Read the original review in French at KR homestudio.
Reviewed by François Bouchery.
Home-studio practice has evolved significantly over the past 30 years. The common setup now includes a DAW surrounded by an army of plug-ins and VST instruments, all connected to an audio interface. That’s become the norm.
Yet, the resurgence of analog—which has even led to the “DAWless” trend—is pushing many DAW setups to incorporate analog treatments like preamps, compressors, and electronic instruments alongside purely digital tools.
THE PLUG-IN HARDWARE!
The Freqport FreqInOut FO1 is a hardware interface with 4 inputs and 4 audio outputs that connects to your computer via USB-C. Its purpose: to seamlessly integrate external gear into your mix as inserts on a track, bus, or master output—controlled entirely by the FreqInOut plugin.
FreqInOut FO1 positions itself.
On the hardware side, the FO1 offers a sleek desktop interface that connects via USB-C, letting you integrate four mono external devices (channels 1–2 or 3–4 can be paired for stereo operation).
On the software side, the FreqInOut plugin supports VST, AU, and AAX formats.
Where Two Worlds Meet
So how do you actually integrate outboard gear with your DAW—especially on Windows, which doesn’t have the “Insert” feature found on macOS?
Sure, you could run the outboard gear as an insert manually, but few interfaces support that natively.
Using a mixer raises costs and adds an analog stage that might compromise your signal quality.
Another option is using it on a bus send/return, but that creates clunky workflows, routing headaches, and potential sync and phase issues.
That’s exactly where the FO1 shines. It fills this gap beautifully.
Hardware Overview
The Freqport FreqInOut FO1 comes in a sleek, compact black unit , in a half-rack format (22 x 10.5 x 4.3 cm) and weighs 810 g.
A 19″ rackmount kit is available.
Included: a 1-meter USB-C cable to connect directly to your computer (ideally not via a hub).
On the rear panel: four color-coded input/output jacks (orange/blue).
There’s also a connector for optional external power, although the FO1 is primarily USB-powered.
On the left side: two switches assign jack pairs for inputs (+18 dBu and +10 dBV/-4 dBu) and outputs (+18 dBu).
The rest of the design is minimal—just a single effect-style knob, a small display showing device ID or status, and a single power switch.
Internally, the FreqInOut FO1 runs on ESS 32-bit audio converters, supporting sample rates up to 192 kHz, and offers a dynamic range of 120 dB (A/D) and 116 dB (D/A).
Software Overview
Once installed and initialized, the system plugin—Freqport—is launched.
This includes Analog Hub, a small intermediary app that runs in the background of your DAW and acts as a control center for the system.
Analog Hub was originally created for the FreqTube FT1, Freqport’s tube-based processor, also USB-connected and the company’s first product.
The FT1 was already able to run alongside your sound card by using its own buffer size, independently set to 128, 256, or 512 samples. Now, the FO1 and FT1 can run together without needing extra hub connections or rigid configurations. The brochure clearly states that:
FreqInOut FO1 doesn’t replace your audio interface—it expands it by adding channels.
However, you’ll quickly realize that the DAW (in this case, Cubase) connected to the unit recognizes four driver options via Freqport’s ASIO driver. By connecting the FO1’s two outputs to your monitors, you can already use it as a standalone 4×4 line-level interface, though it lacks mic preamps or a headphone out.
Ideal for setups with limited USB-C ports, this lets you keep using your main interface—especially useful for laptops with only one port. A compatible USB-C hub is recommended (listed on Freqport’s website).
Peripheral Integration
FreqInOut shows up in your DAW’s plugin list and is added as an insert or send on an audio track. On first launch, you’re guided through a configuration wizard before reaching the Global Hardware Config page.
While the UI appears minimal, it hides a powerful Analog Matrix that routes signals directly through the hardware, bypassing additional A/D/A conversions and avoiding phase/latency issues. Each input/output can be independently activated with a clear A/E/S (Active/Enable/Settings) view and manual delay/phase trim for perfect sync with your main interface.
All your settings can be saved as presets and stored inside the FO1 unit for automatic recall on different computers. Once everything is configured, each of the four matrix ports displays the connected hardware on the left via an eye icon.
Below the matrix, the Dry/Wet knob lets you automate parallel processing for any piece of outboard gear—just like a native plugin.
At the bottom of the interface are additional controls like Bypass, and Mid/Side Mode, where Input 1 (or 3) processes the Mid, and Input 2 (or 4) processes the Side signal. The level indicators let you monitor the DAW-to-FO1 signal (send) and the return back to your DAW.
Each device can be renamed and customized with an image. For hardware not shown in the FO1 panel by default, just click the camera icon to generate a QR code. Scan it or use the adjacent upload icon to add a photo of your real hardware setup.
You can crop/rotate the image, give it a name and description—making it easier to recall and use in future sessions.
The user-friendly visual interface makes it easy to bring in older analog hardware—like the MindPrint Envoice compressor used in our test.
Despite its age, the unit was perfectly detected, and latency compensation, dry/wet blending, and mid/side routing worked flawlessly.
Freqport’s software transforms outboard gear into plugins, and responds to a real need in hybrid home studios. You could even use the FO1 as a standalone 4-in/4-out USB audio interface.
SUMMARY
FreqInOut FO1 is an innovative and practical solution developed by Freqport. It consists of the FO1 USB-C hardware box with four line inputs/outputs for external gear, and a plugin system (VST/AU/AAX) that enables full routing, automation, and plugin-like control of analog hardware directly in your DAW.
Pros
- Simplifies hardware integration
- Full insert automation
- Analog Matrix, Mid/Side, Dry/Wet routing
- Scan your real hardware as presets
- Stores and recalls settings
- Can function as a standalone audio interface
Cons
- Plugin UI is a bit minimal
This FO1 thing is a clever idea, though calling it a solution for Windows users without an Insert button is like calling a band-aid a solution for a severed arm. Still, routing vintage compressors like an old tube amp through your DAW? Now *that’s* mixing the analog vibe with the digital age without needing a time machine or a PhD in signal flow. Just wish the plugin UI was less minimal and more minimalist chic – you know, like the hardware itself. Four ports, though? That’s more than enough for my four-guitar band… which is currently me and my neighbor’s cat. Thanks, Freqport!アイム ノット ヒューマン