Best Computer Recording Audio Interfaces in 2022

Last update: December 26, 2022

Can you record with an audio interface?

An audio interface is a digital device that connects to your computer, allowing you to record and playback audio. Many audio interfaces also include MIDI ports, allowing you to connect MIDI controllers and instruments. Some audio interfaces can also be used as standalone devices, with their own built-in amplifiers and speakers.

Do expensive audio interfaces make a difference?

The short answer is yes, expensive audio interfaces can make a difference. The main reason for this is that they tend to have better converters. Better converters mean that your audio will sound better when it is converted from digital to analog (or vice versa). Expensive audio interfaces also tend to have better build quality, which can make a difference in terms of durability and longevity.

Does audio interface affect recording quality?

Does audio interface improve recording quality?

Audio interfaces can improve recording quality by providing better sound quality and more features. Audio interfaces can provide better sound quality by providing better converters and better preamps. They can also provide more features, such as more inputs and outputs, better metering, and more.


Focusrite Scarlett Solo (3rd Gen) USB Audio Interface with Pro Tools | First Review:


The 2i2 3rd Gen represents a significant improvement to the product range. This brand is able to maintain its leadership in audio interfaces thanks to Generation III. I was in a bind and needed to record and produce something within 48 hours after selling my previous interface. I happened to have a 2i2 3rd Gen, and it was ideal.You DO NOT require any external drivers, despite what some reviewers have claimed. As they say, it still functions as a plug-and-play device. External drivers may be necessary for your particular configuration, but they are only optional. My plan was to connect a USB to my laptop, launch a DAW, and adjust the input to 2i2 while recording. What latency, exactly? That has passed into history.Things to avoid (that do not in any way lower the rating):The included software (ProTools First, Ableton Live Lite), which is a train wreck, will take far longer to set up than the 20 minutes they claim. If you don't already have them, you must set up numerous accounts on platforms for downloads and digital licenses. The supplied software mainly still serves as a tool to increase the product's marketability. Your BEST alternatives are still to pay for a ProTools monthly subscription ($), purchase Reaper ($), or utilize Audacity (for free).



Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (3rd Gen) USB Audio Interface with Pro Tools | First Review:


The 2i2 3rd Gen represents a significant improvement to the product range. This brand is able to maintain its leadership in audio interfaces thanks to Generation III. I was in a bind and needed to record and produce something within 48 hours after selling my previous interface. I happened to have a 2i2 3rd Gen, and it was ideal.You DO NOT require any external drivers, despite what some reviewers have claimed. As they say, it still functions as a plug-and-play device. External drivers may be necessary for your particular configuration, but they are only optional. My plan was to connect a USB to my laptop, launch a DAW, and adjust the input to 2i2 while recording. What latency, exactly? That has passed into history.Things to avoid (that do not in any way lower the rating):The included software (ProTools First, Ableton Live Lite), which is a train wreck, will take far longer to set up than the 20 minutes they claim. If you don't already have them, you must set up numerous accounts on platforms for downloads and digital licenses. The supplied software mainly still serves as a tool to increase the product's marketability. Your BEST alternatives are still to pay for a ProTools monthly subscription ($), purchase Reaper ($), or utilize Audacity (for free).



Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 (3rd Gen) USB Audio Interface with Pro Tools | First Review:


The 2i2 3rd Gen represents a significant improvement to the product range. This brand is able to maintain its leadership in audio interfaces thanks to Generation III. I was in a bind and needed to record and produce something within 48 hours after selling my previous interface. I happened to have a 2i2 3rd Gen, and it was ideal.You DO NOT require any external drivers, despite what some reviewers have claimed. As they say, it still functions as a plug-and-play device. External drivers may be necessary for your particular configuration, but they are only optional. My plan was to connect a USB to my laptop, launch a DAW, and adjust the input to 2i2 while recording. What latency, exactly? That has passed into history.Things to avoid (that do not in any way lower the rating):The included software (ProTools First, Ableton Live Lite), which is a train wreck, will take far longer to set up than the 20 minutes they claim. If you don't already have them, you must set up numerous accounts on platforms for downloads and digital licenses. The supplied software mainly still serves as a tool to increase the product's marketability. Your BEST alternatives are still to pay for a ProTools monthly subscription ($), purchase Reaper ($), or utilize Audacity (for free).



