2021 Best Audio Interfaces for Your Home Studio

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 Thunderbolt or USB.

Thunderbolt Audio Interfaces

Universal Audio Apollo x4 Heritage Edition

If you’re eager to join the Universal Audio UAD ecosystem but haven’t known where to start, then the Universal Audio Apollo x4 Heritage Edition is the perfect point of entry. It rivals the performance of UA’s larger interfaces but eschews extraneous features, like 5.1 surround monitoring and +24dBu operation, for a streamlined, desktop design that will feel right at home in your studio. It boasts a powerful QUAD Core processor, enabling you to track and mix with spot-on emulation of tried-and-true studio classics, along with four of UA’s now-legendary Unison mic preamps. Elite-class AD/DA conversion, sub-2ms latency, and ample expandability put the icing on the cake, ensuring top-shelf sound quality and performance. What’s more, the Universal Audio Apollo x4 Heritage Edition comes bundled with 10 of UA’s award-winning plug-ins and the Realtime Analog Classics Plus bundle. With these awesome emulations, you can infuse any project with real-deal classic character. The software bundle includes the following plug-ins:

UA 1176 CollectionTeletronix LA-2A Classic Leveler CollectionPultec Passive EQ CollectionFairchild Tube Limiter CollectionUA 610 Tube Preamp & EQ CollectionTeletronix LA-3A Audio LevelerHelios Type 69 Preamp and EQ CollectionV76 PreamplifierUA Oxide Tape Recorder UA Pure Plate Reverb

$2299.00Add to cartLearn More

$1699.00Add to cartLearn More

Universal Audio Apollo Twin X QUAD Heritage Edition

The Universal Audio Apollo Twin X QUAD Heritage Edition 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 upgraded elite-class AD/DA to your desktop. The onboard QUAD Core processor enables the Apollo Twin X QUAD to use plug-ins for real-time tracking and mixing in Pro Tools, Cubase, Ableton Live, and other popular DAWs. The Heritage Edition Apollo Twin X QUAD includes a 5-piece suite of ultra-accurate emulations of classic hardware in addition to the Realtime Analog Classics bundle. The Apollo Twin X QUAD 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. Your purchase includes the following plug-ins:

UA 1176 CollectionTeletronix LA‑2A Classic Leveler CollectionPultec Passive EQ CollectionUA 610 Tube Preamp & EQ
CollectionUA Pure Plate Reverb

MOTU 828es

The MOTU 828es
delivers next-level performance capabilities right out of the box. This
28-in/32-out Thunderbolt interface comes ready for battle with an ESS Sabre32
DAC and a pair of full-color displays for real-time metering. Its high-quality
components and optimized drivers capture clean audio with round-trip latency as
low as 1.6ms. Those impressive features combine to create a centerpiece for your
studio. It records up to 60 simultaneous channels of audio and provides
pristine playback with low latency. Plus, it has onboard DSP with 48-channel
mixing capabilities that you can control from your laptop, tablet, or
smartphone. There’s a lot to like about a weapons-grade Thunderbolt interface
like the MOTU 828es — we’ve just scratched the surface.

$995.00Add to cartLearn More

$5495.00Add to cartLearn More

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.

$2899.00Add to cartLearn More

$5999.00Add to cartLearn More

Lynx Aurora (n) 32-TB3

The Lynx Aurora (n) 32-TB3 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, while word clock connectors and Thunderbolt 3 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 card for standalone operation. If you’re a fan of Lynx’s acclaimed AD/DA conversion, then this interface is a no-brainer.

PreSonus Quantum 2626

Proclaimed “the fastest Thunderbolt interface on the planet” by Sound on Sound magazine, the PreSonus Quantum 2626 offers 26 channels of I/O — ideal for integrating a smaller 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. Thanks to dual ADAT lightpipe connections, you can expand your total I/O up to 26-in/26-out with ease. This fantastic interface offers 24-bit/192kHz converters onboard for blazing-fast, low-latency recording power. The Quantum 2626 comes packaged with a stellar software bundle, too. If you need lots of I/O, then this is a value-packed solution for any studio.

$699.95Add to cartLearn More

$3799.00Add to cartLearn More

Universal Audio Apollo x8p Heritage Edition

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 Heritage Edition pairs one of the company’s most popular models with a comprehensive software suite packed with stunning emulations of classic hardware. This interface boasts eight Unison preamps, which are top contenders for the best preamps 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 1176 CollectionTeletronix LA-2A Classic Leveler
CollectionPultec Passive EQ CollectionFairchild Tube Limiter CollectionUA 610 Tube Preamp & EQ
CollectionTeletronix LA-3A Audio LevelerHelios Type 69 Preamp and EQ
CollectionV76 PreamplifierUA Oxide Tape Recorder UA Pure Plate ReverbUA 610-B Tube Preamp and EQMarshall Plexi Classic AmplifierFairchild 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 AmpPrecision Mix Rack CollectionUA Precision Enhancer HzRaw DistortionRealVerb Pro

USB Audio Interfaces

Universal Audio Volt 276

Universal Audio’s new Volt 276
takes the company’s analog-hardware experience and applies it to a USB
interface. The result is a thing of functional beauty. This 2-in/2-out
interface boasts two analog mic/line preamps that sound like they’re taken
straight out of a classic 610 tube console. The Volt 276 also comes equipped
with real-deal analog FET compression based on the beloved 1176 design. The
compressor has three operation modes tailored for vocals, guitar, and fast
sources like drums. The Volt series includes models for all applications! If
you’re dead set on the built-in hardware compression, then you can choose from
the 1-in/2-out Volt 176,
the 2-in/2-out Volt 276,
and the 4-in/4-out Volt 476.
Universal Audio also offers Volt 1
and Volt 2,
which boast the same great analog sound without the onboard compression
circuitry.

