There’s never been a better time to buy a great-sounding, flexible audio interface for your home studio rig. With the power and sonic excellence offered in these units, it comes down to how many inputs/outputs and which features you need. Here’s a rundown of some of the best audio interfaces for your home studio, organized by whether you need USB or Thunderbolt.

1. Best Thunderbolt Audio Interface For Mac 2017
2. Best Thunderbolt Audio Interface
3. Best Thunderbolt Audio Interface For Macbook Pro
4. Usb Audio Interface For Mac
5. Thunderbolt Digital Audio

USB Audio Interfaces

Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen

Singer/songwriters will appreciate all the features in the 3rd-generation Focusrite Scarlett Solo. Its high-performance mic preamp boasts a switchable Air mode that emulates the sonic characteristics of Focusrite’s classic transformer-based ISA pres. It also includes a crystal-clear DI for your guitar, bass, or keyboard. This interface’s high-performance converters enable 24-bit/192kHz recording, while two hum-free balanced outputs allow for accurate playback. You also get a Quick Start tool to get you up and running fast, along with a generous software bundle. Need more I/O? The 3rd-generation Scarlett Series also includes the 2-in/2-out 2i2, 4-in/4-out 4i4, 8-in/6-out 8i6, 18-in/8-out 18i8, and the flagship 18i20 with 18 inputs and 20 outputs.

PreSonus AudioBox USB 96

UA Audio Interfaces are the world’s most acclaimed professional recording interfaces for Mac and Windows — giving project and commercial studios superior A/D and D/A conversion with the tone, feel, and realtime workflow of classic analog recording.

The PreSonus AudioBox USB 96 features 2-channel 24-bit/96kHz recording in an on-the-go-sized package. With two mic inputs offering 60dB of gain that double as 1/4″ inputs via combo jacks, switchable +48-volt phantom power, stereo main outs, and a headphone jack, this compact USB 2.0 interface is a great way to get into high-resolution mobile recording. It’s smaller than 2″ x 6″, plus it operates on USB bus power, so you don’t have to carry around a power supply. Not only does it offer MIDI in/out, but it also comes with Studio One 3 Artist DAW software and 6GB of bonus third-party content, including the Studio Magic Plug-in Suite. And it’s compatible with Mac or PC operating systems.

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 USB (2nd Gen) The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 is undeniably the best-selling USB audio interface in its class and the 2nd generation version is loathed by competitors for its performance and high-quality components. Thunderbolt Audio Interfaces Created in 2011 by Intel and Apple, Thunderbolt is a serial connector that has replaced FireWire in many Mac computers, and in many studio applications. The improved format uses a smaller connector and provides enhances data handling. Thunderbolt Audio Interfaces Created in 2011 by Intel and Apple, Thunderbolt is a serial connector that has replaced FireWire in many Mac computers, and in many studio applications. The improved format uses a smaller connector and provides enhances data handling.

Audient iD14

If you want top-shelf audio quality and a large-format console-like experience, the Audient iD14 deserves solid consideration. Audient’s console-derived mic preamps sound great on almost every source, while its JFET DI makes interfacing your guitar with amp modeling software a pleasure. Class-leading Burr-Brown converter technology ensures impeccable sound quality. You also get console-style monitor control. Taking control of your DAW is a breeze, thanks to Audient’s ScrollControl mode. And thanks to its 8-channel ADAT input, you’re ready for expansion. The Audient iD14 makes a great hub for any serious DAW-based studio.

Audient Sono

Best Thunderbolt Audio Interface For Mac 2017

Recording guitarists have a particular set of needs, and the Audient Sono delivers. Marrying a 12AX7-fueled preamp with Two Notes amp and cab sims, along with a 3-band EQ and powerful re-amping capabilities, this interface is your one-stop shop for killer guitar tones. Aside from its guitar-centric features, Sono also boasts studio-quality recording with console-grade preamps and class-leading AD/DA conversion. You can also expand Sono via ADAT for tracking entire bands. What’s more, its all-metal construction makes it solid and roadworthy. Best apps for mac.

IK Multimedia AXE I/O

The IK Multimedia AXE I/O is another excellent USB audio interface that’s tailor-made for guitar players. Its JFET input sports continuously variable Z-Tone impedance, plus switchable settings for active and passive pickups, making the AXE I/O a great front end for the included AmpliTube 4 Deluxe software. It captures sources with top fidelity, courtesy of its transparent converters and low-jitter clock, with full 24-bit/192kHz quality. An onboard tuner, dedicated re-amp output, and pro-grade headphone amplifier round out the AXE I/O’s impressive features.

