When choosing the best USB audio interface for you, let’s first check out the Pros and Cons of USB bus.
Oct 24, 2019 If your Mac isn't compatible with OS X El Capitan, the installer will let you know. Make a backup. Before installing any upgrade, it’s a good idea to back up your Mac. Time Machine makes it simple, and other backup methods are also available. Learn how to back up your Mac. The best audio interface will always be the one you can afford with a feature set that meets your requirements. In this article we share our experiences on a selection of the most popular electric guitar-centric audio interfaces you can buy today to help you make your mind up.
Apogee Jam Plus - Portable USB Audio Interface for Guitars, Bass, Keyboards and Instruments, Works with iOS, MAC OS and Windows PC, Made in USA by Apogee $159.00 $ 159.
I recommend a 2-6 channel USB desktop interface, which normally costs between $100-$300 on the low-end, and $500-1500 on the high-end. Currently, the top brands for these “types” of interfaces are Presonus, Focusrite, Avid, Universal Audio.
PROS:
Every single computer on the market has at least one USB port. This means you won’t need to buy additional hardware (or new computer) to start using the audio interface. Of course, your existing computer must meet the system requirements of the Digital Audio Workstation (such as Cubase, Ableton, Adobe Audition, …) you are going to be using.
There is no form of chipset incompatibility with USB devices. A USB interface can be used on (almost) any USB port on any computer.
CONS:
USB packets data rather than streams it like FireWire does. USB requires the sent packets of data to finish transmission before the device can receive more data. This results in not that stable synchronization and performance. This can impact performance and stability to some degree.
USB is used by a wide variety of hardware peripherals, resulting in an increase in the chance that conflict with another device could occur.
Depending on how many tracks you need to record simultaneously, there are audio interfaces with different input (channels) counts. I compiled a list of the best and most popular USB audio interfaces on the market.
Note that by channels and inputs I mean inputs with actual MIC preamps. So you can plug in a microphone directly without an additional preamp. For example, there are models considered to be let’s say 8 inputs, but only 4 of them has preamps. So be careful, input count can be sometimes misleading.
Best One Channel (MIC Preamp Input) USB Audio Interface
If you only need to record one channel at a time, you can always start with a single channel audio interface. The best one I came across is:
Focusrite Scarlett Solo (2nd Gen)
INPUTS: 1 | CONNECTION TYPE: USB | POWER: via USB | SAMPLE RATE: up to 192kHz/24-bit
SUITABLE FOR: Singer-Songwriters and Guitar Players
If you need only one MIC preamp for your recording sessions, this model will suit your need just great. It’s compact and very portable. It is powered via USB, this means you can carry and record stuff even outside where you have no electricity. Just plug it in your laptop and you are good to go. Scarlett Solo is ideal for instance if you sing and play the guitar at the same time. As you can see it has one MIC preamp (for a microphone) and one LINE input (for let’s say a guitar).
Last update on 2020-07-09.
Best Two Channels (MIC Preamp Inputs) USB Audio Interface
If you need two MIC preamps I would choose this model:
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (2nd Gen)
INPUTS: 2 | CONNECTION TYPE: USB | POWER: via USB | SAMPLE RATE: up to 192kHz/24-bit
SUITABLE FOR: Singer-Songwriters and Guitar Players, Accordion, Clarinet…
With this Scarlett model, you can use two microphones at the same time. Of course, you can still use one mic and a guitar as you would with Scarlett Solo. But this model has two MIC prams so you have a bit more options to record stuff. For instance, if you need to record an accordion for which you need at least two microphones, one to each side. Or maybe you want to record singing in a duo with your significant other 😀
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Last update on 2020-07-09.
Best Four Channels (MIC Preamp Inputs) USB Audio Interface
If you need to record with 4 microphones simultaneously this Behringer model will do the job. It is also the best for the price.
Behringer U-Phoria UMC404HD
INPUTS: 4 | CONNECTION TYPE: USB | POWER: 5v DC | SAMPLE RATE: up to 192kHz/24-bit
SUITABLE FOR: Small Choir, Chamber Group…
Behringer U-Phoria UMC404HD is really a great piece of an audio interface which comes with a great price considering all the features. It comes with 4 state-of-the-art MIDAS MIC preamps. Just be careful that this model cannot be powered via USB. It just consumes too much energy for a USB port to handle power. So you need to be recording where electricity is available.
Last update on 2020-07-09.
