Affordable and high-quality audio interfaces for Ableton.
Shopping for the best audio interface for Ableton may seem a real challenge. Since the modern market offers a slew of options, it can be difficult to pick a model that will fit your budget and have a feature set you need. Moreover, the entry-level audio interface will be much inferior to an advanced model in terms of functionality and audio quality.
If you are a beginner and have no idea what to start with when choosing the best audio interface for Ableton, keep reading and find out which factors to pay attention to when picking a decent model. While having this information at hand, you will definitely make the right decision.
Connectivity: USB Type-C | Protocol: USB 2.0 | Resolution: 24-Bit/192kHz | Brand: BEHRINGER
The Behringer U-PHORIA UM2 audio interface for Ableton Live is very well reviewed. It is available at Amazon UK and other online stores and it has been received by users with a lot of positive feedback.
There are some cons of this audio interface as well and you need to be aware of those before deciding to purchase it. For one, the price of the product is a tad on the higher side and that is because it is superior in quality. Another thing is that it does not have all the different knobs and sliders that other types of audio interfaces have and that makes it a bit less versatile. In terms of the durability, the pros far outstrip the cons as the product has received numerous accolades from both industry professionals and users.
Connectivity: USB Type-C | Protocol: USB 2.0 | Resolution: 24-Bit/192kHz | Brand: PreSonus
The most important thing to remember about this device is that there are advantages and disadvantages to every electronic product and when you choose the PreSonus Studio 26c it falls into the category of an advantage. This device is a favorite among professional musicians that are looking for a way to connect multiple pieces of equipment. The main advantage of this particular model compared to other brands or models of similar specifications is that there is no noise that will come out of other devices connected to it.
The pros - it is extremely easy to connect your equipment to this particular unit. It is also very easy to send and receive files from your computer to the PreSonus Studio. It is very simple to operate.
Connectivity: USB Type-C | Protocol: USB 2.0 | Resolution: 24-bit/192kHz | Brand: M-Audio
This review is on the M-Audio AIR 192|6 USB audio interface. It has all the major features that are needed to create a complete musical track such as record, play, stop, mixer and effects. M-Audio has long been a popular name when it comes to computer audio hardware and audio interface products. M-Audio is the top seller of computer sound cards and other computer audio interface solutions.
The M-Audio AIR 192|6 is a high quality product that provides great value for the consumer. This review will look at the pros and cons of the product. The cons of this unit are also many but the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages.
Connectivity: USB Type-C | Protocol: USB 2.0 | Resolution: 24-bit/192kHz | Brand: Focusrite
The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen USB audio interface is one of the most versatile and reliable options available in the market. The high-quality 24-bit/192kHz AD-DA converters guarantee professional sound quality across the entire third-generation Scarlett range. The interface is easy to operate, has a straightforward setup, and is compatible with most music-making apps. The interface offers the distinctive Focusrite sound, allowing the user to capture a wide variety of sounds without having to spend an exorbitant amount of money on hardware.
The Focusrite interface provides an intuitive and helpful guide that walks users through the installation of virtual instruments, plug-ins, and sample content. The manual is accompanied by an on-screen display which explains how to set up the interface. The Focusrite interface is built to last, so it won't need much maintenance. The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 is a versatile recording tool and a great choice for any music-producing or podcasting studio.
Connectivity: USB Type-C | Protocol: USB 2.0 | Resolution: 48-bit/192kHz | Brand: M-Audio
If you are looking for a professional recording interface for your new guitar or keyboard, you should check out the M-Audio M-Track Duo. This interface is especially designed to make recording your musical instrument an easy task so that you can spend more time practicing or playing rather than recording. This is one of the best interfaces for recording and mixing in the market today.
The M-Audio M-Track Duo has many features that will benefit all serious recording pros. For example, it has direct track recording which means that you can save tracks straight into your computer without having to go through the process of recording through an interface. This feature helps you record directly to a hard drive or tape drive. Another pro is that the monitor monitoring on this device is very clear and allows you to hear the sounds of your instruments in great detail.
Connectivity: USB Type-C | Protocol: USB 2.0 | Resolution: 24-bit/192kHz | Brand: Axe I/O
The Ik Multimedia Axe I/O Solo is a high quality audio interface made by IK Multimedia. It's one of the latest audio interfaces on the market and has a lot to offer both pros and beginners of electronic music. The advantages of this keyboard include a complete MIDI interface that lets you connect it up to your computer and access all its functions from there. This means that no matter where you are, you can plug in your virtual piano and get great performance without worrying about connecting to a computer.
