Affordable and high-quality audio interfaces for Audacity.
Unlike some of the competing DAWs such as ProTools or Sound Forge, Audacity doesn’t include a particularly broad feature set. That said, it still offers all the essential tools for tracking, adjusting, and mixing music sounds.
Despite being more limited in functionality, Audacity is still extremely popular among users because of how convenient it is to use and its open-source code. If you’re using this software as well and want to get the best audio interface for Audacity available, this post will offer you several top-of-the-line options along with handy tips on how to make your choice between them.
Connectivity: USB Type-C | Protocol: USB 3.0 | Resolution: 24-bit/192kHz
The new PreSonus Studio 24c 2x2 USB audio interface is equipped with a vast amount of features and abilities, making it one of the most popular interface choices for professional audio interface consumers. Easily integrated with the most popular PreSonus Studio One software, the Studio Series USB or interfaces work flawlessly with any leading mac or windows recording software.
With the features and reliability that this professional audio interface offers, it is no surprise that it is so popular. Able to interface with both MAC and PC, a wide range of recording hardware is available, including Macbook, Windows, Neve, Cubase, Pro Tools, Sonar and many others. This professional audio interface can be used with both computers and laptops. Whether you are mixing or recording from your laptop or a desktop computer, this interface has you covered. A quality cable connection allows quick set up and hook up, even when you need it most. One of the best features on this professional audio interface is that it is MIDI compatible.
Connectivity: USB Type-B | Protocol: USB 2.0 | Resolution: 24-bit/48kHz
The M-Audio M-Track Duo USB audio interface delivers 2-channel, high-resolution recording with 48 kHz sample rates in a convenient and flexible format which is perfect for making music on almost any Mac, PC or iOS platform. It is both compact and light, with easy to reach controls and an attractive, professional finish. This revolutionary interface is perfect for recording virtually any kind of audio, from vocals to guitar tones, and is also suitable for mixing audio on your Mac or PC.
The M-Audio interface connects via USB to an audio computer or laptop and is compatible with most popular music software such as Logic, Cubase, Fruity Loops, ProTools, Sonar and countless other recording programs. The single channel of the audio interface can be used for recording directly to a host computer or directly to an audio interface recording software like Audacity.
Connectivity: USB Type-C | Protocol: USB 3.0 | Resolution: 24-bit/192kHz
The Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen USB audio interface is a versatile recording interface that can handle all types of recording technology, be it microphones, keyboards, interfaces or digital recording tools. With the built in compressor, you can easily make compressed recordings.
With the compressor, you are able to eliminate background sounds and bring the sound closer to the front. You can also tweak the recording level and experiment with different compression settings. You can use the onboard mixer for monitoring and sending tracks to other programs or devices for editing.
Connectivity: USB Type-A | Protocol: USB 2.0 | Resolution: 24-bit/96kHz
The PreSonus AudioBox USB 96 digital audio interface is a professional-grade audio interface for connecting your iPhone or other iOS-related device to your computer. Perfect for use in home studio setup or podcasting, this sound card has a front panel with six standard sample sounds and two channels for connecting external instruments or microphones. It also features a large knurled phaser for heavy-duty sound shaping. With its convenience and versatility, the AudioBox USB 96 ensures that professional podcasting remains the preferred method for entertaining music fans.
The PreSonus AudioBox USB 96 is a fully-featured sound card that works flawlessly with all of the major mobile devices such as the iPod Touch, iPhone and iPad. No matter if you want to record with your own computer or connect your phone to the audio interface with a USB cable, you can do it with the PreSonus AudioBox.
Connectivity: USB Type-C | Protocol: USB 2.0 | Resolution: 24-bit/192kHz
PreSonus has introduced a number of new products lately, and one of these is the PreSonus ioStation 24c 2x2 USB audio interface. It is an inexpensive device that will enable you to interface your computer with your recording studio as well as with other electronic devices that you have.
A USB port allows easy transfer of data from one location to another, and this can be especially useful if you are operating in various formats, such as through MP3s, AIFF, or even FLAC files. This interface simplifies workflows, allowing you to work in the studio and transfer recordings to other devices in real time.
