Which are the best audio interfaces? The answer depends on what YOU want to record. Read on to discover what audio interface you need for your home recording studio. To make it easy, we have selected the one we think is best for each recording situation. For more detailed information, you might want to refer to our in-depth guide on choosing an audio interface. But read on for our quick time-saving round-up! First, though, a video of the key things you need to consider to choose the best audio interface for your recording needs.
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The Best All-Round USB Audio Interface
The versatile Presonus iTwo Multi-Platform USB Interface
Complete Recording Studio: The iTwo Audio Interface With Mic and Headphones
In our view, the Presonus Audiobox iTwo is a great all-round USB audio interface for several reasons:
- Multi-platform: PC, Mac and iPad. Buy once, use with your iPad, laptop and desktop. So designed from the ground up to be versatile and mobile..
- Audio AND MIDI on one interface. Very few interfaces tick both boxes at this pricepoint.
- Recording software included to get started immediately. Also works with any other recording software or DAW you want to use
- Record vocals, guitar, keyboard, any acoustic instrument (via mic), any line level signal
- Two high quality mic/line inputs. Record 2 mics or any combination of 2 inputs at the same time.
- Available in two packages. If you already have mic and headphones then you can purchase the iTwo audio interface as a separate, or buy the complete iTwo studio package complete with everything you need to set up your first professional home recording studio.
The Most Popular USB Audio Interface in 2020
The bestselling (and great looking) Scarlett 2i2 USB Audio Interface
The Scarlett 2i2 is also available in a hugely popular recording pack complete with microphone and headphones
The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 USB Audio Interface has been a consistent best-seller since its launch. And here is why. Firstly, very high quality microphone pre-amps. Focusrite was founded in 1985 and has been designing and manufacturing high-end audio equipment ever since. Quick to spot the trend for integrating mic pre-amps into recording interfaces, they have set the standard that others follow in home recording equipment.
The Focusrite 2i2 is not just a great looking interface. It has two mic inputs (with the before-mentioned pre-amps) that can be switched to instrument level input. You can effortlessly record two mono tracks at once (say vocals and guitar) or you can record a stereo track (for example the sound of your digital piano or keyboard). This would be our pick for a vocalist.
If you are in the process of buying your first home recording studio equipment, then we particularly recommend the Scarlett 2i2 Studio Bundle. With mic, headphones and XLR cable, plus Pro Tools software, it really has everything you need to get started, and is easy to set up. Literally thousands of these have been sold with good reason. A solid choice if you want to record on Mac or Windows. (NB can also be used with iPad or iPhone if you purchase the Apple Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter . This cable will allow you to power the interface and so you won’t get that annoying ‘Device requires too much power’ error message)
The Best Audio Interface For Guitarists And Vocalists
Perfect interface for Guitar and vocals: the Focusrite Scarlett Solo Studio
Complete Mobile Recording Studio for Guitar and Vocals: the Scarlett Solo Studio USB Complete With Mic and Headphones
If you want to record guitar on PC or Mac, then we recommend the Focusrite Scarlett Solo. Designed from the ground up to record guitar and vocals, with specialist inputs for microphone and instrument. This interface works perfectly out of the box on PC or Mac. You can also record on iPad if you buy the Apple MK0W2AM/A Lightning To USB Camera Adapter.
Record direct onto your iPad, into Garageband or other apps, as well as on your Mac or PC. It is just one bit of guitar recording kit designed to be totally mobile, portable and multi-platform.
Also consider the Scarlett Solo Studio which comes with complete with a professional mic, headphones and cables. An instant studio in a box with everything you need to start recording your guitar. And absolutely created for the guitar-vocalist.
The Scarlett Solo is also perfect for podcasters and YouTubers – especially the studio pack with the mic and headphones. This will seriously professionalise your video voiceovers and podcasts.
Great Recording Interfaces For Keyboard and Piano Players
The iRig Pro Duo is perfect for keyboard players: small, works with phone, iPad, PC and Mac, has MIDI and 2-channel audio
The Presonus Audiobox is a well-priced option to record keyboard on PC or Mac. If you want to use with iPad, choose the Audiobox iTwo instead
Why the iRig Pro Duo audio interface for keyboard players? We love it for all these reasons:
- Very small – so very easy to find somewhere to put it near your keyboard or piano
- Has MIDI as well as high-quality 2-channel audio for stereo recording of your keyboard
- The most multi-platform. Works with Android phones, iPhones, iPad, PC and Mac. We don’t know of another device like it. So it really is highly useful for keyboard players
We have also included the Presonus Audiobox here, as one of the best value audio interfaces on the market if you want to record 2-channel audio and MIDI, and you want to use it on Windows or Mac. If you do want to use your iPad, then you’d be better off with the Audiobox iTwo which is slightly more expensive … see review above.
The Best Audio Interfaces for iPad
The Yamaha AG03 works well on iPad when combined with the Apple camera connection kit
Record on your iPad on a budget! The Tascam iXZ makes it very easy to connect a pro mic, guitar or instrument to your iPad.
