EHX Effects Interface: Pedals into DAW & Beyond!
Stereo interface to get stompboxes and plugins in or out of your DAW
5,0 / 5,0 | 
The new EHX Effects Interface Hardware Plugin allows guitarists to use their effect pedals in a DAW or their software plugins on their pedalboards.
Effects Interface Hardware Plugin
This latest Electro-Harmonix release, the Effects Interface Hardware Plugin, allows musicians to bridge the gap between hardware and software effects, into and outside the DAW environment.
This innovative, compact device eliminates the need for external converters or direct boxes by managing signal integrity through a streamlined USB-C connection. Beyond simply bringing hardware into the digital realm, it also allows users to bring their favourite plugins out of the computer and use them directly within a physical guitar rig.
Three Operating Modes
In Hardware Plugin Mode, the unit allows you to route tracks from your DAW through your physical pedals as if they were software effects.
Conversely, Pedalboard Mode lets you run a live instrument into your DAW and back out to your amplifier, effectively turning your digital plugins into physical pedals on your board. Finally, Audio Interface Mode provides the utility of a traditional 2-in/2-out USB interface for standard recording and playback needs.
Stereo
The unit has stereo inputs and outputs, each with dedicated level control sliders and basic LED meters, so you can adjust to taste and see what’s happening. There is also a dedicated headphone out with a volume control for monitoring.
DAW Integration
It comes with the correct power supply and USB-C cable included in the price, so you can be up and running straight away. The software to control the unit in your DAW is available to download directly from EHX.
Ease of use will be the big win here for many users, so it could be a valuable tool for getting creative with your guitar stompboxes and virtual effects.
Verdict
I think it is a neat solution for anyone who doesn’t already own a mixing desk or a more advanced audio interface. I’ve been integrating stompboxes into my DAW for a very long time, so I have plenty of experience doing this, and I can see the value of sending signals in and out of a DAW to process audio.
Again, sending signals through software plugins isn’t anything new; however, having a dedicated stompbox-style unit makes it simpler to set up. I own the EHX Big Muff Hardware Plugin, which integrates well in my DAW setup, so I would expect the same from this latest release.
A handy little box that simplifies the process could be useful for many musicians, so it’s worth checking out. It runs on both Mac and PC and works with all major DAWs.
MSRP – $359
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