Connectivity: USB Type-C | Protocol: USB 3.0 | Resolution: 24-bit/192kHz
The Focusrite Scarlett 8i6 3rd Gen USB audio interface is one of the best-looking, well build and well built interfaces available anywhere online. The sound quality of the recording is very good, not the best that we have heard but it is a very good start. This audio interface allow you to easily record audio and then edit them in your favorite audio editing software. If you want to mix the recording, you can simply use the equalizer feature and the monitoring section to mix it as well.
It's a very good audio interface and we recommend it to any budding audio engineers out there. If you haven't used a professional quality interface before and want to start recording right away, then the Focusrite Scarlett 8i6 USB audio interface is definitely one of the best buys you ever made. You will be glad that you added it to your rackmount mixing interface when you start getting popular and you will be professional recordings before you know it!
Connectivity: USB Type-C | Protocol: USB 3.0 | Resolution: 24-bit/192kHz
Pyle PMXU48BT.5 DJ Console W/USB mixer audio interface is a new high-quality DJ mixer with modern features for the clubs and DJs out there. It comes with two outputs, which is great for those that need to connect the mixer to two devices or more, as well as having a DJ control station. It has an extremely high sound quality which is really noticeable when it comes into play with some of your favorite music from your collection stored on the internal hard drive.
If you are looking for the best mixer that will make your party or professional gig a success, then Pylemx U 48 BT.5 DJ Console is the right choice for you. Its quality audio interface and durable construction will provide years of quality audio recording and playback. Its innovative audio interface design makes it simple for the user to mix and monitor their performances. Its intuitive interface is designed to work seamlessly with modern recording and production software.
Connectivity: USB Type-C | Protocol: USB 2.0 | Resolution: 24-bit/192kHz
PreSonus Studio 68C is an excellent small sized audio interface that will not make a lot of noise during your recording process and at the same time it has features that will make any potential problems in the recording process disappear. In addition, this interface also comes with a number of add ons to make any professional audio engineer's job easier, so if you need to mix, record or mix audio then you will be able to do it properly with this interface.
The PreSonus Studio 68C comes with both a MAC and a PC version, so regardless of whether you are using your MAC or PC for your recording needs you will be able to use both these interfaces. If you would like to use the MAC version then you should know that the software required to use this interface is a MAC compatible version of Audacity, which is a great cross-platform digital audio workstation.
| IMAGE | NAME | FEATURES | |
|---|---|---|---|
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PreSonus Studio 24c 2x2
High quality
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CHECK PRICE → | |
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M-Audio M-Track Duo
Compact
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CHECK PRICE → | |
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Focusrite Scarlett Solo
Versatile
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CHECK PRICE → |
2-channel and even 1-channel models are generally powerful enough for home use if you’re going to record vocals and instruments sequentially and then mix them later in Audacity. However, if you want to work with 2 or more audio sources at the same time, it’s advised to get an audio interface with at least 4 channels.
The majority of audio interfaces employ mixed ports that are compatible with XLR and 1/4” jacks. Since they represent 2-in-1 inputs, their inclusion allows making the device smaller and lowering the overall price. They also make it easier for beginners to connect various microphones and instruments since you don’t have to worry about which sound source goes where. Keep in mind that some models, particularly older ones, still come with individual inputs for XLR and 1/4”. That said, each model covered in this review comes with a rundown of all included ports so you’ll have a clear idea of what you’re getting when choosing the best audio interface for Audacity from this list.
Typically ignored by beginners, the question of whether a specific audio interface is compatible with both line-level (low impedance) and instrument-level (high impedance) sources is very important. The line-level deals with keyboards and other electronic instruments while the latter is there for guitars and basses that lack an active preamplifier. Even though you can employ a DI box for audio interfaces that can’t handle high impedance sources, it’s significantly more convenient to get a model that supports both levels. If you’re going to record several types of microphones and instruments, the best audio interface for Audacity should ideally allow manual input switching between microphone, instrument, and line sources.
1. Mic Preamp Quality
Preamps can have a dramatic impact on the recorded audio, particularly if you’re using microphones. If you want to build a versatile home setup, it’s advised to go with transparent preamplifiers that recreate the incoming audio with maximum precision. Most audio interfaces included in this post do exactly that, but if you want a preamp that slightly changes the character of the sound, you can find a suitable model here as well.
2. Phantom Power
Eventually, you’ll concede to the fact that you need a condenser microphone for your recording sessions. Such devices usually demand between 11V-48V of phantom power to work, hence why it’s crucial to ensure the product you’re purchasing can offer the phantom power output necessary.
