How do you record audio into your computer? How do you listen back? If you're a musician looking to record guitar, vocals, or even start producing music in your computer, an audio interface needs to be one of your first purchases. Thankfully, a good audio interface doesn't need to break the bank!
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The Audio Interface is a key feature in any professional or home recording studio. In fact, for many artists and sound engineers, the audio interface is singlehandedly the most important piece of hardware for recording because it provides the direct instrument inputs to a PC which will be used for editing and master recordings.
There are many factors that shape a great audio interface unit. And they come in all shapes and sizes. The purpose of this article is to untangle the complexities of this piece of equipment and give you a clearer picture of the best audio interfaces on the market right now so you can buy the perfect audio interface for you.
Key Features to look for when selecting a Budget Audio Interface
When choosing which audio interface is best for you, there are many factors you have to take into consideration. These features will affect the price of the audio interface, what you can do with it, and how much it will grow with you.
The first thing is the number of inputs. This will determine how many instruments you can record at once. If there are only one or two inputs, for example, it may be time consuming to record a multi-track song.So while you could record a guitar and vocals simultaneously with a two inputs. You really couldn't record a full band. This may be fine if you’re recording something like a podcast, but if you record complex songs of any kind, it may be a good idea to get an audio interface with many inputs. If you are planning to record a typical rock band, I'd recommend an interface with at least 8 inputs.
Second, you want to look for the type of inputs the interface has. The type of input affects what type of cables you can plug into your interface. You need an xlr input to record most microphones, whereas ¼” input is required for most instruments. If you're using high quality condenser mics, you'll also need to have phantom power.
The nature of your recordings will determine which types of inputs you need.Basically the signal coming out of a guitar is really weak (that's why people use guitar amplifiers), but if you want to directly plug your guitar in, you'll need to boost the signal first. So, if you plan to record a guitar or bass input, I recommend going with an audio interface with a “Hi-Z” or guitar instrument option so you don’t need to buy a separate guitar DI unit to boost the signal.
Third, you want to look out for the number of monitor outputs. This determines that amount of separate speakers and outboard effects your audio interface can send to. Much like the number of inputs on the unit, it would be wise to take this into consideration for your recordings. For most beginners, two outputs is fine since you'll only have one pair of monitor speakers.
Fourth, you should consider the number of headphone outputs to ensure you can mix and master what you record in the cleanest and most detailed way possible. If you know you'll only ever record yourself, one headphone output is fine. But if you want to simultaneously record with friends, you'll probably, want two headphone outputs. If you think you'll mainly be recording large groups, you'll probably need a headphone splitter amp.
Fifth, the quality of pre-amps is a major factor to consider. Pre-amps can eliminate the need for additional equipment which will make your audio interface into more of a one-stop-shop. Most modern pre-amps feature decent enough pre-amps that everything you record will sound ok, but some of the nicer ones include top notch pre-amps for warm, smooth recordings.
Similar to the last point, you should also consider the included software of the audio interface so you can eliminate any equipment overlap in your recording rig. Some of these audio interfaces include free effects, instruments, and even Digital Audio Workstations!
Also, the type of connection is very important to consider. You'll want to find the fast connection type that your computer supports. But be careful - audio interfaces aren't backwards compatible, so a USB 3 interface won't work with a USB 2 computer input. For example, Thunderbolt offers connectivity speeds twice as fast as USB 3.0 which could be crucial in your mixing and mastering process.
Lastly, and possibly the most important, the latency of an audio interface unit needs to be considered. Latency is the delay in playing and recording which ideally is completely minimized. High latency is a killer in recording and will require a lot of manual work to get the tracks to line up. The faster your connection speed and computer, the better.
Best Audio Interface Under $100
A good quality audio interface doesn’t need to break the bank. One of the most popular audio interfaces on the market is the Focusrite Scarlett Solo USB which is around $100.
As the name suggests, this audio interface relies on USB and it also supports USB-C ports which means it can interface with iPad Pros! This sleek and well-crafted piece of technology is also equipped with an award-winning preamp which is praised for its low-distortion, low-noise, and transparent sound. Best of all, this preamp has extremely low latency which means you can add reverb or delay on your guitar solo in real-time. You can’t put a price on that!
Overall, the Focusrite Scarlett Solo audio interface is an excellent piece of equipment for any level of player or engineer.
Pros of the Focusrite Scarlett Solo
- Affordable
- Good quality
- Nice software bundle for the price
Cons of the Focusrite Scarlett Solo
- Only one channel
Best Audio Interfaces Under $200
If you have a bit more money to play with, there are two amazing USB audio interface options are the Steinberg UR22C and the Native Instruments Komplete Audio 2. These interfaces allow you to simultaneously record two inputs at once, which is all most singer-songwriters and bedroom producers will need. All in all, both audio interfaces are the best pieces of equipment in this price range.
Steinberg UR22C Audio Interface
One thing I love about the Steinberg interfaces is that their drivers are rock solid. Meaning you're not likely to encounter crashes, glitches or bugs. The Steinberg is the more expensive of the two and you can tell just by the beautiful design of it. They both have a lot of overlapping features, however, the Steinberg has a friendlier and sleek interface.
Steinberg features latency-free monitoring, a MIDI I/O to pair with outboard hardware and you can even switch the power source between 9V and USB, meaning you can gig with it.
Pros of the Steinberg UR22C
- Solid hardware
- Nice pre-amps
- Good drivers
Cons of the Steinberg UR22c
- Weak software bundle
- Limited software controls
Komplete Audio 2 Interface
On the other hand, the Komplete Audio 2 includes a ton of software you need to create the music you envision with Ableton Live Lite, Monark, Maschine Essentials and stellar NI effects.
The Komplete package also includes two months’ worth of free subscription to Sounds.com. This is the best software package of any audio interface.
