Most music manufacturing setups embrace a laptop computer or a pc — however these don’t often include the devoted inputs and outputs required by these working with sound. That’s the place an audio interface enters the image.
At its core, an audio interface is important {hardware} that converts analogue indicators into digital audio. Amongst different makes use of, the digital audio may be recorded by your DAW whereas offering low-latency monitoring via outputs in your monitor audio system or headphones.
Introducing an interface into your setup unlocks a world of potentialities, whether or not you’re recording vocals and devices, processing tracks with exterior {hardware} results, or just wish to hook up your audio system when crafting beats.
With numerous choices out there, discovering the correct audio interface in your wants is usually a daunting job. However don’t fear — our professional reviewers have examined numerous audio interfaces through the years. Listed below are the most effective ones we’ve discovered.
Finest audio interfaces at a look:
Find out how to Select an Audio Interface
There’s an unlimited number of audio interfaces in the marketplace, catering to a variety of budgets and necessities. Listed below are some key components to think about when selecting an audio interface:
- Variety of inputs – Take into consideration what number of microphones, devices, or different gear you’ll want to attach on the identical time. For a lot of circumstances, one or two inputs is sufficient, however you may want a minimum of 4 in case you’re recording a drum package, for instance.
- Variety of outputs – Contemplate your wants for monitor audio system and headphones, and whether or not you’re planning to attach any exterior gear utilizing sends and returns.
- Connectivity – Whether or not it’s USB-C, Thunderbolt, or one thing else, ensure your interface matches your pc’s ports.
- MIDI help – If you wish to use MIDI keyboards and controllers, examine the interface contains MIDI out and in, whether or not by way of 5-pin DIN or USB.
- Latency – Contemplate your latency necessities. For instance, very low latency is vital in case you’re utilizing your interface in a recording or reside context, however might not matter as a lot for duties like mixing and mastering.
- Future enlargement – In case you assume your studio setup would possibly develop sooner or later, it’d make sense to decide on an interface with extra capabilities than you presently require.
- Funds – Discover a steadiness between what you want and what you possibly can spend. Typically, a bit of additional money goes a great distance.
Finest Audio Interfaces in 2024
Our decide – Focusrite Scarlett
Scarlett Solo: £139
Scarlett 2i2: £199
Scarlett 4i4: £274
The Focusrite Scarlett sequence has change into a staple in dwelling studios in all places, and for good cause. These interfaces are dependable, simple to make use of, and provide improbable sound high quality as much as 192kHz and 24-bit — all at an reasonably priced worth.
Options within the 4th Gen replace embrace Auto Achieve for robotically setting enter ranges, Clip Secure that adjusts achieve on the fly to stop tracks from clipping, and an Air Mode that provides a delightful high-end increase to your sign.
In case you’re searching for your first audio interface, the Scarlett 2i2 is a powerful choice, providing two enter channels for instrument, line, or mic indicators. For monitoring, there are two output channels in your audio system and a separate headphone output with unbiased quantity management.
Learn our Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen assessment or take a look at our Focusrite Scarlett purchaser’s information.
Finest interface for newcomers – Audient Evo
Evo 4: £92
Evo 8: £145
Evo 16: £380
In case you’re simply beginning out or working with a good finances, the Audient Evo sequence is an actual gem. Coming in three sizes with varied enter and output configurations, these interfaces are compact and user-friendly, whereas providing surprisingly excessive sound high quality for the worth.
All Evo interfaces function the identical clear preamps present in Audient’s pricier gear, supplying 58dB of achieve that’s loads for many microphones. Different capabilities embrace Smartgain for automated stage setting, per-channel phantom energy, and direct monitoring.
The two-in/2-out Evo 4 is a superb entrypoint, though for the additional £50, we’d suggest going for the Evo 8. With 4 XLR/TRS inputs, and 4 TRS outputs with mirrored headphone amps, this mannequin fits a wider vary of purposes with no important worth enhance.
Learn our Audient Evo 8 assessment.
