Finest audio interfaces of 2022

You’ve received the microphones, guitars, and keyboards. You’ve received the pc. Now you simply must get them speaking. That’s the place the perfect audio interfaces are available. Because the conduit between the analog and digital worlds, your audio interface is likely one of the most essential items of kit within the chain of content material creation. Whether or not you’re recording or livestreaming, your interface determines the sign high quality you seize and quantity of artistic flexibility you’ve gotten. Conversion charges, inputs and outputs, and portability/expandability are simply among the issues when selecting an interface. However you don’t should scroll via specs making an attempt to make sense of all of it. We’ve surveyed the market and picked among the finest audio interfaces to fulfill your wants regardless of the dimensions of your initiatives or finances.

How we chosen the perfect audio interfaces

Audio interfaces are available an enormous array of configurations and we chosen fashions based mostly on the most typical wants of content material creators, musicians, livestreamers, and podcasters. A lot of our choices are outfitted with super-versatile combo inputs that accommodate XLR and 1/4-inch connections which are suitable with most microphones, devices, and line-level units like keyboards. Connectivity can also be an essential consider figuring out the usefulness and system compatibility of audio interfaces; we chosen quite a lot of models that use both USB, Thunderbolt, Lightning, or some mixture thereof. Interfaces with fewer inputs are naturally smaller and higher suited to transportable use, whereas interfaces with extra inputs are perfect for large-scale studio use and normally have designs that mirror this. This checklist represents the entire spectrum, with probably the most transportable single-input interface at one finish and probably the most expandable 26-input, 26-output interface on the different. Lastly, excessive analog-to-digital conversion bitrate and recording high quality are important options to search for when choosing the right audio interface for skilled use. If you happen to intend to make use of audio recorded via your interface for any production-level utility, be it streaming, movie scoring, or podcasting, trade requirements favor utilizing the highest-available high quality of audio, which is usually a depth of 24 bits and pattern charges of both 96 kHz or 192 kHz.

Issues to contemplate earlier than shopping for an audio interface

Audio interfaces are available a broad vary of enter numbers, so it’s essential to pick a unit that matches the kind of content material you’re creating. Single- or double-channel audio interfaces must be ample for fundamental streaming and podcasting work, however musicians ought to go for 4 or extra inputs to keep away from being painted right into a nook creatively. An eight-input interface is the perfect place to begin when it comes to flexibility, however remember that these models aren’t as transportable as a two-input design.

What kind of audio are you recording?

A lot of the models on this checklist embrace specially-shaped combo inputs that may accommodate each XLR and 1/4-inch TRS connectors, permitting quite a lot of microphones and devices for use and which can present probably the most flexibility in working environments. Examine the kind of audio gear you’re trying to seize with an audio interface’s inputs can save loads of headache down the road; for instance, the iRig HD 2 is a handy single-input interface, but it surely’s not suitable with microphones.

Do you want portability?

Essentially the most transportable audio interfaces are inclined to have a most of two inputs, with some fashions providing enlargement through their ports. To maximise the portability issue, select an audio interface that’s powered through its personal connection to the pc. One of these design limits the necessity for additional electrical wiring, and it additionally means that you can file remotely utilizing solely the battery of a laptop computer.

Do you want expandability?

If you happen to’re aiming to construct a studio or increase your manufacturing sooner or later, select an audio interface with ADAT optical inputs just like the PreSonus Quantum 2626. A single ADAT port usually permits interfaces to simply accept a further eight channels of audio from one other suitable devoted unit over a easy optical cable, successfully doubling and even tripling the capability of a base mannequin eight-input interface.

Finest audio interfaces: Evaluations & Suggestions

Finest skilled: Apogee Component 88

Why it made the minimize: This compact interface from Apogee provides high-headroom microphone preamps with switchable phantom energy and high-fidelity analog-to-digital conversion in a design that’s outwardly minimalist but extremely expandable.

