A budding music artist requires two things: Patience and one of the best audio Interfaces for the home Studio.
So, you may ask that:
What is the use of an audio interface? Audio Interface is functional when you want to bring external samples such as vocals or sounds inside your computer without compromising the sound quality. The main reason is that the audio cards inside mobiles, laptops, or even the computer cannot give the best sound quality. Therefore, the need for a good studio audio interface becomes quite evident.
Being a producer myself, I know that time is of the essence when you want to make the best pieces of music. So, look for an interface that compliments your work.
Therefore, without wasting any time, let us pick one of the best studio interfaces.
Best Audio Interfaces for Home Studio
We will start our discussion on the audio interfaces with the best for your studio.
All these have premium sound quality, multiple inputs and outputs enough for a band, low distortion, better sound retention, and solid design.
But, some features are unique only to a particular brand. That is why a complete feature list is given so that you can easily compare each product very easily.
1) Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 (3rd Gen) USB Audio Interface
Product Features
- Suitable for intermediate producers.
- 18 input / 20 output.
- mic preamplifiers with 48 v phantom power.
- MIDI I/O present.
- The best mic preamp in any Focusrite ever.
- Built-in talkback mic for bands.
- Direct monitoring available,
- Four Studio Monitor Outs.
- Two Headphone Output.
- Record or Mix up to 24 bit / 192 kHz.
- Eight Balanced Line Inputs.
- Two high-headroom instrument inputs.
If you play many instruments or have a band, you can easily manage all of them by using Scarlett 18i20. Instead of plugging and unplugging each instrument, again and again, this audio interface makes your work a lot easier by giving you more inputs and outputs.
The Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 USB Audio Interface is most suitable for medium to advanced music creators. You can manage multiple instruments hassle-free. But, these are the basic features of this interface.
Let’s see some of the more advanced features one by one.
Also check: Best audio interfaces for Shure SM7B!
The first one is the ‘Air‘ mode. It helps you with your vocals being brighter, Airy, and open which is a good thing.
The second feature is that you get two inputs for high headroom instruments. High Headroom means that you do not need to worry about distortions when playing heavy instruments. Plus, it helps the soundwaves to feel more natural.
There are eight balanced line inputs in 18i20. Balanced line inputs are essential for music creators as it reduces noise and distortions. And makes the sound more crisp and clear.
2) PreSonus Studio 1824 C USB-C Audio Interface
Product Features
- 18 inputs/ 20 outputs.
- 2 mic/instrument/line inputs.
- 6 mic/line inputs with XMAX Class A mic preamps.
- Two headphone Outputs.
- 24 bit / 192 kHz premium sound quality.
- 48 V Phantom Power for all XLR inputs.
- Gain knob for each XLR inputs.
PreSonus 1824C is another popular audio interface with high customer satisfaction. My friend records his drum samples with this very Audio Interface. And because of him, I had the opportunity to experience this port monster. It is one of the best audio interfaces under $500.
With zero latency and 18 different inputs, you can record multiple singers or connect a whole drum to it. It is a complete package for professional music artists.
For solo artists, it is the ultimate audio interface one can own. You can plug in all of your instruments such as guitars, MIDI keyboards, microphones, or synths. And forget about them. You don’t need to keep plugging and unplugging different instruments because there are a lot of inputs.
It can also be used in a group setting, such as a live band. The different performer can plug in their instrument as each input sound level can be controlled individually.
It does not matter whether you are a solo artist, a co-producer, or a live performer; the 1824C can be relied upon whatever the situation be.
3) Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 (3rd Gen) USB Audio Interface
Product Features
- Suitable for intermediate producers.
- 18 input / 8 output.
- mic preamplifiers with 48 v phantom power.
- 4 Balanced Line Inputs.
- 2 high impedance Inputs.
- 4 fixed-line inputs.
- Two headphone Output.
- Dual Studio Monitor Outs with anti-thump technology.
- The best mic preamp in any Focusrite ever.
- Record or Mix up to 24 bit / 192 kHz.
- Two high-headroom instrument inputs.
If you want to upgrade your Home Studio, the Scarlett 18i8 may be the right choice. The 18 inputs and 8 outputs serve you with most of the essential features.
There are some features in 18i8 as that of 18i20. These are Air mode, Balanced line inputs, Monitor outputs, and mic preamps. The only difference being the number of inputs and outputs. Obviously, the numbers are quite less in 18i8.
How come we forgot the two inputs that support the high headroom instruments?
4) BEHRINGER U-PHORIA UMC1820
Product Features
- Suitable for intermediate producers.
- 18 inputs / 20 outputs.
- 24-Bit/96 kHz audio resolution.
- MIDI I/O present.
- mic preamplifiers with 48 V phantom power.
- 8 line outputs.
- 8 pre-amp inputs.