BEHRINGER audio interface (UMC22) Review:


As a $40 piece of PC audio recording hardware, according to reviews. First off, I have around 15 years of experience as a sound engineer. I have worked with a variety of devices, from entry-level to mid-range. I am completely astounded by what this $40 box is capable of. It sounded realistic to record vocals and an acoustic guitar with an SM57. I'll continue with some audio examples. Especially if you are new to recording and require a straightforward "songwriter" type setup, you won't be dissatisfied with this. Connect your microphone to one input, and your guitar, keyboard, etc. to the other. If you don't already have any, Behringer offers free multitrack software for download. I can't attest to its utility, but I'm sure it's fine. I used an outdated Cubase application that I bought MANY years ago, and it worked perfectly. If you don't know how to accomplish that, you need to master these recording fundamentals because they are crucial to the craft. Of course, there is always the headache of setting up the software, making sure the busses are correct, and setting up the inputs.*Additional information: Be careful to get the ASIO4ALL driver from the Behringer website. The ASIO4ALL driver also has an official website.The generic drivers appear to install and make your box ready to use when you put in the UMC22, however this is quite deceptive. I was puzzled for a short while thinking that the generic ASIO drivers that install when a device is first plugged in are the ones that should be used because they don't work well with this particular system. The popping and clicking noises that some users have reported hearing while recording and mistakenly believing the device to be defective will also be caused by these generic drivers, according to one reviewer. You won't be let down. Try this box, especially if you are debating between it and other options units of a similar nature.



BEHRINGER Audio Interface, 4-Channel (UMC404HD) Review:


————————OVERVIEW ————————Pros: Pad for each preamp; tiny footprint; dual monitor output with A/B and mono switches; superb MIDAS design preamps with XLR/TRS combination jacks for mic/line/inst signals; power via USB bus;CONS• One phantom power switch controls all channels (all four can be turned on or off); use caution when using multiple sources (such as ribbon mics and acoustic guitar pickups).• There are no side effects while using low latency monitoring.————————Value Assessment: HIGH————————First of all, if you only need a straightforward interface with four preamps, this interface is an AMAZING deal. With four preamps, I've conducted direct comparisons with other USB devices (main example being the Focusrite 18i8). The Behringer UMC404HD offers these features for several hundred less dollars:• A set of preamps that sound EXTREMELY close to competition, based on a few recording samples I've conducted (my YouTube channel, B6Music, will have video reviews and product comparisons showing this soon)• A considerably more compact footprintYou'll only give up a few features, which I didn't think were worth $200 or more. Those comprised:• An additional headphone out with separate gain (although four of these may be added for as little as $20 via a headphone amp); • Expandability utilizing ADAT and/or SPDIF connections; • DSP for effects during low-latency monitoring;————————Sound————————As was already mentioned, the preamps undoubtedly compete favorably with more expensive rivals. There were hardly any distinctions that could be noticed (audibly and visually, using frequency analysis software). Preamps are warm, smooth, clean, and have a lot of gain. Although there is just one switch, the phantom power functions as it should, so if you are combining sound sources that don't work well with phantom power, additional equipment may be needed. Simple MIDI I/O uses a single 5-din connector for in and out (ie: 16 channels in, 16 channels out).————————Usability————————It's really usable. The use of all jacks, knobs, and buttons is simple and well-located. The gadget is compatible with most DAWs and is MAC and PC compatible. This has been working for me with Logic Pro X and MAC OSX El Capitan 10.11.1. It has worked without a hitch and doesn't need any downloads or drivers. Although they promote compatibility and the device will function with the majority of current versions by downloading drivers from Behringer's website, I have not personally tried this on Windows. It can be bus powered, which is a GREAT feature that is uncommon on interfaces with this many preamps. This implies that you can power the interface using your laptop if you're on the go and don't have a place to plug in the accompanying AC adapter.————————Build————————The volume and gain knobs feel nice on all of them. They feel incredibly stable and perform well. The build and finish quality are excellent despite the modest size of the building. Regarding any of the jacks, buttons, knobs, LEDs, etc., I have no problems.IncludedUMC404HD interface, an AC adapter, and a USB cable are included in the box.• InformationYou can also obtain the following as downloads (I didn't utilize the downloads, and the description doesn't say much about what is included): • Audio recording, editing, and podcasting software • 150 instrument/effect plug-ins————————Conclusion————————The Behringer UMC404HD is a great option if you simply need a few extra preamps compared to other cheap interfaces, which typically only offer two. Although you give up a few capabilities, I'd choose this interface above most alternatives in the sub-$400 price bracket in order to save some money for other equipment; after that, I'd go on to a larger 8-preamp device. It works great for portable rigs and small studio setups.



Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 (2nd Gen) USB Audio Interface with Pro Tools | First Review:


So this is my third focusrite product, wait for it. The Scarlett Solo was the first device I owned, and it operated for a few months before failing. I reasoned that since there was just one mic input and no midi, the product might not be as good quality. So I take the plunge and get this one. My initial purchase was flawed and wouldn't even turn on, so I sent it back and received a replacement from Amazon. Cool. A little while later, one of the mic inputs suddenly quit functioning. Nothing prompted the abrupt stop. In other words, the product is amazing when it works, but boy, is it not made to last. a real money pit.Update: As I previously stated, these devices are great when in operation. Very simple to operate and gets excellent signals. Another useful function is midi. Because it was still under warranty, the fantastic customer care was able to replace my malfunctioning equipment. Since my earlier review, my ire has lessened, and I'm grateful they were able to send me a new functional device. :) (As Amazon's warranty is only for 30 days, this was done through American Music Sound, not Amazon.)



IK Multimedia iRig HD 2 digital guitar interface for iPhone, iPad and Mac (IP-IRIG-HD2-IN) Review:


Much better than the non-HD version. Since I have an iPhone, using the older iRig devices was at best challenging. Normally, the sound quality was excellent, however when using the iPhone 7, the sound quality degraded.HD (non-2) is incompatible with the 7. The HD2 has a great sound. Since my guitars have different output levels, I love having the ability to adjust volume and gain.The HD2 works and sounds fantastic with other non-irig apps as well, such as Tonebridge. By the way, you should try free Tonebridge if you haven't already. incredible noises that almost exactly match the sounds of the tunes they have created.The HD2 has one SIGNIFICANT drawback: the battery life isn't very long and you can't charge the phone while using it. I only get about 90 minutes. This makes it impossible for it to be used successfully on stage. IK multimedia will sell you a charging device for $69.99 to make up for their error. This is a MASSIVE scam. If they were concerned about their clients, they need to sell it at cost.IK equipment, hardware, and software represent a significant financial investment of mine, hence I'm angry with them for making this poor choice.



PreSonus AudioBox USB 96 2x2 USB Audio Interface Review:


I bought this USB audio interface as a stopgap measure. The Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6 interface I most recently bought was WAY too problematic, so I had to return it. I intended to buy something that was more 'pro' quality, which would require me to save money over time. So, while I was waiting, I looked for a short-term fix. Because I had an Amazon gift card and it cost less than $100, I chose the Presonus. In a fundamental sense, it serves its purpose. It can handle basic sound creation, mixing, and DJing tasks and is plug-and-play on Mac OS X (I haven't attempted instrument or voice recording yet). This is a good travel interface if you have a limited budget, are a beginner, or need something quick and inexpensive. Really, I just have criticisms. 1) The controls have tiny, tight knobs. So it can be challenging to set a precise volume. 2) This interface occasionally renders itself to my PC as "unknown." Approximately once a week, Ableton will claim "no audio device attached" when I start up my Mac. I have to go into options and instruct it to use the Audiobox as both its input and output. I only have those two complaints. Other than that, it currently functions.