Some of the other pros of the Ik Multimedia Axe I/O Solo audio interface include a high-definition video instruction library with video lessons and interactive sections that will help even the most inexperienced users get the right techniques. You can also use this virtual piano for composing and arranging your own music, as it includes a virtual rack where you can store your finished products.
Connectivity: USB Type-C | Protocol: USB 2.0 | Resolution: 24-bit/96kHz | Brand: M-Audio
M-Audio AIR|HUB series was designed to be easy to plug and play. It comes with a complete range of high quality recording and effects tools including room acoustic correction, vocal monitoring, and mid-frequency effect boosting. It also has a comprehensive collection of virtual stomp kits that are perfect for practicing and creating new sounds. This series was one of the first products in its class to incorporate air technology. Airq is an innovative and patented technology that eliminates unwanted background noise. This ensures that the user receives a clean and clear sound even from an open or closed microphone position.
Another advantage of the M-Audio AIR|HUB series is the ability to use up-conversion headphones while recording. Headphones equipped with the Air series offer great clarity even without converting the signal as it happens.
Connectivity: USB Type-C | Protocol: USB 2.0 | Resolution: 24-bit/96kHz | Brand: PreSonus
The PreSonus AudioBox USB 96 2x2 is small, rugged, and compatible with virtually any recording software. The compact, USB-powered unit offers one instrument and microphone input, a Class-A mic preamplifier, balanced TRS monitor outputs, and professional 24-bit/96-kHz converters.
This audio interface is compatible with virtually all audio-recording software, including Mac OS X. It also includes a free license of the popular PreSonus Studio One Artist DAW. It was designed for creative musicians by creative people, so it is easy to use and a breeze to learn. The USB 96 audio interface has a robust chassis and excellent sound. The preamps are designed to work with the latest studio software and has a mix control, balanced line-level outputs, and ultra-loud headphone out. Its robust design and low price make it an ideal companion for recording with any software.
Connectivity: USB Type-C | Protocol: USB 2.0 | Resolution: 24-bit/192kHz | Brand: Focusrite
The Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 is the newest and ultimate model in the Scarlett 3rd generation series. This single rack unit provides 18 inputs and 20 outputs. It supports simultaneous recording of vocals, instruments and MIDI signals, and offers ADAT optical inputs and WordClock synchronization. Its compact design makes it a great choice for any studio environment.
The Focusrite-18i20 provides an unrivaled level of audio quality, allowing you to record in the highest resolution possible. Its eight analog inputs provide excellent audio quality, and the roundtrip latency is just 2.74ms. It also supports multiple monitor setups, including a built-in talkback microphone. The 18i20's ADAT input means that you can connect a second monitor to use for mixing. With its high-quality audio, it's an excellent choice for a recording studio. Its durable build makes it ideal for travel.
| IMAGE | NAME | FEATURES | |
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Behringer U-PHORIA UM2
Our choice
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CHECK PRICE → | |
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PreSonus Studio 26c 2x4
Famous
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CHECK PRICE → | |
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M-Audio AIR 192|6
Modern
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CHECK PRICE → |
All audio interfaces work by receiving digital audio information from your computer (or any other external device) and converting it into analog audio. Analog I/O devices incorporate both A/D conversion and D/A conversion functions. ADA, or AD/DA, audio interfaces support the conversion in both directions.
Almost all audio interfaces support analog-to-digital conversion. Read on to discover the basic features you need to take into account before parting with your cash.
Regardless of which audio interface you will purchase, it will most likely be compatible with both Mac OS and Windows. However, there are some exceptions, so you will need to check out this aspect in advance. For example, the Metric Halo audio interface is compatible only with Macs.
The most popular connectivity options in newer models are Thunderbolt, PCIe, FireWire, and USB. The older models support only FireWire and PCIe.
1. Thunderbolt Audio Interfaces
The newest and the most prominent connectivity option is Thunderbolt. Those audio interfaces that adopt Thunderbolt are more expensive than those supporting USB or FireWire. In addition, Thunderbolt audio interfaces might seem rather confusing if you are a beginner.
2. USB Audio Interfaces
USB is a universal connectivity option supported by many audio interfaces. If you have a computer released in the last 10 years, it definitely has a couple of USB 2.0 ports. Thanks to it, you can easily connect a USB-based audio interface and use it at your disposal.