Best Eight Channels (MIC Preamp Inputs) USB Audio Interface
If you need to record a whole rock band you will need at least an 8 channel audio interface. At least. Just for the basic drum kit track, you need microphones for: drum, kick, snare, two toms, floor tom, two overheads for cymbals. That’s total of 8 channels to be recorded at the same time. But this is a bare minimum, some prefer even more for a basic drum kit. For instance top and bottom snare, a separate microphone for hi-hat, even mics for all the cymbals separately, and so on. Considering this, even 8 channel audio interface wouldn’t be enough. But if it suits you, you should definitely check out this 8 channel U-Phoria from Behringer.
Behringer U-Phoria UMC1820
INPUTS: 8 | CONNECTION TYPE: USB | POWER: 5v DC Adapter | SAMPLE RATE: up to 192kHz/24-bit
SUITABLE FOR: Basic Drum Kit, Rock Band
It comes with the same specs as a 4 channel model. Also with MIDAS preamps, basically everything the same, just more input channels.
Last update on 2020-07-09.
Whether you’re starting a new home studio, or improving an existing one…
There’s no single purchase more confusing than the audio interface.
Because among the dozens of options…
Each one is designed to meet the demands of a specific “type” of studio.
For example…
At one extreme, a small $100 interface might be perfect in a simple bedroom studio…
If all you need is a single pair of outputs for your studio monitors.
At the opposite extreme, a pro studio that requires dozens of INs/OUTs might need several interfaces, each costing $4000 or more.
Needless to say, matching the right interface with the right studio is tricky even for the experienced. And for beginners, its 10x worse.
Which is why for today’s post, I’ve created an in-depth guide to help you find the perfect option for your studio.
So let’s get started. First off…
The 5 Key Features to Look For
Because of the fact that audio interfaces have so many features, it’s difficult to know which ones matter, and which ones don’t.
So let’s talk about that now. In particular, these are the 5 key specs to focus on:
DAW Compatibility
Interface Connectors
Input/Output (I/O) Count
Input Channel Types
Form Factor
And here’s why:
1. DAW Compatibility
In general, most DAW’s work with most interfaces…but not always.
If you don’t yet have a particular DAW that you are loyal to, then you need not worry here.
Because 90% of the top DAW’s will be compatible with any interface you choose.
However if you alreadyhave a DAW you want to continue using, be sure to verify compatibility on the company’s website. And just to warn you, this info is often hard to find.
You would think they would just post DAW compatibility in the interface’s product description, right? But it rarely happens. Usually it’s buried somewhere within an FAQ page.
While it’s not clear why this is done, my best guess is that these companies prefer not to advertise their current DAW compatibility, because they have no guarantees of future compatibility.
A particular interface might be compatible with your DAW today, but it may not be in a future release. And while that’s not likely to happen, it’s always possible.
Which is why personally, I prefer to use a DAW/interface combo made by the same company. Later in this post I will give you some good examples of these.
However, since there are only a few companies that make both, the downside to this solution is that it severely limits your options.
Up next…
2. Interface Connectors
When connecting an audio interface to a computer…
There are 4 cable options commonly used:
USB– which is typically seen on cheaper home studio interfaces, and offers the slowest data transfer rate.
Firewire– which is used on more expensive home studio interfaces, and offers a significantly faster transfer rate (nowadays these are becoming less common).
Thunderbolt– which has recently become popular with newer semi-pro interfaces, and is way faster than either USB or Firewire.
PCIE– which has long been the standard connection for professional interfaces, because it offers additional processing power and extremely fast data-transfer.
While USB is by far the slowest of all 4 options, it is still more than fast enough to get the job done for the vast majority of home studios.
So if you’re on a budget, USB is what I recommend.
But whichever type you choose, remember to double-check that your computer has the appropriate connection.
3. Input/Output (I/O) Count
On a typical interface, I/O counts can range anywhere between:
1-2 on a simple interface, to…
20+ on a professional one.
And the number you need for your studio depends mainly on the number of tracks you plan to record/monitor at once.
For example:
Solo musicians – may need only 2-4.
Songwriting teams – who work in small groups, want at least 4-8.
Engineers who record bands – should have as many as possible (16 at least).
Also…electronic drum kits alone can sometimes require 8 inputs if they offer separate channels for each part of the kit. So take that into consideration if you plan on using one.
4. Input Channel Types
One thing recording newbies often fail to realize is…
When counting the input channels of an audio interface, manufacturers could be referring to any number of different input types.
However in almost all cases, it includes some combination of these 3:
Mic Input – which allows you to connect a mic directly to the interface.
Line Input – which requires the addition of an outboard mic preamp to be used as a mic channel.
