Affordable and high-quality audio interfaces for drums.
If you are looking for the best audio interface for drums, you need to examine multiple options, as the biggest issue in this case is the number of ports for connecting all drum mics. Knowing how tedious this process can be, we decided to study current offers and pick those that are worth purchasing in 2024.
In general, recording drums can cause much stress. Experienced audio engineers assume that tracking drums is the most challenging part of making the entire record. Therefore, you need to be very attentive before spending money on a particular audio interface. Have a closer look at the key parameters described below and get a system that will make your work totally enjoyable.
Connectivity: USB Type-C | Max Sample Rate: 192kHz | Resolution: 24-Bit
Scarlett 18i8 3rd Gen features Loopback mode, ALT function for fast switching, direct monitoring in stereo, anti-thump outputs when connecting equipment. The audio interface has four new preamps with 56dB gain and switchable Air mode, emulating the sound of ISA transformer preamps from Focusrite consoles.
The front panel contains 2 separate controls for headphones, a master volume control, 4 gain controls, and 2 buttons for turning on 48V phantom power. The Focusrite Control app allows configuring channel routing, Inst/Air/Pad modes and other advanced features. The app can be accessed from PCs and iOS/Android devices.
Connectivity: USB Type-C | Max Sample Rate: 192kHz | Resolution: 24-Bit
All Air 192/4 controls are well-thought-out and close at hand. All regulators are analog only. There is a hardware monitoring of inputs. A headphone amplifier of 30 mW per channel is not the most powerful, but still not bad for a budget interface.
The guitar input is not combined with others and is located on the front panel for easy connection. The M-Audio Air 192/4 has everything for personal recording or for bloggers. The XLR input with +48V phantom power can also be used as a TRS line input if you need to connect, for example, a synthesizer.
Connectivity: USB Type-B | Max Sample Rate: 96kHz | Resolution: 24-Bit
The body of the device is completely metal, which makes the AudioBox USB 96 suitable for everyday use and for field recording. The interface has two high-quality class A microphone preamps. The model is positioned for studio and mobile work with a laptop. The model comes with the proprietary PreSonus Studio One Artist recording software for Windows and iMac, which provides many ready-made sound processing plug-ins.
The front panel features two combo TSR/XLR mic/guitar inputs, a +48V phantom power button for condenser microphones, channel gain controls with clipping indicators, hardware input monitoring, separate volume controls for headphones and line-out monitors. A big plus for musicians is the dedicated MIDI connectors. The device is powered from the USB, the cable is included. Complete separate drivers for PC and Mac are provided for all the latest OS versions. The manufacturer develops drivers independently.
Connectivity: USB Type-C | Max Sample Rate: 192kHz | Resolution: 24-Bit
The PreSonus Studio 68c audio interface features full XMAX 80dB gain preamps and equipped with four Mic/Line combo In, four TRS line Out, MIDI S/PDIF, and a headphone Out.
The controls include gain controls, LED level meters and A/B, Mon, Line, 48V buttons. The device's converters have a dynamic range of 114 dB and support sample rates up to 192kHz. The audio interface comes with a set of additional plugins and StudioOneArtist and AbletonLiveLite software.
Connectivity: USB Type-C | Max Sample Rate: 192kHz | Resolution: 24-Bit
The compact Native Instruments Komplete Audio 2 audio interface supports sample rates up to 192 kHz for home and mobile use. Together with Komplete Audio 2, the manufacturer includes full set of programs: AbletonLive 10 Lite, MaschineEssentials, Monark, Replika, Phasis, SolidBusComp, KompleteStart.
Komplete Audio2 has two XLR/TRS combo In with support for phantom power, two TRS speaker Out and a headphone Out. The device is equipped with LED indicators and a volume knob. The audio interface also has a direct signal monitoring function.
Connectivity: USB Type-B | Max Sample Rate: 192kHz | Resolution: 24-Bit
The SERIES 102i is equipped with Tascam Ultra-HDDA low noise preamplifiers (–127 dB equivalent noise and distortion <= 0.005%). The interface has a built-in DSP mixer with a set of plug-ins that can be used in zero latency mode. The mixer also allows you to route the inputs and outputs of the device.
