6 Best Audio Interfaces for ANY BUDGET
It doesn't matter on which level you are (Beginner, Advanced, Pro), an audio interface is one of the most essential items in your studio setup. Choices are endless, so I've picked out TOP 6 Audio Interfaces for ANY BUDGET ranging from up to $200, all the way to $1000. There are obviously more expensive interfaces, but let's first cover these ones.
Have in mind that these 6 are my personal favorite (that I tried and worked on for some time), so that's why I recommend them.
Here are the 6 Best Audio Interfaces for any budget (according to my experience):
1. Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (up to $200)
2. Motu M2 (up to $200)
3. Antelope Audio Zen Go (around $500)
4. Universal Audio Apollo Solo (around $500)
5. Antelope Audio Zen Q (up to $1000)
6. Universal Audio Apollo Twin (up to $1000)
1. Focusrite Scarlett 2i2
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This little beast is probably the most popular audio interface for artists across all genres.
The third-generation Scarlett 2i2 provides two mic/line/instrument inputs allowing simultaneous recording and playback of up to two channels with independently controllable headphone and monitor outputs.
The 2i2 features two upgraded third-generation Scarlett mic preamps: with optional Air setting to reproduce the Air effect of Focusrite’s original ISA mic preamp, giving your vocal and acoustic recordings a brighter and more open sound.
Equipped with high performance 24-bit/192kHz AD-DA converters, Scarlett guarantees the same professional sound quality throughout the third-generation range.
The high impedance, high-headroom instrument inputs allow you to record guitar or bass without any clipping or unwanted distortion, while Gain Halo metering makes it easy for you to set the input level.
Included software:
- Ableton Live Lite music making software
- Pro Tools | First Focusrite Creative Pack
- Free 3-month Splice Sounds subscription with new Splice accounts
- Focusrite Red 2 & Red 3 Plug-In Suite
- A choice of 1 of 4 XLN Audio Addictive Keys virtual instruments
- Softube Time & Tone Bundle
- Access to the Focusrite Plug-in Collective
Specifications:
- Connectivity - USB Type-C
- Protocol - USB 2.0
- Form Factor - Desktop
- Simultaneous I/O - 2 x 2
- A/D Resolution - 24-bit/192 kHz
- Number of Preamps - 2
- Phantom Power - YES
- Instrument Inputs - 2
- Line Inputs - 2
- Analogue Outputs - 2
- Headphone Outputs - 1
- Bus Powered - YES
2. Motu M2
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This little beast is equipped with the same ESS Sabre32 Ultra DAC Technology found in audio interfaces costing thousands, the M2 delivers an astonishing 120 dB Dynamic Range on its main outputs. ESS converters also drive the headphone output, which rivals dedicated headphone amplifiers costing hundreds. Ultra-clean preamp circuits produce a measured -129 dBu EIN on the mic inputs. Capture and monitor your audio with pristine clarity.
Included software:
- MOTU Performer Lite
- Ableton Live 10 Lite
- 6GB of loops and sounds from Big Fish Audio, LucidSamples, Loopmasters and MOTU
Specifications:
- 24-Bit / 192 kHz AD/DA converter
- 2 Microphone preamps with individually switchable +48 V phantom power on each one
- 2 Line inputs: 6.3 mm XLR / Jack Combo (switchable to Hi-Z instrument input)
- 2 Line outputs: 6.3 mm Balanced jack
- 2 Unbalanced outputs (mirrored): RCA
- Stereo headphone output: 6.3 mm Jack
- MIDI input/output
- Loopback feature
- LCD level meter
3. Antelope Audio Zen Go
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The Zen Go Synergy Core shrinks the gap in sound quality between artists with access to premium studios and home creators. The pristine sound is due to a combination of professional-grade AD/DA converters and Antelope Discrete ultralinear preamps that share circuits with legendary American and British consoles. The standout sonic quality of the device would not be possible without the main pillar of the Antelope Audio sound—the 64-bit AFC clocking technology from the company's high-end master clocks. It is employed in prestigious studios around the world and has been trusted with the scoring of Hollywood blockbusters.
At any time, you can expand your effects collection by purchasing more classic go-to units, true rarities never before recreated in digital form, and 3rd party effects.
