Building your own home recording studio requires a lot of work. You’ll need to soundproof your room and carefully choose (and invest in) important sound equipment such as microphones, studio monitors, and essential hardware — like an audio interface.
An audio interface is basically the hardware that is responsible for getting sound in and out of your computer, as well as in your speakers for music playback and mixing. Technically speaking, it converts analog signals into digital audio information, so as to maintain the quality of your audio better than the sound cards on your computers can.
Another benefit of using an audio interface is that it allows multiple channels of input and output for recording vocals and instrumentals, sometimes up to a full band. Because of its dedication to recording more professional audio, most audio interfaces are built with preamps for cranking up the mic signal for recording and eliminating audio delays, interference, and jitters.
Bottom line is, you’ll need a reliable audio interface for recording and monitoring production-quality audio in your home studio. To help you choose the best one for your needs, we’ve listed down some of the best (and most popular) audio interfaces on the market today.
Best Audio Interfaces
Whether you’re looking for a USB or Thunderbolt audio interface, you’re sure to find one that will fit your studio recording needs from our list below.
- Behringer U-Phoria UMC22
- Lexicon Alpha
- Focusrite Scarlett 2i2
- PreSonus AudioBox USB 96
- Focusrite Clarett 2Pre
- Apogee Duet
- Universal Audio Apollo Twin MkII DUO
Behringer U-Phoria UMC22, (Shop Now)
First on the list is the incredibly affordable and portable Behringer U-Phoria UMC22. At way below $50, this audio interface is capable of helping you record and deliver professional quality audio with its 2-channel USB interface—a mic/line XLR input that allows you to plug in your mic and other audio devices and a 1/4-inch instrument DI for your guitar or bass.
Built into this prized Behringer equipment are the Direct Monitor switch for zero-latency direct monitoring, as well as the switchable +48-volt phantom power and Midas microphone preamp technology for compatibility with dynamic, condenser, and ribbon microphones. It’s a great starting interface for aspiring musicians and podcasters, plus it won’t break the bank.
Key Specifications:
- 1 Mic/Line XLR & 1 1/4″ Instrument Inputs
- 2 1/4″ TRS Outputs
- Sampling Rate up to 48 kHz
- Headphone Output
- 48-Volt Phantom Power
- 2 Midas Mic Preamps
- Selectable Zero-Latency Direct Monitoring
- DAW Software Compatible
- Mac OS & Windows Compatible
- USB Powered
Lexicon Alpha, (Shop Now)
The Lexicon Alpha is another low-priced audio interface that many beginners and professionals are raving about, primarily because this small, powerful device has 4 inputs (one XLR mic, two TRS, and one high impedance). And because it’s so affordable, it lacks phantom power and MIDI in/out for your microphone and MIDI controller.
Then again, if you’re looking for a cheap, starter interface that can do what more the more expensive ones can—like record multiple vocal and music inputs, latency-free monitoring and recording, professional audio-to-digital and digital-to-audio conversion, and more—the Lexicon Alpha is worth every penny. It comes with free plug-in software, too.
Key Specifications:
- 1 XLR, 2 1/4″ TRS, & 1 1/4″ Hi-Z Inputs
- 2 1/4″ TRS & 2 RCA Outputs
- 24-Bit/48kHz Audio Conversion
- Low Noise Mic Preamp
- Mini 1/8-Inch TRS Headphone Output
- Zero-Latency Direct Monitoring
- Input Controls with Peak Meters
- Includes Cubase LE 4 & Pantheon Reverb Plug-In
- USB Bus Powered
PreSonus AudioBox USB 96, (Shop Now)
The PreSonus AudioBox USB 96 is another widely-known audio interface that features 2 inputs, 2 outputs, and professional quality 24-bit sampling rate of up to 96kHz. Its dual mic inputs offer switchable phantom power, 60dB of gain that also serves as 1/4-inch inputs via combo jacks, stereo main outs, and a headphone output.
