ART HeadAMP 4 Pro Headphone Amplifier with Talkback

The ART HeadAMP 4 Pro is a professional headphone amplifier with built-in talkback, made for recording studios, rehearsal rooms and producers who need to feed several performers at once, let each one set their own level, and talk to them between takes without shouting through the glass. It turns a single headphone feed into a compact, flexible cue system.

Independent headphone channels

Each headphone output has its own amplifier and its own volume control, so the drummer, bassist and singer can all hear the mix at a level that suits them. With up to 150 mW per channel, there’s plenty of level for loud tracking sessions.

Talkback built in

Talkback is what separates the Pro from a basic headphone splitter. Plug a microphone into the balanced XLR talkback input, with phantom power available for condenser mics, and you can speak straight into the performers’ headphones. Send talkback to one output or to all of them, and use a footswitch on the remote jack to trigger it hands-free while you work the desk or play.

That’s useful in home studios where the performer is in another room, and in rehearsal setups where everyone wears headphones, such as electronic drum kits and silent stage rigs.

Aux inputs for “more me” mixes

As well as the two balanced 1/4″ TRS main inputs, the HeadAMP 4 Pro has separate stereo aux inputs. An input matrix lets each listener blend in any or all of the aux inputs alongside the main mix. Feed the aux inputs from extra sends on your mixer or audio interface, such as a click track or a vocal, and performers can add more of what they need to hear.

Audio quality

ART specifies a frequency response of 10 Hz to 40 kHz (±1 dB) and THD below 0.010% typical, so cue mixes stay clean even at high levels. The inputs accept up to +20 dBu, so they handle hot line-level outputs from mixers and interfaces.

Compact and rugged

The HeadAMP 4 Pro is a compact desktop unit measuring 44.5 x 150 x 165 mm, and it runs from an external power supply that’s included.

Who is the ART HeadAMP 4 Pro for?

• Home and project studios tracking bands or vocalists in a separate room.
• Producers and engineers who need to communicate with performers during sessions.
• Rehearsal rooms and silent practice with electronic drums and in-ear or headphone monitoring.
• Podcast and voice-over setups where a producer directs talent through their headphones.

If you only need to share one feed between a few people and don’t need talkback or aux inputs, the simpler ART HeadAMP 4 is the more affordable option.

HeadAMP 4 Pro vs HeadAMP 4

• HeadAMP 4: four stereo channels from one input, with volume per channel and both 1/4″ and 1/8″ jacks. Simple and compact.
• HeadAMP 4 Pro: adds talkback with a phantom-powered XLR mic input and footswitch control, separate aux inputs for personal mixes, balanced main inputs and up to 150 mW per channel.

See all our headphone amplifiers to compare.

Tips for tracking sessions

• Use the main inputs for the overall mix and the aux inputs for a click, the vocal or a guide track that performers can add to taste.
• Put the talkback footswitch where you can reach it from the desk or your instrument.
• Turn every output down before performers put headphones on, then bring levels up together.
• Use closed-back headphones near microphones to stop the cue mix bleeding into recordings.

Key features

• Multi-channel stereo headphone amplifier
• Independent volume control per output
• Up to 150 mW per channel
• 2 x 1/4″ TRS balanced main inputs
• Separate stereo aux inputs with input matrix
• Talkback via balanced XLR mic input, phantom power available
• Talkback to one or all outputs
• Remote footswitch jack for talkback
• 10 Hz to 40 kHz frequency response
• THD below 0.010%
• External power supply included

Frequently asked questions

What is talkback on the ART HeadAMP 4 Pro?

Talkback lets you speak through a microphone directly into the performers’ headphones. On the HeadAMP 4 Pro you can send it to one output or all of them, and trigger it with a footswitch.

Can I use a condenser mic for talkback?

Yes. Phantom power is available on the external mic input, so condenser and dynamic mics both work.

Can each performer have a different mix?

Partly. Everyone hears the main mix, and each listener can blend in any of the aux inputs and set their own volume. Feed the aux inputs from extra mixer or interface sends to give performers more control.

How loud does it go?

ART rates it at up to 150 mW per channel, which is plenty for most studio headphones in tracking sessions.

Should I buy the HeadAMP 4 or the HeadAMP 4 Pro?

Choose the HeadAMP 4 for a simple shared feed. Choose the Pro if you need talkback, aux inputs for personal mixes or more output power.