MOTU UltraLite-mk4

If you need lots of I/O but don’t have room for a large interface, the MOTU UltraLite-mk4 is an ideal choice. It includes 18 inputs and 22 outputs — enough for the whole band. It yields ultra-low latency, while 24-bit/192kHz-quality audio ensures excellent-sounding results. And while all the aforementioned features are great, it’s the UltraLite-mk4’s powerful DSP mixer that really impresses us here at Sweetwater. It supplies console-style mixing with 48 channels and 12 stereo buses with a flexible routing matrix, 32-bit floating-point processing, and modeled vintage effects. You can also control it wirelessly from your smart device or computer, so it makes a great hub for your mobile mixing rig.

Apogee Duet

If you appreciate the highest-quality A/D and D/A conversion, can hear the difference that premium preamps make, and need all of that in a compact, high-fashion package, then look no further than the Apogee Duet. This ultra-compact interface offers 2-in/4-out capability, plus iOS/USB connectivity, along with 24-bit/192kHz Apogee converters in an OLED-equipped box that allows you to monitor input/output levels, input status, muting, phantom-power switching, and more. It works like a charm and is a great road companion for demanding engineers/musicians who require the highest audio standards in an ultra-compact package.

Thunderbolt Audio Interfaces

Universal Audio Arrow

If you’ve wanted to join the Universal Audio UAD ecosystem but didn’t know where to start, the Universal Audio Arrow is the perfect point of entry. It features world-class AD/DA converters and two Unison mic preamps that supply you with the quality sound UA is renowned for. Plus you get access to the company’s UAD-powered plug-ins, possibly the best hardware emulations on the planet. You can use the plug-ins in real time while you’re tracking or instantiate them on your mix. Either way, you get your choice of classic mic preamps, compressors, EQs, reverbs, and more. What’s more, Thunderbolt 3 connectivity enables you to capture everything with near-zero latency. Besides making a great starting point for new UAD users, the Arrow is also an easy way for UAD-equipped studios to take their projects mobile.

Universal Audio Apollo Twin MkII

The dual-SHARC Universal Audio Apollo Twin MkII is another excellent way to bring the power of UAD plug-ins to your Thunderbolt-equipped Mac or Windows computer. Its 10-in/6-out package brings dual mic inputs, two Unison preamps, optical in, near-zero latency, plus 24-bit/192kHz to your desktop. The onboard dual-SHARC processors enable the Apollo Twin to use plug-ins for real-time tracking and mixing in Pro Tools, Cubase, Ableton Live, and other popular DAWs. It comes bundled with Legacy versions of UA’s LA-2A, 1176LN, Pultec EQP-1A, Softube Amp Room Essentials and Bass Amp Room, 610-B Tube preamp and EQ, RealVerb Pro Custom Room Modeler, plus lots more. The Apollo Twin MkII lets you run high track counts with very low latency. It can also be cascaded with up to four Apollo interfaces to create a larger setup.

Apogee Ensemble

For the serious musician/engineer who needs a lot of inputs and outputs combined with the speed of Thunderbolt 2, the Apogee Ensemble fits the bill. With 30 inputs and 34 outputs, this 24-bit/192kHz interface is a no-compromise professional unit. With a 32-bit signal path directly from your DAW, plus an ESS Sabre32 Hyperstream D/A, the audio playback from this unit is amazing, with an astoundingly low THD+N spec and huge dynamic range. Offering eight mic preamps, double optical ins/outs (16 channels), S/PDIF in/out, word clock in/out, and two Thunderbolt ports, plus the ability to connect a second Ensemble, this unit can be the heart of your fully featured home studio.

Best Thunderbolt Audio Interface

Apogee Symphony I/O Mk II

Apogee packs three decades of research and development into their flagship interface, the Symphony I/O Mk II. It boasts Apogee’s most advanced AD/DA conversion, along with negligible latency and flexible, modular I/O that enables up to 32 inputs and outputs. You also get an easy-to-use touchscreen interface. The Symphony I/O Mk II is truly state of the art — you’ll find these units in top-tier professional studios all over the world. If you want to join their ranks, this audio interface should be at the top of your list.

