Best Audio Interface Options Revealed

 

Do you want to record music or podcasts? Perhaps you’re thinking about starting a YouTube channel or need to do voice-over work? An audio interface is one of the most important investments you can add to your home studio.

 

But why can’t I use the sound card found in my PC or Mac? Well, these sound cards have minimal I/O and limited capacity to provide professional-grade quality. Not to mention latency, sound delay, and distortion, etc. You’re looking for above-average recordings, aren’t you?

Choosing an audio interface often feels overwhelming as you need to think about I/O configurations and connection types among other things. That’s where we come in. Our review of the best audio interface will break it down for you.

 

What is Audio Interface

 

An audio interface is a device that’s used in computer-based audio production. It connects your studio gear (such as mics) to the DAW (digital audio workstation) within your computer. Also, it converts analog signals into digital audio information that is then processed by your computer.

 

Plus it also receives digital audio information from the computer and converts it into analog signals. So that you can listen to using headphones or studio monitors. A typical audio interface comes with one or mic preamplifiers, line-level analog inputs and outputs and in some cases digital inputs, and outputs.

 

An audio interface is useful in the following applications:

 

• Music production
• Capturing audio for recording
• For voice-over work (especially for professional demos)
• Recording instruments such as drums, synths, and guitars
• Mixing your voice with some background music for YouTube channels
• Producing podcasts

 

What to Look for in an Audio Interface

 

Like most people, I turn to forums to check for opinions before making purchases. Forums can be quite helpful. But, and it’s a big one, just because a device worked for one person, doesn’t mean it will do the same for me. I learned that the hard way.

If you’re looking for the best audio interface for Mac or Windows, it pays to know what to look for. So, what should you look for?

 

1. The Number of I/O You Need

 

The number of I/O you need for your home studio will depend on how many tracks you intend to monitor or record at once. Simple audio interfaces have one or two channels while the more professional interfaces have over 20 options.

 

If you’re running things solo, then 2-4 channels may be sufficient for you. If you’re a part of a small group, like a songwriting team then an audio interface with 4-8 channels can work.

 

It’s worth remembering that some instruments require more channels. For example, electronic drum kits that offer separate channels for different parts of the kit can take up to eight inputs.

 

2. The Type of I/O You Require

 

There are three common types of I/O found on audio interfaces

 

• XLR: These circular analog inputs are used for microphones and may have three to seven pins.
• Jack: This is an instrument analog input that is used to connect keyboards, synths, guitars, monitor speakers, etc.
• MIDI: This is a digital I/O channel that you can use to connect synths, drum machines, and other devices that control the software on the computer.

 

3. Compatibility

 

Thankfully, nearly all audio interfaces are compatible with Windows and macOS, it’s important to check that your preferred choice is compatible with your system. There are audio interfaces that are compatible with Windows and iOS, but not macs and vice versa.

 

Similarly, mainstream DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations) support most audio interfaces on the market. But to be sure, check that your DAW is compatible with the interface. Some audio interfaces offer free versions of popular DAW like Ableton or Pro Tools. If you don’t already own one, this is a good place to start.

 

4. Form Factor

 

In simple terms, this refers to the physical size and shape. Audio interfaces come in two distinct forms—desktop audio interfaces and rack-mounted audio interfaces.

 

Desktop interfaces are smaller, portable, and fit easily on your desk right next to your computer. They are also cheaper, easy to use, and don’t require any special mounting which makes them ideal for home studios.

 

The rack-mounted interfaces are larger, heavier, and are mounted in a standard-size rack unit. They offer more input and output channels, numerous routing options as well as superior sound. They are ideal for professional studio use.

5. Will You Require Phantom Power

 

If you’ll be using a condenser mic to record vocals or acoustic instruments, an interface with phantom power input should be top on your list. Phantom power is DC voltage that measures 12 to 48 volts necessary for powering condenser mics.

 

6. Interface Connectors

 

There are four common cable options used to link audio interfaces to computers and other gadgets like tablets or smartphones:

 

a)      USB

 

This connection type is found on most computers and is widely used with cheaper home studio interfaces. The audio interface is connected to 2.0 or 3.0 USB ports and is powered by the computer or device. They are convenient, portable but also have a slow data transfer rate.

 

b)     Firewire

 

These are less commonly used, this connection type is used on the pricier home studio interfaces. They have high bandwidth, faster transfer rate, better stability over USB-powered options, and superior performance.

 

c)      Thunderbolt

 

These connectors are found on newer PCs and Mac models designed with Thunderbolt options. They are also mostly found on high-end audio interfaces. Thunderbolt connections have high bandwidth, low latency performance, and offer greater data transfer rates compared to USB or Firewire.