This small, portable 2×6-inch device is surprisingly capable of high-resolution recording, operates on USB bus power, offers MIDI in/out for keyboard or MIDI controllers, and even comes with the Studio One 3 Artist software. The Audiobox USB 96 works great for both Mac or Windows computers.
Key Specifications:
- 2 Mic/Line Combo Inputs
- 1/4″ TRS Headphone and Main Outputs
- 24-Bit/96kHz Audio Conversion
- 48-Volt Phantom Power
- Headphone Volume Control
- MIDI Input and Output
- Latency-Free Monitoring with Mix Knob
- Studio One 3 Artist DAW Software
- Mac OS & Windows Compatible
- USB Bus Powered
Focusrite Clarett 2Pre, (Shop Now)
The Focusrite Clarett 2Pre utilizes fast Thunderbolt technology to connect to a compatible Mac or Windows computer, which explains the price jump from usual USB interfaces. This ensures extra-low, round-trip latency, at the very least.
In addition, the Clarett 2Pre comes with the brand’s high-quality Clarett preamps and “Air” effect, multiple Focusrite software programs (including the Red 2 and Red 3 Plug-In Suite), and a total of 10 inputs and 4 outputs for recording and mixing even more vocals and instruments, making it ideal for more advanced music production.
Key Specifications:
- 10 Inputs / 4 Outputs
- 24-Bit/192kHz Audio Conversion
- 2 Microphone Preamps
- Headphone Output
- Downloadable iOS Remote Control
- Red 2 and Red 3 Plug-In Suite
- Softube Time and Tone Bundle
- Mac OS & Windows Compatible
- Thunderbolt Interface
Apogee Duet, (Shop Now)
For those looking for the highest quality analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog audio conversion and premium preamps in a small and sleek packaging, then the Apogee Duet is an ideal choice. Despite this USB interface being incredibly compact, it offers 2 inputs and 4 outputs, 2 high-gain mic preamps, phantom power, and high-quality conversion of 24-bit/192kHz.
But it’s coolest feature is its full-colored OLED display that conveniently indicates the current status of your inputs and outputs, and many other functions like metering, input grouping, muting, phantom power, and Soft Limit. For increased versatility that’s fitting for professional sound engineers and musicians, this upgraded version has added compatibility with Mac and iOS devices aside from Windows 10 operating systems.
Key Specifications:
- 2 Combination XLR and 1/4″ Analog Inputs
- 4 Analog Outputs
- 24-Bit Sampling Rate up to 192kHz
- 2 High-Gain Microphone Preamps
- 48-Volt Phantom Power
- Full Color OLED Screen
- Multi-Function Controller Knob
- Maestro 2 Software Compatibility with Mac and PC
- Maestro App Compatibility with iOS
- Windows 10 Compatible
- USB Interface
Universal Audio Apollo Twin MkII DUO, (Shop Now)
Photo by: Universal Audio
As an aspiring producer, musician, sound engineer, or podcaster, you may have probably already heard of the Mac-compatible Apollo Twin USB DUO. It’s worth exactly the same as this Apollo Twin MkII DUO, and features a lot of the same types of qualities like the high-quality conversion, low-latency audio even with high track counts, two microphone preamps that utilize Unison Technology, high impedance (Hi-Z) input, and many more.
The most noticeable differences are the Twin MkII DUO‘s 2 additional outputs (for a total of 6), Thunderbolt interface, and overall improvement in audio power, conversion, and monitoring.
Key Specifications:
- 2 Inputs / 6 Outputs
- 24-Bit/196kHz Audio Conversion
- Front-Panel Hi-Z Input
- Headphone Output
- Two Mic Preamps with Unison Technology
- Low-Latency High-Resolution Audio
- DUO Core Realtime UAD Processing
- Analog Classics Plug-In Bundle
- Mac OS & Windows Compatible
- Thunderbolt Interface
