Choosing an Audio Interface - Unit Specifications
A comparison of the features and specifications of some popular and suggested audio interfaces.
Suggested units
There is a huge range of audio interfaces available for computers. This is a small selection of some representative, interesting and/or popular units. Inclusion in or exclusion from this list does not constitute a recommendation or otherwise of any kind.
| Apogee ONE - product page | ||
|
Minimal but high quality production and podcasting interface with built-in USB microphone. High quality conversion, with a single studio quality microphone/instrument input, or built-in microphone, and stereo headphone/monitor outputs. Bus powered, so an ideal portable solution for those looking for location audio capture from a single source, and who want Apogee sound quality without the usual accompanying price-tag! Apple Mac only. [Note - though high quality, the mono input and max 48kHz sampling rate makes ONE unsuitable for archiving.] |
Computer connection | USB2 |
| Total inputs | 1 | |
| Mic inputs | 1 | |
| Outputs | 2 | |
| Digital I/O | No | |
| Headphone outputs | 1 | |
| Direct monitoring? |
Yes (via Maestro control panel) |
|
| Max sampling rate | 48kHz | |
| Max bit depth | 24 bit | |
| MIDI | No | |
| OS compatibility | Mac OSX 10.4 or later | |
| Guide price range | £175 | |
| Apogee Duet - product page | ||
|
A high quality stereo interface. Reference quality conversion, with two studio quality microphone/instrument inputs. Bus powered, so again ideal portable solution for those looking for a neat no-compromise location audio capture device, and who have sufficient budget! Apple Mac only. |
Computer connection | Firewire 400 |
| Total inputs | 2 | |
| Mic inputs | 2 | |
| Outputs | 2 | |
| Digital I/O | No | |
| Headphone outputs | 1 | |
| Direct monitoring? |
Yes (via Maestro control panel) |
|
| Max sampling rate | 96kHz | |
| Max bit depth | 24 bit | |
| MIDI | No | |
| OS compatibility | Mac OSX 10.4 or later | |
| Guide price range | £600 | |
| Apogee Ensemble - product page | ||
|
Reference quality multichannel audio interface. Archive standard AD/DA conversion, with four studio quality microphone/instrument inputs and four further line level inputs. Multiple digital formats supported (ADAT, AES, S/PDIF). Optimised for use with Logic Pro, but compatible with all DAW applications on the Mac. Apple Mac only. |
Computer connection | Firewire 400 |
| Total inputs | 18 | |
| Mic inputs | 4 | |
| Outputs |
18 total 8xanalogue 8xADAT 2xAES/S/PDIF |
|
| Digital I/O | Yes | |
| Headphone outputs | 2 | |
| Direct monitoring? |
Yes (via Maestro control panel) |
|
| Max sampling rate | 192kHz | |
| Max bit depth | 24 bit | |
| MIDI | Yes | |
| OS compatibility | Mac OSX 10.4 or later | |
| Guide price range | £1500 | |
| Prism Orpheus - product page | ||
|
Reference quality multichannel audio interface suitable for recording, archiving, mastering or any critical digital audio use. Archive standard AD/DA conversion, with four studio quality microphone/instrument inputs and four further line level inputs. Built-in RIAA equalisation for direct turntable connection. Multiple digital formats supported (ADAT, AES, S/PDIF). A no-compromise solution from a highly respected manufacturer. Windows/Mac compatible. |
Computer connection | Firewire 400 |
| Total inputs | 16 | |
| Mic inputs | 4 | |
| Outputs |
16 total 8xanalogue TOSlink digital up to 8 ch ADAT |
|
| Digital I/O | Yes | |
| Headphone outputs | 2 | |
| Direct monitoring? |
Yes (via internal DSP + applet) |
|
| Max sampling rate | 192kHz | |
| Max bit depth | 24 bit | |
| OS compatibility | Mac OSX 10.4+, Windows XP/Vista or later | |
| Guide price range | £3200 | |
| RME Fireface 800 - product page | ||
|
Reference quality multichannel audio interface. Archive standard AD/DA conversion, with four studio quality microphone/instrument inputs and four further line level inputs. Multiple digital formats supported (ADAT, AES, S/PDIF). Windows/Mac compatible. |
Computer connection | Firewire 800 |
| Total inputs | 26 | |
| Mic inputs | 4 | |
| Outputs | 26 | |
| Digital I/O | Yes | |
| Headphone outputs | 1 | |
| Direct monitoring? |
Yes (via TotalMix control panel) |
|
| Max sampling rate | 192kHz | |
| Max bit depth | 24 bit | |
| OS compatibility | Windows 2000/XP/Vista, Mac OSX 10.3+ | |
| Guide price range | £1000 | |
| Tascam US-100 - product page | ||
|
Well built entry-level podcasting/home recording USB audio interface. Single microphone input (no phantom power) or stereo line leve input, which can also be RIAA switched to allow direct connection of a turntable to the interface for vinyl digitisation. Windows/Mac compatible |
Computer connection | USB |
| Total inputs | 2 (line level or turntable) | |
| Mic inputs | 1 (not phantom powered) | |
| Outputs | 2 | |
| Digital I/O | no | |
| Headphone outputs | 1 | |
| Direct monitoring? | Yes | |
| Max sampling rate | 48kHz | |
| Max bit depth | 16 bit | |
| OS compatibility | Mac & Windows | |
| Guide price range | £95 | |
| Edirol UA-101 - product page | ||
|
Versatile and good value interface with multiple inputs and outputs via USB2. 2 mic/instrument/line ins and six further line level inputs switchable +4/-10dB. Limiter prevents input signal clipping. 8 separate outputs, plus dedicated stereo monitor output and front panel headphone out with direct hardware monitoring. Software for signal routing/monitor mixing included. Windows/Mac compatible |
Computer connection | USB |
| Total inputs | 10 | |
| Mic inputs | 2 | |
| Outputs | 10 | |
| Digital I/O | optical S/PDIF | |
| Headphone outputs | 1 | |
| Direct monitoring? | Yes | |
| Max sampling rate | 192kHz | |
| Max bit depth | 24-bit | |
| OS compatibility | Mac & Windows | |
| Guide price range | £360 | |
| MOTU 828 mk2 - product page | ||
|
High quality multi-channel interface Powerful CueMix software mixer for signal routing independently of computer. Windows/Mac compatible |
Computer connection | USB2 |
| Total inputs | 20 | |
| Mic inputs | 2 | |
| Outputs | 18 | |
| Digital I/O | ADAT & S/PDIF | |
| Headphone outputs | 1 | |
| Direct monitoring? |
Yes - software via CueMix Console |
|
| Max sampling rate | 96kHz | |
| Max bit depth | 24 | |
| OS compatibility | Mac & Windows | |
| Guide price range | £600 | |
| E-mu Tracker Pre - product page | ||
|
Good value USB interface offering a good range of connections,quality conversion and 192kHz sampling capability. Bus powered, or optional PSU Windows/Mac compatible |
Computer connection | USB2 |
| Total inputs | 2 | |
| Mic inputs | 2 | |
| Outputs | 2 | |
| Digital I/O | No | |
| Headphone outputs | 1 | |
| Direct monitoring? | Yes - Hardware | |
| Max sampling rate | 192kHz (Windows) /96kHz (Mac) | |
| Max bit depth | 24 | |
| OS compatibility | Windows & Mac | |
| Guide price range | £125-£150 | |