Included software:
- Zen Go Synergy Core comes with 37 premium analog-modeled effects that will help you create stunning, sonically rich productions.
- Aside from the exclusive compressors, EQs, and preamps, the interface comes with 22 guitar amps and cabs, a guitar tuner, and a signature reverb that are all ready to be applied in real time to your tracking and mixing session.
- The Synergy Core effects processing allows you to stack up your chain with many effects instances while monitoring through the interface without fear of overloading.
Specifications:
- Analogue I/O: 2x Combo-XLR inputs (mic/line/Hi-Z), 2x 1/4” TRS (balanced monitor), 2x RCA (unbalanced monitor), 2x 1/4” stereo headphones (separate channels)
- Digital I/O: USB-C x2 (computer and auxiliary power), 2x S/PDIF (RCA in and out)
- Max Levels: +20dBu output (TRS monitor), +20dBu input (mic/line)
- Mic Preamps: 65dB gain, 121dB dynamic range (A-weighted), -106dB THD
- A/D Converter: 120dB dynamic range, -100dB THD+N
- D/A Converter (monitor): 127dB (A) dynamic range, -115dB THD+N
- Sample Rates: 44.1kHz to 192kHz
- AFX2DAW plugin formats: VST2/3, AU and AAX
- Weight: ~700g
- Supplied with USB-C cable and USB-C to A adapter
4. Universal Audio Apollo Solo
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Featuring class-leading Universal Audio conversion, two Unison mic preamps, and a suite of built-in effects, Apollo Solo USB puts album-quality recording on your desktop. This 2 x 4 USB audio interface for Windows also includes a generous collection of UAD plug-ins to record vocals and instruments through, at near-zero latency.
Derived from Universal Audio’s award-winning Apollo interfaces, Apollo Solo USB opens up a range of classic analog color via its Realtime UAD Processing. Featuring an onboard UAD-2 SOLO Core processor, Apollo Solo USB lets you monitor and record through the full library of UAD Powered Plug-Ins — at near-zero latency, regardless of your audio software buffer setting. It’s like having a virtual analog studio that fits in a laptop bag.
Apollo Solo USB's robust all-metal construction, best-in-class headphone amplifier, and superior audio conversion is perfect for musicians, songwriters, and electronic music producers who need UA quality in a compact package.
Included software:
- Apollo Solo USB's Unison technology gives you the tone, touch and “feel” of the world's most sought-after tube and transformer-based mic preamps and guitar amps. It includes the UA 610-B Tube Preamp, Marshall Plexi Classic Amplifier, and Ampeg SVT-VR Classic Bass Amp plug-ins — and can be expanded with exclusive titles from Neve, Avalon, SSL, Fender, and more.
- The secret is a unique hardware-software integration, which adjusts the impedance of Apollo's instrument and mic preamps to match the emulated hardware — for authentic analog sound unmatched by other recording interfaces.
Specifications:
- Desktop 2 x 4 USB audio interface with class-leading 24-bit/192 kHz audio conversion
- Unison mic preamp and guitar amp emulations from Neve, API, Avalon, Manley, Marshall, Fender, and more
- Realtime UAD Processing allows near-zero latency tracking with classic UAD plug-in effects, regardless of software buffer setting
- Includes studio compressors, EQs, reverbs, and guitar amp emulations, and more as part of “Realtime Analog Classics” bundle
- Best-in-class headphone amplifier for loud, detailed, low-noise monitoring.
5. Antelope Audio Zen Q
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From input to output, the Zen Q is designed to help you grow to a bigger setup without losing the desktop size format. The ultra-linear preamps and pristine AD/DA conversion give you professional quality in the studio or on the go – all in a compact package.
Add to that its generous connectivity and real-time onboard effects, and you’ll be up to almost any task – whether you want to record, mix, master, stream, or just play.
Included software:
- Zen Q comes equipped with a virtual library of 37 free effects from the Synergy Core effects platform.
- You’ll get access to everything you need to capture and process audibly rich and dynamic sound.
- The collection includes analog-modeled compressors, equalizers, and mic-preamps, as well as guitar cabs & amps for dialing in the perfect guitar tone.
- Grow your collection of Synergy Core effects with 50 optional expansions. The selection grows over time and includes emulations of classic gear and special third-party effects. Antelope Audio is proud to include Grove Hill’s Liverpool, Gyratec’s legendary EQs, Antares’ Auto-Tune, and Inertia’s Instinct.
