Black Lion Audio revolutionises bus-powered, portable audio interface market with first studio-grade desktop model of its own making

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, USA: boutique audio company Black Lion Audio is proud to introduce Revolution 2×2 — its inaugural entry into the hotly contested bus-powered, portable audio interface market as an appropriately- named (2 x 2 USB-C) studio-grade (24-bit/192 kHz) desktop model of its own making, representing revolutionary analogue design thanks to the top-tier sound of large, high-end converters costing thousands of dollars now being available in a hand-sized product that does not break the bank.

Black Lion Audio has long since been revered as the ‘king of audio mods’ having modded countless audio interfaces over the years. Yet it has been asked when it would be creating its own audio interface from the outset. On the face of it, its opening gambit has been a long time in the making, having planned, engineered, and worked on it in secret — for years. Indeed, it takes time to truly revolutionise bus-powered, studio-grade audio interface design, and Revolution 2×2 represents the revolutionary result!
Simply speaking, the most revolutionary thing to note about Revolution 2×2 is the quality of its sound — the top-tier sound of large, high-end converters costing thousands of dollars now being available in a hand-sized product that does not break the bank. Better still, Revolution 2×2 readily utilises Black Lion Audio’s new Macro-MMC clocking technology, based on its numerous clocking products and modifications; Macro- MMC’s circuit implementation brings converters to new heights — well beyond what has been witnessed with other audio interfaces anywhere near its class. Clearly with that in mind, the boutique audio company creator also assembled its finest AD/DA (Analogue-Digital/ Digital-Analogue) converter technology to provide Revolution 2×2 users with record-making power previously unobtainable in an audio interface that is so small and affordable.

Additionally, Revolution 2×2 internally integrates Black Lion Audio’s PG-i technology, based on its extensive experience in engineering its best-in-class power conditioners, with all power rails being highly filtered in every active stage — something not found even in the most well-respected, high-end products! Put it this way: with power being decoupled across all of Revolution 2×2’s circuitry — preamps, converters, internal power supply, and even the clock, any noise contamination from other devices plugged into the audio interface itself is discernibly reduced.

However, hi-fi digital design alone does not cut it; indeed, it takes serious analogue circuitry for facilitating the very best capture and playback of audio. As such, Revolution 2×2 is built with the most cutting-edge, high-end ICs (Integrated Circuits) with high-end Vishay, Nichicon, and Wima capacitors being used. Ultimately, all internal gain-staging has been optimised for the very lowest signal-to-noise ratio and all analogue I/O connections have not only been built with the finest components but are also fully decoupled and balanced — right to the very core of the converter! Most manufacturers do not follow this practice, failing to prevent extra noise contamination during both audio capture and playback as a direct result.

Revolutionary audio interfaces need serious software to provide an adjunct to today’s DAW-driven workflow. With its included Revolution Software Suite, Revolution 2×2 far from fails to deliver, starting with Studio One Artist — the cutting-edge DAW for all production needs from PreSonus. And as if that alone was not enough to be getting on with, Black Lion Audio has helpfully included select plug-ins from Brainworx (bx_digital — the hi-fi, mastering EQ of the future), iZotope (Elements — includes Nektar, Neutron, Ozone, and RX8, so everything needed to repair, mix, and master audio), and Plugin Alliance (Lindell Audio 6X-500 — hardware-modelled preamp and passive EQ).
It is fair to say, then, that Revolution 2×2 is not simply another run-of-the-mill audio interface from ‘big brother’ but rather it is the audio interface the world has always asked for — albeit a world still somewhat affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

“Revolution 2×2 will begin shipping in February 2021 but initial supply will be constrained due to the shortage of the premium components chosen by our engineers for this interface.” So states Black Lion Audio Chief Operations Officer Preston Whiting, before adding: “We could have subbed in alternative parts for the sake of speed but the sound would have been compromised and we refuse to do anything that negatively affects the experience of our customers or audio quality of our products.” 

Revolution 2×2 will begin shipping through Black Lion Audio’s growing global network of dealers/distributors with a MAP (Minimum Advertised Price) of $399.00 USD and an SSP (Suggested Selling Price) of €399.00 EUR (excluding VAT) in February. For more in-depth information, please visit its dedicated webpage.

Review of The Stranger Times by C.K. McDonnell published by Bantam Press (Random House UK, Transworld Publishers; pub. date 14 Jan 21)

An ARC copy was provided by Netgalley and Bantam Press (Random House UK, Transworld Publishers) in exchange for an honest review.  I’ve written the review as spoiler free as possible.

The Stranger Times is a very enjoyable and engrossing read. It has an excellent mix of personalities with good character development, a plot that moves at a good pace and it keeps you guessing with twists and turns along the way.  

It’s an intriguing story which opens with the protagonist, Hannah, down on her luck. Her dream interview has gone very badly wrong and now she’s faced with attending a back up interview she never intended to need and accordingly has done no preparation. 

First impressions aren’t great, she’s late and a man is threatening to throw himself out of a window above. He’s engaged in conversation with another man and it turns out the pair are two reporters for the Stranger Times.

The Stranger Times is very aptly named, everything about it appears strange or weird.  Or maybe both.  The paper is based in a former church and features a host of misfit characters which all seem to get along and create content for the newspaper and get it published on time.

Vincent is the editor, he’s loud, brash, old-fashioned and very difficult to work for; Ox and Reginald Fairfax the Third are reporters; The enigmatic teenager Stella; Manny who runs the press and lives in the basement; Simon who wants to be a reporter but isn’t allowed inside the building and Grace the office manager who holds it all together.     

I found myself questioning how The Stranger Times managed to keep going and this becomes apparent as the story develops.  The Stranger Times finds itself at the center of a story so out there that even it probably wouldn’t publish.  Moretti is a great character, particularly odious and despicable taking a greater role as the plot progresses, weaving occult and conspiracy threads.  I like how the plot manages to maintain a balance between these themes and maintain credibility, it’s a difficult balance to achieve.  The plot also has a rounded and balanced ending which ties all of the threads together really well.