Pros of Komplete Audio 2
- Great software bundle
- 2 channels
Cons of Komplete Audio 2
- Not the best pre-amps
Best Audio Interfaces Under $500
When it comes down to it, you ultimately get what you pay for. Hands down, the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 and Universal Audio Arrow audio interfaces are simply the best premium options in this range on the market.
Updated October 2020: since press time, Universal Audio has released a new interface, the Apollo Solo. In my view, this is now the best audio interface under $500. Check out this full review of the Apollo Solo to find out why it's now the best budget audio interface!
Focusrite Scarlett 18i20
The third-generation Focusrite offers the latest and greatest technology in addition to its sleek design, making it the best multi-channel audio interface under $500.
This audio interface has sample rates up to 192kHz which is studio-level capacity in addition to state of the art engineering to handle hot pickups while using analog protection circuitry in all of the I/O’s so you will never suffer any power surges. Low latency is guaranteed with this model.
Focusrite included two of their award-winning preamps into this bad boy. Used by studios all over the world, these vibrant and brilliant preamps are their flagship preamps which has the capacity to make any mix an instant hit. And it includes the ability to record 18 tracks simultaneously and output 20 tracks for flexible routing. It also includes a rock solid software bundle.
Pros of the Scarlett 18i20
- Loads of channels
- Sleek interface
- Nice software bundle
Cons of the Scarlett 18i20
- None
Universal Audio Arrow
The Universal Audio Arrow is all about quality and simplicity. While other audio interfaces at this price range load on extra channels, Universal Audio doubled down on quality. From the pre-amps to the construction to the software integration, the Arrow is professional grade.
The Universal Audio Arrow’s Unison technology also gives you the keys to brilliant preamps that can emulate any classic preamps. This interface also includes an analog classic plug-in bundle which includes preamps such as the Marshall Plexi Classic Amp, Teletronix LA-2A Legacy, Pultech EQP-1A Legacy and Ampeg SVT-VR. These are some of the best emulations out there, and part of the processing is actually run on the audio interface!
The thunderbolt connection gives you insanely low latency and massive bandwidth for larger sample rates. Lastly, if your computer is running slow for some reason, the UAD-2 has crazy powerful Analog Devices SHARC processors that are built in will take the load off your computer and give you the power you need.
Pros of the Arrow
- Incredible pre-amps
- Sleek design
- Unison technology and software bundle
Cons of the Arrow
- Only 2 inputs
Best Thunderbolt 3 Audio Interface
If you have Thunderbolt 3, the Universal Audio Arrow mentioned above is simply the best audio interface to use with a MacBook Pro. It will take full advantage of the fast transfer speeds.
Best USB 3.0 Audio Interface
When it comes to USB audio interfaces, the best current piece of equipment on the market is the PreSonus Studio 192. This top shelf piece of equipment comes fully loaded with the best technology and extreme flexibility. Aside from offering zero-latency monitoring, the PreSonus Studio 192 provides Fat Channel EQ and complete dynamic control on every input channel. This makes it easy as 1-2-3 to record a top notch sound without any latency or extra gear. The workflow through the command-center functions make it a pleasure to use and offers the convenience of a mixing console. To put a bow on it, PreSonus even includes a free plugin set of seven different major manufacturers including Lexicon, Maag Audio and Arturia. This adds hundreds of dollars in value for absolutely no added cost.
Audio Interface FAQs
What is an Audio Interface?
An audio interface is a piece of hardware that acts as a bridge between your recording equipment and your computer. Oftentimes, microphones have a unique three-pronged outlet that is not found on a desktop computer or laptop. Therefore, in order to connect the microphone to your computer, you need a piece of hardware to act as an intermediary or a ‘preamp’. This is where the audio interface comes into play. And it is not just used for microphones, but many different pieces of audio equipment.
Why do you need an audio interface?
An audio interface is crucial because it digitizes your equipment so the signals can be recorded, edited and saved on your computer. A good audio interface will capture your instrument’s sound so your vocal recordings, guitar recordings, podcast recordings, etc. come out crystal clear.
How to ensure a Low Latency Audio Interface
Latency is just a fancy word for ‘delay’. The goal is to record your instrument in real-time rather than having a delay because it would be a lot of manual work to get audio files to match up correctly. When it comes down to it, high latency can be caused by either an audio interface’s A/D and D/A converters, its driver or device buffers and the various buffer settings you have in your DAW. The best way to avoid latency is to make sure you buy a quality audio interface and match it with a quality PC while tweaking the variables above such as finding the right buffer settings, choosing the correct drivers and tweaking the settings in your DAW.
How to Record Guitar If There is no Hi-Z/Guitar Option on the Preamp
The best workaround for this situation is to use a DI box to record your guitar or bass. ‘DI’ stands for Direct Input and it’s essentially just that–an audio interface made specifically for guitar. It is the best way to record a guitar track because it will isolate the instrument, format the track for recording and editing and remove noise bleed.
From a Frustrated Producer in a Ragtag Bedroom Studio to Major Placements on TV Earning $1,000s!
My name is Evan, and I've been making music since around 3rd grade. I'm from San Diego, California, but I've lived in Washington, DC for the last 20 years.
While I still have a full-time day job, I have created systems that have allowed me to produce dozens of songs a year in my spare time.
My songs have been on Netflix, TV shows like the 90 Day Fiance, an award-winning indie film, and NPR’s “All Thing Considered.” They've also been streamed millions of times.
In addition to being a music producer, I am passionate about teaching people how they can make professional-sounding music and earn money licensing it, all in their spare time.
Thousands of musicians, like yourself, have trusted me to guide their musical journey. My YouTube videos have been watched nearly a million times. And my story has been in Forbes, Side Hustle Nation, and the Side Hustle School.