$299.00Add to cartLearn More

$499.99Add to cartLearn More

Focusrite Clarett+ 2Pre

Focusrite interfaces are some of the most popular USB
interfaces among home recordists around the world. Thanks to multiple component
improvements, the Focusrite
Clarett+ 2Pre takes the company’s legendary sound to new heights. You
get all the features that defined the original version right off the top,
including custom microphone preamps and extremely low latency. You get newly
chosen D/A converters and a high-quality output filter circuit to give you a
larger dynamic range and a lower noise floor. You’ll be able to hear dynamic
variations and low-level detail better than ever before. Every Clarett+
interface has Focusrite’s famous Air circuit. It comes with an ADAT input that
you can use to bring in eight additional mic-preamp channels. Focusrite also
offers the 18-in/8-out Clarett+
4Pre and the 18-in/20-out Clarett+
8Pre.

Solid State Logic SSL2+

If you’re after the world-renowned SSL sound, then consider
the Solid
State Logic SSL2+! It offers up two top-drawer mic
preamps, outstanding converters, and enough I/O to fit into any project studio.
The SSL2+ comes equipped with 4K Legacy mode, which imbues real-deal SSL 4000
series analog-console tone quality to your recordings. With 4K Legacy mode
engaged, you’ll get a high-frequency EQ boost and a sprinkle of subtle harmonic
distortion that make your signals pop. And, like all SSL products, the SSL2+ is
built like a tank. It will withstand years of hard use in the studio and on location.
For pro-quality sound and functionality, the Solid State Logic SSL2+ is a
fabulous addition to any home studio.

$299.99Add to cartLearn More

$399.00Add to cartLearn More

Black Lion Audio Revolution 2×2

Black Lion Audio built its brand by hot-rodding popular
audio interfaces. Along the way, its team of engineers learned what separates a
top-notch audio interface from its contemporaries. The Black Lion
Audio Revolution 2×2 is the culmination of Black Lion’s
audio know-how, strict standards, and commitment to providing the best possible
sound. This 2-in/2-out interface boasts performance capabilities that far
outstrip its modest price tag. First up, you get two fully decoupled inputs
with exceptional front-panel preamps. The Revolution 2×2 offers cutting-edge
Macro-MMC Clocking technology and superior AD/DA converters for pristine
pro-grade audio. Grab one today and enjoy the absolute best sound right in your
home studio.

RME Babyface Pro FS

A clean, low-profile design makes the RME
Babyface Pro FS a great choice for studios with precious little desktop
real estate. The Babyface Pro FS has plentiful analog, digital, and MIDI
connectivity options to integrate with your home-studio setup quickly and
easily. It carries RME’s SteadyClock FS circuit for world-class clocking with
jitter specs as low as a femtosecond! Other improvements, like the digitally controlled
mic preamps and onboard digital metering, make it a walk in the park to use.
What’s more, Babyface Pro FS comes with RME’s TotalMix FX engine. The dual-DPS
system gives you access to a 288-channel mixer with 3-band EQ, low-cut filter,
reverb, and echo available on all channels. The Babyface Pro FS is a sleek
desktop powerhouse for home studios of all stripes — and it’s right here at
Sweetwater.

$949.00Add to cartLearn More

$119.99Add to cartLearn More

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 — 25th Anniversary Edition

The PreSonus AudioBox USB 96 — 25th Anniversary Edition sports updated livery. The USB interface also 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 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.

$99.95Add to cartLearn More

$299.00Add to cartLearn More

Audient iD14 MKII

If you want top-shelf audio quality and a large-format console-like experience, then the Audient iD14 MKII deserves solid consideration. Audient’s console-derived mic preamps sound great on almost every source. At the same time, its JFET DI makes interfacing your guitar with amp modeling software a pleasure. The current version, the iD14 MKII, boasts updated cosmetics, faster speeds via USB 3.0, a USB-C connector, two studio-quality headphone amps, and a free software suite. What’s more, the iD14 MKII is better and quieter than before, thanks to improved converter technology and expanded dynamic range on both the ADC and the DAC. 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 MKII makes a solid hub for any serious DAW-based studio.

Apogee Duet 3

One of the sleekest interfaces on offer today, the Apogee Duet 3 comes armed to the teeth with recording power. It comes with studio-grade AD/DA, rock-solid digital clocking, and a pair of best-in-class microphone preamps with +65dB of gain. Each mic pre comes equipped with Advanced Stepped Gain Architecture that provides greater bandwidth before encountering any distortion. Ready for the real star of the show? The Duet 3 comes equipped with hardware DSP, so you can fine-tune your sound right at the input stage with no latency. That’s still not all; you get Apogee’s ECS Channel Strip including EQ, compression, and saturation — optimized by Bob Clearmountain himself. Your purchase also includes Control 2 software and Apogee’s Channel FX plug-in.

$649.00Add to cartLearn More

$349.99Add to cartLearn More

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 M4

If you don’t need a lot of I/O and are short on space, the MOTU M4 is an ideal choice. Top-shelf features like ESS Sabre32 Ultra D/A and ultra-low latency deliver impressive performance. This 4-in/4-out USB-C interface includes two great-sounding mic preamps with individual gain adjustment and phantom power, along with 1-touch hardware monitoring that makes tracking easy. The M4 is the perfect choice for podcasters, thanks to built-in loopback functionality, which includes a mix knob for balancing your live input with your computer’s playback. A full-color front-panel LCD screen tops off the M4’s features, supplying crystal-clear metering.

$239.95Add to cartLearn More

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.

Check out these other articles about how to choose the best interface for your home studio needs:

Audio Interface Buying Guide

7 Considerations When Choosing an Audio Interface

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