Getting your hands on an audio interface is a great way to level up your home studio. This piece of gear will allow you to record instruments, vocals, and give you the ability to route the audio from your DAW to a pair of studio monitors or studio headphones. It's a critical piece of hardware for the modern bedroom producer. In this guide, I reviewed the best audio interfaces for your home studio.
Luckily, there are many interface options out there that are extremely high-quality and also extremely affordable.
What is the Best Audio Interface for Your Home Studio?
There are many different brands out there, from Focusrite, Universal Audio, PreSonus, and more, that offer high-quality audio interfaces. They all have their own strengths and weaknesses, and it's important to consider your unique needs when deciding which interface to purchase.
That said, all of them essentially serve the same purpose, so it really comes down to personal preference and what budget you're willing to spend.
Things To Consider Before Buying
It's important to keep in mind your specific needs when deciding which audio interface to buy. Be sure to ask yourself the following questions before you begin your search:
How many inputs do I need?
What kind of inputs do I need?
What will I use as my outputs (headphones, studio monitors, both)?
Each interface we will go over will have slightly different options when it comes to the questions listed above.
With all that said, let's get into our list of the best audio interfaces for your home studio setup.
USB connectivity
1 XLR input, 1 instrument input
2 Stereo outputs, 1 Headphone output
Cost: $119.99
The Scarlett Solo is one of the best budget options out there for your home studio needs. With 1 XLR input and 1 instrument input, you'll be able to record vocals, guitar, bass, and any other instrument that utilizes 1 of those 2 inputs. You also have the option of using headphones or hooking the interface up to stereo studio monitors like the KRK Rokit 7's or the Yamaha Hs5's. Having all the controls located on the front panel also makes it an ideal desktop interface.
Overall, this is a perfect interface for beginner-to-intermediate music producers who aren't looking for anything too fancy - just something to get the job done well.
USB connectivity
2 combo mic/instrument inputs
2 Stereo outputs, 1 Headphone output, MIDI I/O
Cost: $169.95
The PreSonus Studio is definitely a step up from the Scarlett Solo with its 2 inputs that can be used for microphones or instruments, meaning you can record 2 instruments, 2 microphones, or 1 instrument and 1 microphone at the same time, which isn't possible with the Scarlett. This interface is known for it's clean and pristine audio recording quality, making it one of the best values on this list. The LED level meter is also a nice touch which makes it easy to see if your audio is peaking.
Similar to the Scarlett Solo, the controls on the front panel makes this a nice interface to keep on your desk, although the headphone jack is located in the back of the unit instead of the front. All things considered, the PreSonus Studio is a great value for the money considering the extremely high quality.
USB connectivity
2 combo mic/instrument inputs
2 Stereo outputs, 1 Headphone output
Cost: $134.80
The Komplete Audio 2 comes in between the Scarlett Solo and the PreSonus Studio price-wise, making it a nice intermediate option. The audio quality is top notch, and it has all the essential inputs and outputs most bedroom producers are looking for.
Some of the downsides of this interface are the front and top panel controls (as opposed to just having all the controls on the front panel) and the unit is made of all plastic, which makes it feel a bit light and cheap. However, the pristine audio quality and the combo inputs make this a competitive option when considering the best interface option for your needs.
USB connectivity
1 combo mic/instrument input, 1 instrument input
2 Stereo outputs, 2 Headphone outputs
Cost: $199.00
The Audient iD4 MKII contains many of the same features as some of the previous options on this list with its number of outputs and the instrument and microphone inputs. However, the design of this unit is slightly different, with most of the controls located on the top panel. This may work better for you depending on where you plan on placing your interface within your home studio.
The sound quality is great and the design is sturdy, however it may not be enough to justify the jump in price if you're just looking for an interface that can get the same job done for less money.
Thunderbolt connectivity
2 combo mic/instrument inputs
2 sets of Stereo outputs (4 total), 1 Headphone output
Cost: $995.00
The Apollo Twin comes with a huge jump in price, but it'd be foolish to leave this off the list since it seems to be the go-to audio interface for intermediate-to-advanced bedroom producers. Some of the reasons for the jump in price are the ultra-pristine audio quality, in-unit processing that frees up CPU, near-zero latency issues, and the legendary reputation of its manufacturer, Universal Audio.
While the Apollo Twin obviously isn't the best choice for beginners who are just getting their feet wet with music production, it is an intriguing option for the more seasoned bedroom producer who is looking to enhance their existing setup and is willing to spend a little more to do so.
I hope this guide helps you decide on which audio interface is the best fit for you and your personal needs! Enjoyed this guide? Make sure to check out our Bedroom Producer Essentials Guide or our other reviews/buyer's guides.
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