Top 5 BEST Audio Interfaces In 2024

No matter the scope of your home recording ambitions, having a reliable audio interface is essential. With the increasing prevalence of home recording among musicians, podcasters, and streamers, finding the right interface can feel daunting amidst the multitude of options available in 2024.

At MusicRadar, our extensive experience in reviewing audio interfaces positions us to offer tailored recommendations for any application. Our evaluation process involves rigorous testing, including measuring the noise floor and exploring the gain range across various recording scenarios such as vocals, podcasting, direct instrument input, and traditional microphone setups. This thorough assessment ensures that each interface is assessed for its suitability across different tasks.

For those new to audio terminology like ‘dynamic range’ and ‘frequency response,’ our buying advice section provides valuable guidance, answering common questions to aid in informed decision-making. Meanwhile, seasoned users can dive straight into our top picks. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, we’re here to help you find the perfect audio interface to bring your creative visions to life.

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Last update on 2024-02-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

Top 5 BEST Audio Interfaces In 2024

1.Audient iD4 MkII

Last update on 2024-02-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

Arguably the top choice for an audio interface , the iD4 MkII stands out with its straightforward two-input/two-output design, boasting a microphone preamp with phantom power for condenser mics. Additionally, it includes an instrument-level DI for connecting guitars or basses, along with a convenient smart scroll wheel for software adjustments. Notably, it features a main output for speakers and dual headphone outputs.

Powered via USB-C, it’s also compatible with iPhones/iPads using Apple’s camera connection kit. What sets the Audient iD4 MkII apart is its meticulous attention to detail, prioritizing value and usability. Despite its budget-friendly price, Audient has ensured a high-quality user experience, making it a standout choice in its price range. In sum, it’s the finest USB audio interface we’ve encountered for under quite some time.

With its remarkable and sleek form, Audient’s latest EVO series offers a lot of features for genuinely small audio interfacing on-the-go. However, their iD desktop range has always been a solid choice if you’re looking for a more audiophile experience. Together with its twin, the iD14, the new iD4 audio interface has received a mk2 upgrade, bringing with it enhanced dynamic range, a stronger signal to noise ratio, and an enhanced headphone output.

With one front-mounted instrument input and one rear-mounted mic/line input, the iD4 is a 24-bit / 96kHz small desktop design. The JFET architecture is used for the instrument input, and Audient’s well-known 8024 Class A circuit serves as the mic preamp.

The 48V phantom switch and two ¼” balanced monitor outputs are located on the back. The ¼” and ⅛” headphone outputs, as well as the instrument input, are located on the front edge. It’s incredibly convenient because both headphone plugs can be used concurrently and receive the same signal.

2.Behringer U-Phoria UMC22

Last update on 2024-02-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

When considering the Behringer U-Phoria UMC22, its affordability makes it difficult to find significant faults. While there are higher-quality preamps with more features available, this interface offers a budget-friendly option that covers essential recording needs.

The MIDAS preamp delivers satisfactory sound for recording vocals and guitars, although it may not match the noise floor standards of pricier alternatives. Nevertheless, it remains perfectly usable and ideal for home demos or simple recordings.

One drawback is the absence of a dedicated driver, requiring users to install a third-party driver like ASIO4ALL for optimal performance. This setup might limit audio output to a single source depending on the configuration, which could be restrictive for some users. However, given its low cost, the value provided by the U-Phoria UMC22 is hard to overlook.

In the past, Behringer was known for producing incredibly inexpensive equipment with variable quality. You would never know if you were buying a dud that would break at the worst possible time or something that would last for years. But during the past few years, something has shifted, and the massive German manufacturer of music equipment has started turning out some incredible products while keeping those unbelievable low pricing.

When I initially opened the UMC22, I was struck by how incredibly small it is. In comparison to other interfaces I’ve examined, it also has a fairly simple design with a lot of white space on the front panel. This one seems really clean, which is pleasant because most manufacturers stuff as many features as possible into their products.

One mic/line combo input with a Midas preamp and a 1/4-inch instrument input adjacent to it are the two inputs. Every channel has its own gain knob, master volume control for the output, and a direct monitor button next to it. All you have is a headphone out on the front panel. Conversely, the design is as minimalistic with a USB-B out.

3.UA Apollo Twin X

Last update on 2024-02-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

The Universal Audio Apollo Twin X stands out as a top choice at MusicRadar, offering powerful features that elevate any home recording setup. Available in Duo and Quad formats, named for their respective DSP processing chips, this interface delivers a significant upgrade to your recording experience.

Featuring two hybrid XLR/jack inputs on the back and an instrument input on the front, the Apollo Twin X offers familiar connectivity options. However, its standout feature lies in the integration of Unison preamps with DSP processing. This unique capability allows users to emulate vintage Neve channel strips, providing uncanny recreations of renowned recording studio channels.

The front panel boasts a large knob for volume control of monitors, headphones, and input gain, along with convenient buttons for phantom power, muting, and other functions. The Apollo Twin X offers a comprehensive and powerful recording experience, enhanced by its portable size. It’s the ideal interface for both studio and on-the-go recording sessions, with the flexibility to expand within the UA ecosystem as your needs evolve.

Even while DSP and modeling have made our lives easier, musicians are constantly using these newfound technological advancements to transport listeners back to the days of analog recording. Many of the classic techniques still dominate current music production, whether it’s a floor modeller that mimics the warmth and sag of a tube amp or a plugin that emulates an antique compressor.

As with most audio interfaces, the Universal Audio Apollo Twin X does a great job at recreating vintage outboard gear and amp modeling. The capacity of the Apollo Twin X to replicate an analog studio workflow sets it apart from the competition and may be the perfect addition to any contemporary engineer’s mix.

