Buying guide for Best USB audio interfaces
The magic of music doesn’t just happen in professional recording studios. It happens in living rooms, on front porches, in parks, and everywhere in between. If you’re interested in recording music at home, though, we recommend a USB audio interface. While professional studios utilize purpose-built, multi-thousand dollar recording consoles, home recording studios rely on audio interfaces to translate the music you play into something your computer can properly understand.
Why? Computer audio processors don’t typically have the right inputs for recording microphones and instruments directly, resulting in extremely quiet recordings, muted tones, or static when you plug in directly. Thankfully, USB audio interfaces provide these inputs, plug right into your computer via a USB port, and convert analog, real-world audio into computer-friendly digital audio. Think of these products as mediators, allowing all your components to speak the same language to facilitate the recording process.
USB audio interfaces also offer built-in effects, preamps, additional cable jacks, and other features to make the whole process easier and more fun.
Key considerations
Inputs/outputs
The number of inputs and outputs on an interface determines how many instruments it can handle at one time. If you’re a solo artist recording acoustic guitar, a basic two-channel input/output configuration is perfectly sufficient, and the good news is it won’t break the bank. For recording guitar and vocals side-by-side or an ensemble, you’ll need additional inputs.
Not all inputs are created equal, however. Some are dedicated XLR/TRS inputs for microphones, while others feature a 3.5mm jack for instrument cables or unique MIDI plugs.
Each channel generally has a preamp attached to it that converts weak signals into strong signals. Microphones need strong preamps with lots of gain (volume); otherwise, your records will turn out extremely muted and dull. Guitars and basses need less gain, but a preamp is still required. Finally, keyboards and synthesizers need even less gain, but they may require some amplification to match studio level or recording consistency.
Recording quality
High-quality recordings are extremely attainable even at home, and high-fidelity tracks free of noise and hissing immediately bestow a sense of professionalism. Recording quality is measured in something called sample rate, which boils down to the number of digital “pictures” taken of the audio each second. Common sample rates are, in ascending quality, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, and 192kHz (also called 24-bit). 192kHz/24-bit is essentially the standard sample rate for modern interfaces above the entry level.
In addition, keep your eye out for low-latency units. Latency effectively means delay. It measures how long it takes for the music you play to travel through the audio interface to your recording software and back again, out through your speakers or headphones. Any significant latency can negatively impact the performer’s ability to play along with a track and layer tracks efficiently.
Compatibility
Audio interfaces require computers to actually record data, and if your interface doesn’t mesh with your system, you’re back to square one. Units with both PC and Mac compatibility are quite common. But do yourself a favor and double-check before buying anything — dual compatibility isn’t ubiquitous.
Power
While the majority of audio interfaces either source power directly from your computer or a dedicated adapter that plugs into a wall socket, there are options with rechargeable batteries. These are mainly useful for DJs who want to do swift setups and soundchecks without the rest of their gear, but musicians of any style may appreciate the added portability of battery-powered products.
Did You Know?
If you want to plug a guitar or keyboard directly into an audio interface, you need to plug into the correct input. “Instrument” or “Hi-Z” inputs are best-suited for this, as “line-level” inputs are better for outboard processors, headphone amps, and studio monitors. Use XLR/TRS inputs for mics.
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Features
Included software
The quickest route to recording at home is an audio interface that includes Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) software. Some examples of included DAW software are Garageband, Ableton Live, Pro Tools, and Adobe Audition. Beyond the box/software bundle, all you will generally need to start recording are some cables.
Built-in effects
Guitarists, bassists, vocalists, and a myriad of other musicians are often boosted by effects that shape or enhance their tone. Various interfaces have their own built-in effects, however, forgoing the need for additional pedals and switches. Examples of built-in effects include distortion, reverb, and delay. Some products even have pre-recorded samples for you to play along with or use to build background sounds for your compositions.
EQ
Standard equipment for an audio interface is a volume (gain) knob for each input, and perhaps a mix knob if there are multiple inputs at play. Certain models go the extra mile though, featuring several EQ knobs (EQ is short for equalization) to help you dial in your desired tone. EQ allows you to adjust the levels of various audio frequencies in your recorded material to enhance the existing sound or create a distinctive effect.
