Roland Rubix 44From real comments

Name: Roland Rubix 44
Rating: 3 (14 reviews)

Verdict distilled from 14 mentions across 10 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment54%

PROS 54%

CONS 46%

Rank based on 14 mentions across 10 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

You want a 4x4 interface with a useful onboard compressor/limiter for recording
You need DI-box functionality with mixing for live performances
You use DAWs like Ableton or Cakewalk and want easy latency/sample rate control

What users love

Useful onboard compressor/limiter0 mentions

Widely praised

Reliable DAW integration0 mentions

Strongly positive

Warmer, more detailed sound0 mentions

Strongly positive

DI box for live performance0 mentions

Strongly positive

Flexible 4x4 I/O and monitor controls0 mentions

Widely praised

Skip this if...

You rely on non-ASIO drivers or need flexible Windows port assignment
You're concerned about long-term driver support given reported discontinuation
You've had reliability issues with latency-sensitive recording setups

What users complain about

Unclear output routing for some users0 mentions

Generally negative

Latency and recording interruptions0 mentions

Frequently criticized

ASIO-only driver limitation0 mentions

Frequently criticized

Discontinued product, uncertain driver support0 mentions

Frequently criticized

CPU-dependent low-latency performance0 mentions

Generally negative

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice

1Budget

IK Multimedia AXE I/O Solo~$230 · 1.2× cheaper

Bundled software and pluginsFlexible input optionsImpedance control (Z-Tone)High price relative to competitorsDriver issuesDynamic and gain range limitations

IK Multimedia AXE I/O Solo~$230 · 1.2× cheaper

Bundled software and plugins

Flexible input options

Impedance control (Z-Tone)

High price relative to competitors

Driver issues

Dynamic and gain range limitations

Best value

2Budget

Universal Audio Volt 4~$279 · similar price

Fast, hassle-free setupStrong value for the priceGenerous bundled softwareNo ADAT or expansion for more channelsMissing loopback and mix knobNo included power adapter

Universal Audio Volt 4~$279 · similar price

Fast, hassle-free setup

Strong value for the price

Generous bundled software

No ADAT or expansion for more channels

Missing loopback and mix knob

No included power adapter

3Budget

Yamaha AG06~$199 · 1.4× cheaper

Useful companion app for tone shapingVersatile for many use casesFlexible bus/portable power optionsWeak or noisy preampsBuild quality feels lighter than predecessorLimited multitrack DAW output

Yamaha AG06~$199 · 1.4× cheaper

Useful companion app for tone shaping

Versatile for many use cases

Flexible bus/portable power options

Weak or noisy preamps

Build quality feels lighter than predecessor

Limited multitrack DAW output

4Budget

PreSonus Revelator io24~$199 · 1.4× cheaper

Powerful onboard DSP

PreSonus Revelator io24~$199 · 1.4× cheaper

Powerful onboard DSP

5Budget

Roland QUAD-CAPTURE~$399 · 1.4× pricier

Long-term reliabilityGood value for priceAuto sensitivity buttonDigital coax output problemsDriver complaintsDriver latency in DAW

Roland QUAD-CAPTURE~$399 · 1.4× pricier

Long-term reliability

Good value for price

Auto sensitivity button

Digital coax output problems

Driver complaints

Driver latency in DAW

6Budget

MOTU M4~$270 · similar price

Clean, transparent soundExcellent value for priceLoopback featurePops, clicks, and cracklingUSB-C cable sensitivityMixed sound quality opinions versus competitors

MOTU M4~$270 · similar price

Clean, transparent sound

Excellent value for price

Loopback feature

Pops, clicks, and crackling

USB-C cable sensitivity

Mixed sound quality opinions versus competitors

7Budget

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Studio~$299 · similar price

Low latency achievable with buffer tuningGreat value bundle for beginnersReliable long-term useNoticeable latency out of the boxBundled mic has thin low-end for some voicesDriver software compatibility issues

