If you’ve ever wished your audio interface could do more — route system audio, host plug-ins outside your DAW, save vocal chains, or simplify podcasting and live streaming — IO Pro is where things get interesting.
IO Pro is not just software. It’s your virtual mixer, plug-in host, and audio control hub — designed specifically for iCON Pro Audio interfaces like the Harrison 32Ci Audio Interface.
Let’s go deep. In this guide, I’ll walk you through:
What IO Pro is
How to install it correctly
How to load and route plug-ins
How to save snapshots
How to use Loopback (Windows & Mac)
How to record system audio into your DAW
Real-world workflows for podcasting, vocals, streaming, and more
No fluff. Just practical power.
IO Pro is a virtual mixer and plug-in host for iCON Pro Audio interfaces.
It allows you to:
Route audio across your system
Host plug-ins using your computer’s processing power
Store complete plug-in chains as snapshots
Operate outside a DAW
Use it as a submixer during recording
Capture system audio using Loopback
Unlike interfaces with onboard DSP, interfaces like the 32Ci use host-based plug-ins — meaning your computer handles the processing. That gives you flexibility and access to all your favorite AU, VST, and VST3 plug-ins.
Think of IO Pro as the digital patchbay and control room that lives between your hardware and your DAW.
Before installing IO Pro:
Connect your 32Ci to your computer.
Power it on.
Make sure your computer is connected to the internet.
Why?
Because IO Pro installs the proper drivers during setup — and that requires an active connection.
Download IO Pro from the official iCON Pro Audio website. Once installed, you’re ready to build your signal flow.
When you open IO Pro, you’ll see:
Hardware Inputs (your mic, instruments, etc.)
ADAT Inputs (if using ADAT expansion)
Loopback Channels (virtual system audio channels)
Channel strips with plug-in slots (+ icons)
Every channel behaves like a mini console strip.
And yes — you can fully customize the routing.
Each channel strip includes a “+” icon. Click it and you can:
Load recently used plug-ins
Browse Audio Units (Mac)
Browse VST / VST3 plug-ins
Load included plug-ins like AVA Live
For example, the 32Ci includes AVA Live from Harrison — a powerful channel strip plug-in.
Once loaded, double-click to open the interface.
You can:
Load presets (e.g., Male Voice, Male Vocal)
Engage the Noise Gate / Expander
Adjust EQ
Dial in compression
Use a De-Esser
Change routing order by dragging modules
Add third-party plug-ins like reverb
Load AVA Live.
Select “Male Voice” preset.
Engage the Gate to control room noise.
Fine-tune EQ and compression.
Adjust De-Esser for sibilance control.
Clean. Controlled. Professional.
Switch preset to “Male Vocal.”
Add third-party reverb (e.g., Valhalla).
Adjust routing order if needed.
Save as snapshot.
Now you’ve built a vocal chain ready for recording.
One powerful feature inside IO Pro is routing flexibility.
Your signal chain might look like:
Filters → Gate → EQ → Compressor → De-Esser
But you’re not locked into that order.
You can click and drag modules to experiment.
Want compression before EQ? Done.
Gate after EQ? No problem.
This is studio-console flexibility without touching a patch cable.
This is where IO Pro shines.
Once you’ve built your ideal plug-in chain:
Go to File → Save Snapshot
Name it (e.g., “Male VO” or “Podcast Host”)
Recall it instantly later
Perfect for:
Podcast sessions
Different vocalists
Songwriting sessions
Livestream presets
Client recall
It’s like saving your studio’s brain.
Now let’s talk about one of the most powerful features in IO Pro: Loopback.
Loopback is a virtual audio channel that routes system audio back into IO Pro and your DAW.
On:
Windows → It appears as an ASIO channel
Mac → It appears as a virtual channel
It allows you to record:
YouTube audio
Zoom calls
Skype interviews
Karaoke backing tracks
Any web-based audio
And you can process it with plug-ins before recording.
That’s huge.
Go to your computer’s sound settings.
Select:
Pro Driver Loopback
(This driver installs with IO Pro.)
Open YouTube, Zoom, or any application.
You’ll see signal appear on:
Loopback 1–2
Loopback 3–4
Loopback 5–6
(Depending on routing)
Example using Ableton Live:
Open Preferences.
Set Output Device → Your iCON interface.
Set Input Device → Pro Driver.
Arm a track and set input to Loopback channel.
Hit record.
Done.
You are now recording system audio directly into your DAW.
PodcastingPhysical inputs → Local microphones
Loopback 1–2 → Zoom guest
Loopback 3–4 → YouTube clip playback
Everything mixed in IO Pro.
Everything recordable in your DAW.
Recording Vocals Over YouTube KaraokeRoute YouTube backing track via Loopback
Add reverb or EQ in IO Pro
Record vocals through hardware input
Capture both into your DAW
Live StreamingMic on hardware input
Background music via Loopback
Add plug-in processing in IO Pro
Send polished mix to streaming software
IO Pro extends your interface into something much more powerful:
Virtual mixer
Plug-in host
Submixer
Routing matrix
Snapshot manager
Loopback engine
When paired with the 32Ci, you’re combining analog heritage with modern routing flexibility.
And yes — you can even stream directly from your phone using the OTG port on the 32Ci.
If you remember nothing else, remember this:
IO Pro runs outside your DAW.
It hosts AU, VST, and VST3 plug-ins.
It saves complete signal chains as snapshots.
It allows custom routing.
Loopback captures system audio.
You can process system audio before recording it.
It’s perfect for podcasting, vocal production, songwriting, and live streaming.
IO Pro turns your interface into a creative command center.
Instead of working around limitations, you design your signal flow:
Voiceover chain saved and ready.
Podcast routing pre-built.
Streaming setup one click away.
Loopback configured for remote guests.
Plug-in chains instantly recallable.
It’s not just about recording.
It’s about control.
And when you pair IO Pro with the Harrison 32Ci Audio Interface, you’re not just tracking audio — you’re shaping it.
If you’re serious about workflow, speed, and creative flexibility, IO Pro isn’t optional.
It’s essential.
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