The Apollo Twin X Quad Thunderbolt Heritage Edition, which includes several extra plugin collections from Teletronix, Pultec, and UA itself, was provided to us by UA for evaluation purposes. We set out to see if the expensive piece of equipment is worth it, especially in light of the current economic situation.

4.IK Multimedia AXE I/O

Last update on 2024-02-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

The IK Multimedia AXE I/O stands out as a dedicated guitar recording interface, offering a range of features tailored specifically for guitarists. Designed to deliver sumptuous tones, it’s an ideal choice for those focusing solely on guitar recording.

The dedicated guitar input provides extensive options for tone sculpting, including the ability to choose between active and passive pickups and two types of preamps for achieving a clean or harmonically colored tone. The ‘Z-Tone’ knob further enhances flexibility by allowing users to adjust impedance, tailoring the tone to their preferences.

A convenient ‘amp out’ output simplifies re-amping by allowing users to feed a DI signal directly into an amplifier. Additionally, integration with AmpliTube enables preset changes using hardware buttons, offering a seamless recording experience.

For guitarists seeking a specialized recording solution, the IK Multimedia AXE I/O stands out as one of the best choices available, catering specifically to the needs of guitar recording enthusiasts.

If you record at home these days, you probably use a computer to utilize the plethora of features offered by contemporary DAW software, like Pro Tools, Logic, Cubase, or Reaper, to mention a few. You might also use amp sim plug-ins, like AmpliTube, BIAS, Guitar Rig, and so forth.

The problem is that, even if you can adjust your guitar tone a lot once it’s stored as digital data on the hard drive, it makes perfect sense to record the signal as high quality as you can from the start.

Therefore, all you need is a good audio interface that can digitize the signal from your guitar when it’s plugged in and deliver it to your DAW. It’s not enough to have good A/D conversion on board; the front end of the audio interface, or the preamp that receives your guitar signal initially, needs to handle it as delicately as possible.

With its new AXE I/O guitar audio interface, which the firm claims was created from the bottom up with the intention of giving guitar players the finest interface possible, IK Multimedia thinks it has solved this problem. The AXE I/O is a two-in/five-out audio/MIDI interface with up to 24-bit/192kHz resolution. In addition to standard input and monitoring functions, it also has a guitar input. This features variable input impedance that you can tune in with a knob to adjust how the unit interacts with your pickups, two preamp topologies to choose from, including JFET, and can be best adjusted for passive or active pickups.

5.PreSonus Revelator io24

Last update on 2024-02-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

For musicians and gamers alike, live streaming has become a significant aspect of online engagement. However, finding the right audio interface for streaming purposes can be challenging. The PreSonus Revelator io24 stands out as a solution tailored specifically to streamline this process.

At the core of the Revelator is its Universal Control software, which simplifies the integration of multiple audio sources through loopback functionality, enabling seamless routing to your preferred streaming software. This versatility allows users to incorporate audio from various sources such as Discord, DAWs, or game audio, while also providing different monitor mixes for virtual collaborators.

Additionally, the interface offers built-in DSP effects with a wide range of presets, catering to users who prefer not to delve into detailed EQ and compression settings. Furthermore, the inclusion of a physical preset button on the unit allows for quick access to these effects, enabling users to easily add reverbs or delays to their voice for added impact and creativity during streams.

What is an audio interface?

Consider an audio interface as a go-between for your computer and your music. The analogue to digital (ADC) converter in your interface processes your musical inputs and changes them into 1s and 0s that your computer can comprehend.

Your audio interface will then transform these 1s and 0s back into a waveform once they have been altered in your computer, normally in a DAW, allowing you to hear the signals through studio monitors or headphones. A digital to audio converter is used for this process (DAC).

Do audio interfaces improve sound quality?

We’ll be honest with you: if you believe that a new audio interface will make your recordings sound better, you are not correct. Most audio interfaces available for consumers have pretty comparable recording quality. The signal entering your interface is different. For this reason, studios boost the signal before sending it to the DAW using outboard equipment like compressors, EQs, and preamps.

In other words, the signal processing you perform both before and after it enters your DAW is significantly more significant than the interface you use.

Indeed, interfaces do provide better sound quality when compared to your computer’s built-in sound card. An audio interface is far more effective at translating analog sounds to digital and vice versa, as well as opening up the built-in preamps and phantom power condenser mics.

What are the different types of audio interface?

The work of most interfaces is essentially the same. The method they link is the only significant differentiator you’ll need to take into account. Some link to your laptop or computer via PCIe, Firewire, Thunderbolt, or USB. Most interfaces include USB connectivity, but it’s a good idea to double check that your computer is using the correct port.

What is an acceptable latency for an audio interface?

Not many, according to most musicians! When converting audio to digital, this isn’t feasible, so there will be some lag during the recording process. We consider anything under 20 ms to be very good, and most artists, regardless of the instrument they play, won’t even detect this kind of latency.

Vocals are an exception, as even very slight latency can be extremely unsettling. This is because, through their headphones, the vocalist will hear the sound in their brain prior to the slightly delayed vocal. A skilled recorded vocalist will be able to handle this, but for a less experienced voice, you might need to disable plugins in order to make the latency low enough.

conclusion

Indeed, for musicians aiming to create high-quality recordings and playback, an audio interface is indispensable. These devices enable the seamless recording of various audio sources into computers or smart devices, encompassing everything from acoustic guitars and vocals to full bands or orchestras.

Once recorded, the audio can be mixed within digital audio workstations (DAWs), allowing for the creation of polished songs or compositions. With the ability to connect to professional-grade speakers, audio interfaces ensure that musicians can accurately monitor and listen back to their recordings with clarity and precision.