Author: Adam Sliger
Product Overview: FreqInOut FO1
According to the FO1 brochure: “The FreqlnOut is a user-friendly hardware interface with 4 audio inputs and 4 audio outputs. It connects to a computer via USB-C. It allows users to seamlessly integrate outboard audio gear with all the setup directly in their audio software.
Perfect for engineers and producers wanting to use outboard gear with least amount of hassle. Traditionally, integrating outboard audio gear requires complex settings, cabling and latency setup and have inconsistent timing issues when recording. That requires a high level of technical skill and often lacking enough physical inputs and outputs in the sound-card. This takes time and is frustrating. It creates a major obstacle for anyone obtaining and using outboard audio gear.”
In my experience, this is certainly true. Utilizing outboard gear can get complicated quick, and dealing with recalls, latency, and routing can turn your semi-analog projects into a bit of a hassle.
The FO1 offering could be compared to a “digital patchbay” in a sense. It allows you to route audio to and from outboard gear without the use of extra patch cables, but it does go a bit deeper than that.
Key Features: FreqInOut FO1
Besides the obvious routing of audio to and from your outboard processors, the FO1 has some interesting features that you won’t. find anywhere else.
The FO1 fully integrates with Freqport’s own plugin, offering both a Mid-Side setting and a mix knob for your outboard tools. This expands the potential of gear you already own, which is a big plus.
The plugin also allows you to quickly store photos of your gear’s settings, making it possible to recall your settings for each individual session. This is achieved by scanning a QR code (from inside the plugin) with your phone, and then taking a photo. This process is mostly smooth, and makes recalls easier than having to refer to external notes or dig through photos on your phone’s Camera Roll to find the right one (hopefully). Since the FO1 has no way to do physical recalls, this is probably the best solution you’ll find on the market.
Fit and Finish: FreqInOut FO1
The FO1 has a premium fit and finish, with solid inputs and outputs, and a smooth, luxe construction. The physical FO1 unit is fairly bare bones, with no switches on the front and a single status LED. Since this product is primarily operated from within the plugin this makes sense.
Since this product doesn’t have much going on in the realm of knobs or buttons, longevity/durability won’t be an issue, but it’s nice to see that Freqport still put in the effort to deliver a box that feels high quality and isn’t flimsy at all.
How does the FreqInOut FO1 perform?
In my use, the FO1 does exactly what you’d expect it to do. Setup was fairly simple out of the box, and the plugin is easy enough to install and operate without needing special training. Anyone who is used to working in a DAW and using plugins should have a fairly quick go at setting up the FO1 and getting it to pass sound.
The unit is transparent in sound and in operation, as it does the math internally to avoid any latency that you may experience. This makes using analog gear in a hybrid setup much less intimidating, so the FO1 delivers on that aspect of its promise.
Is the FreqInOut FO1 worth it?
This is where things usually get complicated in my reviews. The FO1 is built for a specific use case, and if it sounds like you’d find it useful, you probably will. If you’re unhappy with manually patching gear all the time, and you have a somewhat small setup (4 total channels of audio, so basically 2 mono units and a stereo unit, or two stereo, or four mono…you get the idea), the FO1 will certainly make it simpler to operate that hybrid rig.
If you love the idea of having a blend knob for your hardware, or being able to quickly move your hardware to different tracks to see how it sounds in different uses, this product will certainly scratch that itch.
As with most “tech” heavy products, there is a natural comparison to be made with the more “old school” way of doing the job. In this case, the FreqInOut FO1 is competing with something like a 48point patchbay, in which case both options will run you around $600. If you’re the type of person who loves a simpler, “out of the box” tech solution that solves your problem quickly, the FO1 is a great bet. If you’re the type to DIY everything, and you don’t mind a bit of hassle as long as it gets the job done, I’m sure the analog patchbay is already winning in your mind.
For me, the FreqInOut FO1 sits in an interesting place. Four total channels of I/O is minimal enough that I struggle to utilize it with all of my outboard gear, so it’s tough for me to feel excited about dropping over $500 for this option. I did set it up with my most used gear for mixing, and that did feel handy, but it also felt a bit strange leaving out some of my hardware. However, if you’re someone who has a setup that consists of a buss comp and an EQ, or just a handful of compressors, this could certainly be an attractive option.
If that’s you, then I think the FreqInOut FO1 gets my stamp of approval. As for me, I’m interested to see if options with more I/O are on the horizon, because an 8 or 16 channel “FO2” as it were, would have my attention, and I could certainly see myself purchasing one as a solution for my outboard woes.
To learn more about the FreqInOut FO1 or to find a retailer near you, check out the Freqport website: https://www.freqport.com/product/freqinout-fo1/