Picking one of the best portable audio interfaces in 2021 is not an easy task. How will you choose the best interface that’ll be best for you with so many options available?
If you do not believe me, check amazon. You will find hundreds of interfaces with so many features.
But there is nothing to worry about. You can look at your requirements and then pick one of the best in that category of device.
With this in mind, let’s see some of the best audio interfaces according to your needs.
Related: Best budget audio interfaces!
Best Portable Audio Interfaces [USB]
Let’s see all the portable audio interfaces for beginners as well as for professionals one by one.
1) Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 (3rd Gen) USB Audio Interface
Product features
- 18 inputs / 8 outputs.
- 4 Mic inputs / 2 Hi-z inputs / 4 balanced line inputs.
- Eight additional Expanadable inputs.
- Ultra low latency.
- Direct monitoring available,
- Phantom Power +48V.
- Air Mode for brighter vocals.
- Two Headphone outputs .
- Four Monitor outputs.
- One MIDI I/O available.
- 24 bit / 192 KHz.
click to view price of Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 on amazon
The Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 is one good-looking audio interface that matches well with most of the studio themes.
Focusrite 18i8 is one of the best audio interfaces for home studios.
It has got 18 inputs and eight outputs, of which 8 are expandable inputs. There is a MIDI I/O along with two headphone outputs for sound monitoring.
You get four mic inputs and two inputs for recording electric or bass guitars. These inputs are handy for recording high headroom instruments. If your a drummer, don’t hesitate to buy it.
There is a new Air Mode that Focusrite claims give you more Airy and brighter vocals. Nevertheless, the songs in general settings remain crystal clear and sharp. And because of the Phantom power, producers can connect both Dynamic or Condenser microphones.
All in all, I recommend 18i8 for all those who want a multi-purpose and best portable audio interface. Be it taking it on tour, keeping it in your home studio or an audio interface you want to co-produce music, the 18i20 does it all.
2) Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 (3rd Gen) USB Audio Interface
Product features
- 4 inputs / 4outputs.
- 2 Mic / 2 Hi-z inputs
- Two balanced line inputs.
- Ultra low latency.
- Phantom Power +48V.
- Air Mode for brighter vocals.
- One Headphone output.
- Four Monitor outputs.
- One MIDI I/O available.
- 24 bit / 192 KHz.
click to view the price of Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 on amazon
The 4i4 is an excellent option for solo artists. Besides being a fantastic portable audio interface, it can also fit as a ninja in your studio. There are two mic/ Hi-Z, one MIDI, and 2 line inputs.
So, who should go for 4i4? If you are a beginning solo artist and do not have a crew or a band, go with this one. You get everything you need in this interface. You can record vocals, guitars, keyboards, and synths. The Air Mode in the 4i4 gives your vocals more openness.
Note one thing!
Never buy 4i4 if you have a lot of instruments or input needs at a given moment. It is not recommended for co-artists or a band.
3) Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6 MK2
Product features
- 6 inputs / 6 outputs.
- 2 Mic / 2 instrument inputs
- Two balanced line inputs.
- One MIDI I/O available.
- Ultra low latency.
- Phantom Power +48V.
- Two Headphone output with separate gain knobs.
- Four Monitor outputs.
- LED display.
- SPDIF I/O.
- 24 bit / 192 KHz.
click to view price of Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6 MK2 on amazon
The MK2 is a solid option for solo, touring artists, or a small band. So, even if you are on the road, you can easily record a new track on the go.
Straight off the bat, you can see six inputs and six outputs. It includes two mics/instruments and two balanced line inputs with a dedicated MIDI I/O. You can also plug in a high headroom electric or bass guitar.
Related: Best audio interfaces for Shure SM7B!
The audio quality at 192 kHz remains crisp and clear. And with the +48V phantom power, you can be sure of recording without any latency. And for recording artists, this feature is a must. Otherwise, there is no point in buying a high-priced interface.
Best Budget Portable Audio Interfaces
4) Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (3rd Gen) USB Audio Interface
Product features
- 2 Inputs / 2 outputs.
- two Mic / instrument/ line inputs
- 2 balanced line inputs.
- No MIDI I/O available.
- Ultra low latency.
- Phantom Power +48V.
- One Headphone output.
- 24 bit / 192 KHz.
click to view price of Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 on amazon
The 2i2 has two Mic inputs that can also be used as line or instrument inputs making it a compact and diverse interface. You also get one headphone output with a dedicated gain knob. The phantom-powered Mic Preamp gives any vocalist a choice to record vocals on condenser mics. Besides, the inputs can also record instruments that need Hi-Z(high impedance), such as bass or electric guitars.
So, who should buy the 2i2 interface? The beginner solo artists looking for an audio interface that’ll fit their home studio. Or professional music producers that want to record other than their studio.
Read the full focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Audio interface Review.
The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 is a well balanced audio interface under $200 that does not cost much and provide a comparatively best in class sound quality.
5) PreSonus Studio 24C USB Audio Interface
Product features
- 2 Inputs / 2 outputs.
- two Mic / instrument / line inputs.
- 2 balanced line inputs.
- MIDI I/O available.
- Ultra low latency.
- Phantom Power +48V.
- One Headphone output.
- 24 bit / 192 KHz.
click to view price of PreSonus Studio 24C on amazon
The Presonus 24C is one of the best-selling portable audio interfaces. There are 2 Mic/Line/instruments inputs along with MIDI I/O. There are monitor outputs along with a headphone output.