The combo inputs have Inst/Mic/+48 switches. Two outputs are available for connecting headphones, the volume of which is controlled by a single control. The audio interface has a multi-channel optical S/Mux input, 2 line outputs, 2 TRS/XLR inputs and MIDI IN/OUT. The Tascam SERIES 102i is powered from an external adapter and comes with the following software suite: Steinberg Cubase LE, IK Multimedia AmpliTube, T-Rex Tascam Edition.
Connectivity: USB Type-B | Max Sample Rate: 192kHz | Resolution: 24-Bit
The RME Digiface USB audio interface supports sample rates up to 192 kHz and is compatible with both iMac and Win platforms. RME DigifaceUSB is a compact and lightweight device equipped with 4 digital optical inputs and 4 outputs, as well as a stereo headphone output combined with a line output. Each optical port can be used as an ADAT interface (up to 8 channels) or S/PDIF (stereo).
DigifaceUSB contains the powerful TotalMix FX digital mixer, which provides virtually unlimited mixing and signal routing capabilities. It is powered by the USB bus, which, together with its small size and weight, makes it a versatile and useful device that can even be used as a mobile headphone amplifier.
Connectivity: USB Type-C | Max Sample Rate: 192kHz | Resolution: 24-Bit
The ioStation 24c is a combination of an audio interface and a DAW controller. The novelty is equipped with two XMAX A class mic preamps, high-quality converters with a dynamic range of 115 dB and support for sampling rates up to 192 kHz, as well as a set of controls from the FaderPort series controllers.
Thanks to support for HUI and Mackie protocols, the model can work with both Studio One and most other DAWs. To change the volume of microphone inputs and outputs for monitors / headphones, the audio interface has a separate section with 5 controls. The main capabilities of the ioStation 24c as a controller include: controlling the recording and playback process, working with automations, controlling mixer channels, and turning sound on/off.
Connectivity: USB Type-B | Max Sample Rate: 96kHz | Resolution: 24-Bit
PreSonus AudioBox USB 96 surprises with its signature bright sound. Even among inexpensive audio interfaces with similar internals, there can be a very strong difference in sound. AudioBox USB 96 is a very serious competitor in the entry-level interface niche.
A big plus for musicians is the dedicated MIDI connectors. The device is powered from the USB bus, the cable is included. A separate power supply unit is not provided - thus, the manufacturer does not position the device to work with the iPad. But there are full-fledged separate drivers for Windows and iMac for all the latest OS versions. The manufacturer develops drivers independently.
| IMAGE | NAME | FEATURES | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Focusrite Scarlett 18i8
Our choice
|
CHECK PRICE → | |
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M-Audio AIR 192/4
Professional
|
CHECK PRICE → | |
|
PreSonus AudioBox USB 96 Blue
Portable
|
CHECK PRICE → |
The majority of interfaces come with built-in preamps, so just connect cables and microphones to get down to work. However, some devices have only line inputs, which means you need to buy a mixer or autonomous preamps to records with several mics simultaneously.
As for the outputs, get a device with at least 2 of them (to check what you’ve recorded). The best audio interface for drums is fitted with several headphone outputs, so that all participants can hear what they are playing.
Some systems are supplied with a PCI card, which you need to insert into your PC to establish a connection. However, most options rely on standard USB and Firewire methods, so you just need to plug cables into dedicated ports. To get an audio interface that will work for your current computer, visit the manufacturer’s website and check the chipset compatibility. USB is less demanding in this regard and leaves lots of space for future updates. FW ports are rarely available in modern computers.
You need special software to record drums or any other musical equipment. Typically, music production enthusiasts use DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) for this purpose. Some interfaces some with embedded free software, but they can’t cope with more serious tasks. For professional use, you should invest in ProTools, Logic Pro, or similar software capable of handling a heavy load. Using such tools, you can fully control the recording process and add special effects to your music thanks to a range of available features.
Even using the best audio interface for drums, you may get a lackluster sound because there are other crucial aspects to keep in mind. First of all, you have to tune your drums in a proper way, so that they can reveal their full potential. Moreover, you need to get a good drum microphone that can add crispness to any drum recording.
