Focusrite Scarlett Solo Compact USB Audio Interface So, let’s take a look at the best audio interfaces on a budget.

The devices on this list have been selected because not only do they fulfill these criteria, but they are also capable of delivering stellar results, are easy to install and come in at $250/£200 or less.

MIDI input/output (if planning to use MIDI instruments).

1-2 line-in inputs for guitars and keyboards.

1-2 microphone preamp inputs with phantom power.

If you’ve read The 5 Things You Need for a Home Recording Studio, you’ll know that when you are starting out, you’ll already know that you should start out with: The main features to look out for in a new audio interface are: Latency – the scourge of producers everywhere Soundcards have minimal inputs and outputs The sound quality of your existing soundcard just won’t cut it

3 How to Choose The Best Budget Audio Interface.

Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6 USB Audio Interface Roland DUO-CAPTURE EX USB Audio Interface PreSonus Audiobox 2×2 USB Audio Interface M-Audio M-Track Plus II USB Audio Interface Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 USB Audio Interface Even if all you’re doing is monitoring on headphones or perhaps recording the odd track or two via the line inpu, tthe most basic portable audio interface will improve on the quality of most built-in interfaces.

Your computer probably has basic built-in audio capabilities (say, a line/microphone input and a headphone output), but the sound quality from most built-in options leaves a lot to be desired. That means you can hook up things like synths, drum machines, microphones and effects units on the way in, or just connect your monitors on the way out. Audio interfaces (sometimes still referred to as ‘sound cards’, a relic of the days when most interfaces took the form of internal expansion cards) are the devices that convert analogue audio signals to digital on the way into your computer, then convert the digital signals back into analogue on the way out. We pick our top audio interfaces, from small, affordable models aimed at beginners through to feature-laden pro choices.Īs a producer, if you want to get sounds in and out of your computer, you probably need an audio interface.

Best audio interface