It is another suitable choice for solo artists who is just starting out in music-making or recording. It is the minimalistic audio interface you should have.
The sound quality is very clear and there is no audio lag between mic in and sound output. This is because of the phantom-powered mic inputs.
Read the full PreSonus Studio 24c audio interface review.
There is also a MIDI I/O given so that you can use the other two inputs for other instruments. Most of the interfaces lack MIDI I/O. This gives 24C a slight competitive advantage over Scarlett 2i2.
6) Steinberg UR22C USB Audio Interface
Product features
- 2 Inputs / 2 outputs.
- two XLR Mic / instrument/ line inputs.
- 2 balanced line inputs.
- MIDI I/O available.
- Ultra low latency.
- Phantom Power +48V.
- One Headphone output.
- 24-bit / 192 KHz.
click to view price of Steinberg UR22C on amazon
The UR 22C is a small but mighty interface. It is as good as its elder family members.
You get two XLR Quarter-inch mic/line inputs, one MIDI I/O, one headphone o/p, two monitoring outputs.
The audio quality is excellent, and you can record sounds at 24-bit / 192 kHz. The phantom power ensures that you record your instruments in sync with the backing track. And that is important!
For the individual beginning artist, it is another excellent choice in terms of portability and quality. Not to forget, a professional can use it to record just the kind of music he/she wants.
In terms of portability, it is a good contender, just slip it in your bag, and you make music on whatever hill you like.
7) Behringer U-Phoria UMC204HD USB Audio Interface – 12700
Product features
- 2 Inputs / 4 outputs.
- two Mic / instrument/ line inputs.
- MIDI I/O available.
- Ultra low latency.
- Phantom Power +48V.
- One Headphone output.
- 24-bit / 192 KHz.
click to view price of Behringer U-Phoria UMC204HD on amazon
The UMC 204HD is no different than other budget-friendly audio interfaces. And in the terms of portability, it is also no different. But what makes it different is why we are here.
You get two XLR quarter-inch XLR inputs that you can plugin to record your vocals or instrument. Alongside there is a MIDI I/O provided which becomes a notable feature in this price range. I have said it million times to anyone looking for a good and low-cost audio interface.
For any beginner in music production, go for it. It has everything that a new music producer needs.
I don’t recommend UMC 204 HD for professional live performers because its features make it suitable for home studio solo artists.
8) Audient EVO 4 USB Audio Interface
Product features
- 4 Inputs / 4 outputs.
- 4 Mic / instrument/ line inputs.
- One Guitar Input.
- No MIDI I/O available.
- Ultra low latency.
- Phantom Power +48V.
- Two Headphone output.
- 24-bit / 192 KHz.
click to view price of Audient EVO 4 on amazon
The Evo 4 is a pocket-friendly audio interface. Not in terms of its price but its size. I think it is ultimately one of the best portable audio interfaces.
Four quarter-inch inputs have inbuilt mic preamps. And because of the phantom power boost, producers can record vocals either on dynamic or condenser Microphones.
In terms of getting outputs, there is two headphone and four Monitor outputs. And it needs no external power, meaning that it is powered by your computer.
The new feature we see in this interface is the smart gain. The smart gain automatically adjusts gain levels as you record any instrument. It means that you do not need any gain knob to set the levels. It is a convenient feature to have in an interface.
9) Steinberg UR12 USB Audio Interface
Product features
- 2 Inputs / 2 outputs.
- One Hi-Z input.
- No MIDI I/O available.
- Ultra low latency.
- Phantom Power +48V.
- One Headphone output.
- 24-bit / 192 KHz.
click to view price of Steinberg UR12 on amazon
The UR 12 is a USB-driven audio interface that is powered by your computer. Straight off the bat, you can see one Mic input, one Hi-Z input, two line outputs, and a single headphone output.
A separate Hi-Z input is quite handy for those who play high headroom instruments like a bass or electric guitar. The sound quality is very clear and in par with other audio interfaces.
There is nothing fancy in this interface, and everything is beginner-friendly and easily guidable.
10) Behringer U-PHORIA UM2 USB Audio interface
Product features
- 2 inputs / 2 outputs.
- One mic/ line and one instrument input.
- No MIDI I/O.
- Phantom power boosted.
- 2 Studio Monitor outputs.
- One Headphone output.
- 48 KHz audio quality resolution.
click to view price of Behringer U-PHORIA UM2 on amazon
The UM2 is one of the best portable audio interfaces you will find at a low price range. It is not great, but it is manageable. There are all the essential features, be it phantom-powered mic or individual gain knobs.
But the one thing I miss in UM2 is the MIDI I/O. It is vital to have a separate MIDI section so that your other inputs don’t get messed up.
The UM2 is excellent for beginners as it gives you all the features that a professional interface should have and that too at a low cost. But for experienced, I would so not recommend it.
There are several high end options for professional music makers but not this one.
Conclusion
In conclusion, these were the ten best portable audio interfaces you can buy in 2021. I would keep updating the list, so if you read this article in 2022, you are good to go.
If you consider upgrading your studio with great audio interfaces that stay within budget, check these best selling audio interfaces under $500. I love these and so does the people who got them.
The first three audio interfaces are suitable for the producer who need to expand their inputs. Or for those who need a lot of inputs at their disposal. Either way, I have mentioned the top three interfaces.
The list of interfaces from 4 to 10 is more suitable for solo artists who do not have a team or are just starting. You can take these audio interfaces on tour, keep them in your home studio or wherever you want.
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