- Processes effects in real-time with imperceptible latency while monitoring, tracking or mixing.
- Offloads all processing to the interface thus saving your host computer CPU & memory.
Specifications:
- With Synergy Core FX Processing Platform
- Compact desktop design
- AD/DA conversion: 24 bit / 192kHz
- 2 Discrete ultra-linear preamps with 65 dB gain and 48 V phantom power
- With 37 analogue modelled Synergy Core effects
- Proprietary 64-bit Acoustically Focused Clocking (AFC) technology
- Synergy Core onboard platform with 2x DSP & 1x FPGA chip
- Latency-free real-time monitoring with Synergy Core effects (< 1ms)
- With volume control and buttons to control core parameters
- 2.8" IPS screen
- Digitally expandable via S/PDIF and ADAT interface
- Thunderbolt 3 bus-powered
- 2 Combo inputs Mic/Line/Hi-Z: XLR/6.3 mm jack
- 2 Switchable Line/Hi-Z inputs: 6.3 mm jack
- ON: -128 dBu (A-weighted)
- Dynamic range: -121dB (A-weighted)
- THD: -106 dB
- Max. input level: +20 dBu
- Max. gain: 65 dB
- 1 Monitor output L/R: 6.3 mm jack, balanced
- 2 Line outputs: 6.3 mm jack, balanced
- 2 Stereo headphone outputs: 6.3 mm jack, with separate volume control
- 1 S/PDIF In/Out
- 1 ADAT In (expandable up to 8 channels @ 44.1/48.0)
- 1 Thunderbolt 3 port
6. Universal Audio Apollo Twin
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Furnished with 24-bit / 192 kHz converters redesigned and upgraded from the original Apollo Twin, the Apollo Twin MKII DUO gives musicians, producers, songwriters, and audio engineers the appreciable value of clear, high-resolution recording and mixing, with low distortion (-111 dB) and increased dynamic range (121 dB).
Thanks to the switchable low-cut filter, pad, polarity inversion, 48V phantom power, and stereo linking on each analog input, you can efficiently optimize your incoming signals with straightforward buttons on the Apollo Twin MKII DUO's face. In addition to the two primary analog inputs, you can record up to eight more channels by connecting external preamps with ADAT or S/PDIF optical outputs to the TOSLINK optical input port on the Apollo Twin MKII DUO.
Included software:
- The built-in DUO Core processing allows you to monitor and record audio using classic analog emulations with near-zero latency and no burden on your computer's CPU.
- The plug-in bundle included with the Heritage Edition empowers you with 25 top-notch plug-ins ranging from vintage compressor and EQ collections to virtual guitar/bass amps and time-based processors.
- The included Console application provides control and recall of all interface and UAD plug-in settings including channel-strip presets, drag-and-drop functionality, and dynamically resizable windows.
Specifications:
- With 2 SHARC DSPs to process the UAD plug-ins without strain on the CPU of the host computer
- 24 bit / 192 kHz
- Unison technology for modelling classic tube and transistor-based preamplifiers, guitar amps, and stomp boxes
- Integrated talkback microphone
- Monitoring functions such as: Monitor remote control and controls for Mono, Mute, DIM, and ALT monitors
- 2 Unison microphone / Line combo inputs: XLR / 6.3 mm jack
- 2 Line outputs: 6.3 mm jack
- Hi-Z instrument input and headphone output: 6.3 mm jack
- 2 Digitally controlled analogue monitor outputs: 6.3 mm jack
- Optical digital input: S/PDIF / ADAT
- Thunderbolt connection
- Power supply connector: 12 V DC
Conclusion:
Now, it's up to you to choose the best for your studio and your needs. Our studio is currently equipped with Antelope Audio interfaces, and we're proud to have them in our setup! We never experienced an issue with them, so for now, we're loyal to them. In terms of which one you should pick, our recommendation is to look for the right amount of I/O you need, DSP & Software because that's what gives a lot of value & more criteria which we'll cover in another blog post.If you want to add a recommendation for the future blog post and get featured on, feel free to reach to our DM on Instagram or use our e-mail address: marko@md3sign.com
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