When I started producing music, I surfed the entire web to learn about the best audio interfaces for beginners. I read thousands of words hoping to find the one that would be the best for me.
But, in reality, no one helped me out. I was unable to find the best audio interface for a newbie, which I was back then. There was no single article that said, “this is the perfect audio interface for someone who is beginning their musical journey”.
Not a single one!
Eventually, I bought a $500 interface that was not fit for me. It was great, but not suitable for a beginner. Furthermore, I had to spend extra bucks and my crucial time to get the additional wires to set it up. That was a nightmare. I look back and think to myself that if any article had helped me out, I would have produced a ton of music by now.
But you know what? Let me be the one to help all the beginners or intermediate producers out there.
And for this, in this definitive guide for a beginner looking for a suitable audio interface, we will see the top 10 of the best interfaces.
Related: Best budget audio interfaces!
Best Audio Interfaces for Beginners
For a beginner, an interface should follow these rules.
- Quick and easy installation
- Minimum of 2 inputs
- Atleast a headphone output.
- Direct Monitoring,
- Phantom Powered Mic inputs.
- Hi-Z inputs.
Let’s see some of the interfaces that’ll meet our requirements.
1) MOTU M2 USB-C Audio Interface
Product Features
- Inputs -> 2 , Outputs -> 2.
- 2 Mic / line / Hi-Z inputs.
- 1 MIDI I/O.
- LCD Display.
- 32 bit / 192 kHz audio quality.
- One Headphone o/p with dedicated gain knob.
- 2 (+48V) Independent Phantom Power Inputs.
- USB connection.
- Compatible with Windows / Mac.
click to view price of MOTU M2 on amazon
MOTU M2 is a rock-solid audio interface in terms of features and build quality. There is an LCD display right on the interface to make quick customizations without going to your computer. It is one of the features that sets M2 apart and gives it a competitive edge over other interfaces in the same price range. besides being a great portable interface, the Motu M2 serves as one of the best interfaces for home studio as well.
Now let’s have a look at the actual interface and whether you should go for it or not. Moreover, it is one of the best audio interfaces for Shure SM7B for its ultra low noise preamps and high quality converters.
There are two input units on the M2. These inputs can be connected to the mic, line, or high headroom instruments. Apart from these two inputs, there is a separate input provided to connect a MIDI Keyboard. And this is very handy as you can connect anything with the other two inputs.
We don’t have many output options which are completely fine for beginners. As a beginner solo artist, one headphone and two stereo outs are enough.
The sound quality is excellent and remains intact and clear throughout the entire recording. All thanks to the 32 bit / 192 kHz audio quality.
Next, as M2 is USB-driven, you can carry it on your tours and start recording music on the road instantly. You do not need to make a whole bunch of connections to start making great music.
In conclusion, the MOTU M2 is one of the best audio interfaces for beginners when we look at the features and ease of use.
2) PreSonus Studio 24C USB-C Audio Interface
Product Features
- Inputs -> 2 , Outputs -> 2.
- 2 Mic / line / Hi-Z inputs.
- 1 MIDI I/O.
- LCD Display.
- 24 bit / 192 kHz audio quality.
- One Headphone o/p with dedicated gain knob.
- 2 (+48V) Independent Phantom Power Inputs.
- USB connection.
- Compatible with Windows / Mac.
click to view price of PreSonus Studio 24C on amazon
Now let us talk about the Presonus 24C interface. The 24C gives tough competition to the Motu M2 in terms of price and features.
The 24C is a fully equipped audio interface for artists who are just starting on their recording journey. The reason being there are two mic, line, and Hi-Z inputs. Besides, there is a MIDI I/O available to connect the MIDI instruments and forget about them.
The outputs are also similar to those present in Motu M2. That means one headphone output with a dedicated gain knob and two stereo outs.
Read the full PreSonus Studio 24c audio interface review.
The sound quality offered is good enough at 32bit / 192 kHz. The 24C is USB-driven, meaning it uses the power of your computer to work. This makes it an excellent portable interface as well.
3) Focusrite Scarlett Solo USB Audio Interface
Product Features
- Inputs -> 2 , Outputs -> 2.
- 1 Mic / line input.
- 1 Hi-Z inputs.
- No MIDI I/O.
- Air Mode.
- 24 bit / 192 kHz audio quality.
- One Headphone o/p with dedicated gain knob.
- +48V Independent Phantom Power Inputs.
- USB connection.
- Compatible with Windows / Mac.
click to view price of Focusrite Scarlett Solo on amazon
The Focusrite Scarlett Solo is a budget-friendly option for beginners. At the same time, it provides all the bare essentials to produce and record great music. The Scarlett solo might be one of the best audio interfaces for beginners. Let’s have an in-depth look at what we are getting here.
