Freqport is a company based in Copenhagen, Denmark with a distinctive mission. MC met the guys from Freqport at NAMM in January where one thing became apparent: they have a real talent for making products that seem obvious only after they have invented and made the first one. Their innovative approach fills a unique void. Their latest product, the FreqInOut, is a user-friendly hardware interface for connecting analog outboard audio gear that integrates with their software. The interface appears as a software insert to bring your outboard effects into your DAW. The plugin also has features to assist with recalling settings. With four inputs and four outputs, you can have two stereo devices, four mono devices, or any combination. This connectivity is not limited to effects; you could plug in synths, guitar pedals, or a drum machine as well. The plugin can appear in your DAW as two stereo plugins or up to four mono plugins. If you need more channels, you can attach a second FreqInOut FO1 hardware interface.
To use the FreqInOut, establish a user account on their website and install the Freqsoft software in your user portal. FreqInOut has a hardware configuration wizard to help whenever you hookup a new piece of gear. Take a picture of your outboard gear to capture device knob positions, and an edit mode creates a QR code to import the photo. The photo becomes a preset and skin for the plugin that can be saved and loaded.
FreqInOut has level controls for each channel to maximize your gain settings, input-output metering, as well as a wet/dry mix control to enable parallel processing and blend the amount of wet-to-dry signal. Also present is an analog matrix enabling you to pair stereo channels and change effects order. A mid-side control enables mid-side processing.
Bear in mind that real-time bouncing/rendering is required when using outboard effects. The FreqInOut is a very handy and unique solution that addresses the ability to implement your outboard gear into the DAW world.
FreqInOut FO1 supports Mac and Windows, and all major DAWs that support VST3, AU, AAX (64bit plugins). $599