IK Multimedia iRig 2 Guitar Interface Adaptor for iPhone, iPod Touch & iPad (IPIRIG2PLGIN) Review:


Much better than the non-HD version. Since I have an iPhone, using the older iRig devices was at best challenging. Normally, the sound quality was excellent, however when using the iPhone 7, the sound quality degraded.HD (non-2) is incompatible with the 7. The HD2 has a great sound. Since my guitars have different output levels, I love having the ability to adjust volume and gain.The HD2 works and sounds fantastic with other non-irig apps as well, such as Tonebridge. By the way, you should try free Tonebridge if you haven't already. incredible noises that almost exactly match the sounds of the tunes they have created.The HD2 has one SIGNIFICANT drawback: the battery life isn't very long and you can't charge the phone while using it. I only get about 90 minutes. This makes it impossible for it to be used successfully on stage. IK multimedia will sell you a charging device for $69.99 to make up for their error. This is a MASSIVE scam. If they were concerned about their clients, they need to sell it at cost.IK equipment, hardware, and software represent a significant financial investment of mine, hence I'm angry with them for making this poor choice.



Rode RODECaster Pro Podcast Production Studio Review:


After used a number of other mixers in the past, I discovered the Rodecaster Pro to be a dream to use. It was simple to set up and has just the right amount of customization to make use of it simple while still feeling polished. The unit's quality dramatically improved the sound quality I was getting from my Samson Q2U microphones. The addition of Rode NT1A mics, which the system already supports, brought out the genuine magic. The output of the device sounds like it was produced in a professional studio. With numerous firmware updates, Rode has done a great job of sustaining the device and adding new features and capabilities.


How do I choose a recording interface?

There are a few things to consider when choosing a recording interface. The first is the number of inputs and outputs you need. If you only need a few inputs, then a smaller interface will suffice. If you need a lot of inputs or plan on expandin

How do I get the best quality audio recording?

There are a few things you can do to get the best quality audio recording. First, make sure you have a good microphone. A decent microphone will make a big difference in the quality of your recording. Second, try to record in a quiet environment. If you're recording in a room with a lot of background noise, it will be more difficult to get a clear recording. Third, use a pop filter. A pop filter will help reduce any plosives in your recording, which can make your audio sound muddy. Fourth

How do professionals record vocals?

There are a few different ways that professionals record vocals. One common way is to use a microphone that is connected to a recording device. The microphone picks up the sound of the person singing and the recording device records it. Another way to record vocals is to use a software program on a computer. The software picks up the sound of the person singing and saves it as a file.

How important is an audio interface for recording?

An audio interface is a device that connects a microphone, musical instrument, or other sound source to a computer so that it can be recorded. Many audio interfaces also provide a way to connect the computer to a set of speakers or headphones, so that the recorded sound can be heard. Audio interfaces vary in price and features, but all provide a way to get high-quality sound into a computer. If you are serious about recording music, an audio interface is an essential piece of gear.

How long do audio interfaces last?

Audio interfaces are devices that are used to connect audio devices to a computer. They are used to connect microphones, speakers, and other audio devices to a computer so that the audio can be recorded or played back. Audio interfaces can last for a long time if they are well-made and well-cared for. However, like all electronic devices, they will eventually wear out and need to be replaced.

How much should I spend on an audio interface?

How much you spend on an audio interface is largely dependent on what you need it for and how much you can afford. If you are just starting out, you can find a good quality interface for around $100. However, if you need something more professional, you can expect to spend upwards of $1,000. Ultimately, it is important to find an audio interface that meets your needs and budget.