Straight of the bat, on the front side of the Scarlett Solo, you can see one mic/line, a Hi-Z input, and a direct Monitoring button. There are separate gain knobs for each input and a master knob to control the master volume. There is a phantom button, an Air mode button, and an inst button. All these buttons engage different features of the Scarlett Solo.
There is one headphone o/p along with two outputs to analyze sound on studio monitors. In terms of sound output, there are not many options. But the available output units are sufficient for beginners.
The Air Mode on the Scarlett solo gives your Vocals a brighter and adds a high end to anything you record. It is an attractive add-on to have on an interface if you do not want separate plugins to work for you.
Read the full focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Audio interface Review.
There is no MIDI I/O present on the Scarlett solo. This means you have to manage your inputs wisely. If you do not have or record many instruments, it is a great interface to have in your arsenal.
As an added bonus, Focusrite has a large collection of plugins after you register your product on their website.
4) Steinberg UR22C USB Audio Interface
Product Features
- Inputs -> 2 , Outputs -> 2.
- 2 Mic / line / Hi-Z inputs.
- MIDI I/O available.
- Smartgain Mode.
- 24 bit / 192 kHz audio quality.
- One Headphone o/p with dedicated gain knob.
- 2 (+48V) Independent Phantom Power Inputs.
- USB connection.
- Compatible with Windows / Mac.
click to view price of Steinberg UR22C on amazon
The UR 22C impresses me a lot. There is almost everything perfect about this home studio/ portable audio interface. Your computer powers it making the UR 22C suitable for traveling artists and fits your home studio like a pro.
UR 22C comes equipped with 2 lines, mic, and Hi-Z inputs. There are individual gain knobs for each input. Besides, each input is phantom-powered. One great thing is that there is a MIDI I/O available at the backside of the interface. It is a convenient feature if you have a lot of instruments at your disposal.
For the outputs, there are provisions for connecting up to two studio monitors and a headphone. The headphone comes with dedicated volume control.
So, should you go for the Steinberg UR 22C? I would say, Yes. Go for it if you have a decent input requirement and a MIDI Keyboard.
5) M-Audio M-Track Solo – USB Audio Interface
Product Features
- Inputs -> 2 , Outputs -> 2.
- One Mic input.
- 1 line / Hi-Z inputs.
- No MIDI I/O is available.
- 24 bit / 48 kHz audio quality.
- One Headphone o/p with dedicated gain knob.
- 2 (+48V) Independent Phantom Power Inputs.
- USB connection.
- Compatible with Windows / Mac/Ios.
click to view price of M-Audio M-Track Solo on amazon
The M-Audio solo falls in a similar price range as Behringer UM2. But, is the M-Audio any better than its competitors. Let’s check out once and for all.
When you look at the M-Audio solo interface there are three volume knobs on its top side. These are used to control input volumes and the master output volume.
You get one input for recording vocals and another input to record line inputs or Hi-Z instruments such as guitars. On the Mic input, you get Phantom power support. It means you can record vocals or instruments using a condenser or dynamic microphone. Both will work fine. The direct Monitor feature on the M-Audio lets you record vocals as you can get live track feedback. This is a must-have feature for me on an interface.
The Audio quality is 24-bit/48 kHz which is okay for home studio requirements. Also, the vocals remain tight and crisp throughout. In terms of vocal recording, Scarlett Solo has got better quality than the M-Audio Solo. In terms of output, you get a headphone and two studio monitor outputs.
There is no MIDI I/O available which can prove as a bummer if you have a lot of instruments to manage. But, you can use the line input to connect to your USB MIDI keyboard coming at a cost of an input that can be used to pair a guitar.
6) Behringer U-PHORIA UM2 2 x 2 Audio interface
Product Features
- Inputs -> 2 , Outputs -> 2.
- 1 Mic / line input
- One Hi-Z inputs.
- Direct monitoring Available.
- No MIDI I/O.
- Direct Monitoring available.
- 24 bit / 192 kHz audio quality.
- One Headphone o/p with dedicated gain knob.
- +48V Independent Phantom Power Input.
- USB connection.
- Compatible with Windows / Mac.
click to view price of Behringer U-PHORIA UM2 on amazon
Behringer U-Phoria UM2 is a super portable two-in and two-out audio interface. The interface is compatible with Windows / Mac and is driven by the computer’s power.
There is one mic/line input, one Hi-Z input, and two outputs present on the UM2 audio interface. Besides, there is one headphone output given on the front side of the interface. Each input and output unit has its separate gain knob present on the top of the UM2.
The audio quality recorded remains crystal clear at 24-bit / 192 KHz. And the phantom power feature enables you to record vocals or other instruments in sync with the track.
However, there is no MIDI I/O on the Behringer UM2. Therefore, if you have many instruments at your disposal, you may want to dodge this tiny interface. Whatever be the case, the choice is entirely yours.
