Technology has opened the door for a wide variety of audio interface selections. In the last month, I've gotten a lot of questions about choosing just the right one.
Truthfully, with all the available options and specific situations, I don't really think that there is one "holy grail" when it comes to selecting much of your recording gear. The audio interface is no exception to this rule. Still, a choice has to be made and none of us wants to waste money on gear that doesn't meet our needs.
When I personally look for a new audio interface (or help someone else do the same), I always measure its value by the same set of criteria. I've listed this criteria below and given some explanation as to my thought process.
Lastly, I'll share with you an amazingly affordable option (less than $100) that just might be exactly what you're looking for. Believe it or not, it has every feature I've listed below. I'll include an affiliate link as well (why not? it's almost Christmas). ;)
What features do I really need to consider when purchasing an audio interface?
- Price: This is always my first consideration in the matter. I'm always looking for the best value verses cost option I can find. Cheap isn't always better here but neither is spending more for something I really don't need. Determine your budget first and then see if you can achieve the following features set within your price range.
- USB or Firewire? The 2 most common ways to connect an audio interface to your computer is via a USB or Firewire cable. Interfaces are more often than not, designed to work with one connection type or the other. In this case you need to know which one is best for you. Nowadays this decision has little to do with actual performance as both styles will work well. Also, make sure you have a free port (USB or Firewire) on the computer you intend to record with. Nothing worse than buying a new interface and realizing you'd have to disconnect your mouse to actually use it.
- What recording software or DAW will you be using? This can often be a "kill two birds with one stone" situation. Many audio interfaces come with recording software. If you're new to recording, you may want to start by using the software that comes with your audio interface. If not, then it's important to make sure your new gear will work with your DAW. A little research can answer this question most of the time.
- Will it work with my computers OS? Unless you love frustration, finding out this information can save you a huge headache. The real catch here is whether there are software drivers to run your new interface, that work with your OS. Things to highly consider here and PC vs Mac and 32bit OS vs 64 bit. Also the age and version of your OS can mean the difference between your new gear working out of the box, or not at all. For PC users find out if there is an ASIO driver available for your audio interface (I'm told CoreAudio is often best for Mac). These drivers will give you the best latency and most reliable performance.
- Online Reviews: I've always taken the time to research the reviews of other people who have used the audio interface I'm considering purchasing. It's important to actually read both the positive and negative opinions. There have been times where the negative view was specific to a situation that would not be an issue for me personally.
- Quality Preamps: Again, reviews help get a good understanding here. The same holds true with companies who have been in the industry for years. Focusrite, M-Audio, PreSonus are a few manufacturers that typically create interfaces with excellent preamps (not an all-inclusive list btw).
- Recording Quality: Nowadays I'm not interested in an audio interface that can't record at 24bit and 48kHz. I've also not found a need for higher quality in my home studio either. I've found 96kHz file to be far to0 large for the real gain in audio quality.
- Phantom Power: If you intend to use a studio condenser you're going to need phantom power at some point. It's much easier, in my opinion, to have this built into the interface itself.
- Direct Monitoring or Zero Latency Monitoring: This is simply the ability to hear what you're recording before it gets processed by your DAW (or with zero delay from certain DSP processors). This is a must for me as well.
- Stereo/Mono Record Monitoring: This options makes it much nicer to record your vocal and listen to it in mono while you're tracking. This way it's in both ears and not just one channel or your interface.
- Balanced Outputs: If you're going to use a pair of studio monitors, it's best to have a balanced output to feed to these speakers.
- Input/Playback mixing: This isn't a necessity but sure makes life easier when you're trying to record. It's best to hear your input louder than the playback and this provides that option.
- MIDI: Yes, I still use MIDI and I would always recommend getting this option, even if you don't think you need it initially.
- Headphone output with separate volume control: If you're tracking it's best to use headphones and not live monitor speakers. With a headphone that has a separate volume control you can turn off your studio monitors and track with just headphones.
- Enough inputs for your needs: I don't typically need more than two channels at any given time so that works for me. You may need more, consider how many tracks you need to record simultaneously before making your purchase.
- TRS Insert options per channel: This is also not a complete "have to" but can come in very handy. If you ever want to compress or add a noise gate while you're tracking a vocal. This is the best option.
- On-bard Meters: This is also more of a perk than you need. Most of the time I use the meters in my DAW to set my levels. Having an on-board option could be simpler when you're wanting to get started tracking quickly.
- On-board Power Via USB/Firewire: If your setup is portable like mine, then having an additional power cable to plug-in can be a pain.
I'll be the first to confess that this may be a hefty list for some. I've also had audio interfaces that did not have every feature I've listed here. That said, I've recently been testing an option that is quickly become an amazingly affordable favorite of mine.
If you're looking for something that is less than $100 and has every feature I've listed above, then check out the M-Audio M-Track
If you have just a bit more money to work worth but still under the $200 mark, my first choice is the Focusrite Scarlett 2i4.
