Audio Interface Devices
Audio interfaces — preamps and converters that get mics and instruments into your computer cleanly.
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Audient iD4 MkII (2020)
Audient’s 2-in/2-out desktop interface connects over a single USB-C cable (USB 2.0 audio class) and is bus-powered. It has one combo input that takes an XLR microphone plug or a 6.35mm (1/4-inch) line cable through a Class-A console mic preamp, plus a separate dedicated 6.35mm JFET instrument input for guitar or bass. Outputs are a…
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Behringer U-Phoria UMC22 (2016)
This budget 2×2 USB audio interface pairs a single Midas-designed XLR/TRS combo mic input with a separate 1/4-inch instrument input, recording at up to 24-bit/48 kHz. It connects to a computer over a USB Type-B cable and is bus-powered, so no wall adapter is needed. Monitoring runs through two balanced 1/4-inch TRS line outputs and…
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Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 4th Gen (2023)
Focusrite’s flagship 4th-gen 1U rack interface offers 18 inputs and 20 outputs over a single USB-C connection (USB 2.0 protocol). Eight XLR/TRS combo inputs with Auto Gain and Air mode pair with ten balanced line outputs, two independent headphone outputs, dual ADAT optical I/O, coaxial S/PDIF I/O, 5-pin DIN MIDI, and a BNC Word Clock…
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Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen (2023)
Focusrite’s best-selling 4th-gen 2-in/2-out USB-C audio interface targets home-studio vocalists, podcasters, and producers. Each channel accepts mic or instrument via a combo XLR (rear) and 1/4-inch (front) input pair, with 48V phantom and Auto Gain. Balanced TRS outputs drive studio monitors and a 1/4-inch headphone jack sits on the front. The USB-C connector runs USB…
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Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 4th Gen (2023)
The 4th-gen Scarlett 4i4 is a 4-in/4-out USB-C interface for producers needing MIDI hardware and independent headphone mixes. Inputs 1–2 are front-panel XLR/TRS combo jacks with Auto Gain and Air mode; inputs 3–4 are rear balanced 1/4-inch line-level for synths or outboard preamps. Four balanced line outputs plus a dedicated headphone output handle monitoring. A…
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Focusrite Scarlett Solo 4th Gen (2023)
The 4th-gen Scarlett Solo is Focusrite’s single-preamp USB-C interface for solo performers: one XLR mic input plus one dedicated 1/4-inch Hi-Z instrument input, with Auto Gain and Air mode. Two balanced 1/4-inch TRS line outs drive studio monitors, and a 1/4-inch headphone jack sits on the front. The USB-C port runs at USB 2.0 speeds,…
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MOTU M2 (2019)
MOTU’s M2 is a 2-in/2-out bus-powered USB-C audio interface with ESS Sabre32 Ultra converters and a 120 dB dynamic-range spec on outputs. Two front-panel XLR/TRS combo inputs take mic, line, or Hi-Z signals with 48V phantom. Two balanced 1/4-inch TRS outs drive studio monitors, with RCA outputs mirroring them for unbalanced gear, plus a front…
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MOTU M4 (2019)
MOTU’s M4 is a 4-in/4-out bus-powered USB-C audio interface using the same ESS Sabre32 Ultra converters as the M2, with a 120 dB dynamic-range spec on outputs. Two front-panel XLR/TRS combo jacks take mic, line, or Hi-Z instrument with 48V phantom, and two rear 1/4-inch TRS inputs accept balanced line gear. Four balanced TRS outputs…
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Native Instruments Komplete Audio 2 (2019)
Native Instruments’ desktop 2-in/2-out interface is bus-powered and — unusually for its generation — connects to the computer over a USB Type-B socket rather than USB-C, using a USB 2.0 connection. Its two inputs are combo jacks that accept an XLR microphone plug or a 6.35mm (1/4-inch) line or instrument cable, with 48V phantom power.…
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PreSonus Studio 24c (2019)
PreSonus’s compact 2-in/2-out interface connects over USB-C (USB 2.0 audio class) and is bus-powered, so it needs no wall adapter. Its two combo inputs each take an XLR microphone plug or a 6.35mm (1/4-inch) line or instrument cable, driven by XMAX-L mic preamps with switchable 48V phantom power. You get a pair of balanced 6.35mm…
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RME Babyface Pro FS (2019)
RME’s Babyface Pro FS is a portable 12-in/12-out USB 2.0 interface using femtosecond-clock SteadyClock FS and dual-stage headphone amps. The rear panel carries two XLR mic inputs and two balanced XLR line outputs, with two 1/4-inch TRS inputs for line/Hi-Z sources on the side. Parallel 1/4-inch and 3.5-mm headphone outputs share the same discrete driver…
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SSL 2+ (2020)
The SSL 2+ is Solid State Logic’s original desktop 2-in/4-out USB-C audio interface for songwriters and project studios, carrying the brand’s mic preamp with a ‘4K’ legacy-console harmonic mode. Two rear Neutrik combo jacks accept mic, line, or Hi-Z instrument, with 48V phantom and switchable 4K. Balanced 1/4-inch TRS main outputs drive studio monitors, with…
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Universal Audio Apollo Twin X (2019)
UA’s Apollo Twin X is a desktop 10×6 Thunderbolt 3 interface built around Unison-enabled mic preamps and onboard UAD SHARC processing (DUO or QUAD variants). Two combo XLR/TRS inputs and a dedicated front-panel 1/4-inch Hi-Z jack feed the preamps. Two balanced 1/4-inch monitor outputs and two 1/4-inch line outputs cover stereo monitoring plus an auxiliary…
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Universal Audio Volt 2 (2021)
This 2-in/2-out USB-C audio interface connects to a computer over a single USB-C cable (USB 2.0 audio class) and draws all its power over the bus — no separate adapter needed. Its two front-panel inputs are combo jacks that accept either an XLR microphone plug or a 6.35mm (1/4-inch) line or instrument cable, with 48V…
