Best products in the Audio interfaces category
Here's a ranking of the best products in this category. To give you a quick overview, we've also added some key information about the products.
1. Elgato Wave XLR
Wave XLR is a compact USB interface that gives your mic superpowers - with features you won't find on regular audio interfaces: special clipguard technology againstdistortion, capacitive mute button and direct integration with custom Wave Link mixing software. You can even swap out the front panel and knobs.
If you can't live without your XLR mic, Wave XLR is for you. This compact USB interface gives your mic superpowers.
Wave XLR combines multiple devices into one, offering features you won't find in standard audio interfaces: special anti-distortion technology, capacitive mute button, direct integration with Wave Link custom mixing software, and an interchangeable front panel.
Give your mic the boost it needs without an external preamp. With ultra-low-noise gain of up to 75 dB, you'll be heard loud and clear even with a notoriously insensitive mic, while 48 volts of phantom power breathes life into condenser mics.
Now you don't have to keep an eye on the level while you're live, or try to straighten out distorted audio in post-production. When the input level peaks, special Clipguard technology instantly routes the sound to a second, lower-level signal path. So you get clean audio - no matter how loud you scream.
2. RØDE AI-Micro
A 4x4 cm small, mobile and flexible usable audio interface for two microphones and one headphone. The AI-Micro works with Mac and PC as well as with smartphones(USB-C) and iPhones (Lightning). And you can connect not only microphones with 3.5 mm TRS plugs, but also the smartLav+ with its four-pin TRS plug - without an adapter. The AI-Micro automatically detects whether a microphone with TRS or TRRS plug is connected and changes the assignment accordingly. The 3.5 mm headphone output is used for signal playback from the connected device or for latency-free monitoring of the recording signals. On the back of the AI-Micro is the USB-C connector. Good to know: The AI-Micro can be configured and updated as needed via the free "RØDE Central" app/software. In addition, the AI-Micro is recognized by the free podcast/streaming software "RØDE Connect" and can be integrated there. Included with the AI-Micro are the 30 cm long USB connection cables SC21 (to Lightning), SC22 (to USB-C) and SC23 (to USB-A).
3. RØDE Ai-1
Audio Interface RODE Microphones AI-1 Monitor Controlling.
4. ESI Audiotechnik Maya44 eX
The Maya44 eX is a high quality ultra high performance 24-bit / 96 kHz 4-in / 4-out PCIe audio interface, providing a number of powerful and amazing features optimizedfor home recording on a professional quality level and for various professional applications.
The latest version of our popular family of Maya44 eX interfaces can easily be used by home users making their first steps in computer audio as well as by professionals who produce music on a budget, looking for a professional, yet affordable, PCIe audio solution based on the latest ESI hardware technology that is compatible with virtually any computer providing a PCIe slot.
Maya44 eX provides 2 stereo analog line inputs, 2 stereo line outputs, a microphone input with +48V phantom power and preamp, a Hi-Z guitar instrument input, a headphone output, as well as an optical S/PDIF output and an optical S/PDIF input. On the software side, an extended version of our EWDM driver with full DirectWIRE support is provided. All this makes MAYA44 eX a perfect solution for a magnitude of audio applications such as home recording, podcasting, audio streaming, multichannel playback, professional DJ and much more.
Maya44 eX works under Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 on 32-bit and 64-bit systems. It even ships with a powerful software package, including the inTone 2 ESI Edition by Audified, an extremely powerful effect host application that allows you to process and record audio in realtime using third party VST plugins or the included ampLion Free and GK Amplification 2 LE plugins. Also included is Deckadance LE by Stanton, a high quality DJ application that allows you to mix your tracks like a professional DJ.
5. ESI Audiotechnik Gigaport eX
Colour-coded grommet for NEUTRIK jack plugs in the PX series.
6. Steinberg UR22 MKII Value Edition
The UR22 MKII Value Edition includes the UR22 MKII USB audio interface, the latest versions of Cubase Elements, Groove Agent Drum Studio, and the Cubasis iOS app.UR22mkII 24-bit/192 kHz USB 2.0 audio interface, 2 D-PRE class-A mic preamps with +48V phantom power, 2 analogue XLR/jack combo inputs (Hi-Z on input 2), 2 line outputs (jack balanced), headphone output with dedicated volume control, MIDI output with MIDI control.rk control, MIDI input and output, iOS-compatible via CC mode, including Cubase Elements Music Production System, including Groove Agent Ultimate Drum Studio, including Cubasis LE DAW app for iOS.