RME Fireface UFX+

The RME Fireface UFX+ builds upon the capabilities of its popular predecessor with MADI I/O, boosted DSP, and ultra-low-latency Thunderbolt connectivity. It sounds unbelievably clean and transparent, thanks to pro-level AD/DA converters and optimized analog I/O circuits. Its four high-grade mic preamps with +18dBu maximum input level and 75dB of gain will capture any source with extreme accuracy. And courtesy of its DURec port, you can also record 76 simultaneous channels of audio directly to a thumb drive. Any home studio owner looking for a high-end audio interface should give the RME Fireface UFX+ a serious look.

Lynx Aurora (n) 32-TB

The Lynx Aurora (n) 32-TB couples Lynx’s renowned AD/DA conversion with ultra-low-latency performance — exactly what every well-equipped home studio needs. Front-panel controls and a TFT LCD screen make this audio interface a breeze to configure and operate, and word clock connectors and Thunderbolt connectivity ensure easy synchronization, maximum bandwidth, and minimal latency. Two audiophile-grade headphone outs supply monitoring, while high-end Hilo technology and cutting-edge FPGA processors provide maximum transparency, super-low noise, and nearly nonexistent distortion. You can even record and play back 32 channels via a microSD for standalone operation. If you’re a fan of Lynx’s AD/DA conversion, this interface is a no-brainer.

PreSonus Quantum 4848

Proclaimed “the fasted Thunderbolt interface on the planet” by Sound on Sound magazine, the PreSonus Quantum 4848 offers 48 channels of I/O — ideal for integrating a console or patchbay into your home studio. And it sounds great, with ultra-clear AD/DA conversion and up to 120dB of usable dynamic range. It’s also easily expandable, thanks to dual ADAT lightpipe connections and twin Thunderbolt 2 ports that enable you to cascade up to four interfaces together for a staggering 192 channels of blazing-fast, low-latency recording power. If you need lots of I/O, this is a value-packed solution for any studio.

Slate Digital VRS8

If you use Slate’s VMS-ONE mic/preamp modeling system, the Slate Digital VRS8 was tailor-made for you, thanks to its eight uber-transparent VMS-ONE preamps. The VRS8 makes using Slate’s spot-on emulations of classic mics and preamps easy, supplying you with absolute control over your tone after tracking. But the VRS8 isn’t just about preamps — it’s a top-shelf Thunderbolt audio interface through and through with next-gen AKM converters, ultra-low 1-millisecond latency, and built-in monitor switching. You also get instrument inputs, headphone outputs, word clock I/O, and MIDI I/O. Combining a handful of Slate modeling mics with the VRS8 puts an endless array of classic studio sounds at your fingertips — it’s a great way to inject a home studio with that expensive, pro studio sound.

Universal Audio Apollo x8p

UA’s Apollo audio interfaces are top sellers here at Sweetwater, and the latest generation is the most powerful ever — 50% more powerful in fact. The Universal Audio Apollo x8p is one of the company’s most popular models, boasting eight Unison preamps — a top contender for the best preamp models in the industry. You also get excellent AD/DA conversion and Dual Crystal clocking for high-quality sound, native 7.1 surround monitoring support, selectable +24dBu operation, built-in talkback, and more, plus sub-2ms latency and ample expandability via Thunderbolt 3. And the Apollo x8p comes loaded with a powerful 6-core HEXA Core processor that allows use of their acclaimed real-time UAD processing during tracking and mixing. The bundled UAD-2 plug-ins include:

• UA 610-B Tube Preamp and EQ
• Marshall Plexi Classic Amplifier
• Fairchild 670 (Legacy)
• Teletronix LA-2A Classic Leveling Amplifier (Legacy)
• 1176SE Classic Limiting Amplifiers (Legacy)
• 1176 LN Classic Limiting Amplifiers (Legacy)
• Pultec Pro Equalizers (Legacy)
• Ampeg SVT-VR Classic Bass Amp
• Precision Mix Rack Collection
• UA Precision Enhancer Hz
• Raw Distortion
• RealVerb Pro

With such a wide variety of features and prices, Sweetwater has the audio interface that will work best in your home studio. Call your Sweetwater Sales Engineer at (800) 222-4700 to find the best interface for your needs.

Best Thunderbolt Audio Interface For Macbook Pro

In this article

Usb Audio Interface For Mac

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Thunderbolt Digital Audio

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