Optical Input – which is a type of “digital” input that requires the addition of BOTH an outboard mic preamp, and digital converter w/ “optical out” to be used as a mic channel.
Now here’s what this means for you:
If you want to use your interface “as-is” without adding a multi-channel mic preamp, you might have less available inputs than you think.
Because as you’ll notice, interfaces often have 16 or more total input channels, but only 2-8 mic inputs.
So without any additional gear, the “real” number of inputs on your audio interface is the mic preamp count, NOT the same as the input count.
Now that you know…make sure you actually have enough channels for your purposes. Otherwise you will be sorely disappointed.
NOTE: Two other input types that you should also look for are DI inputs (if you play guitar/bass), and MIDI inputs (if you use any type of keyboards/MIDI controllers).
5. Form Factor
A fancy jargon term used by computer geeks…
“Form factor” simply refers to the physical size and shape interface.
The two form factor options are:
Desktop Interfaces – which are smaller, and sit on your desk next to your computer.
Rackmounted Interfaces– which are larger, and mount in a standard size rack unit.
For beginners, I recommend starting with a desktop interface, because they’re cheap, easy-to-use, and require no special mounting or peripheral devices. You just plug them in and start recording.
With intermediate/advanced studios, rackmounted interfaces are typically better, as they tend to offer more I/O’s, as well as greater flexibility with signal routing and organization.
Now that you know what to look for, let’s check out some specific models.
Starting with…
Best Desktop Interfaces
For the vast majority of people reading this article, who only want a cheap interface that will allow them to record their music at home…
I recommend a 2-6 channel USB desktop interface, which normally costs between $100-$300 on the low-end, and $500-1500 on the high-end.
Currently, the top brands for these “types” of interfaces are Presonus, Focusrite, Avid, Universal Audio.
Here are the models I recommend from each brand:
Presonus AudioBox (USB connection)
(includes Presonus Studio One Artist DAW)
AudioBox USB – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
Intermediate studios that don’t need a lot of I/O’s, or beginner studios that can afford the price tag.
Avid (USB connection)
(Bundled with Pro Tools 12 DAW)
Pro Tools Duet – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
Pro Tools Quartet – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
Who do I recommend these for?
All Beginner/Intermediate studios who want to use the industry standard Pro Tools DAW.
NOTE: While the Apogee Duet and Quartet are “Mac Only” interfaces, the newer Pro Tools Duet and Quartet are compatible with both Mac and PC.
Universal Audio (Thunderbolt connection)
Apollo Twin SOLO – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
Apollo Twin DUO – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
Who do I recommend these for?
Intermediate/advanced studios who want pro studio quality, in a home-studio-sized package.
Best Usb Audio Interface For El Capitan Drive
More Options?
If for some reason of the previous options aren’t to your liking…
Here are 2 more great budget desktop interfaces to check out:
Audient iD4 (USB) – (Amazon/Thomann)
Audient iD14 (USB) – (Amazon/Thomann)
And here is 1 more great high-end desktop option:
Antelope Audio Zen Tour (Thunderbolt/USB) – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
Up next…
Best Rackmounted Interfaces
For the purposes of this article, let’s define an “intermediate” studio as a home setup that requires a higher I/O count to meet the demands of some of the more complex recording tasks.
If that’s the type of studio you need, I recommend an 8+ channel rackmounted interface.
Again…the best interfaces in this category are made by Presonus, Focusrite, Apogee, Universal Audio, and Antelope Audio:
Apollo 8 (thunderbolt) – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
Apollo 16 (thunderbolt) – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
Antelope Audio
Antelope Audio Zen Studio – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
Antelope Audio Orion Studio – (Amazon/Thomann)
Antelope Audio Orion32+ – (Amazon/Thomann)
And finally…
“Professional” Interfaces
While any of the interfaces we’ve covered so far are more than capably of producing “professional” results…
Best Usb Audio Interface For El Capitan Download
There’s higher class of audio interfaces that we have yet to cover.
Normally only seen in high-end pro studios, these multi-thousand dollar interfaces typically connect to a separate PCIE card which can only be installed on a desktop computer.
The typical reason studios acquire this type of interface is to upgrade to Pro Tools HD, which is the standard system used by the majority of pro studios in the world.
In terms of performance, they offer many premium advantages, including:
Ultra-Low latency
High I/O counts
Premium Digital Conversion
Multiple Connection Options
And while these interfaces would almost certainly be overkill for the average home studio…
It’s still good to know about them, just in case the day comes when you decide your studio needs one.
Some examples of popular interfaces in this category are: