The 5 Best USB Audio Interfaces of 2022 Reviews by Wirecutter
Table of Content
It offers one of the highest quality and power you can get from an audio interface, and you won’t run out of connections. This is recommended this if you plan on doing recordings for decent size band or ensemble. It is compatible with both Windows and OS X, and connects to your computer via Thunderbolt. 2 of which are monitor left/right outs, 2 more balanced line outputs at the front for easy access, and the other eight are compact DB-25 connectors for you instrument/XLR cables. If you like the specs and the offers , but disappointed by the number of connections, you can choose from other options ranging all the way up to 18 inputs and 20 outputs with 8 preamps from one device.
Dynamic microphones are great all-around microphones and are used for basically everything. This could result in your recording sounding abnormally low when you listen to it back, meaning you’ll have to bump up the gain and potentially introduce excess noise just to get a usable level. If that’s happening to you, then you might need to invest in this little gadget called the CL-1 Cloudlifter. It’s difficult to over-emphasize how much of a hold the Focusrite Scarlett series has on the budget audio interface market.
The 10 Best Audio Interfaces For Home Recording Studios
All these are available via download after purchase and registration. USB Type C / USB-C is a replacement to both the USB type A and type B connectors, one advantage of USB type C is that it’s reversible, so you can plug it in with any orientation. It also supports more than just the USB protocol and has even been used as a power and charging connector due to its 100W power rating. Compatible with popular recording software, including Avid pro tools, Ableton live, Steinberg Cubase, etc. Pro performance with the finest pre-amps - Achieve a brighter and a more open recording thanks to the best performing mic pre-amps the Scarlett range has ever seen.
And if you need more inputs, it’s a cinch to patch them in via the optical cable on the rear. The Scarlett 18i8 is a USB audio interface that combines uncompromised analog and USB low-latency audio in one affordable plug-and-play solution. With its rich feature set, it can be used as a recording interface or creative tool. This versatile instrument is ideal for studio mixers and pro gear makers, as well as live musicians who need to record without the need to invest in additional equipment. Black Lion Audio built its brand by hot-rodding popular audio interfaces.
Apogee Duet 3
If you want to join their ranks, this audio interface should be at the top of your list. The Element 46 features Apogee’s advanced stepped gain architecture mic preamps for capturing the slightest details of drums, dynamic vocals or strings. This analog circuit is engineered to dynamically optimize across a gain range of 0-75dB for delivering low distortion and amazing bandwidth. It's equipped with a high-quality digital to analog converter so you can interact more with the definition.
Most people have a profoundly emotional experience when they hear these for the first time. I admit to having tears well up in my eyes, on a crowded weekend at B&H in Manhattan! I listened to a track I made a decade earlier, on good headphones, and the experience was overwhelming, I listened deeper than any other time before, and found it amazing. If that doesn’t sell it, factor in that I make pissed-off pounding minimal repetitive techno! Not even melodic or “epic”, just your basic drums festooned with the occasional noise puff or synth squeek, honk, or belch. Some of the more high-end audio interfaces come with up to 8 or more analogue connectors plus one or two ADAT connectors.
Other good USB interfaces
The unit features two combo XLR/TRS inputs, which allows you to connect microphones, guitars and other instruments. It also has two outputs, which makes it perfect for connecting to studio monitors or PA systems. The iRig Pro Duo I/O is also compatible with iOS devices, so you can take it with you wherever you go. The M2 is the only audio interface with an LCD featuring clear level meters for all inputs and outputs, so you can easily achieve optimum recording and mixing levels. With this professional-grade volume control and feedback, you’ll be able to create the perfect sound for your needs.
Most audio interfaces come with 48v Phantom Power switches nowadays, but be sure to check and make sure that yours does if you’re using a condenser microphone. Digital Signal Processing is what allows an audio interface to adjust equalization, reverb, delay, dynamics, and much more. DSP provides an audio interface with several onboard settings that allow it to make many adjustments to audio production, all without sacrificing latency.
All of the interfaces we tested have two XLR microphone inputs that double as line inputs to connect musical instruments or other electronic sources. They are all capable of providing phantom power so you can use condenser mics, which are typically better for recording than dynamic mics. You don’t get a whole lot of supplementary software, but the USB-C interface is extremely well made with upgraded AD/DA 24-bit/192kHz conversion and a stable internal clock.
Why We Liked It - The Focusrite iTrack Solo Lightning & USB Compatible Audio Interface offers a lot at a low price. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Our journalists combine independent research with over-the-top testing to save people time, energy and money when making buying decisions. Whether it's finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we'll help you get it right . The Roland Rubix 22 works fine, and it’s the only interface we tried that has a ground lift switch, which could help eliminate hum in some situations.
The Audient iD4 audio interface is another great little portable audio interface that offers industry standard quality. It has a desktop form factor that offers the advantage of being a light, compact tool for singer-songwriters who want to take their productions and recordings on the road. It’s compatible with both Mac and Windows computers, and is easy to set up and get going. However, the Element 24 is a serious contender when it comes to compatibility.
The fact that it has effective and easy-to-use onboard compressors seals the deal for us. The Volt 2’s signal-level meter consists of two small LEDs for each channel. The bottom one glows green when a signal is present, and the top one glows yellow when approaching clipping and red when clipping. It works fine, but to us it was a little less visually intuitive than the Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen’s LED ring. The affordable Audient Evo 4 makes it easy to set input levels, which is especially helpful for beginners. The UA Volt 2 is similar to our top pick, but with a MIDI interface and a more powerful headphone amp.
Usually, they have two XLR inputs so that you can plug your instrument or mic cables in simultaneously. Then there’s usually also a single USB cable that you can plug into the USB port on your computer. It’s worth noting that audio interfaces vary in terms of how they connect with your computer .
It’ll save you the expense of purchasing a DI box and potentially a MIDI interface. The Onyx Producer is compatible with a variety of MIDI devices including synthesizers, controllers and more! Of course, we even get access to 48V Phantom Power for active microphones such as condensers. Next, you get the great sound reverb plugin REV-X, and a channel strip by Sweet Spot Morphing. But maybe what’s more valuable, is the onboard DSP mixer software .
Features Available
You could therefore use it is a standalone mixer, with full access to its various functions and capabilities. On the front is an OLED display unit that shows you readings of all your output and input levels, including your headphones levels. You can select each of the inputs at the front of the device, plus the two instruments, with two rows of buttons. Featuring more I/O options than most home recorders and music producers will ever need, it certainly inspires confidence in terms of future proofing. The sound quality also earns the units high marks, particularly among users that have followed PreSonus’ product releases over the years.
Comments
Post a Comment