with both desktop (Windows, Mac) and mobile devices (iOS, Android). It’s not clear how much they’ll cost when they ship in Q3 2022, but Zoom is known for modest prices. So I predict a bright future for the Zoom AMS series among entry or budget-minded recordists and live streamers.
Zoom AMS Series
Each of the three AMS interfaces is portable and to the point. There isn’t any more going on than it is strictly necesarry. None of the units are particularly beautiful to look at, either. But there’s beauty in their simplicity that needs to be appreciated. The interfaces have their connectors, knobs for gain and volume, and a bunch of useful switches. Again, loving the practicality!
With the aforementioned switches, users can toggle between music and streaming modes. Streaming mode sums all input signals into a stereo mix which you can take wherever. Additional loopback switches combine the input signals with the computer playback and take that into your streaming app. Also available is a Direct Monitoring switch to send the input signal to your headphones and monitor what’s being recorded without AD/DA latency.
AMS-22, AMS-24 und AMS-44
All three interfaces also offer switchable phantom power for condenser microphones. Predictably, they are bus-powered over USB-C. The two larger models (AMS-24 and AMS-44) can be powered by batteries as well. All units can record audio at up to 24-bit/96 kHz. They work under Windows, macOS, iOS and Android.
AMS-22 Features
- 1 x XLR/TRS combo input (Hi-Z)
- 1 x Stereo 3,5 mm input
- 2 x TRS outputs
- 1 x stereo headphone output (3.5mm)
- Loopback switch
- Direct monitor switch
- AMS-22 front view
- AMS-22 top view
AMS-24 Features
- 2 x XLR/TRS combo inputs (Input 1: Hi-Z)
- 2 x TRS outputs
- 2 x stereo headphone output (3.5mm)
- Music/Streaming Mode Switch
- Loopback option switch
- Direct Monitor switch
- Bus- or battery-powered
- ZOOM AMS-24 side
- AMS-24 top view
AMS-44 Features
- 4 x XLR/TRS combo inputs (Input 1: Hi-Z)
- 2 x TRS outputs
- 2 x stereo headphone output (3.5mm)
- Music/Streaming Mode Switch
- Loopback option switch
- Direct Monitor switch
- Bus- or battery-powered
- ZOOM AMS-44 side view
- ZOOM AMS-44 top view
The Zoom AMS interfaces are simple and no-frills, but offer the essential recording and streaming features. If the price is right, I think they could become a big seller.
Price and availability data
The AMS series will be available in Q3 2022, but the prices are not yet known.
Learn more about the Zoom AMS series
- Zoom website (we took the info from the German website because it wasn’t available in English)
- Buy Zoom products at Thomann *
- More Zoom news
Video
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- AMS-22 front view: Zoom
- AMS-22 top view: Zoom
- ZOOM AMS-24 side: ZOOM
- AMS-24 top view: ZOOM
- ZOOM AMS-44 side view: ZOOM
- ZOOM AMS-44 top view: ZOOM
2 responses to “Zoom AMS Series: 3 compact USB audio interfaces for desktop and mobile”
From the photos it looks like the choice of mic/line and phantom power can only be switched on/off for all inputs at once?
This could be a big down side for the AMS24 and AMS44, if users want to record vocals (using a condenser mic) and guitar at the same time.
Or am I missing something?
Almost all interface works this way. It will be a problem only with ribbon mics. It will no mess with guitar input as the 48v signal is on 3rd pin