Leading the CI series of interface controllers, the CI2 Plus USB-powered studio comes with its dedicated Cubase Essential 5 audio workstation. The holistic approach that Steinberg provides in form of its Advanced Integration technology allows this smart system to easily assist entry-level to professional musicians and producers with recording and producing music in first-class quality.
Steinberg CI2 Plus USB Interface Features
- Two high-quality mic preamps with 48V phantom power
- HI-Z input for direct connection with a guitar
- Project Assistant provides ready-made templates for recording, mixing, producing, and mastering
- Advanced Integration system: totally integrated tactile control of the Steinberg Cubase range of production systems, maintaining complete focus on the project
- Hands-free recording with the optional footswitch(Yamaha FC5)
- Easy to use Cubase Essential 5 audio workstation included for everything you’ll need to start and finish a project plus add virtual instruments, effects, and amp simulation
- Cross-platform support on Mac OS X, Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7
Steinberg CI Series Comparison Chart
| Analog line inputs |
2 |
2 |
2 |
| Microphone inputs |
2 Combo |
2 Combo |
2 Combo |
| Inputs with HI-Z |
1 |
1 |
1 |
| Analog outputs (bal) |
2 |
2 |
2 |
| AD/DA |
24-bit |
24-bit |
24-bit |
| Max sample rate |
48 kHz |
48 kHz |
48 kHz |
| Frequency range |
20 Hz to 20 kHz |
20 Hz to 20 kHz |
20 Hz to 20 kHz |
| Dynamic range |
96 dB (A-weighted) |
96 dB (A-weighted) |
96 dB (A-weighted) |
| Interface type |
USB 1.1 |
USB 1.1 |
USB 1.1 |
| Buttons for Previous/Next marker |
Yes |
|
|
| Buttons for Play/Stop/Rec |
Yes |
|
|
| Footswitch connector |
Yes |
Yes |
|
| AI Knob |
Yes |
Yes |
|
| AI Knob Lock |
Yes |
Yes |
|
| Action Pad |
Yes |
Yes |
|
| Phantom power |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Mono input switch |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| USB-powered |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Phones output |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Color |
Black/Gray |
Light Green/Gray |
Ice Blue |
| Weight |
1.6 lbs |
1.6 lbs |
1.6 lbs |
| Dimensions (Inches) |
1.79 x 7.48 x 5.3 |
1.79 x 7.48 x 5.3 |
1.79 x 7.48 x 5.3 |
| Bundled software |
Cubase Essential 5 |
Cubase AI 5 |
Sequel LE, WaveLab LE 7 |
Instant plug and play with AI Ready LED
CI2 Plus features full plug-and-play support, so there’s no need to add the parameters to Cubase, only the easy, one-step installation of a USB device. Once the CI2 Plus has been installed, Cubase detects the launched device and automatically embeds the CI2 Plus into the Cubase production environment. Visual feedback is provided through the AI Ready LED. When it lights up, CI2 Plus is ready to assume control.
Project Assistant
The Project Assistant provides a wealth of ready-made templates for different styles and scopes like recording, mixing, producing and mastering. The templates contain the number of channels, effects, dynamics, amp simulators and channel inserts which are tailored to your particular needs. Creating customized user templates and integrating those into the Launch browser makes recording with a DAW software and audio interface just that easy: Start up Cubase Essential 5, hit the AI Knob and scroll down the list of provided templates. Select the template by pushing the AI Knob a second time. A new project is created for you with the necessary number of tracks, audio input and output routings, all effects, amp simulator, sounds and much more. Especially for CI2 Plus, new plug-ins like the AmpSimulator and the ToneBooster have been added to Cubase Essential 5. Thanks to the Project Assistant, initializing a project with Cubase is much faster.
Browse Function
The Browse function in Cubase helps you in many different ways. The intelligent browsing system focuses on available files or sounds based on where you are currently in the production process and by using of the AI Knob you will be using your mouse much less.
Cubase Essential 5 offers virtual instruments and sounds for creating professional-sounding accompaniments, such as playback for vocal exercises or even an entire demo. Various effect plug-ins for editing vocals are readily available and easy to control with the CI2 Plus’s AI Knob. The CI2 Plus’s interface comes with a footswitch connector enabling hands-free recording in Cubase Essential 5. Here you have the choice between 14 different amp and 10 speaker cabinet emulations thanks to the AmpSimulator.