Finest high-quality interface – MOTU UltraLite-mk5
MOTU UltraLite-mk5: £599
MOTU interfaces have a powerful popularity for high quality, and the UltraLite-mk5 continues to ship on this promise. Beneath the hood is ESS’ Sabre32 DAC expertise offering crystal-clear conversion with unbelievable element and 125dB of dynamic vary. You’ll additionally profit from pattern charges as much as 192kHz, near-zero latency, and built-in DSP for real-time results processing.
With a half-rack kind issue, the unit is small and light-weight — however don’t let that deceive you. Squeezed into the UltraLite-mk5 are two XLR/TRS combo inputs, six line inputs, ten line outputs, MIDI connectivity, a single headphone output, 8-channel optical I/O, and even LED metres for each single out and in.
All in all, the UltraLite-mk5 — together with its beneficiant array of inputs and outputs, excellent construct high quality, extra options, and cheap price ticket — is an interface that’s prepared for something from studio recording to reside performances.
Learn our MOTU UltraLite-mk5 assessment.
Finest DSP-powered interface – Common Audio Apollo Twin X Duo
Apollo Twin X Duo: £769
Common Audio’s Apollo interfaces are favourites amongst producers searching for onboard digital sign processing (DSP), and it’s widespread to seek out them in hobbyist and professional setups alike.
Apollo interfaces ship pristine analogue-to-digital conversion via UA’s Unison preamps. Nonetheless, due to the onboard DSP, these preamps may be remodeled into emulations of basic channel strips, processors, or amp fashions that modify the behaviour of the analogue circuitry and concurrently apply digital modelling — all of which may be printed to the audio in your DAW on the best way in.
As well as, you’ll discover a huge array of results within the UAD plugin library, together with recreations of legendary reverb models just like the Lexicon 480L or delays just like the Roland Area Echo. And given Common Audio’s storied background in audio recording {hardware}, the accuracy and high quality of those DSP-powered results isn’t any shock.
The the Apollo Twin X options two mic/line inputs, 4 line outputs, and an optical connection, and is offered in 2-core or 4-core variations primarily based on how a lot onboard DSP you want.
Learn our Apollo Twin X assessment.
Finest interface for spatial audio – Audient ORIA
Audient ORIA: £2,445
For these working in spatial audio, the Audient ORIA is constructed for the job — however at a worth level that makes it extra accessible than most alternate options. Particularly designed for immersive audio, the ORIA helps as much as 9.1.6 speaker setups, so it’s preferrred for mixing in codecs like Dolby Atmos.
The ORIA features a vary of purpose-built options. Constructed-in speaker processing makes it simple to calibrate your displays to your room due to controls like particular person trim, delay, and bass administration. This calibration may be configured manually primarily based on bodily measurements, or made simple via ORIA’s shut integration with Sonarworks SoundID Reference. In both case, the processing is dealt with by onboard DSP so there’s no efficiency hit to your CPU.
What’s extra, the Down Combine button permits you to immediately fold down an immersive combine into 7.1, 5.1, binaural, or stereo. Undoubtedly, these options — and a user-friendly design at a aggressive worth level — make ORIA the go-to for anybody critical about spatial audio.
Learn our Audient ORIA assessment.
Finest interface for guitarists – Common Audio Volt
Volt 176: £149
Volt 276: £219
Volt 476: £268
Volt 476P: £350
Showing for a second time within the checklist, Common Audio is clearly doing one thing proper with its interfaces. This time, it’s earned a spot due to its cheaper Volt interface line launched in 2021.
Volt’s worth vary pits it in opposition to myriad opponents (for instance, Focusrite’s Scarlett vary that received our general decide), nevertheless it does differentiate itself from the pack with a few additional methods. In the usual models, customers get a ‘classic’ preamp mode that provides pleasing saturation primarily based on the UA 610 tube preamp. However spend a bit extra for the ‘76 version and also you’ll get an interface with a built-in analogue compressor impressed by the unmistakable UREI 1176.
These processing choices are what make the Volt interfaces a best choice for guitar gamers, letting you inject some additional character into your tone for a fuller, extra vibrant recording throughout the DAW. In case you’re simply recording guitar or bass, the single-input Volt 176 is unbelievable worth for cash, though the two- or four-input variations present extra flexibility for many who want it.