7) Audient EVO 4 2×2 Ultra Low Latency USB Audio Interface
Product Features
- 2-input / 2-output,
- Two Mic / line / Hi-Z inputs,
- Single knob controls i,p & o/p,
- Smart gain enabled,
- Monitor mix + pan feature,
- No MIDI I/O available,
- Ultra low latency,
- USB Driven,
- Two Phantom boosted MIC preamps(+48V),
- One headphone o/p with dedicated control knob,
- Compatible with Windows / Mac,
- 24-Bit/96 kHz audio resolution.
click to view price of Audient EVO 4 on amazon
For me, the Audient Evo 4 is one of the top-selling and best portable audio interfaces.
It may be small in size, but the features it packs are great for any beginner or intermediate music artist. The great thing is that, like other audio interfaces, Evo 4 is compatible with windows/mac.
The Audient Evo is a 2-input & 2-output audio interface. Both inputs are XLR type and are phantom-powered, which is great because you can record audio samples via a condenser microphone. One additional Hi-Z input is given to record high headroom instruments such as electric or bass guitars. The sound o/p can be obtained either on the studio monitors or a headphone.
Also, The sound remains very clear and sharp at the 32-bit / 192 kHz audio quality. The volume of each input is controlled by a single knob located on the top side of the interface.
The Evo 4 comes equipped with a smart gain feature. When enabled, the smart gain feature automatically adjusts each input’s gain level when you provide an audio sample to the interface. It means you need to play the instrument. The gain levels will be managed by Evo 4.
Lastly, to conclude, anyone can use the Evo 4. It does not matter if you are a newbie or a professional. Its simple design and features make it one of the best audio interfaces out there.
8) Behringer U-PHORIA UMC204HD Audiophile 2×2 USB Audio Interface
Product Features
- Inputs -> 2 , Outputs -> 4.
- 2 Mic / line / Hi-Z inputs.
- One MIDI I/O.
- 24 bit / 192 kHz audio quality.
- One Headphone o/p with dedicated gain knob.
- 2 (+48V) Independent Phantom Power Inputs.
- USB connection.
- Compatible with Windows / Mac.
click to view price of Behringer U-PHORIA UMC204HD on amazon
The Behringer U-Phoria UMC 204HD has a unique set of features. The UM 204HD is USB powered and is compatible with both Windows and MAC OS.
There are two XLR quarter-inch inputs. Both these can be used to connect mics, line instruments, or Hi-Z instruments like a guitar. The phantom power switch is on the backside of the interface which is quite odd but still manageable. On the rear side of the interface, you can look at the set of outputs available.
One great thing with UMC204HD is that you get a MIDI I/O. Therefore, you can spare both the XLR inputs to your other instruments. Also, direct monitoring is useful for vocalists who want to record their vocals on top of a track.
Lastly, I highly recommended you to check out UMC204HD as it has got a unique and varied feature.
9) Native Instruments Komplete Audio 2
Product Features
- Inputs -> 2 , Outputs -> 2.
- 2 Mic / line / Hi-Z inputs.
- No MIDI I/O.
- 24 bit / 192 kHz audio quality.
- One Headphone o/p with dedicated gain knob.
- 2 (+48V) Independent Phantom Power Inputs.
- USB connection.
- Compatible with Windows / Mac.
click to view price of Native Instruments Komplete Audio 2 on amazon
Komplete Audio 2 will be my first choice to buy an audio interface for under $200. The design and gain display on the top side makes it a very stylish interface.
Now, the Komplete Audio 2 comes with 2 lines, a mic, and Hi-Z inputs. There are individual gain knobs for each input, along with a master volume control. Each input is phantom powered, meaning that you can record audio tracks using a condenser and a dynamic microphone.
For the outputs, there are provisions for connecting up to two studio monitors and a headphone. The headphone comes with dedicated volume control. For a beginner, Komplete audio provides enough outputs to hear the tracks you are producing.
Not to forget, The lack of MIDI I/O can be a hiccup for MIDI players. If you do not have a vast input requirement, Komplete audio two can still pair with a MIDI by taking one of your XLR inputs.
Conclusion
All in all, these were my top 10 picks for the best audio interfaces for beginners. These audio interfaces are portable & fit for making a home studio. The connections are relatively straightforward. Plus, these are all USB-driven.
In the end, I would like to say that these audio interfaces have enough inputs and good sound quality for the beginning producers. But, as you get more gear and start to embrace your music journey, you need a better audio interface in terms of features, quality, or simply more inputs.
Check out my article on these top rated audio interfaces that stay within budget, provide numerous features and exhibit a premium quality.
Lastly, I hope this article helped you out. If so, let me know. Or if you have any recommendations, then also let me know. It would be my pleasure to help you out.
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