Next month I'm getting a pair of JBL LSR305s but I haven't decided about the audio interface that I'm gonna use. The Best Audio Interface Under $1000. As such, today we’ll talk about the best audio interface that will help audio content creators improve their performance. Required fields are marked *. You can check your progress at a later date and see if it’s worth investing in something more complex. The best audio interfaces for under $200 in 2020 are: This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. In short, buying an audio interface is not an easy decision and you need to do proper research & digging! As the name suggests, the interface has six inputs and eight outputs, which is … This interface, even though it connects to the PC via USB, cannot be powered by it, you need to connect the 12v DC adaptor. The recording quality can be up to 24-bit, 192kHz and the preamps sound great, very clean and crisp, with a lot of headroom. Novation is best known for its MIDI controllers, keyboards and synths, so it’s only natural that their standalone audio interface plays well with others in the product line. It features 4 analog ins and 2 outs. This one is actually great for small studios since it can record up to 18 simultaneous inputs. Picking any of these will definitely be a good investment! Mirela has been writing about tech for over 5 years now, during which she collaborated with people all over the world on various projects. On the back it has some extra features like a Hi-Z On/Off switch, which only applies to input one (for instrument level, if you want to connect a bass guitar). You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. This one is a great value, it does what it’s supposed to… but you probably won’t get the same sound quality as with any of the aforementioned interfaces. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Buy Now. The four outputs are on the back and the cool thing about them is that you can do with them what you want, if you want to send out a mono mix through one you can do that through the software that comes with the Interface. Of course, this is all about home studios and people who do audio recordings at a small level. In her work, Mirela studies, tests and reviews the latest releases in audio, video, gaming, gadgets, and more. Those who use entry-level audio interfaces will tell you that Focusrite is a go-to brand. One huge issue I have with this one is that it doesn’t have independent controls to adjust the main and headphone level…. Any of these is a great investment, but they are all different so make sure to check them out and see which one’s the best for you. There are also two balanced line-level outputs for connectivity with active monitors and other devices. These preamps are actually pretty good and the sound you get from this Interface is pretty damn impressive. Users can create synths, effects, and tracks. The interface features two mic preamps (each with its own gain control), Phantom power switch (for condenser mics), two instrument inputs, two-volume controls (for your monitors and for the headphones), Direct Monitor setting (switch between stereo and mono), and two balanced monitor outputs. Second, it provides full control via features such as Professional Mono, Mute, and Dim. Oh, and if you want the best desktop interface money can buy, this is probably it. This is also known as a 2-channel audio interface and they usually have two preamps. It features high-end converters and delivers the sound of a classic analog device. When buying this Interface, you get Ableton Live Lite and also some free samples and loops by Big Fish Audio. Audio interfaces come in all shapes and sizes, but when you're trying to build a recording studio on a budget, you might be more concerned with the unit's price. It is a USB 2 bus power product with built-in DSP effects. Your email address will not be published. There are two more inputs on the back. Increasing the Buffer size will solve this though. Product prices, ratings and availability that are shown at thetechlounge.com are applicable for Amazon.com Marketplace only! This means that you can simply press this button and start recording and it will set the gain level on its own. If any of these are difficult to use or confusing, it can be frustrating to work with the interface. Is this a limitation of the Fast Track, GarageBand, or my Mac? It is quite hard to sift the pile and just pick the golden apples. Weirdly enough, this seems to be a problem on Windows and not so much on Mac. Still, the Roland Quad Capture is a great investment! The two high-headroom instrument inputs are great for plugging in your guitar or bass. The device is easy to install and use on a PC or Mac (due to the USB connection) and it comes with a software bundle that will get you started without delay. So, before you set your eyes on a device, make sure you have the right computer and ports. If I had to choose, I would definitely get the Audient iD14 simply for its sound quality. In addition to that, the mics have switchable air Mode, to give recordings a brighter and more open sound. Lastly, the Type C USB 2.0 connection makes this perfect for PC or Mac. Best Audio Interfaces Under $500 - Top 6 . This audio interface sounds really nice and clean. I definitely want 2 inputs and my budget is £200 but I can do a bit more if needed even though I'd like to spend less, around £150 or so. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Since most integrated audio cards don't have the right inputs for recording microphones and instruments, you will need an audio interface that offers built-in effects, preamps, and cable jacks. Review: Another powerhouse of the audio interface market, Universal Audio’s Apollo Twin is a beautifully designed, high-quality unit suitable for anyone with a larger budget. The M-Audio M-Track 2x2M C-Series is a good, solid audio and MIDI interface that’s well built, easy to use and provides great results. M-Audio AIR 192|4 — 2-In/2-Out USB Audio Interface with Recording Software from ProTools & Ableton... 9 Best Gaming Earbuds: Enjoy The Action & The Freedom, 8 Best Headphone AMPs: Enjoy Hi-Res Audio Wherever You Go, The sound quality is clear and well-balanced, It allows you to hear the recording in real-time, It comes with access to several professional software tools, 2x combi-XLR/jack inputs with 48V Phantom power, It can blend audio playback while recording, LED indicators at the top & easy to control knobs, The material feels a bit cheap and flimsy, Equipped with genuine MIDAS-designed mic preamps, High-quality sound due to 24-Bit/192 kHz high-resolution converters, It can be a bit tricky to find the right drivers for Windows users, Both headphone and speaker outputs are loud, Great preamps with clean and crisp sound & lots of headroom, There are some hiccups during the initial setup, It still caps at USB 2.0 bandwidth (even though it is marketed as a USB-C), Metallic case and very smooth volume knob, It’s easy to change the volume by accident, Lots of I/O options (2 mics, 2-line input, and Midi I/O), The ¼” instrument input accurately represents a guitar or bass, Comes with a professional software bundle, Some driver issues during the first installation.