If you are a musician, or a music lover, and you want have your own studio at home, you will need an essential accessory for your computer. It is a audio interface, with which you can connect microphones, monitors, etc., centrally and have control over the audio channels you manage.
In this guide you will see the functions of these devices, how you can choose the best, and some model recommendations to make a good purchase.
Audio Interface Recommendations
If you are looking for brands and models of audio interfaces that are among the best, then you should be guided by this list of the best models that you have at your disposal:
Focusrite Pre USB Clarett
It's one of the most highly rated brands when it comes to audio interfaces, with great sound quality, versatile software, and an excellent price/performance ratio. You can choose from three versions on Amazon: the 2Pre, 4Pre, and 8Pre, but the most interesting model for most people is the 4Pre. This compact device offers 18x8 recording/playback channels, MIDI inputs and outputs, four combined microphone inputs, and two inputs for high-impedance instruments, as well as two outputs for headphones or small external speakers. The bit depth and sample rate are 4-bit and 2 kHz, respectively. It connects to your computer via USB-C.
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen (Podcast Pack)
Another model from the same brand as the previous one, and no less attractive. It has a good price, an attractive design, and some limitations compared to the previous one, but it can be a great interface for those who are not looking for anything fancy or are just starting out. It includes 2x2 recording/playback channels, 2 microphone inputs, 2 instrument inputs, 1 headphone output, and connects to your computer via USB. The bit depth is 24-bit, and the sample rate is 192 kHz, which shows the fabulous sound quality you'll get.
Behringer U-Phoria UMC22
Behringer is another well-known brand, and with this model, it offers you a very affordable and high-quality interface. It features 2x2 recording/playback channels, one microphone input, one instrument input, and a headphone output. As you can see, it's simple, but can be useful for solo streamers or amateurs. It has a USB connection and offers 1-bit depth and a 1 kHz sample rate. It's also a very compact and easy-to-use model, yet offers considerable performance for its low price.
Focusrite Scarlett Solo (3rd Gen)
One of the best single-channel USB audio interfaces is the third-generation Scarlett Solo. It has a single XLR input with phantom power, a headphone jack, and an RCA R/L output. It's very simple and affordable for basic use.
Roland Rubix22
This is another alternative to the previous ones. It offers sound quality, versatility, and good control and built-in features. It has 2x6 recording/playback channels, 2 inputs and 2 outputs, and connects via USB. The two low-noise microphone inputs are XLR combo jacks, a Hi-Z guitar input, and other high-impedance sources, as well as low-noise, isolated MIDI In/Out ports. In this case, it has 24-bit depth and a 192 kHz sample rate, which is excellent. As for its construction, it is very robust, as it has a metal finish.
Steinberg UR22MKII
This Steinberg model is designed for mobile recording. It's compatible with select tablets, such as the iPad. It can be connected via USB, includes two XLR channels, phantom power, MIDI I/O, and more. It's fantastic if you have electric guitars or microphones and need to work with these types of mobile devices.
Presonus Studio 1824c
This model is versatile and also offers great value. You'll have a USB audio interface that includes no less than 18x18 recording/playback channels, six microphone/line inputs, two microphone/instrument/line inputs, and two headphone outputs. As for sound quality, we're talking about a device that reaches 6-bit depth and a 2 kHz sample rate. If you're going to be connecting multiple devices, or if you're a podcaster hosting sessions with more people, and don't want to invest too much, this may be a good model for you.
PreSonus STUDIO 26
This interface includes the free Studio One 3 Artist DAW, a highly valuable software license that you can get for free with this box. It's also fantastic hardware-wise, with two XLR inputs, a combo jack, two balanced 2/2" TRS line outputs, and MIDI I/O, as well as a headphone jack.
SSL Solid State Logic 2+
This sound interface model is of high quality and has a magnificent software suite to work with. It's compact and attractively designed. It has 2x4 recording/playback channels, with 2 combined mic inputs and 2 combined instrument inputs, as well as 2 headphone outputs. It connects via USB-C. Bit depth and sample rate are 24-bit and 192 kHz, respectively.
Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 (3rd Generation)
Focusrite once again places another of its interfaces among the best. This model is designed for professionals who need a multitude of inputs. This one includes eight TRS/Mic inputs, MIDI I/O, S/PDIF I/O, optical ADAT I/O, and ten balanced 8/10" outputs. It also has phantom power that can be activated by separate groups of channels, support for iOS Control, and all of this in a 1U (rack) sized device.
BEHRINGER U-PHORIA UMC1820
Finally, Behringer also has one of the best USB audio interfaces on the market when it comes to multiple inputs. It works excellently, with combo mic/line/instrument jacks with a dedicated pad and gain, two headphone outputs with separate gain control, MIDI I/O, S/PDIF I/O, ADAPT I/O, and more.
What is an audio interface?
An audio interface It is an external hardware device that can enhance the sound capabilities provided by your PC's sound card, as well as include different connections for certain types of microphones, electronic instruments, synthesizers, Launchpad, DJ controllers, etc.
They can also allow you to vary the characteristics of the audio signal with their controls, as well as preamplification, with different audio inputs and outputs, etc.
These interfaces include a built-in external sound card, so they have a powerful DSP for signal processing and a great sound qualityEven if you had a poor integrated sound card, you can achieve better performance with these interfaces. They also allow you to connect XLR microphones, which are so popular in the professional world.
Buying guide to choosing the best audio interface
A common question that many users ask is if you really need one of these audio interfaces, or if your computer's sound card is enough. Generally, if you plan on producing music—whether it's a song, using electronic instruments, podcasting, etc.—having one can be a great help.
Even more so when you are going to use multiple sound sources different. These interfaces will allow you to have multiple channels that you can control separately to create your own home studio.
How to choose a good audio interface
Finally, if you're hesitating between several sound interface models, you should look at some basic aspects to consider in order to choose. Technical specifications the ones you should look out for are:
- Inputs and outputsIt's very important that your audio interface has the number of inputs and outputs you need. For example, some users will only use one microphone, so one input will be enough. However, if you're connecting more devices, you'll need to consider one with more connections. Personally, I would recommend considering one with at least two.
- Analog: Analog inputs or outputs are used to connect instruments (guitar, bass, etc.), external speakers, studio monitors, headphones, or XLR microphones.
- digital: These types of inputs or outputs are very useful for professionals who want to use new digital devices. For example, to connect a microphone preamplifier.
- Types of connections: to connect these audio interfaces to other equipment. And in this regard, you have:
- USB: the most common and will allow you to connect the interface to a PC and other devices.
- Thunderbolt / USB-C: for Apple devices and some PCs that include them, as well as many professional sound devices that also have them.
- Firewire and PCIe: These two connection standards can also develop excellent speeds, although they limit you more in terms of connection, since you can only connect them to one PC.
- Form factor: refers to the format or shape of the audio interface. There are essentially two types:
- external: These are the most common and compact, allowing them to be placed on the table or in the studio.
- Rack: These tend to be larger and more professional, with more inputs and outputs. They're used in recording studios and, because they're a standard 1U size, they can be placed in racks.
- Bit Depth: This is a unit whose higher SNR means better sound quality. Since one bit depth equals 6 dB (SNR), a 16-bit audio interface can achieve a dynamic range of 96 dB, the quality of a CD. With 24-bit depth (SNR 144 dB), you can achieve the quality of Blu-ray discs, etc. Personally, I would recommend opting for 24-bit, which is a good starting point for professional sound.
- Sample Rate: refers to an audio capture segment. This frequency unit specifies the number of times per second that the audio interface can capture samples or sound information. For example, at CD quality, it can reach 44.1 kHz, which means it can capture 44100 bits per second. The higher the rate, the better. A good rate might be 192 kHz.
Finally, it's important to note that choosing the best audio interface can seem like a daunting task with all the options available today. However, as we've explained, some of the most important choices come down to budget, the number of inputs, connectivity and routing of inputs and outputs, and physical considerations.