Arturia MiniFuse 1 White USB Audio Interface

Arturia MiniFuse 1 White USB Audio Interface

The Arturia MiniFuse 1 in white is a compact USB audio interface built around a single, well-specified input. One combo connector accepts a microphone, an instrument or a line-level source, so a solo performer, podcaster or producer can record one source at a time without carrying a larger interface. It is bus-powered over USB-C, works with Mac and Windows computers, and adds two features rarely found at this size: a stereo loopback channel for capturing computer audio, and a built-in USB hub for a controller or dongle.

Key features

• 1 combo XLR/TRS input for microphone, instrument or line sources
• Microphone preamp with 56 dB gain range and -129 dB equivalent input noise
• Switchable 48V phantom power for condenser microphones
• 2 balanced 1/4 inch TRS monitor outputs with level control
• Headphone output with independent volume control
• Direct monitoring and a stereo virtual loopback channel
• USB-C connection, bus-powered, with an additional USB-A hub port

One input, properly engineered

The microphone preamp offers a 56 dB gain range, 110 dB typical dynamic range and an equivalent input noise of -129 dB (A-weighted), figures that let it drive typical dynamic and condenser microphones cleanly for voice and acoustic recording. The input stage is specified at 2.5 kohms for microphones, with a maximum input level of +9 dBu. Backlit controls respond to the incoming signal and turn red when the level is too high, so clipping is easy to spot while you are performing rather than after the take.

Instrument and line sources

The same combo input handles the other two source types. A switch selects instrument level for guitars and basses, presenting a 1.1 Mohm impedance so passive pickups keep their top end, while line mode accepts up to +22 dBu from synthesisers, drum machines and external processors. Across microphone, instrument and line modes the input dynamic range is a consistent 110 dB typical, and conversion runs at sample rates from 44.1 kHz up to 192 kHz.

Monitoring, loopback and the USB hub

Balanced monitor outputs feed studio speakers at up to +12 dBu with 107.5 dB typical dynamic range, under a large monitor level control. The headphone output delivers 137 mW into 33 ohms, enough for comfortable tracking levels, and the direct monitor switch lets you hear your input without computer latency while recording. The stereo loopback channel routes audio playing on the computer back into a recording or stream, which suits streamers capturing game or application sound alongside a microphone. On the rear, a USB-A hub port (250 mA maximum) connects a MIDI controller or licence dongle without using another computer port.

Software and everyday setup

MiniFuse 1 ships with a software bundle that includes Ableton Live Lite, Arturia Analog Lab Intro, Arturia effect plug-ins (Pre 1973, Rev PLATE-140, Delay TAPE-201 and Chorus JUN-6) and NI Guitar Rig 6 LE, managed through the MiniFuse Control Center application. Setup is a single USB-C cable: the interface draws its power from the computer, lights its controls, and is ready for a DAW, a streaming application or a video call.

For anyone recording one source at a time who wants measured, published performance rather than padded channel counts, the MiniFuse 1 in white is a small interface with a serious input stage and a tidy desktop footprint.