7. ESI Audiotechnik MIDIMATE eX
ESI MIDIMATE EX, USB 2.0 MIDI cable with 2 MIDI connectors.
8. Icon Live Console (NEW) Live Steaming Audio Processing
ICON's LiveConsole USB recording interface provides an audio input and output module with USB connection to your PC or smartphone for instant live streaming. Themain features are:
- ICON's unique and innovative built-in DSP effects for superior audio quality.
- 14 importable jingle/sample slots with individual trigger buttons.
- 8 different vocal and 4 different instrument presets with individual trigger buttons
- Vocal melody with 13 key parameter keys, including C/C#/D/D#/E/F/F#/G/G#/A/A#/B
- Pitch shifting with individual keys for 12 scale parameters
- 4-digit display with two knobs to control DSP parameters, including value and speed
- 6 x 60 mm faders for controlling various input and output values
- Easy Bluetooth pairing for connection with smartphone HGM
- 2 microphone inputs or 1 microphone/1 instrument input, 2 USB recording interface outputs
- Equipped with +48V phantom power
- 2 analog outputs with 1/4-inch TRS jacks
- Functions as a stand-alone unit with DSP processing
- Equipped with a button for an attenuation function (voice-over), so that the music is automatically muted when the mic signal is present.
- Equipped with button to record the mic signal (dry/wet) to the PC smart phone
- Equipped with buttons to control the monitoring signal (dry/wet). Master volume control on the top of the unit.
- 2 headphone outputs on a 3.5mm stereo jack socket
- Digital (Type-C) and analog (TRRS) connection jacks for e.g. smartphones or tablets
- Compatible with the digital (Type-C) u. analog I/O jack (3.5mm stereo TRRS) of iOS and Android devices for direct connection to a smartphone.
- Compatible with Mac OS (Intel-Mac) and Windows XP, Vista (32-bit/64-bit), Windows 7 (32-bit/64-bit), Windows 8 (32-bit/64-bit) and Windows 10 (32-bit/64-bit)
- USB2.0 compatible and USB bus powered
- Plug and Play. You do not need to install any driver.
9. Universal Audio Volt 1
10. Apogee Symphony Desktop
Symphony Desktop for Mac and Windows packs the legendary sound quality of Apogee's Symphony I/O Mk II into a sleek and inspiring 10x14 audio interface that fitson any desk or in any pocket. With Symphony Desktop, you as a musician or producer will be able to record, overdub and mix with the most renowned AD/DA converters and mic preamps in the music industry.
Similar to the Symphony I/O MkII, Symphony Desktop's analog-to-digital converter stage features ultra-low distortion, high slew rate, fully differential analog operational amplifiers, and a state-of-the-art A/D converter in a performance-enhancing dual-sum configuration.
Symphony Desktop's digital-to-analog converter stage uses technology to achieve uncompromised Symphony DAC performance in a portable product, including a robust, ultra-low distortion, high performance output module. Regardless of downstream components, Symphony Desktop provides a transparent, high-resolution picture in the sonic representation of your mix.
At the heart of the input stage are Symphony Desktop's mic preamps with up to 75dB of gain. The preamp design features Apogee's unique Advanced Stepped Gain Architecture, which provides extremely low noise and distortion regardless of the source, from thumping kick drum to delicate fingerpicking on an acoustic guitar. With different levels of impedance settings on the mic and instrument inputs, Symphony Desktop optimizes the input stage to better match your specific equipment, for deep bass and clear highs. Selectable mic preamp emulations add character, expression, and perhaps a little extra oomph to your recordings.
The Apogee Alloy mic preamp emulation features analog circuitry plus DSP processing to create the most comprehensive and authentic audio modeling available in an audio interface. Critical aspects of the model such as input impedance, transient profile and distortion characteristics are implemented first in the analog domain, followed by precise and accurate refinement in the DSP to produce a hybrid result that is greater than the sum of its parts.
