Whether you are a podcaster, music producer or any type of content creator that includes audio, an audio interface should be top priority. The likes of USB microphones are fine, but an interface will give you much more control and open up a wider selection of mics to use. If you want to start recording instruments and/or have some MIDI control, then this is the only way to go.
USB Audio Interfaces allow you to connect the likes of XLR microphones and instruments into a box of tricks and in turn this connects via USB to your computer. There are plenty of USB audio interfaces on the market, but they all vary in quality. It is important to have excellent quality pre-amps, so not to introduce background noise to your recordings. Let’s take a look at our top 3.
In top spot is the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (2nd Gen) audio interface. This is a very popular choice as the manufacturer uses top quality components in here. The preamps deliver a nice clean sound which has a very low noise floor. This is important for when you have quiet moments in your audio and don’t want any background hum or hiss creeping in. This is all thanks to the two natural-sounding Scarlett mic preamps which also offer plenty of even gain. There are two microphone / instrument inputs and class-leading conversion and sample rates up to 192kHz/24-bit. There is also a headphone output with separate gain control. You get some extras included in the package too (see below). On the back you will also find outputs for your active studio monitors (speakers). If you need MIDI there is none, please look further up the range.
Includes Pro Tools | First Focusrite Creative Pack, Ableton Live 10 Lite, XLN Audio Addictive Keys (1 of 4 instruments), Softube Time and Tone Bundle, Focusrite Red Plug-in Suite, Focusrite Plug-in Collective, 2GB Loopmasters samples.
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Next up is a serious piece of kit if you need more inputs and outputs. The PreSonus Studio 192 is a USB 3.0 audio interface and studio command centre with up to 24-bit, 192 kHz conversion. It features eight XMAX remote controllable mic preamps, 2 instrument inputs and 6 balanced line level inputs. You also get zero-latency monitoring with Fat Channel processing, preamp control, Talkback routing, and speaker switching from included UC Surface software for the Apple Mac, Windows PC, or even the iPad.
It is tightly integrated with included Studio One 3 Artist DAW software and includes 6+ GB of third-party resources (free download after product registration). Rest assured it does not just work with their own DAW, it’ll work in pretty much any audio application.
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If you want to buy wisely and save some money, then the Behringer UMC404HD Audio Interface might be for you. Even though this is a much cheaper offering, you still get four mic/instrument inputs and MID support too. There is support 24-bit/192 khz resolution which delivers professional audio quality. This interface is compatible with all the popular recording applications including Vvid ProTools, Ableton Live, Steinberg Cubase, Apple Logic Pro X and so many more. The icing on the cake is four state-of-the-art midas designed mic preamplifiers with +48v phantom power for your XLR microphones on tap.
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