Also, if you know someone else who could really use this list, please take a moment to share it with them.
thank you so much for the answer david i can see now i will be visiting your site alot more often
Glad to hear that Robert! ;)
i think i might have asked my question in wrong place in case that is the thing i will ask here.i have cubase artist 7 on puter i was using a mackie onyx 1640 i but firewire ports quit working. i have a presonus live studio 16.4.2 ordered but is on back order. my question does the live studio have the asio drivers like mackie i didnt see any ask question in presonus . com never goyt an answer. or maybe the presonus dosent need asio drivers to work with cubase that is the question bottom line do you think cubase will work with presonus mixer.been using cubase for a while and really like it.would very much like to use it.thank you for help david
So truthfully, I have no idea. I have not personally use the Studio Live with my PC setup. Best I could say is look in the dowwnload area of the Presonus site and see what drivers are there. You could also look at the product guide or download the manual for this mixer.
Hey mate have you had a look at the m-audio Mark 2 I’m thinking of getting one next week? Cheers
How about the Alesis IO2? It seems to be almost identical to the M-Audio M-Track but it comes in at $10 less expensive — the comments I have read about it online are by and large good, do you know how it compares to the M-Audio? I even read some comments that said it was better than the M-Audio.
Hey Bryan, I can’t honestly speak to the IO2 as I’ve not personally used it. Between Alesis and M-Audio, my preference for recording is M-Audio. Now that said, the 2 interfaces look almost identical on paper so the IO2 may not be a bad choice for your needs. I haven’t heard of a reason not to buy it. I do really like the M-track for a less than $100 interface as I own one myself. Sorry I can’t be more specific with the IO2.
I can vouch for the Alesis IO2. Once I installed the free ASIO driver the latency became acceptable. I took a chance and bought mine used on eBay. I’m using it with Reaper on a Win8 64 bit laptop.
Pete
Earlier in this episode you mentioned a top-10 list of sorts, any chance that’s posted online?
Hey Brad, I don’t have a top 10 list but here are my top 3 picks for an affordable audio interface. 1.) The M-audio M-track. This is for price verses features and quality. I use this interface all the time and have gotten great results for something so inexpensive. 2.) The Focusrite Scarlet 2i2. Still pretty affordable but lacks some of the features of the M-track. It has slightly cleaner mic pre’s though and is a great interface if you don’t need MIDI. 3.) The Focusrite Scarlet 2i4. If I didn’t need channel inserts than this would be my first choice if my budget allowed. Great mic pre’s and includes MIDI along with several other additions compared to the 2i2.
David, Good itemized list to use while shopping! I just went through this process and ended up ordering a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 for $125. from Guitar Center, due in this week. BUT this M-Audio M-Track definitely was in the running. At $79.99 on Amazon, it’s a possible DEAL. Question: Do you have one of these to test? I read the following issues: 1. Win7 64-bit drivers are “unsigned” and are questionable. 2. Dynamic mics via XLR don’t have enough gain. 3. Headphone output is low. 4. Pre-amps are not as clean as the Focusrite unit. I realize the 2i2 costs more, but is there a difference… Thanks.
Hey Bruce, I own both a 2i2 and the M-track. I’m running windows 7 64 bit as well. The headphone out volume is going to depend on the ohm rating of your headphones (higher ohms will draw less power from the headphone amp and typically be slightly quieter). I use the Sennhieser HD280 Pros and they are much louder in the M-track than the 2i2. This has only ever been an issue when tracking. It’s not stopped me at all though as I typically only ever have an issue with tracking a vocal and I often only have 1 side of my headphones on to hear my natural voice anyways.
The preamps on the 2i2 are slightly cleaner yes but can an nonseasoned, untrained ear tell the difference? I highly doubt it. There are identical in quality but the 2i2 has a touch better signal to noise ratio (and I do mean a touch).
An SM58 has plenty of gain to record on the M-track even though its not as hot as the 2i2. Again, this has not been an issue for me at all. Most people record there signals way to hot to begin with.
On the drivers, signed drivers don’t mean jack ;). It either works or it doesn’t. I’ve had the typical windows issues with the setup on both units. The 2i2 was very picky about which USB port I used (didn’t like ubs 3.0 either). I downloaded the drivers for the m-track right from m-audio and they worked right out of the box with reaper. I get lower latency (just under 8ms round trip at 48kHz/24bit) with the m-track than I do the 2i2.
Either unit requires a computer restart from time to time to keep things running smooth.
Between the 2i2 and M-track? I personally lean toward the m-track having used it for the past month before I did this post. That said, it would still come down to features and budget in the end. If I didnt need channel inserts, I would actually go with a 2i4 over the 2i2 or m-track. But its a bit more. If budget is more of a concern, the M-track can hold its own just fine when it comes to quality compared to the 2i2.
Either interface can produce great results with a little patience and skill.
Hope this helps
There is also another aspect to look at with audio interfaces, this is driver updates. When windows 10 came out most manufacturers took an absolute age to update drivers or forced you to buy their latest device and scrap the old one. Focusrite were there from the beginning with beta drivers that actually worked. Sometimes its worth paying a little more for the support.