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Studio~$299 · similar price

Low latency achievable with buffer tuning

Great value bundle for beginners

Reliable long-term use

Noticeable latency out of the box

Bundled mic has thin low-end for some voices

Driver software compatibility issues

You are here

8Budget

Roland Rubix 44~$279

Useful onboard compressor/limiterReliable DAW integrationDI box for live performanceUnclear output routing for some usersASIO-only driver limitationCPU-dependent low-latency performance

Roland Rubix 44~$279

Useful onboard compressor/limiter

Reliable DAW integration

DI box for live performance

Unclear output routing for some users

ASIO-only driver limitation

CPU-dependent low-latency performance

Good value
1. Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Studioarrow_upward6
2. Universal Audio Volt 4arrow_upward5
3. Roland QUAD-CAPTUREarrow_upward3
Easy setup
1. Universal Audio Volt 4arrow_upward5
2. Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Studioarrow_upward2
Sound quality
1. Yamaha AG06arrow_upward3
2. IK Multimedia AXE I/O Soloarrow_upward2
Build quality
1. Universal Audio Volt 4arrow_upward3
2. IK Multimedia AXE I/O Soloarrow_upward1
Driver issues
1. Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Studioarrow_downward1
2. IK Multimedia AXE I/O Soloarrow_downward1

Overall Impression

Sound quality impressed users compared to onboard audio chips. One reviewer directly compared the Rubix 44 to a Realtek ALC1150 onboard soundchip at 24bit/192kHz and found the Rubix noticeably more detailed, warmer, richer and fuller, though not as clinical as expected. The built-in compressor works subtly as a preset limiter, avoiding pumping artifacts, and is seen as better than no compression at all, even if not ideal for vocals specifically.

DAW compatibility and onboard controls got strong praise from some users. A user testing with Ableton, Maschine Studio, Band in a Box and a Novation MIDI keyboard on Windows 10 reported no latency problems and easy adjustment of latency and sample frequency. They specifically highlighted the 4x4 configuration, flexible monitor controls, and input limiter/compressor as real pluses, giving a strong recommendation overall.

Live use as a DI box and unique output routing stand out as functional strengths. Users appreciate that Roland interfaces like the Rubix 44 can double as DI boxes with mixing capabilities for live performances, continuing to output sound even without a USB connection. However, questions remain about the practical advantage of four line outputs versus two, and whether any DAW channel can be freely assigned to those outputs, suggesting some routing flexibility is still unclear to users.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?

tuneUseful onboard compressor/limiter

3 mentions

Widely praised

Multiple users liked the built-in compressor/limiter, noting it works subtly without pumping and is a real plus for recording, even if not the best choice specifically for vocals.

@claudevieaul1465

I have the Rubix44 hooked to Cakewalk by Bandlab, and it has some cool features - I love the onboard compressor / limiter, for instance!\nBut it does seem to cause more issues with latency and interrupted recordings than my old Focusrite Scarlet 2i2 did...\nAlso it's only been on the market for a short while and now no longer available, so that probably means no more driver updates or improvements from Roland either.

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October 21, 2022

@leifnorbergstudio1779

I bought this card and tested with Ableton, Native maschine studio and also band in the box along with a Novation midi keyboard, windows 10. Works great. No problems at all with latency and it is easy to change the latency or samplingfreq. Use ableton to see times values if needed. The souncard works really well. So I highly recommend it. 4x4 card, flex.monitor ctrls with input lim/compr is also real plus i must say.( I don't agree with Kristian rec.)\nThis is a great card.

