Best Audio Interfaces for Podcasting

There’s no doubt about it, podcasts are insanely popular. No matter what topic you’re interested in — popular culture, daily news, science fiction, gardening, or music — there’s a podcast that’s tailored just for you. Some podcasters record straight to their smart device, but the final product doesn’t sound so smart (pun intended). Others use a USB microphone, which is a step in the right direction. But if you really want to achieve professional sound, then you’ll need a high-quality audio interface. Here are a few of our favorites.

Note: At Sweetwater, we know there’s no such thing as “best” when it comes to music gear. Every player and artist has unique tastes, which is what makes selecting gear so fun! The items on this list feature some of our favorite products from top manufacturers to help you start your buying journey! Explore these recommendations and dive into Sweetwater’s massive collection of gear on our online store. For personalized picks and expert advice, please contact our knowledgeable Sweetwater Sales Engineers at (800) 222-4700!

Focusrite Vocaster TwoPreSonus AudioBox USB 96 25th Anniversary EditionPreSonus Revelator io24Universal Audio Apollo Twin X DUO Heritage EditionZoom H6 All BlackFocusrite Scarlett 2i2RODE RODECaster Pro II

Focusrite Vocaster Two

Designed with podcasters in mind

Set up fast and share your story with the Focusrite Vocaster Two. The Vocaster is no doubt one of the most intuitive podcast interfaces to hit the market in recent years. Auto Gain for both you and a guest make traditional mic checking and level-setting a thing of the past. Meanwhile, broadcast-based vocal enhancements let each speaker cycle through Clean, Warm, Bright, and Radio presets in a matter of seconds.

The Vocaster Two bears the marks of an interface that’s been designed by podcasters, for podcasters. Its two clearly labeled mic preamps (“Host” and “Guest”) with +70dB gain range and phantom power serve as a capable front end for all your favorite dynamic and condenser broadcast mics. Then there are the two stereo loopback channels and “mix-minus” wireless Bluetooth connection, which allows users to seamlessly pipe in audio from a soundboard or phone call without interference to clean up after the session. Finally, dedicated mute buttons on both the Host and Guest sides let each speaker duck out for a quick beverage sip, cough, or off-mic conversation. We also offer the Vocaster Two and PodMic Desktop Two-host Podcast Bundle, which includes the Vocaster Two, a pair of microphones, two pairs of headphones, and accessories.

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PreSonus AudioBox USB 96 25th Anniversary Edition

Perfect for podcasters on a budget

If you’re searching for a great, budget-friendly option, then you can’t go wrong with the PreSonus AudioBox USB 96 25th Anniversary Edition. The 25th Anniversary Edition updates the cosmetics of the interface while leaving the pristine electronics totally unchanged. This USB audio interface boasts a pair of excellent-sounding preamps and up to 24-bit/96kHz recording. It includes +48V phantom power for your condenser mics, a handy clip indicator to ensure proper recording levels, and a separate volume control for your headphones. Best of all, it comes with PreSonus’s Studio One Artist DAW software and over 6GB of bonus content that you’re sure to find useful.

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PreSonus Revelator io24

Compact, affordable, and amazingly capable

With the PreSonus Revelator io24 on your desktop, recording podcasts is easier than ever. The Revelator io24 features onboard DSP that can handle independent, fully customized Fat Channel presets for both microphone inputs. Plus, there’s a selection of presets to experiment with. Beyond its awesome effects capabilities, the Revelator io24 comes with a pair of high-headroom XMAX-L microphone preamps that cleanly amplify the loudest laughs and most boisterous co-hosts. There’s also a digital meter loaded onto the front panel so you can keep an eye on your levels. Your Revelator io24 includes a suite of fantastic software to take your productions to the next level.

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Universal Audio Apollo Twin X DUO Heritage Edition

Experience the magic of unison preamps

Want your podcast to sound like it was produced in a high-end recording studio? Then grab a Universal Audio Apollo Twin X DUO Heritage Edition. This top-of-the-line Thunderbolt 3 audio interface includes a pair of UA’s Unison preamps, enabling you to track through digital models of the industry’s most celebrated hardware. Beyond that, you get elite-class AD/DA conversion for flawless sound quality and sub-2ms latency — a feat that USB interfaces simply can’t match. Finally, you get LUNA software, which provides you with a top-shelf recording platform and super-tight integration with UA’s DSP-powered plug-ins, such as the included Realtime Analog Classics bundle. Your purchase of a Heritage Edition Apollo interface also gives you access to a suite of five amazing plug-in emulations of coveted studio equipment used in all the major studios.

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Zoom H6 All Black

Perfect for on-location recording and interviews

If your podcast involves any fieldwork, then you’ll want a standalone recorder like the Zoom H6 Handy Recorder. This enables you to effortlessly capture audio in the field then take it back to your studio for editing and processing. The H6 is a true hybrid. Not only is it a portable standalone recorder, but it’s also a full-blown 6-in/2-out USB audio interface. Four XLR/TRS combo inputs accommodate a wide range of microphones and sources, and since it’s battery-powered, you can take it everywhere. At Sweetwater, this is one of our favorite ways to record interviews. Thanks to its high-quality built-in microphones, you can record anywhere — tour bus, green room, backstage — anywhere. If your podcast is famous for nailing hard-to-get interviews, then keeping an H6 on you at all times guarantees that you’ll never miss an opportunity.

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Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen

One of the world’s most popular interfaces

The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 is one of the best-selling USB audio interfaces here at Sweetwater. You’ll find it in home studios everywhere. But did you know that it also makes a top-quality podcasting interface? Its XLR/TRS combination inputs work great for mics and instruments alike. Meanwhile, the new 4th Gen interfaces come with the same converters found in the company’s flagship RedNet interfaces, giving you amazing clarity and a whopping 120dB dynamic range. Also new in the 2i2 4th Gen audio interface are Auto Gain, Clip Safe, Dynamic Gain Halos, and Easy Start functionality. All of that comes wrapped up with impressively low latency for excellent recordings. Plus, the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 runs on USB bus power — no wall plug required. We also carry the Scarlett 2i2 Studio 4th Gen Recording Bundle, which gives you everything you need to start podcasting.

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RODE RODECaster Pro II

An ultra-powerful podcast production tool

RODE changed the podcasting game when they released the original RODECaster Pro podcast production console. Now, they’ve one-upped themselves with the RODE RODECaster Pro II. This desktop console provides everything you need to run your podcast in one unit. It even handles livestreaming and studio recording! The RODECaster Pro II comes with four ultra-clean microphone preamps, so you and three other hosts can debate, hang out, or cover the news. Plus, the simplified control layout and full-color touchscreen make the RODECaster Pro II an absolute breeze to use.

Looking for a complete podcasting system? No problem. The RODE RODECaster Pro II SM7B Solo Podcasting Kit has you covered. With one purchase, you get the formidable RODECaster Pro II podcast production console, the iconic Shure SM7B dynamic microphone, a pair of Shure studio headphones, a mic boom arm, a dust cover, a 128GB microSDXC card, and a mic cable. And it all ships in the same box from Sweetwater. How’s that for convenience?

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Podcasting Is Better with Sweetwater

Thanks for checking out our picks for the best audio interfaces for podcasting. If you need a shiny, new microphone to go with your awesome new interface or if you have any questions about how to make your podcast sound its best, then give your Sweetwater Sales Engineer a call at (800) 222-4700. They’ll be happy to help!
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