I made a few huge decisions and changes to my studio this year, which involved selling almost everything in my control room and starting from scratch. I needed a very specific, specialized recording interface for my needs. Because I was already massively over budget, I was going to have to wait before I could integrate a DANTE expansion, and my biggest problem was that I had no additional analog outputs for outboard gear or re-amping.
Enter the FreqInOut FO1 by Freqport, known for their FT-1 FreqTube hardware plug-in [Tape Op #159]. The FT-1 FreqTube is a unique solution that connects a tube-powered saturation box via USB with both physical knobs and the ability to control the box via a plug-in – convenience and recall with real analog tube saturation. It’s an excellent and innovative product, and Freqport has continued that mindset with their new FreqInOut FO1: A small, half rack space box with analog I/O allowing for four mono channels of analog inserts over USB. It’s bus-powered (dedicated DC power adapter available separately), fully configurable/recallable through a plug-in, and it works flawlessly.
There are two primary use cases for the FreqInOut FO1. First are people in my situation who simply require more outputs due to a limited number of interface channels. Even if the hardware isn’t the bottleneck, many Universal Audio’s LUNA DAW [Tape Op #138] users, for example, have been begging for analog insert capability. LUNA users now have a solution with FreqInOut. The second use case includes those that don’t necessarily require extra physical outputs but may find the additional features and flexibility of plug-in control worth the price of admission.
On the surface, the FreqInOut FO1 is quite simple to use and isn’t a complicated concept. After software installation, I connected the unit via USB-C to my computer (Mac and Windows compatible), hooked up my hardware (a patchbay connection would also be ideal) to the TRS I/O on the FreqInOut, and loaded up the plug-in. The FreqInOut’s Set Up Wizard takes the user through the configuration process. After these steps, the FreqInOut simply works.
There are a few additional features that make the FreqInOut FO1 worth considering as more than just a solution to situations like mine, giving it a leg up over simply being another way to do analog inserts. The first is being able to gain stage correctly and control the level of the send and return. Because the FreqInOut operates at 32-bit, there’s a lot of headroom to push in and out of gear if need be. I have a set of analog EQs that I like to use, which sound quite good when their transformers are loaded a bit. There are no output controls on the EQs, so setting up and adjusting the gain stage correctly with the FreqInOut prevents clipping my converters on the way back in and lets me use my analog gear in creative ways. Typically, this would be quite difficult without an analog console.
Other favorite features include the wet/dry mix on the plug-in. I was a bit skeptical about how well this was going to work, but so far I’ve yet to hear a hint of phase problems with anything I’ve blended through the FreqInOut. This is going to be a breakthrough for many users with older hardware, such as a vintage vari-mu compressor (for example) that can be a bit too aggressive at times. FreqInOut also simplifies switching a hardware component to mid/sides mode at the push of a button. This is something I don’t do very often in the analog world as it can be complicated to set up, but now it couldn't be easier. Recall for all of this is conveniently impressive, and I can also store pictures of my hardware settings inside the plug-in. All I need to do is scan the QR code in the plug-in, take a picture, and it instantly appears inside the window. No more recall pictures filling up the session folders!
The FreqInOut FO1 hardware is also expandable, with the ability to connect another unit for a total of 8 channels of I/O. At that point, users can take advantage of the Analog Matrix inside the plug-in that allows for rearranging channel orders and chains, turning the system into a virtual patchbay. It’s an incredibly well-thought-out system that goes beyond simply adding hardware inserts.