- 2 Headphone output.
click to view price of BEHRINGER U-PHORIA UMC1820 on amazon
UC1820 is the lowest-priced audio interface with 18 inputs and 20 outputs. It has very clear and crisp audio quality with clean, easy-to-guide functions. It is a complete package because you can connect microphones, guitars, keyboards, and synths, all at once. You get more for what you give. Even at such a low price, you get what other interfaces fail to provides you.
The most noticeable feature of this audio interface is that you can convert line input to musical input with a single push of a button or vice versa. It comes very handily in music production when you want to record multiple vocals or instruments simultaneously. Not many interfaces have this feature.
You can also plug in two headphones if you are co-producing a record. Both headphone outputs can be toggled between stereo out 1 and 2 or stereo out 3 and 4.
On the front side of the interface, you will see:
- Master volume Knob.
- Gain knobs to adjust volume.
- Phantom Power knob.
- Push buttons to convert line to musical input.
- Two Headphone Output.
On the rear side, we get:
- 6 additional XLR quarter inch inputs.
- MIDI input & output.
- Line output.
- Main o/p.
- SPDIF.
You can connect UC1820 with another pre-amp if you want to record more than eight inputs simultaneously.
But, why would anyone need more than 8 inputs? Refer any drummer and ask how many inputs do they use while recording.
Best Budget Audio Interfaces for Home studio
In this section, we will see some of the best budget Audio interfaces for your home studio.
All these audio interfaces are compact and Portable. For beginners who want to upgrade their home studio, the list below provides a budget-friendly audio interface.
For solo artists who have intermediate experience in music production, this list is all you need to consider when upgrading your home studio.
Let’s see them one by one.
5) Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6 MK2
Product Features
- Suitable for Beginner to Intermediate producers.
- 6 inputs / 6 outputs.
- 2x combo-XLR/¼” TRS line inputs with 48V phantom power.
- 1 SPDIF for digital stereo input and output.
- 1 MIDI I/O.
- 2 Headphone Output.
- Big Master Volume Knob.
- LED I/O Display.
- 192 kHz / 24-bit high Audio Quality.
- USB connectivity.
click to view price of Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6 MK2 on amazon
The Audio 6 MK2 is one of the best interfaces for solo artists, bands, Live performers, music producers, and DJs. It comes packed with six inputs and six outputs, making it excellent for all-around performance.
You can plug guitars, keyboards, synths, microphones, or any other instrument you want to record. The phantom power makes it possible to record high-quality sounds with condenser microphones. And with a single toggle, you can change line input to instrument input or vice versa.
With two headphone outputs, co-producing a record becomes very straightforward and efficient. Just plug in a second headphone and start making music together with your friends or co-artists.
Being compact and portable, you can take MK2 on tours. For someone who is on the road for most of their time, it can be a great pro feature.
All in all, The NI Komplete audio 6 is one of the best budget audio interfaces that provides you with a ton of different features.
6) Steinberg UR24C 2×4 USB Audio Interface
Product Features
- Recommended for beginners.
- Low Latency.
- 2 inputs (both line & mic).
- 4 outputs.
- mic preamplifiers with Dual 48 v phantom power.
- MIDI I/O present.
- 32-bit/192 kHz support.
- One headphone output.
- Two mono outputs.
- Compatible with most DAWs.
click to view price of Steinberg UR24C on amazon
The UR24C is what I recommend to music composers who are just starting. You need to connect two external instruments and a MIDI keyboard to start on your musical journey with this audio interface. A simple two instrument setup with a MIDI.
All the features are basic, but that is all you need to start. In the beginning, your aim should be to learn & produce music day in and day out. Deviating your mind to Audio interfaces will only waste your time. That is why a minimalistic Audio interface is going to be enough.
You get two inputs that act both as line and mic input, a MIDI I/O, and a single headphone output along with mono outputs.
Also, UR24C is a small, solid, and portable interface. For someone who is touring or is always on the road, do consider trying this one.
7) PreSonus Studio 24C
The PreSonus Studio 24C is a great choice if you want to limit your budget under $200. Although in the same price range, there are many audio interfaces. But, the reason for picking this little audio interface is simple. Let’s see why.
[Also check: Best audio interfaces under $200 similar to PreSonus Studio 24C]
Product Features
- 2 inputs(mic/line/instrument) / 2 outputs.
- 2 Mic Pre-amps.
- 192 kHz Converter.
- mic preamplifiers with 48 v phantom power.
- One Headphone output.
- MIDI I/O available.
click to view price of PreSonus Studio 24C on amazon
The Presonus Studio 24C is a two-input and two-output audio interface. Another budget-friendly option for beginner music producers. Trust me when I say that you will not regret buying this portable interface.
The two inputs act as line, music, and instrument input. You get a headphone output and two mono outputs that go into studio monitors. Plus, we get a MIDI I/O which is missing in most of the Audio interfaces of this price range.
If you want me to explain all the features in a single sentence, then, here I go. For solo artists, sing while you improvise on a guitar or MIDI keyboard and hear yourself on a headphone.