smart_display

February 24, 2021

@sauermusicDE

For those who want to know it: The Rubix sounds definitely a bit better than a Realtek ALC1150 on-board soundchip (which can be found on some older high quality motherboards). I compared both at 24bit/192 Khz. The ALC1150 does a really good job...but the Rubix sounds a little bit more detailed and kind of \"warmer\", \"richer\", \"fuller\", \"deeper\"...not like analog tape...but still not as \"clinical\" as one might expect. The compressor is working as expected. It is supposed to work subtle because it is a pure preset compressor and would be totally \"pumping\" if the internal settings would be too extreme. For vocal recordings it's maybe not the best choice...but still significantly better than NO compressor at all or just software compression afterwards in the DAW. // About the driver settings: On an AMD A10-6700T at 60% CPU usage mode number \"3\" is working fine. At 80% CPU usage mode \"4\" is the way to go. A more powerful CPU or APU than mine is recommended for the lowest latency.

smart_display

November 10, 2020

check_circleReliable DAW integration

2 mentions

Strongly positive

A user testing across Ableton, Maschine Studio, Band in a Box and Cakewalk reported smooth operation with no latency problems and easy control over latency and sample rate settings.

@claudevieaul1465

smart_display

October 21, 2022

@leifnorbergstudio1779

smart_display

February 24, 2021

graphic_eqWarmer, more detailed sound

1 mentions

Strongly positive

Users compared the Rubix 44 favorably to onboard sound chips, describing the audio as warmer, richer, fuller and more detailed at high sample rates. This was noted as a clear upgrade over integrated motherboard audio.

@sauermusicDE

smart_display

November 10, 2020

speakerDI box for live performance

1 mentions

Strongly positive

The interface can function as a DI box with added mixing capabilities for live shows, and notably keeps outputting sound even without a USB connection, a valued feature for live setups.

@xmaverickhunterkx

I like that the Roland interfaces can be used as DI boxes with added mixing capabilities for live performances.\nThey output sound even without USB connection.

smart_display

September 26, 2019

settings_input_hdmiFlexible 4x4 I/O and monitor controls

1 mentions

Widely praised

The 4x4 input/output configuration paired with flexible monitor controls was called out as a real plus by a user comparing it to other interfaces.

@leifnorbergstudio1779

smart_display

February 24, 2021

help_outlineUnclear output routing for some users

2 mentions

Generally negative

Some users were uncertain about the practical benefit of four line outputs versus two, and whether any DAW channel can be freely assigned to the outputs.

@konaraweb

Can you assign any channel.on DAW to any of those outputs ?

smart_display

November 11, 2021

@MrEyardibi

What is the advantage of having 4 line out instead of having 2 line out in practice ? Thanks in advance

smart_display

November 16, 2017

warningLatency and recording interruptions

1 mentions

Frequently criticized

One user found the Rubix 44 caused more latency issues and interrupted recordings compared to their older Focusrite Scarlet 2i2, despite liking its compressor features.

@claudevieaul1465

smart_display

October 21, 2022

errorASIO-only driver limitation

1 mentions

Frequently criticized

A user returned the unit after finding it only supports ASIO drivers, with Windows recognizing it as four nonassignable ports rather than offering more flexible routing.

@voiceactorRU

too bad it supports only ASIO. Just got this interface, and returning it. Windows sees it as 4 nonassignable ports as a whole.

smart_display

January 14, 2020

update_disabledDiscontinued product, uncertain driver support

1 mentions

Frequently criticized

One user noted the Rubix 44 was only on the market briefly and is no longer available, raising concerns about future driver updates or improvements from Roland.

@claudevieaul1465

smart_display

October 21, 2022

speedCPU-dependent low-latency performance

1 mentions

Generally negative

Achieving the lowest latency driver settings requires a fairly powerful CPU; on a mid-range AMD APU, higher buffer modes were needed depending on CPU load.

@sauermusicDE

smart_display

November 10, 2020

Roland Rubix 44chat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

thumb_up_off_altBuy this if...

What users lovefavorite_border

thumb_down_off_altSkip this if...

What users complain aboutheart_broken

Compare in seconds

Who wins on what (similar price)

Good value

Easy setup

Sound quality

Build quality

Driver issues

auto_awesomeOverall Impression

Roland Rubix 44From real comments

Buy this if...

What users love

Skip this if...

What users complain about

Overall Impression