There is no shortage of choice of interface when it comes to recording on your iPad. There are audio interfaces for iPad at every price point. We have already pointed out the Audiobox iTwo, the iRig Pro Duo. And that’s just for starters.
The great thing about all those is they are multi-platform, so you can use them with your iPad, your Mac and any Windows machine.
But here are another two options, each slightly different.
The Yamaha AG03 can turn your iPad into a professional looking recording studio. Although you will also need to purchase the Apple Lightning to USB Adapter, once you have that this Yamaha USB Mixer will work very well on iPad. Yamaha recommends the Cubase App available from the Apple App Store.
On a very tight budget, the Tascam iXZ iPad recording interface is really worth considering. Perfect if you just want to connect a condenser mic or record your guitar. High quality and very inexpensive. Plus small enough to travel easily with your iPad.
Note … the above are all recommended because they have been designed specifically for iPad and iPhone. BUT here’s the thing … you can use many USB audio interfaces directly with iPad or iPhone if you purchase the Apple Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter.
Getting Connected
Once you have picked out the perfect audio interface for you, don’t forget to order all the audio cables you’re going to need. If you’re not sure about this, then you’ll find our post on audio cable types useful. And also consider whether you need new studio headphones to mix and monitor, and/or a good set of studio monitors.
THE Best Selling And Most Popular Audio Interfaces in 2020
This is a bang up to date list of the absolute best-selling audio interfaces right now. If in doubt, this gives you a useful guide to what is most popular in home recording. As you will see, the best brands (Focusrite, Presonus, Behringer etc) all feature often in the top 10. For a reason. Well priced, good features, and the tech support and backup of a good audio specialist company.
- One of the best performing mic preamps the Scarlett range has ever seen, now with switchable air Mode to give your recordings a brighter and more open sound....
- High-performance converters enable you to record and mix at up to 24-bit/ 192kHz
- Quick start tool to get up and running easier than ever.Supported sample rates:44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, 192 kHz
- 2x2 USB audio interface for recording microphones and instruments
- Audiophile 48 kHz resolution for professional audio quality.Maximum Sampling Rate: 48 kHz
- Compatible with popular recording software including Avid Pro Tools*, Ableton Live*, Steinberg Cubase*, etc.
- 2x2 USB audio interface for recording microphones and instruments
- Audiophile 48 kHz resolution for professional audio quality. Drivers-mac, no driver required or coreaudio supported. Windows available as download from...
- Compatible with popular recording software including Avid Pro Tools*, Ableton Live*, Steinberg Cubase*, etc.
- Capture every detail - premium component selection and 24-bit/192kHz resolution for professional recording and monitoring to your Mac to PC
- Low latency - Hi-Speed USB/ USB-C circuitry gives you the fastest connection, with a class-leading round trip latency of only 2. 59Ms; USB and USB-C connection...
- Pristine studio grade capture - transparent crystal preamps and ultra-pristine ad converters for unsurpassed audio recording quality
- Easily record audio into your computer
- Choose from two flavors – same pristine audio quality, different ways to plug in and play back
- The full package for creating – All the software you need to record and build tracks, plus synths, effects, and more
- Bus-powered USB 2.0 audio and MIDI interface
- Compatible with almost all recording software for Mac and Windows
- 24-bit resolution; 44.1, 48, 88.2, and 96 kHz sampling rates
- BUNDLE INCLUDES: Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen USB Audio Interface, Audio-Technica ATR-1500X Cardioid Dynamic Vocal/Instrument Microphone, Microphone...
- SWITCHABLE AIR MODE: The Scarlett Solo features a single upgraded third-generation Scarlett mic preamp with switchable Air mode to give your vocal and acoustic...
- INTERFACE: The high impedance, high-headroom instrument input allows you to record guitar or bass without any clipping or unwanted distortion, while Gain Halo...
- One natural-sounding Scarlett mic preamp with plenty of even gain; one instrument input, Stereo line outputs on RCA phono for connecting to home speakers; one...
- Class-leading conversion and sample rates up to 192kHz / 24 bit; super-low latency for using your plug-ins in real time without the need for DSP
- LIMITED TIME OFFER: FREE Venomode DeeQ, Maximal 2, and Pivot, plug-ins upon registration and download.
- Two natural-sounding Scarlett mic preamps with plenty of even gain; two instrument inputs. Two 1/4-inch balanced jack outputs to connect professional studio...
- Class-leading conversion and sample rates up to 192kHz / 24 bit; super-low roundtrip latency for using your plug-ins in real time without the need for DSP
- LIMITED TIME OFFER: FREE Venomode DeeQ, Maximal 2, and Pivot, plug-ins upon registration and download.
- Combines great audio quality and ergonomic design for a powerful 4-in/4-out USB 2 Audio interface
- Four of TASCAM’s Ultra-HDDA mic/line preamps provide up to 57dB of gain with nearly inaudible noise and distortion specs
- The audio design features high-performance, musical components like NE5532 op amps for rich sound quality without coloring the source
Last updated on 2020-01-23 / Affiliate links / Images via Amazon Product Advertising API