 

d)     PCIE

 

This is an internal computer connection and is the standard for professional high-end audio devices. PCIe cards are plugged into the computer’s motherboard offering additional processing power, super-fast data transfer, and stability. In my opinion, using this connector in a home studio will be an overkill.

 

Whichever connector type you choose, it’s important to ensure that your computer has the right connection for it.

Grab An Extended Warranty For Peace Of Mind

 

Review of the Best Audio Interface

 

With everything we’ve learned so far, it’s now time to look at some top choices on the market for home studios.

 

1. Focusrite Scarlett Solo (3rd Gen) Audio Interface

Best Overall Audio Interface

 

Focusrite has been in the industry for 30 years, providing high-quality but affordable products for both professionals and beginners. This diminutive red Focusrite Scarlett Solo audio interface lives up to the company’s reputation.

It has two input connections—an XLR input and a Hi ZTR that you can use with a microphone (including a condenser mic) or an electronic instrument. There is a front-panel stereo headphone jack as well as two rear well-balanced outputs to help eliminate hum and provide clean audio playback.

 

To ensure you have professional-quality recordings, the interface is equipped with high-performance converters that allow you to record up to 24-bit/ 192kHz. I love the Air mode feature, a high-end boost that breathes life into recordings and adds shine and sparkle.

 

Further, there’s also a phantom power button that delivers 48 volts of power which means you can use a condenser mic with ease. Speaking of power, this interface is purely USB powered and connects straight to your PC or Mac.

The Scarlett Solo is compact, lightweight, and won’t take up too much space in your home studio. Thanks to its rugged and sturdy construction, you can slip it into your backpack alongside your laptop and travel with it.

 

The interface comes with a plethora of free plugins that include two comprehensive DAW: Pro Tools | First Focusrite Creative Pack and Ableton Live Lite Softube Time & Tone Bundle, Focusrite’s Red Plug-in Suite, XLN Audio Addictive Keys, and a three-month subscription to Splice. Top that with a three-year warranty and you have a winner.

 

This device is an excellent choice for traveling musicians, solo artists, podcasters, vloggers, and other audio enthusiasts looking for great sound in a budget audio interface.

 

Pros

 

• Affordable
• Clean sound
• Solid construction
• Easy to use
• Generous 3-year warranty
• A worthy option for traveling musicians

 

Cons

 

• May occasionally produce feedback and distortion
• You may need to set up several accounts for the free plugins

 

2. Tascam US-1×2 Audio/MIDI Interface

Best Digital Audio Interface for Beginners

 

This is one of the best cheap audio interface options for beginners on the market, but pricing is not the only striking quality you’ll find here. It’s easy to use, lightweight and has a rugged aluminum construction that feels industrial and is solid enough to take what you throw at it, including going on the road

 

This desktop interface is equipped with 1 XLR mic input that’s hooked to an Ultra-HDDA mic preamp, 1 instrument input, 1 RCA stereo analog input, and 1 RCA analog output. The stereo line inputs, outputs, and controls are built on the rear to make it easy for you to connect your gear and operate the device.

 

You can record up to 96kHz/24 bit resolution using popular DAWs including Cubase, Garageband, Pro Tools, and Studio One with direct monitoring for zero-latency. It’s compatible with recording apps under Windows, iOS, and macOS.

 

The Tascam Audio interface features +48V phantom power suitable for the condenser, dynamic, and ribbon microphones. Thanks to the Ultra-HDDA microphone amp, you get great sound quality with no coloration or audible distortion.

 

I like that it includes a 2.0 USB port at the back that is used for powering the interface and data exchange. There’s an optional AC adaptor for use with iOS devices.

 

This audio interface is a solid addition to any home studio. With sturdy construction, functionality, and great performance, you’ll be forgiven for forgetting that this is an entry-level device.

 

Pros

 

• Affordable
• Clear sound
• MIDI connectivity
• Sturdy design

 

Cons

 

• PCs may fail to recognize the device occasionally

 

3. Universal Audio Apollo Twin MKII Duo

Best Professional Audio Interface

 

Are you looking for a top-rated audio interface that can turn your recordings into high-quality stuff? Thanks to the Apollo Twin MKII Duo, even the humblest of home studios can elevate their sound to professional heights.

 

This desktop interface has two mic/line preamps, two line outputs, two digitally controlled analog outputs, one Hi-Z instrument input, and a headphone output one. It connects to both Mac and Windows via the lightning-fast Thunderbolt, but keep in mind that the Thunderbolt cable is purchased separately.