Read the full PreSonus Studio 24c audio interface review.
I would recommend Presonus 24C to anyone who is in the initial stages of his production journey. And wants to record external samples individually.
8) Behringer UMC202HD U-Phoria USB Audio Interface
Product Features
- 2 inputs and 2 outputs.
- Line and instrument toggle option.
- Ultra-low latency.
- mic preamplifiers with 48 v phantom power.
- Mono Audio output for studio monitors.
- One Headphone output.
- 24-bit/192 kHz resolution for professional audio quality
click to view price of Behringer UMC202HD on amazon
The UMC 202HD serves you with two inputs and two outputs with ultra-low latency. Low latency means that there will be no delay as you record vocals on top of other tracks.
You can easily switch between line inputs and instrument inputs with just a click. And this means you can use mics as well as instruments like the guitar. UMC202HD works with both condenser and dynamic microphones. The sound quality remains crisp and clear.
It is one of the best options for beginner to intermediate solo artists. You get all the necessary features and that too on a budget.
Best Audio interfaces for Home Studio [Bundles]
For someone who is completely new in the world of music production, it is better to stick with combos. Generally, combos provide you with all the necessary equipment such as headphones, a microphone, cables, and a good audio interface for beginners.
It is better for newbies to start with bundles as it reduces your time to research what you need and don’t need.
Besides, combo bundles are somewhat cheap. And that is a win-win situation for you.
So, let’s see the top 2 best-selling Audio interfaces for home studios that are a complete package in themselves.
9) Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Studio (3rd Gen) Recording Bundle
Bundle features
- Studio Quality condenser Microphone.
- One Scarlett Studio headphone.
- 2 input / 2 output Audio interface.
- 24-bit/192kHz Audio quality
- 48 V Phantom Power Mic Preamp.
- One headphone o/p.
Read the full focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Audio interface Review.
The Focusrite studio bundles cut all the distractions and give you all the essential types of equipment to start making music. You get a headphone, condenser microphone, connecting cables, and a 2i2 audio interface. And straight off the bat, you can record vocals, guitars, synths, or anything you like.
The audio interface comes with two inputs that allow you to record high headroom instruments or vocals with high quality. It is a solo artist bundle. For home musicians, it is one of the best choices.
What I like about this bundle is that you can start making music without spending huge money. And if you like making music, you can upgrade with any of the audio interfaces listed above.
But for beginners, I recommended that you should start from here. Because other interfaces will cost you more money and confusion. So, don’t get overwhelmed by big interfaces and start with a more reasonable one. This will save you both money and time.
10) PreSonus AudioBox 96 Studio Kit
Bundle features
- Studio Quality condenser Microphone.
- Studio monitoring Headphones.
- 2 input / 2 output audio interface.
- MIDI Input / Output available.
- 24-bit, 96 kHz Audio quality.
- 48 V Phantom Power.
PreSonus Studio Bundle is one of the best-selling combos on amazon. This tells us that how much are the producers happy with this product.
PreSonus is also a two-input and two-output Audio Interface. You can record vocals or external instruments with high audio quality. All thanks to the 48V Phantom power.
On the rear side of the Presonus, there is MIDI input and output available. In this price range, very few interfaces provide a MIDI I/O. So, we can say that it is an added bonus packed here.
There is the mono audio output that can be connected to a pair of studio monitors. Besides, there is one headphone o/p available. It allows you to listen to your track recordings on studio headphones.
All in all, PreSonus Audio Interface Bundle is a perfect option for anyone who wants to explore music-making.
Conclusion
In summary, here are ten of the best Audio interfaces for home studios. These audio interfaces provide suitable options for beginners as well as advanced composers.
You may have noticed that this list covers all the price ranges- be it budget-friendly, or not so budget-friendly.
But, for those of you who are looking for best high end audio interfaces for professionals, I have a separate treat for you guys. Do check it out.
Don’t get overwhelmed with the list of audio interfaces. All are equally capable in the price range they fall. What you need to decide is your budget and then see which ones are falling under your range.
Lastly, I hope this article helped you out. If it did help you out choosing your next interface, let me know in the comments.
FAQ’s
Yes, they do. The inbuilt audio cards in the devices do not retain the quality of any sound you record. They are not capable of recording purposes. Audio interfaces, on the other hand, retain the sound quality and in simple words, carry the weak signals.
The best audio interface for beginners is anything that supports MIDI I/O, has at least two I/O, and includes a phantom boost.
Yes, the expensive audio interfaces are worth it. They provide you with the features that are missing in budget interfaces such as audio textures, more inputs, outputs, better mic preamps, and whatnot.
An audio interface is used to record external instruments or vocals and transfer the recordings to your computer without losing sound quality. The mixer is used for mixing all the recorded sounds. It gives the feel of the overall production by balancing certain sounds.
An audio interface is very important if you are serious about producing music. Audio Interface allows you to record high-quality sounds, which you cannot do using any other means.
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