Specs:

• Inputs:
  • 4 x Microphone/Line/Instrument combo
  • 4 x Microphone
  • 2 x ADAT optical
  • Phrase clock
• Outputs:
  • 2 x Stereo out
  • 2 x Headphone out
  • 2 x ADAT optical
  • Phrase clock
• Connection Sort: Thunderbolt
• AD/DA Conversion Fee: As much as 24-bit/192 kHz

Execs:

• Extremely expandable
• Totally software-controlled
• Compact, minimalist design
• Versatile preamp design

Cons:

• Dear
• Thunderbolt solely
• No daisy-chaining help

The Component 88—the flagship mannequin in Apogee’s most reasonably priced line of sub-$2,000 professional studio audio interfaces—is our decide for the perfect skilled audio interface. It comes with various interesting design options to assist customers work with pace and suppleness. Most significantly, its minimalist back and front panels are freed from switches, knobs, and different tactile parts, with all degree management and switching occurring in Apogee’s management software program on the pc itself. This characteristic permits customers to deal with the display screen with out the necessity to pivot to adjusting actual {hardware}, which might be cumbersome and distracting in artistic settings.

The Component 88 is ideal for simultaneous recording of huge teams with quite a lot of configurations like drums, keyboards, guitars, vocals, and extra. It homes eight built-in switchable analog preamps, every with its personal phantom energy and 4 that routinely accommodate high-impedance alerts resembling these from electrical guitars and basses and line-level alerts resembling these from keyboards and synths. They’re all simply accessible from the entrance panel of the interface, making setup fast and simple. The interface additionally consists of professional options like BNC phrase clock out and in for synchronization with different suitable digital gear.

Apogee’s merchandise are present in skilled studios all over the place and so they’re recognized for his or her clear, open, and clear sound, in addition to their potential to file at qualities as much as 24-bit/192 kHz, so in order for you a futureproof pro-level interface, the Component 88 is a good choice. Bear in mind that whereas this interface is expandable to 16 inputs through an ADAT optical connection, it solely has one Thunderbolt port, which prevents daisy-chaining of a number of Thunderbolt units. This isn’t a problem should you’re utilizing a special mannequin interface for enlargement, however if you wish to use a number of Apogee Component models, your pc wants two Thunderbolt ports. Keep in mind as properly that Thunderbolt ports are way more frequent natively on Macs (although might be added to Home windows computer systems via PCIe enlargement playing cards) and newer Macs use USB-C ports for connecting Thunderbolt units.

Finest for livestreaming: Focusrite Scarlett 2i2

Why it made the minimize: The compact Scarlett 2i2 from Focusrite sports activities an intuitive format and two versatile enter preamps that make it best for working a fundamental recording or livestreaming setup.

Specs:

• Inputs:
  • 2 x Microphone/Line/Instrument combo
• Outputs:
• Connection Sort: USB
• AD/DA Conversion Fee: As much as 24-bit/192 kHz

Execs:

• Small and transportable
• Excessive-quality converters
• Easy, easy-to-use design
• USB bus-powered; no wall wart required
• Accommodates each kind of audio sign

Cons:

• Not expandable
• Solely two inputs and one headphone output

Even probably the most minimalist recording setups require gear that’s strong sufficient to ship high-quality audio. The Scarlett 2i2 is a compact USB-powered workhorse that gives professional options like combo inputs, 48-volt phantom energy for condenser microphones, and 24-bit/192kHz analog-to-digital conversion at an reasonably priced worth level, making it the perfect audio interface for stay streamers, cellular recordists, voiceover artists, and extra.

Most elementary livestreaming and podcasting setups require one or two microphones at most for voice seize, so the two-input capability of the Scarlett 2i2 makes it a lean and becoming selection for such a context. This stripped-down design permits it to attract all its energy off of USB, which makes it extra compact than a few of its opponents that require an exterior energy provide. Its minimal capability additionally makes it a strong choice to be used as a stereo output when utilizing software program synths, samplers, and different line-level computer-based sources.

Whereas the Scarlett 2i2’s small-but-mighty design is one among its essential strengths, it doesn’t have the capability nor the expandability of bigger audio interfaces. Different competing gadgets just like the Audient iD14 are simply as small however embrace ADAT inputs for including eight extra preamps to your setup ought to the necessity come up. If you happen to’re trying to file greater than three sources concurrently, whether or not they’re microphones or devices, you may go for one among these ADAT-compatible interfaces or seize one just like the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 which incorporates eight of its personal.

Finest for house studios: PreSonus Quantum 2626

Why it made the minimize: This rack-mountable interface from PreSonus provides capability, expandability, and a characteristic set rivaling that of interfaces twice its worth, making it an interesting selection for small and residential studios.

Specs:

• Inputs:
  • 2 x Microphone/Instrument combo
  • 6 x Microphone/Line combo
  • 2 x ADAT optical
  • 2 x Line return
  • S/PDIF
  • MIDI
  • Phrase clock
• Outputs:
  • Stereo out
  • 2 x Preamp out
  • 8 x Line out
  • 2 x ADAT optical
  • S/PDIF
  • MIDI
  • Phrase clock
• Connection Sort: Thunderbolt
• AD/DA Conversion Fee: As much as 24-bit/192 kHz

Execs:

• Nice worth for a pro-level characteristic set
• Expandable through ADAT to 26 inputs and 26 outputs
• Line returns for integration with outboard gear
• Extraordinarily low latency
• Contains DAW software program

Cons:

• Solely two instrument inputs
• Thunderbolt cable not included

PreSonus has a means with engineering pro-quality gear and making it accessible at an inexpensive worth level and the corporate’s Quantum 2626 could also be the perfect instance but. Rack-mountable and decked out with BNC phrase clock, ADAT, Thunderbolt, 48-volt phantom energy, 24-bit/192 kHz AD/DA conversion, and a number of analog I/O, this is likely one of the finest audio interfaces for house recording as a result of its sheer potential to combine with different audio gear and increase together with the altering wants of most studios.

Importantly, the Quantum 2626 comes bundled with digital audio workstation (DAW) software program together with Ableton Dwell Lite and PreSonus’s personal Studio One Artist, making this a really perfect choice for jumpstarting a brand new recording setup. It incorporates a complete of eight microphone preamps, two of that are suitable with devices and 6 of that are suitable with line-level alerts. Its ADAT and S/PDIF inputs enable customers to increase to a whopping complete of 26 inputs and 26 outputs, making this a simple and cost-effective selection in case you have aspirations to develop your studio down the road. The unit additionally consists of its personal devoted line returns for inline interfacing with outboard gear line compressors and equalizers.

Whereas this unit does join through the newest and snappiest model of Thunderbolt, it doesn’t embrace a Thunderbolt cable, which have to be bought individually and aren’t cheap. This may occasionally flip off some customers, however the Quantum 2626 continues to be far more reasonably priced than lots of its direct opponents by a number of hundred {dollars}. Its restrict of two instrument inputs additionally impacts its usefulness as a guitar or bass preamp, however this may be circumvented through the use of a direct injection (DI) field just like the Whirlwind Imp 2, which permits 1/4-inch connections to be transformed into XLR type to be used with any microphone preamp.

Finest for guitar: IK Multimedia iRig HD 2

Why it made the minimize: This pocket-sized interface comes bundled with amplifier simulation software program and features a devoted amplifier output, making it excellent for recording to Mac, iPad, and iPhone whereas integrating with present rigs.

Specs:

• Inputs
• Outputs
• Connection Sort: USB, Lightning
• AD/DA Conversion Fee: As much as 24-bit/96 kHz

Execs:

• Smaller than a smartphone
• Contains amplifier simulation software program
• Onboard quick-adjust quantity and sign controls
• Headphone output for simple monitoring

Cons:

• Instrument solely; no line-level or microphone sources
• Prevents gadget charging whereas in use

If you happen to’re on the lookout for the perfect audio interface for guitar, the iRig HD 2 is a strong quick-start choice that’s sufficiently small to suit on any desk or slip right into a gig bag. Although minimal in its design, it sports activities considerate options like onboard degree controls, a built-in headphone output, and an non-obligatory amp throughput for sending sign to a pc and an amplifier concurrently. It’s suitable with Mac and PC and connects utilizing both Lightning or USB (cables included).