 

Offering a wide dynamic range, several monitoring controls and is built with 24-bit/192kHz capabilities to enable you to record audio with near-zero latency. And thanks to its built-in Real-time UAD processing, you’ll be able to track, mix, and enjoy the rich analog sound of the UAD’s plugins.

 

Some of the UAD plugins you get with this interface include channel strips, delay, reverb, guitar amp emulators as well as some compressors and EQs. It’s a superb bundle of plugins for making music and you most likely won’t be needing other fancy plugins.

 

Another exciting feature here is the Unison mic preamp technology. This special technology facilitates the recreation of the sound of classic microphone preamps and without using software. Since the technology models different channel strip plugins or effects plugins for your mic inputs, you won’t need to buy the physical hardware.

 

 

There’s a learning curve to this professional audio interface, so we don’t recommend it for first time users, rather for advanced producers, and musicians. One advantage is if you’re getting started and choose to buy this interface, you may never need to upgrade.

 

Pros

 

• Stable and fast Thunderbolt connection
• Fantastic UAD-2 plugins
• Awesome audio quality

 

Cons

 

• Few plugins included
• No Thunderbolt cable included

 

4. Steinberg UR22MKII 2-Channel USB Interface

Best for MIDI Compatibility

 

This digital audio interface from Yamaha is arguably one of the best entry-level audio interface for Mac, Windows, and iOS users. It offers multiple input and output options for greater compatibility with output devices including MIDI devices.

 

The interface has a stylish silver and black metal case feels sturdy, compact, and can handle the rigors of life on the road. Its robust nature extends to the controls that also feel reasonably stiff and offer solid action.

 

The front panel houses most of the controls. There are two combination mic/line inputs, each having its own Gain knob, a headphone output jack with dedicated volume control, LED indicators for input overload, phantom power, and USB connection, and monitor controls. Input 2 provides direct connections for Hi-Z electric guitars and bass guitars.

 

The back panel houses TRS line outputs, a phantom-power switch, and MIDI in and out sockets. For power, there is a USB 2.0 jack and a 5V DC mini USB jack. Between the USB jack and 5V mini jack is a switch that allows you to select either source.

 

The best features on this device are the two Class-A Yamaha D-Pre preamplifiers found in the higher end units. These preamplifiers are beautifully tuned and designed to capture the true subtlety of your audio through its 24-Bit/192 kHz resolution.

 

The interface is compatible with popular audio editing and music production software. To get you started, it comes bundled with basic Cubase AI. You can always upgrade to the full version and enjoy more channels.

 

Pros

 

• Robust and roadworthy
• Easy to use
• Works with both condenser and other mics
• Superb sound quality

 

Cons

 

• Headphone sound is low

 

5. Behringer U-Phoria 2-Channel

Smooth Operations

 

The Behringer UMC202HD may be last on our list but it holds its own, offering world-class mic preamplifiers along with zero-latency monitoring for professional quality audio. It’s also easy on the pocket which makes it one of the best budget audio interface on the market.

 

The interface comes with 2 XLR/TRS combo inputs, 3 outputs, and a range of controls including direct monitoring function, headphone output, analog inserts, volume controls, and a +48V Phantom Power Switch for your condenser mic.

 

Excellent feature on this interface are the MIDAS-designed microphone preamps that work with studio-quality 24-Bit/192 kHz converters to deliver amazingly rich, clean, and crisp audio. There is USB 2.0 connectivity for smooth integration with Windows and Mac devices.

 

For easy recording, mixing, editing, and sharing, the interface comes loaded with Tracktion DAW software. The software features a beautifully designed single-screen interface with top of the line Pro DAW qualities including unlimited track count, dynamic automation, MIDI recording, and VST support.

 

Further, the interface also works well with popular DAWs such as Avid Pro Tools, Audacity, Ableton Live, and Cubase. Like, other interfaces on this list, this is a desktop device, that’s highly portable, great for live performances, and sports a durable black and silver metal casing.

 

Pros

 

• High-quality MIDAS mic preamplifiers
• Great for beginners and pros
• No noise
• Lightweight

 

Cons

 

• MIDI I/O ports are missing

 

Conclusion

 

 

The  Focusrite Scarlett Solo (3rd Gen) Audio Interface is our top choice. This small size audio interface is sturdy, lightweight, and its buttons are buttery smooth to operate. It has just enough input and output connections for starting a home studio, amateur audio enthusiasts, and traveling musicians.

 

Do you have any questions or comments? Perhaps you own one of these audio interfaces and would like to share your experience. Drop us a line in the comments section below, we would love to hear from you.