Condenser microphones are fantastic for vocals and quiet instruments, but they almost always require an input with phantom power. This is because they have active electronics that require an external power source, whereas dynamic mics do not. If you’re interested in recording with one, choose an audio interface with this feature.
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USB audio interface prices
Recording music in a professional studio is expensive, as you’re essentially renting equipment and paying a producer for their services. With a USB audio interface, you own the equipment and you are the producer, significantly lessening the load on your wallet.
Inexpensive: At about $60, you’ll find low-end audio interfaces with one or perhaps two inputs for simple recording. While these are effective for singer-songwriters and other solo artists, experienced musicians may find the recording quality slightly lacking in budget units. You can also find basic DJ sound controllers and interfaces for PA monitors in this price range.
Mid-range: Jump up to $100 or so and you’ll be rewarded with more inputs, higher-quality preamps to increase your input gain with less noise. Units in this range commonly have a smattering of included effects and plugins, too.
Expensive: At the top of the entry-level consumer range, expect to spend $150 to $250 or much more. Interfaces in this price segment typically boast even more inputs for ensemble recordings, as well as built-in effects and samples, included DAW software, and boutique-quality preamps for crystal-clear results.
Did You Know?
USB 2 connections are plentiful in audio interfaces, but there are other options. Audio interfaces that use Thunderbolt, USB 3, USB-C, PCIi, and even Ethernet may transfer data quicker than USB models.
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Tips
- Use the internet as a recording information resource. Not sure what gain level is best for your mic and interface? Search the web to find out what others think. That said, however, don’t let standard practices and conventional thinking scare you away from experimenting on your own, as you might just stumble onto the perfect tone for your project.
- Use a pop screen. When recording vocals, place a pop filter or screen between the mic and your mouth. This prevents percussive pops from occurring as you speak or sing. If your microphone stand or mic didn’t come with an included pop filter, you make your own with a thin piece of nylon and a circular frame — try a cut out coffee can lid or a bent wire coat hanger.
- Listen everywhere. As you record, check your recorded music by playing it through a variety of sources — car speakers, headphones, or even your phone. Hearing your music through something other than your computer system is a great way to hear how others may way experience your music and help you adjust your recording technique accordingly.
FAQ
Q. I have a USB microphone. Do I still need an audio interface to record music?
A. The beauty of a USB mic is that it effectively has an audio interface inside it, boosting its signal enough to record vocals or instruments at full volume. Simply plug in the mic to your USB port, boot up DAW software, and you’re set to record. That said, the quality of USB mics is generally nowhere near as good as that of a proper studio microphone and audio interface. You may notice excess noise in your recordings, and instruments may feel flat and dull compared to their real-life intonation. Still, a USB mic is a decent choice for demo-quality recordings, practice recordings, or some lo-fi styles.
Q. What other equipment do I need to record at home?
A. Your recording setup greatly depends on the type of music you aim to produce. Singer-songwriters won’t need much more than an instrument, a microphone, an interface, a computer, and a few cables. DJ setups are significantly more complex with turntables, mixers, dedicated DJ software, and all the necessary connections. Full bands may require a set of studio monitors as well multiple microphones, mic stands, and even sound dampening dividers to prevent sound spill and unwanted feedback between the various microphones. And while fancy equipment may result in high-fidelity results, you don’t always need to spend thousands to spread your art. Sometimes, a microphone and a simple interface is all that’s required.
Q. Recording artists often use external preamps instead of an audio interface’s built-in preamps. Why?
A. Preamps that come stock in USB audio interfaces are adequate for the purposes of the majority of non-professional musicians. That said, external units offer several advantages for the money. The first example is improved sound quality due to more sophisticated circuitry. Simple preamp circuits become more distorted when you crank the gain, which can be necessary when recording low-output dynamic and ribbon microphones. External preamps also boast more gain in general and produce less noise when cranked.
In addition to those tangible advantages, external preamps can also have completely unique tonal qualities of their own, allowing musicians and producers to shape their sound in a new way. Built-in preamps, by contrast, are typically clean and transparent in tone, which can be a good or bad thing depending on your style. Are you looking for a vintage 1970s tube-amp sound? Perhaps an external preamp with some character is right for you. If you’re aiming to produce contemporary electronic music, maybe not.