Apart from its transportable form and its potential to seize high-quality 24-bit/96 kHz audio, one of many iRig HD 2’s most vital options is its bundled amplifier simulation software program, Amplitube. This system features a host of digital pedal results and amplifier cupboards for creating lifelike, studio-quality electrical guitar recordings with out an amplifier or exterior FX rig. Not solely does the software program get rid of the necessity for cumbersome recording gear, but it surely permits customers to file loud electrical guitar tones in near-complete silence, making this a very good choice for recording at night time, in shared areas, and on the go.

The iRig HD 2 is undoubtedly a fantastic selection for cellular recording, minimalist setups, and guitar demo use, however it may solely accommodate a single 1/4-inch instrument enter, so it’s not suitable with microphones or multi-instrument setups. Moreover, when used with an iPad or an iPhone, this interface occupies the gadget’s Lightning port and eliminates the flexibility to cost throughout use. If you happen to’ll be recording for lengthy intervals on an iOS gadget, make sure you deliver alongside a charger or a battery pack to juice up between takes.

Finest finances: PreSonus AudioBox USB

Why it made the minimize: This straightforward interface packs two combo inputs, speaker and headphone outputs, and high-quality 24-bit/96 kHz analog-to-digital conversion into an reasonably priced bus-powered unit.

Specs:

• Inputs
  • 2 x Microphone/Instrument combo
  • MIDI
• Outputs
  • Stereo out
  • Headphone out
  • MIDI
• Connection Sort: USB
• AD/DA Conversion Fee: As much as 24-bit/96 kHz

Execs:

• Powered through USB
• Studio-quality analog-to-digital conversion
• Combo inputs for microphones and devices
• Contains recording software program

Cons:

• Restricted to 2 inputs
• Phantom energy impacts each channels directly

If you happen to want a easy, transportable audio interface for powering a small podcasting setup or barebones recording studio on a finances, the two-channel PreSonus AudioBox is price a glance. Its two combo inputs accommodate XLR microphones, in addition to 1/4-inch instrument inputs, and it has easy stereo outputs for a set of audio system in addition to a single headphone output for monitoring. A knob on the entrance panel permits customers to regulate the combination between their prerecorded audio and their stay sign, eliminating the frequent latency and delay points which are typical of digital recording.

Our decide for the perfect finances audio interface, this unit is bundled with a big quantity of recording software program together with Ableton Dwell Lite and Studio One Artist Version, which makes it a very good choice for customers who’re ranging from sq. one. It additionally has high-quality converters able to recording at constancy as much as 24-bit/96 kHz, and it consists of MIDI inputs and outputs for connecting keyboards and different units.

The bare-minimum design of the AudioBox comes with some perks in addition to some drawbacks. For instance, it’s powered through a single USB connection and doesn’t require a separate wall wart, so it’s excellent for distant laptop computer recording away from electrical energy. On the identical time, it may’t present impartial phantom energy to every enter, so you’ll be able to’t use a powered condenser microphone and a delicate ribbon microphone on the identical time. Its single headphone output additionally requires customers to deliver their very own splitter or headphone amp in the event that they’re working with others. Nonetheless, should you’re capable of work inside its limits, the AudioBox is a good worth.

FAQs

Remaining ideas on choosing the right audio interfaces

Whether or not you’re livestreaming, podcasting, making music, or recording voiceovers, an audio interface is an important piece of substances for connecting analog audio gear together with your pc. When purchasing for the perfect audio interface on your wants, remember the variety of simultaneous inputs you’ll require: a two-input unit just like the PreSonus AudioBox USB could also be ample for a streaming, vocal, or podcasting setup, whereas an eight-input interface just like the PreSonus Quantum 2626 is healthier fitted to recording a full band. Cell recordists may desire a bus-powered audio interface just like the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2, which lets you file on the go with out the necessity for an exterior energy provide. No matter your finish aim, it’s essential to select an audio interface that matches the dimensions of your studio and accommodates your wants for portability, expandability, and audio high quality.