Learn our Common Audio Volt assessment.
Finest interface for podcasts – RØDECaster Duo
RØDECaster Duo: £399
Aimed toward podcasters and content material creators, RØDE’s sequence of RØDECaster gadgets mix mixing and recording functionalities into one slick console. The Professional mannequin kicked the road off to a lot acclaim — however for a lot of, the smaller RØDECaster Duo will probably be sufficient.
On the enter aspect, two XLR/TRS combo connections feed into ultra-low-noise, high-gain Revolution preamps. There’s additionally a built-in wi-fi receiver for RØDE Collection IV transmitters. Then, your sign may be processed with onboard results like reverb, delay, and compression for a extra skilled contact.
Not like many different audio interfaces, the RØDECaster Duo additionally options six programmable pads that can be utilized to set off sounds, music, results, transitions, and MIDI instructions. One other killer function? You’ll be able to report straight to a reminiscence card or exterior drive — no pc wanted — so it’s an extremely versatile choice for every type of content material creation.
Learn our RØDECaster Duo assessment.
Finest interface for digital music producers – Arturia AudioFuse 16Rig
AudioFuse 16Rig: £1,159
For digital music producers, the AudioFuse 16Rig from Arturia is a powerhouse. It’s constructed to deal with the complexity of contemporary digital music setups, with 16 analogue inputs, 10 analogue outputs, and twin ADAT in/out to additional develop the channel depend.
That is complemented by MIDI in/out/through plus phrase clock to maintain all of your gadgets completely in sync. You can even join exterior gadgets via the USB MIDI port, and line outputs may even transmit CV indicators.
Given the 16Rig’s connections are break up between the back and front panels, you would possibly anticipate repatching to be cumbersome, however that’s not the case. The place sockets on the entrance panel correspond to ones on the again, switching between the 2 is dealt with in software program so that you received’t need to unplug any cables — a chic resolution.
All in all, the AudioFuse 16Rig packs an amazing quantity of performance into simply 1U of rack house, and it’s a wonderful selection for gearheads with in depth exterior {hardware}.
Learn our Arturia AudioFuse 16Rig assessment.
Why You Can Belief MusicTech
MusicTech critiques a whole bunch of latest merchandise yearly, from highly effective synthesizers, DAWs and professional plugins via to on a regular basis headphones and moveable audio system. Our professional reviewers are producers, engineers and fanatics with a whole bunch of years of collective expertise, with a eager ear to the bottom on new developments and applied sciences.
Each information on MusicTech is created by a producer, musician and tech fanatic identical to you. We perceive what you’re searching for when looking for a brand new audio interface, and we wish to make sure you buy genuinely helpful merchandise in your craft. So you possibly can assure that each product MusicTech recommends to you is a product we’d be joyful to have in our studios.
Continuously Requested Questions
Do I want an audio interface for music manufacturing?
It relies upon. When you can produce music utilizing simply a pc and headphones, if you wish to join studio displays or report devices and microphones, you’ll typically want an audio interface.
How do I select an audio interface?
Contemplate your necessities — what number of inputs and outputs do you want? Any additional options? What’s your finances? Take into consideration how your setup would possibly develop sooner or later too, because it may be cheaper in the long term to spend a bit extra now as a substitute of upgrading down the road.
Do DJs want an audio interface?
A devoted audio interface can significantly enhance sound high quality and provide the outputs you want for knowledgeable DJ setup. Nonetheless, many decks and controllers have audio interfaces inbuilt so that you received’t want a separate gadget.
Do costlier audio interfaces sound higher?
Typically talking, costlier interfaces are constructed with higher parts like converters and preamps, leading to superior sound high quality. Whether or not you’ll discover this high quality distinction within the context of a full combine is comparatively subjective, nevertheless.
What’s the distinction between an interface and a sound card?
Usually, an interface is an exterior gadget that provides higher audio conversion and extra connectivity choices. It’s designed particularly for recording and enjoying again audio. Conversely, sound playing cards are sometimes constructed into your pc and provide fewer options, designed for enjoying again audio in an informal context.