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Choosing the Best Recording Interface for Any Budget in 2025
jeudi 1 mai 2025, 16:00 , par Sweetwater inSync
In this article, we’ll delve into our most popular audio interfaces, providing brief descriptions for each. Of course, to ensure you get the best interface for your needs, we encourage you to have a one-on-one conversation with your Sweetwater Sales Engineer. They will be thrilled to discuss your individual situation and match you with the tools that will best equip you to achieve your musical goals. Audio Recording Interfaces Under $100 Some audio interfaces are tailor-made for guitarists. The IK Multimedia iRig USB, for example, is a portable powerhouse, leveraging ToneX SE and AmpliTube modeling software to put an entire universe of tones at your fingertips. The Fender Link I/O is another guitar-centric interface, boasting an input stage modeled after Fender’s world-class amplifiers, that enables you to record guitar tracks without compromising your sound or violating noise ordinances. On-the-go content creators can benefit from similar portability, thanks to ultra-lightweight audio interfaces such as the RODE AI-Micro, which pairs seamlessly with your mobile device and affords you high-quality recording wherever you go. Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Many audio-interface users prefer units with desktop-friendly form factors, such as the PreSonus AudioBox Go and Behringer U-Phoria UMC202HD. Both are compact enough for portable use yet pack enough features to satisfy the needs of recording musicians. The Arturia MiniFuse 1 is another compact desktop interface, featuring a virtual loopback channel for content creators and a premium software bundle. The Focusrite Scarlett Solo is a scaled-down entry from one of our top-selling series of audio interfaces, providing you with a bevy of studio-quality features and add-ons. Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Audio Recording Interfaces $100–$300 Spending a little more will get you an audio interface with higher-quality sound and expanded features. The Lewitt Connect 2 is a portable interface with a low-profile desktop form factor, hardware-accelerated DSP, and potent features that will appeal to both music makers and content creators. The Behringer U-Phoria UMC1820 offers more expansive connectivity than pretty much anything else in its price range, making it a great option for recording full bands on a budget. The Black Lion Audio Revolution 2×2 is a relatively straightforward unit but with upgraded conversion and clocking that enable you to coax pro-level sounds out of a modestly priced interface. If you’re an analog aficionado, then the Universal Audio Volt 276 will be right up your alley; it employs vintage-inspired circuitry, including a built-in FET compressor derived from UREI’s classic 1176LN limiting amplifier. Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Guitarists will get lots of mileage out of the Apogee Jam X, which leverages the company’s acclaimed AD/DA conversion alongside a flexible, built-in analog compressor. This enables you to faithfully capture guitar, bass, synth, or any other electric instrument with plug-and-play simplicity. The Focusrite Vocaster Two is designed specifically for podcasters, enabling you to achieve broadcast-quality results quickly and easily. Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list You can find a plethora of outstanding audio interfaces in this price range, including several built by world-famous studio console manufacturers such as Audient, Focusrite, and Solid State Logic. Audient’s EVO 4 and EVO 8 offer you tremendous bang for your buck, boasting class-leading sound quality and an incredibly intuitive feature set that beginning recordists will greatly appreciate. You can find Focusrite’s Scarlett 2i2 and Scarlett 4i4 in home and project studios everywhere by virtue of their legendary pedigree, musician-friendly features, and rock-solid reliability. The Solid State Logic SSL 2+ MKII packs best-in-class conversion, pro-level studio features, and — most importantly — classic SSL sound into a sleek desktop unit, making it a sure bet for home recordists aiming for that elusive pro-studio sheen. Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Audio Recording Interfaces $300–$500 Taking the leap into the $300–$500 range will give you an audio interface not only with more advanced features but also with more channels, allowing you to record larger ensembles. Many of these units, such as the Audient iD24, Solid State Logic SSL 12, Universal Audio Volt 476P, and Focusrite Scarlett 18i16, are expanded iterations of some of the less expensive interfaces we’ve already covered. This makes them the perfect solution for those who love everything about their current interface but need something with more inputs and outputs. Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Recording musicians will benefit from the PreSonus Quantum ES 4’s creator-focused workflow and artist-centric features combined with a modern wedge design that keeps control right at your fingertips. The PreSonus Quantum HD 2 offers similar features to the ES 4 but with greater connectivity and a compact desktop form factor. Boasting extremely flexible recording and monitoring capabilities, the Xvive More You Hub is part of a modular ecosystem that you can grow by adding one or more expansion units to your setup. Another excellent interface in this range is the MOTU M6, which benefits from MOTU’s extensive expertise built on decades of audio-interface design, giving you a reliable solution with cutting-edge features and sound quality that’s second to none. Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Audio Recording Interfaces $500–$750 Containing the Audient EVO 16, Focusrite Scarlett 18i20, and Audient iD44 MKII, the $500–$750 range also offers expanded versions of interfaces from less expensive ranges. These units not only house more inputs and outputs than their smaller siblings but also give you additional features and expanded capabilities aimed at more advanced users. Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Are you a Bitwig software user? If so, then the Bitwig Connect 4/12 may be the perfect audio interface for you, giving you lock-tight integration with your software as well as features and connectivity designed to streamline your modular synth and MIDI setups. The RME Digiface USB enables you to take advantage of pro-quality sound and connectivity in a portable, streamlined digital audio interface, making it ideal for recordists performing professional-level work out in the field. Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Audio Recording Interfaces $750–$1,000 The $750–$1,000 range is ideal for serious home recordists who want to record full bands, integrate outboard gear into their setups, and benefit from a workflow and features that lend themselves to a professional studio environment. The Arturia AudioFuse Studio offers a substantial upgrade over its smaller counterpart, boasting expansive connectivity and pro-level specs. Likewise, both the Audient iD48 and PreSonus Quantum HD 8 represent the flagships of their respective product lines, and either one makes a perfect centerpiece for a well-equipped home studio to take on professional projects. Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Some higher-end interfaces sacrifice connectivity for the sake of sheer sound quality, making them ideal for recording musicians or mix engineers who only need a couple of channels but demand pro-studio sound. Take the RME Babyface Pro FS, for example. This unit delivers reference-quality clocking and conversion alongside a robust feature set aimed at professional users. Similarly, the Heritage Audio i73 Pro 2 gives you a high-end British-console-style analog front end paired with low-latency, DSP-driven processing. Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list The TASCAM Studio Bridge is more utilitarian than most other units in this range, designed to act as a conduit between your analog console and your digital recording system whether it’s a DAW-equipped setup or a computer-free configuration. The Studio Bridge includes built-in 24-track digital recording, making it a true Swiss Army knife. Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Audio Recording Interfaces $1,000–$1,500 Within the $1,000–$1,500 range, you’ll find audio interfaces aimed at high-end project studios. These units are designed for individuals with extremely discerning tastes, desiring results on par with professional production facilities. At two channels, the Neve 88M is among the smallest interfaces in this range. That said, it houses analog circuitry patterned after the company’s revered large-format 88RS consoles, providing recording musicians with an authentic Neve front end in a single streamlined unit. Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Most interfaces in the $1,000–$1,500 range boast enough connectivity to tackle large-scale projects with room for further expansion. Additionally, these units deliver professional sound quality and features designed to accommodate pro-studio workflows. The Solid State Logic SSL 18 is the flagship of the company’s USB audio interfaces, providing ample I/O, high-performance analog circuitry, and all the pro-level features you’d expect from a high-end unit. The Black Lion Audio Revolution 14×16 is another no-compromise product, making it a superb hub for a well-equipped project studio with professional ambitions. The Arturia AudioFuse 16Rig delivers the same performance we’ve come to expect from Arturia with an “everything but the kitchen sink” feature set that can accommodate myriad studio applications and workflows. The MOTU 16A combines industry-first Thunderbolt 4 connectivity with state-of-the-art conversion and clocking, cutting-edge networking capabilities, and scores of professional features. Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Audio Recording Interfaces $1,500–$2,500 When you demand the best for your project studio or small pro production facility, you’ll find it in the $1,500–$2,500 range. The RME Digiface Dante, for example, enables you to take advantage of the latest networking technologies while enjoying pro-quality sound and generous connectivity in a portable digital audio interface. The RME Fireface UCX II is a compact, half-rack-sized unit with deep control and access to the company’s most advanced technologies, making it ideal for smaller setups geared toward professional results. Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Apogee is renowned in pro-studio circles for their industry-leading sound quality, and their Symphony I/O interfaces have found a home in scores of high-end professional studios. The Apogee Symphony Studio 2 x 12 offers the same sound quality as the company’s flagship units, enabling high-end recording and immersive mixing and mastering in a state-of-the-art, non-networked solution aimed at small-scale facilities with fewer channel requirements. Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list You’ll also find desktop-style interfaces in the $1,500–$2,500 range, providing you with sound quality equal to high-end rackmount units but enabling smaller, console-less studios to put console-style monitor controls, metering, and more at their fingertips. Not only is the Neumann MT 48 U optimized for the company’s legendary microphones, but it also boasts premium-quality specs, cutting-edge DSP, and a flawless signal path, ensuring superb sound and seamless studio integration. The Universal Audio Apollo x4 Gen 2 combines top-shelf sound with UA’s revolutionary Unison preamps and DSP-driven analog modeling, allowing you to track and mix through emulations of the industry’s most coveted gear. Additionally, the Lynx Mesa equips you with the same conversion quality as the company’s revered Aurora(n) units along with enough studio-friendly features to satisfy the needs of any small production environment. Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Are you a 500 Series devotee? If so, then the Cranborne Audio 500R8 was tailor-made for you! In addition to USB connectivity, an analog summing mixer, a zero-latency artist mixer, and a monitor controller, this novel audio interface houses an 8-slot, high-current 500 Series chassis, essentially packing an entire studio into a rack. Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Audio Recording Interfaces $2,500+ In the range beyond $2,500 are the units used by large-scale recording studios, professional mix spaces, Dolby Atmos rooms, mastering houses, and other top-tier production facilities. Take the Prism Sound Lyra 2, for instance. This unit combines world-class analog technology with mastering-quality conversion and clocking along with many advanced features. Designed specifically for immersive audio, the Audient ORIA is the interface of choice for many Dolby Atmos-equipped facilities. The Focusrite Red 8Line is favored by many top engineers since it delivers world-class sound and integrates seamlessly into Thunderbolt 3, Dante, and Pro Tools HD environments. The Merging Technologies Anubis Premium SPS is among the highest-quality desktop-style audio interfaces, one of the few that support sample rates up to 384kHz as well as 358.2kHz/DXD and DSD formats. Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list The RME Fireface UFX III is the company’s flagship audio interface, running the gamut of their advanced technologies and featuring a channel count designed to tackle ultra-large-scale applications with ease. Similarly, the Apogee Symphony Studio 8 x 16 offers the most I/O in its product line, enabling you to accommodate larger sessions while benefiting from the company’s fabled AD/DA conversion. Likewise, the Universal Audio Apollo x16 Gen 2 delivers the same sound and performance as its smaller siblings but with an expanded channel count, advanced monitoring, native support for immersive audio formats, and other features professional studios are sure to appreciate. Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Pro Tools users preferring a streamlined setup with unrivaled performance will be well pleased by Avid’s audio interfaces. The Avid Pro Tools Carbon not only provides seamless integration with Pro Tools software, but it also leverages both your computer’s native CPU and eight onboard HDX CPU cores to ensure performance on par with larger Pro Tools HD systems. Moreover, the Avid MTRX Studio is a streamlined iteration of the Avid Pro Tools MTRX II that eschews the latter’s modular I/O for a flexible, self-contained design comprising Dante, DigiLink, and ADAT connectivity, making it a powerful central hub for your Pro Tools-equipped studio. Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list When you exceed $2,500, it’s a sure bet that you’re aiming for the best sound possible. And you won’t be disappointed. Take the Digital Audio Denmark AX Center Base, for instance. It offers unrivaled sonic fidelity, plus you get comprehensive monitor control and onboard speaker processing. Moreover, the DAD AX Center Base houses enough I/O to handle projects with colossal channel counts, making it a fine choice for top-tier professional recording facilities with large-scale production requirements. The Lynx Aurora(n) 32-TB3 is another high-end option, equipping you with the company’s finest conversion alongside the features and I/O necessary to accommodate top-level productions of any size. Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Not Every Interface Looks Like an Interface Although most studios are built around a dedicated audio interface, it should be noted that there are numerous guitar and bass pedals, multi-effects pedals, amp modelers, guitar amplifiers, headphone amps, digital mixers, and other pieces of gear that include built-in audio interfaces. Case in point, the Neural DSP Quad Cortex is among the most popular products here at Sweetwater, and it has audio-interface capabilities so robust that we wrote an article about it! In fact, there are tons of guitar-centric units out there with built-in interfaces, including the Line 6 Helix and POD Express, Fender Tone Master Pro, BOSS IR-2, and the IK Multimedia ToneX and ToneX One. Guitar amplifiers with built-in interfaces include the BOSS Katana:Go and Katana-50 Gen 3 and the Positive Grid Spark GO. And when it comes to interface-equipped digital mixers, you can’t go wrong with the TASCAM Model 12, PreSonus StudioLive 32SC, or the Behringer X32 Rack or X Air XR18. Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list Add to cart
https://www.sweetwater.com/insync/choosing-the-best-recording-interface-for-any-budget-in-2025/
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